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Tag: Ovie Omo-Agege

  • Our democracy owes a lot to Frank Kokori’s indefatigable spirit, says Omo-Agege

    Our democracy owes a lot to Frank Kokori’s indefatigable spirit, says Omo-Agege

    Chief Frank Kokori, the late veteran labour leader and one-time secretary general of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), has been described as one of the pillars in the fight against military dictatorship and the return of democratic rule in 1999.

    Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, former Deputy President of the Senate, in a tribute to the former labour leader who passed on in the early hours of Thursday, said his indefatigable fighting spirit and sacrifice for the enthronement of constitutional governance are contributions that are indelible in the history of the advent of the Fourth Republic in Nigeria.

    Chief Kokori, he said, deployed the instrument of labour activism to prop up the concerted fight to oust military dictatorship, especially the notorious regime of late General Sani Abacha.

    Such was the effectiveness of his fight that the then military dictatorship had to use covert night time operations to arrest and detain him until the death of Abacha.

    In a press release issued by his Media Adviser, Mr. Sunny Areh, Omo-Agege who is also the gubernatorial flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, eulogized Kokori as an advocate for the people and for accountable governance.

    “He deliberately put his life on the line when he mobilized workers in the oil industry to fight the Abacha repressive regime. They could not buy him over, they could not handle him and it required the use of undercover state operatives to render and detain him.

    “In fact, it cannot be faulted to say that he is one of the main pillars of the birth of democratic rule in May 1999. Chief Kokori epitomised the virtues of the advocacy of father of labour activism in Nigeria, the late Pa Michael Imodu, who used the platform to fight irresponsible and dictatorial tendencies in government,” Omo-Agege stated.

    He urged the successor generation of labour leaders to imbibe the inspiring and principled stand of their predecessors to be counted on the side of the people.

    Signed:

    Sunny Areh
    Media Adviser to Senator Ovie Omo-Agege

  • Delta guber: Omo-Agege in panic mode as court reserves judgement

    Delta guber: Omo-Agege in panic mode as court reserves judgement

    The defeated governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress APC in the March 18, 2023, Delta elections Obaisi Ovie Omo Agege is in a panic mode as Appeal court finally delivers verdict.

    Recall the Lagos Division of the Appeal court, had on Monday, 13 November 2023 reserved judgment in three separate appeals filed by Senator Omo-Agege as well as governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi and the Labour Party Candidate, Kennedy Pela, challenging the election of Sheriff Francis Oborevwori as the governor of Delta State.

    Reliable sources privy to the lead up to the imminent Appeal court ruling, Omo Agege is troubled that he would fail in his legal battle to reverse the Friday September 29 Tribunal judgement, which threw out his petition and affirmed Oborevwori as duly elected governor.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission had declared
    Oborevwori winner of the Delta governorship elections after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate,polled 360,234 votes to defeat Omo-Agege who scored 240,229.

    Oborevwori swept 21 local government areas to coast home to victory while Omo Agege got 4 , out of the 25 councils.

    Dissatisfied with the polls,Omo Agege moved to the courts, alleging irregularities, a position Oborevwiri‘s supporters had shrugged off with strident alarm that the few councils the former deputy senate president managed to secure were fraudulently grabbed through massive rigging and electoral violence.

    An APC chieftain in Delta State and former member of the House of Representatives, Dr Cairo Ojougboh, had in a widely publicized interview blamed Omo Agege for the party’s “abysmal performance” at the governorship polls, accusing him of “high handedness and alienation of party members.”

    Ojougboh was subsequently suspended from the party ostensibly at the instance of Omo Agege’s camp.

    Also, some officials of APC including Tom Onah, Delta North Chair; Nelson Ogharama, Delta South chair; Michael Orunefe, Delta central chair; and Michael Inana, State secretary; said shortly after the 2023 general elections that Omo Agege worked against the APC presidential candidate, Alhaji Bola Tinubu.

    They attacked him in a press statement, for gross anti party activities, alleging that he supported Peter Obi of the Labour Party, foisting his “billboards and banners” with images of the Obidient movement all over the state.

    A concerned APC stalwart from Delta central who spoke on condition of anonymity said this week that Omo Agege had developed cold feet since the emergence of Tinubu as president.

    He noted that Omo Agege appeared to have gone into hiding. He also claimed that key APC officials at the state and national pedestals were no longer with him, as they view his governorship legal struggle as futile exercise.

    Recent developments further revealed the dwindling political fortunes of the former senate president.

    He was conspicuously absent at a grand reception hosted last Saturday, November 11, by Uvwie kingdom, for their son, Mr.Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation, the highest ranking appointee APC member in Delta state.

    In attendance were APC big wigs from state and national levels as well as top Delta government officials.

    Prominent labour leader,Chief Frank Kokori, an APC political ally of Omo Agege cried out for help recently from a Warri hospital, over an undisclosed ailment, but the former senate president is yet to visit him personally.

    Governor Sheriff Oborevwori from opposition PDP was with Kokori few days ago, where he volunteered to settle the medical bills of the ailing statesman and two other patients.

    As Deltans anxiously await the Appeal court judgement, a religious leader from Delta North who does not want his name in print said the electorates overwhelmingly voted for Oborevwori because he is “God fearing and humane”

  • Omo-Agege hails Gov Uzodinma, Ododo over election victories

    Omo-Agege hails Gov Uzodinma, Ododo over election victories

    …thanks President Tinubu, Ganduje-Led APC NEC

    …commends Imo, Kogi Electorate for supporting APC

    The Deputy President of the 9th Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege heartily congratulates the Executive Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma and Governor-elect of Kogi State, Alhaji Usman Ododo on their decisive electoral victories in the just concluded gubernatorial elections in their respective states.

    The former Deputy Senate President notes with profound joy that Governor Uzodinma’s emphatic success at the polls is a clear testament to the overwhelming confidence reposed in him by Imolites who see him work tirelessly daily for their common good. As his dear brother and friend with untiring capacity to do great things by the power of God, Senator Omo-Agege trusts that Governor Uzodinma is primed to do much more amazing things to lift up his good people, and prays that God guides him all the way.

    Senator Omo-Agege is equally pleased that working with the good people of Kogi State and trusted leaders across the Kogi landscape, His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello and the Governor-elect, Alhaji Ododo stood firm to provide wise, focused and strategic leadership for the All Progressives Congress, APC, to win the governorship election in Kogi State. It is his sincere prayer that God will guide Mr. Governor-elect to lead Kogi well.

    Obarisi, Senator Omo-Agege also extends his warm congratulations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for allowing his credentials as a great democrat and statesman to speak eloquently for themselves in these off cycle elections, as he easily played the role of the ‘Father of All’ to further strengthen public confidence in our democracy. He equally extends his sincere congratulations to His Excellency, Dr. Umar Ganduje (APC’s National Chairman) and the entire members of the National Executive Committee of the party for their resourceful leadership at this crucial time of these elections.

    Signed:
    Sunny Areh
    (Media Adviser to Senator Ovie Omo-Agege)

  • What Omo-Agege said on Supreme Court verdict

    What Omo-Agege said on Supreme Court verdict

    Former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has urged all Nigerians, especially politicians to get down to the business of rebuilding Nigeria with the final seal on the Tinubu presidency as affirmed by the Supreme Court judgment.

    Reacting to the judgment that validated and upheld the earlier ruling of the Court of Appeal on the election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he said the judgment has effectively ended all jostling on politics and leadership.

    “What the Supreme Court did is not just to affirm the validity of President Bola Tinubu’s mandate, but a call to duty. The learned Justices saved Nigeria from unnecessary and prolonged distractions by promptly giving their verdict so that we can get down to the task of rebuilding our country.

    “Whatever each of the protagonists may feel, this is not a victory for President Tinubu alone or any political party. This is admonition for us to collectively work towards fixing Nigeria again,” Omo-Agege said.

    In a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Mr. Sunny Areh, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State commended the Supreme Court and the entire judiciary for putting Nigeria first and upholding the rule of law.

    “One remarkable feature of our judiciary is that despite all challenges facing the country, despite all seeming uncertainties, our Supreme Court has always displayed an independent and calming disposition on the country. This is one such instance. Our justices must be commended for their service to the country.

    “Now is the time to jettison politics and work with President Tinubu to get Nigeria working again. It is now a matter of duty to our people. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Mr. Peter Obi, their political parties and followers should think Nigeria first, not just because the Supreme Court is the final arbiter but the higher interest of the people who we are all aspiring to serve, to support and collaborate with the President to get Nigeria back on track.”

    He thanked Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Mr. Peter Obi for enriching Nigeria’s jurisprudence through their democratic litigations to challenge the election, noting that the electoral process gets better as a result.

  • Omo-Agege hails President Tinubu’s approval of Fed varsity of Medical & Health Sciences Kwale

    Omo-Agege hails President Tinubu’s approval of Fed varsity of Medical & Health Sciences Kwale

    Immediate past Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has poured encomiums on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the revalidation and approval of the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences Kwale, Delta State.

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had few days ago given the formal approval for the take off of the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences in Kwale, Delta State.

    It is the only medical university, the other being a University of Agriculture in Mubi, Adamawa State approved by the president. The others are federal universities of education and colleges of education.

    Reacting to the approval, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, said it was the final seal to his efforts to facilitate the siting of a higher institution in the Ndokwa nation of Delta State.

    Omo-Agege who is also the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State thanked President Tinubu for granting the approval.

    According to a press release issued by Sunny Areh, his media adviser, Omo-Agege said the task of attracting a higher institution to Kwale was one of the key projects he took up passionately as deputy president of the Senate in the ninth session.

    He urged people of Delta North and the entire state to continue to support President Tinubu, assuring that he is committed to uplifting the lot of the people.

    Earlier in June, Prof. Abel Nze Onunu had been appointed the pioneer vice chancellor of the university. Prof. Onunu was at the time the vice president, West African College of Physicians.

    Signed

    Sunny Areh
    Media Adviser to Senator Ovie Omo-Agege

  • Omo-Agege commiserates with Senator Lawan over mother’s death

    Omo-Agege commiserates with Senator Lawan over mother’s death

    *Omo-Agege commiserates with Senator Lawan over mother’s death*

    Former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has commiserated with the immediate past President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, over the death of his mother, Hajiya Halima Ibrahim.

    Hajiya Ibrahim, 86, died in Gashua, Yobe State, Saturday night, October 14 and was buried Sunday October 15 according to Islamic rites.

    In a press release signed by Omo-Agege’s media adviser, Mr. Sunny Areh, the former Deputy Senate President described the demise of the octogenarian as a painful and great loss, not only to the family, but to everyone who her impactful life touched.

    Omo-Agege eulogised the late Hajiya Halima, noting that she distinguished herself by raising a son that rose to the apogee of academics and political leadership.

    “We know what our mothers had to go through those earlier days for them to fulfill their dream of educating their children. That she accomplished it with His Excellency, Sen. Ahmad Lawan, is a testimony to doggedness and determination to give her child the best against all odds,” Omo-Agege said.

    He prayed that Allah receive her soul in His paradise.

  • Eid-el-Maulud: Omo-Agege Greets Muslims, Urges Prayers, Support For President Tinubu

    Eid-el-Maulud: Omo-Agege Greets Muslims, Urges Prayers, Support For President Tinubu

    Former Deputy President of the Senate and Delta State Governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has felicitated with the Muslim faithful, on the occasion of the Maulud-Un-Nabiyy, the birthday of the Holy Prophet Muhammad.

    In a message to mark this year’s Eid-el-Maulud, Tuesday, Senator Omo-Agege urged all Muslims to imbibe the noble life, virtues and teachings of the Holy Prophet which include love, forgiveness, peaceful coexistence and selfless sacrifice.

    A statement by his Media Adviser, Sunny Areh, said Senator Omo-Agege used the occasion to appeal to all Nigerians to continue to support and pray for President Bola Tinubu as he tackles the nation’s problems, especially the economic and security challenges.

    “I felicitate with Muslim faithful in the country on this occasion of Eid-el-Maulud. I urge them to imbibe the noble life, virtues and teachings of Holy Prophet Muhammad, which include love, forgiveness, peaceful co-existence and selfless sacrifice, and to exhibit those attributes as we relate with one another.

    Senator Omo-Agege said: “Let us also use the occasion to pray for our country and for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as he takes very bold steps to confront the multifarious challenges facing the country, especially the economic and security challenges.

    “The government needs our support, understanding and indeed sacrifice to end the present economic downturn. This will engender our path to economic revival and rejuvenation of the wellbeing of all citizens.

    “I wish all Muslim faithful happy Eid-el-Maulud celebration.”

    Signed:

    Sunny Areh
    Media Adviser to Senator Omo-Agege

  • Tinubu’s rapprochement with UAE is a key economic diplomacy win, says Omo-Agege

    Tinubu’s rapprochement with UAE is a key economic diplomacy win, says Omo-Agege

    Immediate past Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the initiative to restore the mutually beneficial economic relationship between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), describing it as a key win in economic diplomacy.

    Reacting to President Tinubu’s meeting with the leadership of the UAE on his way back from the BRICS summit in India, Omo-Agege who is also the Delta State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said restoring and strengthening mutually beneficial economic relationships is pivotal to the return to sustainable development.

    In a press statement issued by Mr. Sunny Areh, Media Adviser to Senator Omo-Agege, the APC chieftain stated that it takes a bold vision and aggressive diplomacy to revive the important economic relationship between both countries which will ultimately see the restoration of direct flights and the lifting of the visa ban.

    “Economic diplomacy is a crucial component of the bid to bring Nigeria’s economy back to the path of growth. We need to harness the opportunities inherent in our relationship with major economic centres. That is why President Tinubu’s initiative and success recorded with his meeting with the leadership of the UAE is commendable.

    “It reinforces my confidence and belief in the President that he has the capacity to lead Nigeria out of the present economic doldrum to the path of prosperity. Again, I believe Nigerians will find this as an affirmation that they made the right choice in voting him as our President on February 26,” Sen. Omo-Agege said.

    He urged the National Assembly and all Nigerians that genuinely desire a better society to rally round President Tinubu.

    “The task of rebuilding our economy is a huge one. It requires getting the private sector and the international business community to buy into the project. Thankfully, our President has succeeded in doing that. With the confidence of the business community in Nigeria’s president and his economic policies, we are on track to becoming a major investment destination once again,” Omo-Agege stated.

    Signed:

    Sunny Areh
    Media Adviser to Senator Ovie Omo-Agege

  • Tinubu wants to see visible projects by NDDC, Omo-Agege tasks Chairman nominee, Chiedu Ebie+Photos

    Tinubu wants to see visible projects by NDDC, Omo-Agege tasks Chairman nominee, Chiedu Ebie+Photos

    Former Deputy President of the Senate and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has said the narrative and perception of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) must change to that of an agency that truly meets the need of the Niger Delta region.

    And in Mr. Chiedu Ebie, recently nominated as chairman of the commission and Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya, one-time Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Omo-Agege said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has head hunted the men that can change the trajectory of the agency.

    Omo-Agege spoke when Ebie and Igbuya visited him Friday in Abuja to express their appreciation for his role in their nomination for the NDDC job.

    “NDDC has had a chequered history dominated more by tales of failed and uncompleted projects as well as the general perception that it has been unable to optimally meet the expectations of the Niger Delta people. Now, that story and perception must change and I am confident it will change for the better with the two of you there,” Omo-Agege said.

    According to him, President Tinubu wants a change in the performance and perception of the NDDC. “The president wants you to execute visible projects that will add value to the lives of the people of the Niger Delta. Your track records as a Commissioner and Secretary to the State Government speak for themselves”, he said of Ebie.

    “Please bring your digital brain to change the way projects are initiated and executed and work as a team to achieve results. You are deserving of this because you are an innovative gentleman and you worked. I can confirm that you worked,” the Senate Deputy President stated, apparently referring to Chiedu Ebie’s role during the last election.

    On August 29, 2023, President Tinubu announced the nomination of Ebie as chairman of the NDDC board with Dr. Samuel Ogbuku from Bayelsa State as the new Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer. Igbuya was named as Delta State’s representative on the board.

  • What Omo-Agege said on Keyamo becoming Aviation Minister

    What Omo-Agege said on Keyamo becoming Aviation Minister

    Former Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate has reacted over the appointment of Mr Festus Keyamo as the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Keyamo was among the 45 Ministers who took the oath of office on Monday.

    At the ministerial inauguration reception ceremony, Omo-Agege was among the plethora of guests in attendance.

    “Olorogun Festus Keyamo, stepping into a new position is an exciting feat, and I’m delighted you have this opportunity.

    “Knowing you, you’ll shine more in this new role than you already do. Congratulations on your new appointment.

    “I also want to in a very special way thank His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for finding one of our own worthy to serve in the Federal Executive Council (FEC),” the former Deputy Senate President stated.

    Keyamo demands staff cooperation to advance aviation industry

    Meanwhile, Keyamo has pleaded for the cooperation of all members of staff to work harmoniously together toward advancing the ministry.

    According to him, effective collaboration with the staff will enhance maximum output.

    “Thank you for the warm welcome. The  President did not send me here by mistake. I think he has clear ideas as to why he sent me here. I will need your maximum cooperation to make us succeed.

    “ I have read your roadmap developed in 2016, read it thoroughly, point for point. Our intension is not to disrupt things that have been done so well. Government is a continuum.

    “If there are things that have not been done properly within the road map, we may look at them again, “ he said.

    The minister, however, said he might add to the roadmap but not to pull down the roadmap or tear it down  to start over again.

    Keyamo , who said he liked the aviation roadmap structure, stated that he would like to know the stage of its objectives and  achievements.

    “Like I said, government is a  continuum, it is the same party that is in power. There are things that have been done properly well. There are things that have not been done properly well.

    “Things that are still in the pipeline, we will look at all of these. My intention is to get my briefings within the few days or weeks. We will do this thoroughly as we can.

    “ We will develop our ideals and take it to the President for approval so that we can kick off. That is what I intend to do here,“ the minister said.

    Keyamo said his watch word would be transparency in the ministry.

    He said Nigerians, at any point, wanted to understand what the ministry was doing.

    “For me, my watch word will be transparency here. At every point in time, the Nigerian people want to  understand what we are doing. Nothing will be done in secrecy.

    “They must understand what we are doing. We must carry them along so that we will not have the kind of complaints we had in the past.

    “We should be as open as possible because we are serving the Nigerian people. My history is people oriented from private practice to public office, “ he said.

    Keyamo recalled that he was more than one decade prosecutor for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    According to him, things from the more complex issues to the simplest issues that Nigerians want to see, the complaints they have, the part of the optics they see every day about the ministry will be looked into.

    “Nigerians may not know the work you have been doing behind especially in terms of safety of passengers in the  aviation environment. But, they may appreciate few things they see.

    “We will look at all these to see how we can improve on them. For every point in time we must put the people first.  This is not a forum I can mention all the things I noticed in your roadmap.

    “We will have our briefings as soon as possible. We may work late to achieve our objectives. I beg for your cooperation, because I need you   to succeed, “ he said.

    Responding,  Dr Emamanuel Meribole, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry,  described Keyamo as a  result and target oriented leader for having the  aviation roadmap as his vision.

    According to him, the  members of  staff are ready to work with Keyamo  to position  the aviation sector to where it is supposed to be.

    “The good thing about our members of  staff is when you lead we follow.

    “ This gives us hope that what we will start doing in the aviation sector, we shall conclude them. We also have some litigation issues which you will also help us to bring into conclusion.

    “Since you are in the right direction, we are hopeful to follow you in that way. I pledge our loyalty. We hope you will achieve the results in the ministry of Aviation and Aerospace, “he said.