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Tag: Ovie Omo-Agege

  • Omo-Agege promises to address flooding, herders/farmers clash in Delta

    Omo-Agege promises to address flooding, herders/farmers clash in Delta

    Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship candidate in Delta has promised to address the perennial flooding and incessant attacks on local farmers by suspected herders in the state.

    Omo-Agege made the promise on Tuesday during the party’s ward to ward campaign visit to Uwheru,
    Ewu-Urhobo and Evwreni in Ughelli North and Ughelli South Local Government areas of the state.

    The governorship candidate, who is also the Deputy President of the Senate, said that if elected as governor, he would put permanent solution to the perennial flooding that had been ravaging some parts of the state.

    Omo-Agege, representing Delta Central Senatorial District, said that he would complete the abandoned Arhawharien/Okparabe Bridge projects as a governor.

    The APC governorship candidate said that his administration would appoint ombudsman that would directly report to him on issues of the the incessant killings resulting from the herders/farmers clashes.

    “As one of the first steps to end the frequent killings resulting from herders/farmers crisis in the state, my administration will appoint ombudsman who will report to me directly on the issue.

    “I will appoint a Special Adviser, who will be liaising with both the farmers and the herdsmen. The era where they will be depriving our people and driving them from their farms will be over,” he said.

    Omo-Agege eulogised the late Sen. Pius Ewherido, who passed on in 2013 as a serving Senator, describing the deceased as a stateman who brought quality representation to Delta.

    The APC candidate, who visited the graveside of the late Delta Central lawmaker, assured the people that the late Ewherido’s political ideas and aspirations for a better Delta, Urhobo Nation and Nigeria, would be sustained and achieved through him as a governor.

    “I will do for the people of Ewu, what the late senator would have done for you as a lawmaker and governor.

    “Just like my brother said earlier that there is no time we will do campaign in Ewu without visiting the home of our late leader, Ewherido, here is the foundation of APC in Delta.

    “The vision of our brother who has gone to rest with the Lord. The ‘Gogorogo’ himself. The vision of Urhobo and Delta to move forward is the same vision that we all share.

    “And, it is very important that everyone knows that we were ‘comrade-in-arms’ while he was here with us.

    “Ever since his departure, the Ewherido Family has been very good to me,” he said.

    Responding, Mr Emma Ewherido, the younger brother to the late senator and a chieftain of the APC in Delta, commended Omo-Agege for keeping in touch with the family.

    Ewherido urged the APC governorship candidate to sustain the legacies and aspiration of the former Delta Central lawmaker.

    The campaign was rally attended by leaders of the party in the state including founding leader of APC, O’tega Emerhor; Mrs Stella Okotete; Mr Paulinus Akpeki and Mr Donatus Uba.

    Others were: Mr Friday Osanebi, APC deputy Governorship candidate; Campaign Director-General, Elder Godsday Orubebe and Mr Tuoyo Omatsuli and among others.

  • [Right of Reply] Ovie and Sheriff: Character and Competence should rule Delta State

    [Right of Reply] Ovie and Sheriff: Character and Competence should rule Delta State

    There has been the view that character and competence should be the basis for knowing who can best deliver on good governance in this year’s governorship election in Delta state, especially between the two leading candidates – the Rt. Hon. Sherriff Oborevwori and DSP Ovie Omo-Agege. A view as this is welcome; it is an admissible one indeed.

    There is no denying the fact that a person’s antecedent constitutes how he is valued. It can influence what a person does, particularly if given the opportunity to hold a position of power.

    Let it be noted here that no one can give what he does not have. It is true that Omo-Agege is the son of a former Chief Judge of Delta state. It is also true that he trained as a lawyer.

    It is generally believed by opinion seekers and even opinion producers that lawyers are usually persons of integrity and honour. But many lawyers have acted in ways that negate this perception.

    Those who grew up with Ovie in their days at St. Gregory’s College, Obinomba, and at the University of Benin have some very disturbing views about his character, since his young days.

    Their view suggests that he is not one to be entrusted with the highest political power of Delta state.
    Let’s admit that people change over time.

    Therefore, it would not be such a fair thing to pry into the distant past of Sherriff and Ovie, so as to ascertain which of them can govern Delta state well.

    While Ovie has an elitist background, Sherriff grew up in an average and entrepreneurial space.

    While growing up, Sherriff connected with the people he grew up with and blended with his environment. This accounts for why he is warm, pleasant, empathetic, and compassionate.

    The background Ovie had has made him, haughty.

    A comparison of the life of both men since their exposure to political power would provide a clear proof of the point made thus far.

    Delta Central Senatorial district, which Ovie represents at the National Assembly, has 8 Local Government Areas.

    His stewardship since he started representing the Senatorial district is an indication of the kind of government he would run, should he become governor of the state.

    Ovie is from Orhomurun in Orogun Kingdom in Ughelli North Local Government Area. Most of the federal projects he has influenced have been channeled to his town. Why? Because Ovie thinks that his birthplace is the only place good enough to enjoy public projects.

    There are other bigger and viable towns in Ughelli North, but in Ovie’s conviction, only Orhomurun deserves the five federal projects he has attracted to Delta Central Senatorial district.

    What other areas within the district deserve are mere solar-powered street lights. By this singular act, one could understand the mentality of Ovie. No one in the other 7 local government areas should feel secured entrusting his fate to this kind of man.

    But Sherriff is a man marked for public office. He is the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly. Since his assumption of office, he has shown a high level of fairness in the appointment of aides. The projects that he has successfully influenced have been distributed across the length and breadth of the state.

    While Sherriff’s Chief of Staff is Okorodudu from Ughelli South, Ovie’s is Otive Igbuzor who comes from the next village after Orhomurun in Orogun kingdom.

    Before Ovie became a senator, he fortuitously served as Secretary to the Delta State Government at the twilight of James Ibori’s administration. As Secretary, Ovie’s abuse of power surpasses several secretaries before and after him.

    His alleged records on cronyism and misappropriation of public funds were and continue to be unrivaled. Meanwhile, Sherriff was Special Adviser to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan on Security. When he held this position, he gave a good account of himself. Different communities in the state praised his forthrightness and poise for the welfare of all Deltans.

    In terms of education, the records of both of them speak for themselves. Ovie had Secondary School Education at St Gregory College Obinomba. He then went to the University of Benin to study law. Sherriff got his secondary school education at Aladja Grammar School. Then, he proceeded to Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, and earned a bachelors degree. For further studies, he went to the Delta State University, Abraka, and secured a Masters degree in Political Science.

    In terms of knowledge, Sherriff is deeper and more circumspect. Sherriff is more educated than Ovie who only has a Bachelor of Law. Sherriff is a Masters holder, which gives him an edge academically. The argument presented that because Sherriff did not get educated as at the time his peers got educated and therefore his intellectual standing is a doubt is deeply flawed and should be dismissed as trash.
    There are many people who did not attend school as at when their mates went to school. The learned silk Chief Afe Babalola never attended any formal institution, yet he is arguably the most intelligent Senior Advocate this country has ever known. Odia Ofeimun, the Iruekpen-born distinguished scholar of note never went to any secondary school we know of, until much later in his adult life. In fact, most of the knowledge he exhibited were largely self-taught. Yet, he was Obafemi Awolowo’s Private Secretary and one of Nigeria’s most prolific writers. Therefore, in terms of the capacity to produce knowledge, it is outlandish to say that Ovie is more grounded than Sherriff, because the former had the privilege of attending university at a young age in his life.

    We should not forget that the education one has acquired does not necessarily make one urbane, savvy, and innovative. Ideally, this ought to be the case.
    Ovie’s record of violence and witch-hunting belie his presumed academic prowess. Many have always used the education of Ovie as a means of conferring civility and sagacity on him. But this shouldn’t be.

    Many who have worked closely with him have their sad tales to tell.
    Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru can testify of his perfidious character. Ogboru can testify that Ovie is not fit to govern the state.

    But very early in life, Sherriff distinguished himself as someone endowed with rare managerial and entrepreneurial skills. He has demonstrated this variously in the successful businesses he has set up and managed for several years. Most of the businesses were not established with cheap money derived from public office.
    We dare Ovie to show us any business outfit he has set up and managed, before Chief Ibori appointed him into his government.

    History will not forget that Ovie returned from the U.S. as a struggling young man before James Ibori rehabilitated him economically and empowered him politically.

    So, if we are given a choice between one who has a good record in managing private businesses before holding public office and one who used proceeds of government to establish himself, I think the choice should not be a difficult one. Sherriff has an excellent record in frugal management of his private businesses.
    His record in public finance and human resource management is equally sterling.

    Ovie likes to talk and likes to show – he is a typical showman, if he is not worse than this. But what we know about good leadership and governance is that it is more than pedagogy and sophistry – which are the strength of Ovie – it is commitment, conscience, and Compassion – call it the 3Cs of the next governor Deltans should crave for – you might not be wrong.

    © David Oghenerhuerome Akata,
    Public Affairs Analyst

  • Delta 2023, Omo-Agege and the Burden of Guilt – By Joel Salubi

    Delta 2023, Omo-Agege and the Burden of Guilt – By Joel Salubi

    By Joel Odhomo Salubi (Mr. JOS)

    Our people say that the person with body or mouth ordour does not know that he is stinking. Others are put off by the stench, but the body and mouth ordour owner does not know that he is an irritant. This proverb applies to the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Delta State, Senator Ovie Augustine Omo-Agege. He winces or cringes on hearing his rejected name of Augustine. Omo-Agege has a political body ordour and he stinks morally. Omo-Agege has thrown caution to the wind and has entered the marketplace to dance naked in the name of campaigning to be governor. He has been going round Delta State telling lies and blackmailing two good men, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who is also the vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and Delta State governorship candidate of the PDP.

    Omo-Agege’s recent show of shame and was at Otor-Udu where he went to campaign for votes. Without a valid manifesto or anything reasonable to say to the hired listeners, Omo-Agege poured abuses on Governor Okowa and Rt. Hon. Oborevwori. All the accusations he made against both men were actually the things he is heavily guilty of. That was why one of the people at the rally said that Omo-Agege was suffering a big burden of guilt which he has psychologically been struggling to transfer to Okowa and Oborevwori. It is clear that the mental rigour and psychological strain of campaigning are becoming too much for Agege to bear and he is heavily weighed down. His only therapy is to be vindictive through telling lies and transferring the burden of guilt to his opponents.

    Omo-Agege lied that Oborevwori chased companies away from Osubi and Uvwie, but he failed to mention the companies. The reality is that the bad economic policy of Omo-Agege’s APC federal government it was that destroyed companies all over Nigeria. Omo-Agege is actually guilty of what he is accusing Oborevwori of. Omo-Agege is had a horrid record with contractors in Delta State from 2004 to 2007 and made all the contractors to run from the State. He virtually hijacked all government projects and turned the State into an abandoned project state. He also accused Oborevwori of being a tout, thug and of dubious character. Is that so? Who can be more of a tout, thug or of dubious character than Ovie Augustine Omo-Agege and his role in political thuggery into Delta State politics in 2006? Has he forgotten ballot box snatching episodes? As for being a dubious character, can Omo-Agege tell us why he dropped his name Augustine? He committed fraud and forgery in America and the long arms of the Law caught up with him. That was the reason he fled to Nigeria with just a pair of trousers and a shirt on his back.

    Omo-Agege said that the next governor of Delta State must be academically sound, mentally equipped and must have basic knowledge of development economics. We agree with this and by that Omo-Agege stands disqualified. Omo-Agege is academically a Lilliputian. He couldn’t make good grades in WAEC and JAMB but influence got him admission to study Law in UNIBEN. Painfully, the influence couldn’t prevent him from making a third class degree and a pass at the Nigerian Law School. His lack of mental capacity didn’t allow him to practice law for one day. He ran to America to do a Master’s degree in Law in a back of the wood university. The only assignment given to him at the National Assembly was the Constitution review in which he failed woefully despite hiring political scientists and senior lawyers to help him as in the case of “expo”, but he still failed because he doesn’t understand anything about the process of nation building. He also talks about development economics but his badly written manifesto reads like a village document that lacks economic considerations. His idea is actually to become the governor of Orogun village since he is presently the senator for Orogun since he equates the mandate Delta Central gave him as being a mandate for only his village. What does he know about development economics? On the other hand, Okowa is an extraordinarily brilliant man who became a medical doctor at age 22. Okowa is a development thinker any day and he is one of the most brilliant politicians in Nigeria today. Oborevwori made upper second class for his BSc and also made a very good grade for his MSc. To strengthen his capacity, he has attended many certificate programmes in universities across the world specializing on legislative leadership, development studies and management. Oborevwori has shown exceptional academic and mental capacity presiding over Nigeria’s most dynamic House of Assembly for nearly six years now. Oborevwori studies and evaluates motions and bills rigously. Omo-Agege used to boast that he has no time and patience for reading. He believes in action as his alleged complicity in stealing the mace of the Senate shows. Yet, he talks about intellectual capacity.

    Omo-Agege described Okowa as a very wicked man without saying why or giving any instance of wickedness. Can anybody be more wicked than Ovie Omo-Agege who betrayed his benefactor Chief James Ibori and stabbing the man who gave him his senate ticket, Great Ogboru, in the back? Why is Omo-Agege pretending to be a moral barometer whereas he is an embodiment of wickedness?

    Omo-Agege sees politics as organized self interest. He is a political prostitute who changed political parties five times in five months. Was he not accused of complicity in the stealing of the mace in the senate? Has he forgotten?

    Omo-Agege should take a look at the mirror and he will see a betrayer who is not fit and proper to be governor of Delta State. By the way, which Delta State does Omo-Agege want to govern? Is it the Delta State he has been fighting to destroy since 2006 by working against rotational and zoning arrangement? Agege’s plan is to make sure that only the Urhobo rule Delta State for eternity. This must not be allowed to be. Deltans should reject him because he is lying the way the APC lied against the PDP and President Jonathan in 2015. The APC came into power and has destroyed Nigeria. Let us not allow Omo-Agege to destroy Delta State. Let the burden of guilt weigh Ovie Augustine Omo-Agege down.

     

    Patricia Elue writes from Igbuzo

  • Omo-Agege, APC Company and Political Banditry – By Joel Salubi

    Omo-Agege, APC Company and Political Banditry – By Joel Salubi

    By Joel Odhomo Salubi (Mr. JOS)

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has, since taking over power in 2015, shown itself as a political party that was built on a conspiracy to unhinge Nigeria from the path of progress.

    Historians, social scientists, and indeed the Nigerian people, now look back every day to the period before 2015 when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was the party in power in Nigeria and describe that era as golden, compared to what the APC has subjected hapless Nigerians to suffer and endure, in the last seven years.

    Despite the challenges of nation-building, Nigeria was quite stable and on the path of development from 1999 to 2015, when the PDP was in charge of the Federal Government. The PDP which is now the only party built on patriotic intentions was able to confront challenges and provide solutions to problems. The PDP Government got Nigeria debt relief, resolved the Niger Delta crisis, tackled insurgency, and grew the economy to make it Africa’s biggest.

    Nigerians were happy and knew that the country was making progress, before the APC gang up against the country and citizens came. Now, with several years of the APC being in charge of Nigeria, we have been reduced to a nation and people in agony. Nigerians have been wounded and left helpless.

    It is now very clear that the APC has been a party of political bandits because only bandits treat society and people the way the APC has treated Nigerians.

    The above reason is why the people of Delta State must “shine their eyes” and have nothing to do with the APC BANDits boasting that they will take over the governance of the State after the next election.

    The Delta State APC is led by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege a man whose thoughts, words, and actions are always against the grain of public morality. Looking at the political company he keeps, which is seen in those around him, Deltans are no longer in doubt that what Omo-Agege is pushing and encouraging is political banditry.

    This dangerous trend, apart from fully acting it out in speech and deeds, is also reflected in his slogans; BAND and EDGE, which indicate how he intends to deploy BANDits to push Delta State to the EDGE of disaster, just as they have done to Nigeria since 2015.

    Omo-Agege’s politics has never been constructive because it is all about brute force and destruction. That was why he seemingly led the invasion of the sacred National Assembly and the subsequent snatching of the mace; the very symbol of political democracy in the national legislature.

    Will a man who allegedly desecrated a national institution by even attending plenary and sitting comfortably with brazen impunity in the hallowed Red Chamber even when he was on official suspension, not also treat our State with the same impunity and destroy our dear Delta State?

    It is good for the people of Delta State to take a look at Omo-Agege’s presence in the public space and comment on whether it has been for good or bad. The verdict is that he has been known for his notoriety. Even when we look at the political company he keeps, we will be shocked that in one month, even given power, Omo-Agege, and his company will destroy Delta State and bring Deltans to their knees.

    Omo-Agege’s men are political jobbers who will not hesitate to loot and run Delta State aground. His men very well bought into the idea of BAND which is his campaign catchword and they will, like BANDits, drive Delta State to the EDGE of ruin. But God forbid, they will never get near the precinct of power.

    The people around Omo-Agege are well known to Deltans, for their perfidy and attitude to destroy everything and anything noble or ideal. Some of them like Peter Nwaoboshi, are already united with others in the gang, by fraud, greed, political lust, and love for chaos. Nwaoboshi is in jail having been convicted by the Court on charges of stealing amongst others, brought against him, by the EFCC.

    It is a well-known fact that Nwaoboshi’s jail term could run for a long time, if he were to be diligently prosecuted for all his crimes. He is one of the top Chiefs and prominent political figures in Omo-Agege’s company.

    Omo-Agege also has good company in Omeni Sobotie, somebody regarded largely as operating without a second address and whom the people of Agbarho were widely reported to have once banished and declared persona-non-grata Sobotie has no traceable record of public service before what many described as strong-arm tactics, got him a Government appointment in Delta State. We also know that he commands no followership where he comes from.

    The one who calls himself Elder when he actually behaves like an ill-brought-up child is also in Omo-Agege’s company. He is Elder Godsday Orubebe one of those who made former President Goodluck Jonathan to lose the 2015 Presidential election. Without character or compassion, Orubebe failed to deliver on the only one assignment given to him which was the completion of the East-West road. The project was fully funded, but Orubebe failed to deliver on it, the allocated funds ups in flames. He also brought public shame and ridicule upon himself, when he openly fought and disrupted INEC’s collation of results, as was seen on television worldwide, during the announcement of the result of the presidential election in 2015. He is in Omo-Agege’s company now.

    There is also Chief Paulinus Akpeki. He chose to serve Omo-Agege who is just about the same age as his sons. Akpeki deployed every known strategy of coercion to emerge as a strongman in politics many years ago, but he has long passed his expiry date.

    Omo-Agege is craving for good company, but that is difficult for him to come by. Chief Ortega Emerhor and Chief Ede Dafinone, despite being a candidate, are really not comfortable in Omo-Agege’s company. They have no regard for him and merely tolerate him. The likes of Frank Kokori, Victor Ochei, Cairo Ojougboh, Veronica Ogbuagu, and even his running mate, Friday Osanebi, are all hoping that the nightmare of having to put up with Omo-Agege in the same political party should be over soon, so that they can breathe and move on.

    Omo-Agege knows this pretty well, that is why he is desperately sending emissaries to the PDP to lure some unthinking elements into the APC. But what these guys do not know is that Omo-Agege is already negotiating for a place in the PDP.

    Omo-Agege and company do not deserve to govern Delta State. Too many moral burdens hang on his neck.

  • Let Us Educate Omo-Agege On Governor Okowa’s Development Legacies – By Friday Okoh

    Let Us Educate Omo-Agege On Governor Okowa’s Development Legacies – By Friday Okoh

    By Hon Friday Okoh

    Politics has over the years evolved into an art which is crossed by science to give humanity an orderly scheme of engagement which is based on decency and rationality. This is the reason why political succession that once was violent in ancient times has become a civil activity that is carried out without much ado. Political power that was achieved through guns and bayonets in time of old is now achieved by words and gestures that hurt nobody. Unfortunately, in spite of the sanity that has been brought to politics in modern times, there are still irrational personalities who see politics as do or die and in their desperation throw caution to the wind, erode civility and breach peace and order. The world still remembers Donald Trump who was like a maniac that needed to be confined to a mental asylum because of the way he went about political engagement in the United States of America. Trump shocked America and the world as he almost turned politics into war.

    As Nigerians prepare for the next round of general elections in February and March, a local Donald Trump who is turning politics into war has emerged as the Delta State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the person of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege who is deploying blackmail, lies and threats which have left many Deltans wondering about the validity of his morality and education. Omo-Agege has become a soul that is on a revenge mission. Omo-Agege’s lies make the ones told by Joseph Goebbels the Nazi propaganda chief look like child’s play. Omo-Agege has no regards for facts or statistics and he never thinks or crosschecks before talking. His says Delta State is owing 400 billion naira and that the State has received 4 trillion since 2015. Really? Where did he get these figures? And even if the figures are true, by mere assumption, is he blind to the monumental strides Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has achieved in Delta State thereby making him among Nigeria’s best three performing governors?

    The above is why Omo-Agege and his APC in Delta State need to be educated on Governor Okowa’s unrivalled achievements in Delta State. Unlike Omo-Agege, Governor Okowa is a prudent manager of resources, an astute politician and thinker in a first class mode. Governor Okowa came into governance with the well-articulated and highly acclaimed SMART agenda which many development experts agreed is one of the most development oriented manifesto ever drafted in Nigeria. As Governor Okowa comes near the end of his tenure as Governor of Delta State, there are many indices to show that he is leaving behind a stronger, better and more prosperous Delta State, despite the overwhelming bad governance that Omo-Agege’s APC unleashed on Nigerians. Governor Okowa’s SMART agenda took cognizance of global reality in framing a development template for Delta State. In doing so, it sought to enhance human capital development, ensure peace and security and accelerate infrastructural development. The agenda took serious cognizance of the role of youths, women and ICT and without overtly saying it, did so much to leapfrog Delta State into fulfilling the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of 2015 even if it was belated. The reason for this is to enable Delta State join the race for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    Let Omo-Agege read the following which is drawn from a recent publication on Governor Okowa’s tenure of legacies. Governor Okowa is leaving unforgettable and imperishable legacies in the development of Delta State. Every sector of development received attention. Let us begin with health. Governor Okowa has renovated and upgraded 250 healthcare centres across the State. He has renovated and upgraded 65 hospitals and ensured the full accreditation of seven health training institutions in the State. He also expanded the number of training institutions offering nursing degree in Delta State. The State under his watch became first in Nigeria in terms of immunization coverage as it exceeded the national recommended target of 80%. The construction of lecture halls at the School of Midwifery in Sapele and the 80-bed ward at the Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), Oghara are significant achievements in boosting healthcare delivery. The Delta State Contributory Healthcare Commission (DSCHC) which regulates the contributory health scheme has been described as the best in Nigeria. The Scheme has registered about 1.5 million people with 496 accredited healthcare facilities and 17 financial facilities for its operation. A highly methodical mind, Governor Okowa ensured the proper evaluation and classification of health facilities in Delta State into 485 primary healthcare centres, 269 private health facilities, 64 public secondary health facilities and three tertiary health facilities. The 821 health facilities efficiently submit their data on the web-based District Health Information System (DHIS) to boost healthcare services in the State. Governor Okowa’s administration also launched the Emergency Ambulance Service to provide the necessary support in the sector.

    Under Governor Okowa, 142 health professionals were recruited for DELSUTH, Oghara, 155 for the Specialist Hospital, Asaba and 255 health professionals across the State. Over forty pharmacists were also recruited to boost healthcare services. Governor Okowa also ensured that an insurance scheme was secured for 2,557 healthcare workers working in the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also built under Governor Okowa’s administration are the Advanced Diagnostic Centre at Owa-Alero, three Mother and Mother and Child Care Centres across the State and a Clinical building at DELSUTH, Oghara.
    Governor Okowa is acutely aware of Nigeria’s unemployment crisis and so he tackled unemployment headlong in Delta State through a robust job and wealth creation strategy. Using six ministries, Governor Okowa has created 12,000 entrepreneurs, 100,000 direct jobs and over 1,000,000 indirect jobs. The office of the Job Creation Officer has been very strategic in this regard. Some of the wealth creation schemes are: Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurship Programme (YAGEP), Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP), Production and Processing Support Programme (PPSP), Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Programmes, Special Programmes for Persons with Disabilities, Graduate Employment Enhancement Programme, Rural Youths Skills Acquisition Programme, Women Empowerment Skills Acquisition Programme, Information and Communications Technology Youth Empowerment, Girls Entrepreneurship and Skills Training Programme, etc. About N1 billion has also been disbursed to 596 cooperative societies in the State to support businesses.

    Governor Okowa’s job and wealth creation progamme which is second to none in Nigeria has yielded dividends in increasing economic activities, youth engagements in productive ventures especially agro-preneurship, ensured prosperity and improved the State’s GDP and human development index. The setting up of the Delta State Investment Development Agency (DIDA) has in no small way boosted the State’s economy. The State is on a strong footing economically.

    Governor Okowa’s footprints in the education sector are indelible. In his bid to provide functional education, he set up the Ministry of Technical Education to promote technical and vocational education among youths in the State to turn them into entrepreneurs, wealth creators and employers of labour. In this sector, 19 technical colleges were approved to be built across the State and 9 have been completed to world-class standard. He created three more universities to increase the number of universities owned by Delta State to four which is the highest by any state government in Nigeria. He also ensured the payment of bursary to over 17, 000 students of Delta State across Nigeria. Delta State under Governor Okowa has always paid its counterpart funding for UBEC fund. So far, over 140,000 students’ furniture and 22, 440 for teachers have been distributed. A Teachers’ Professional Development Centre has also been established to train and retrain teachers. Governor Okowa also upgraded over 80% of public schools in Delta State and established additional 79 schools. This has sustained Delta State’s advantage in education.

    Governor Okowa’s giant strides in infrastructure are visible in his urban and rural development programmes and projects. Significant among these is the Asaba International Airport which he completed and upgraded to international standard with modern state of the art facilities. The airport which operates day and night can accommodate the biggest aircraft in the world. Over 883 roads covering 1, 900 kilometers have been completed. It must be put on record that only federal roads are bad in Delta State and that but for the Federal Government’s ban on State’s repair of federal roads, Governor Okowa would have rehabilitated the bad federal roads. Also constructed are 109179.66 meters of drainage channels. Six bridges have been completed with 15 under various stages of construction. A unique flyover has been completed at Koka Junction in Asaba waiting for commissioning.

    The ultra-modern and world-class Stephen Keshi Stadium completed by Governor Okowa is another great feat in sports and infrastructure development. Sports enthusiasts agree that it is the first of its kind in Africa. The stadium hosted this year’s National Sports Festival to great delight and acclaim. The construction of water scheme in riverine communities is another plus for Governor Okowa. Also recorded under his administration is the film village and Leisure Park at Ugbolu in Oshimili North LGA. There is also the “Smart Delta Food Arena” across Asaba, the State capital. He built a 720-capacity hostel at the NYSC orientation camp at Iselle-Uku. There are also Agro-industrial parks at Aboh and Ogwashi-Uku.
    Governor Okowa’s energy programme has kindled hope for the leapfrogging of every sector of private and public life in Delta State. Through the Independent Power Project (IPP) the Asaba Capital Territory and environs now enjoy 24-hour uninterrupted power supply. The effect of this has been absolutely salutary for business as well as industrial and agricultural activities. The attendant economic transformation is already yielding massive dividends. The focus on peace and security has also yielded maximum benefit as the State is one of the most peaceful in Nigeria.

    Governor Okowa also bequeathed to Delta State the most modern public building in Nigeria which is the State Secretariat complex named Professor Joseph Chike Edozien Secretariat in Asaba. In addition to this is the construction of the Traditional Rulers’ Council Secretariat also in Asaba.

    What has become incontrovertible in Delta State is the rapid integration of the rural and the urban. Governor Okowa’s well thought out development agenda has succeeded in transforming Delta State. What the State has experienced is a holistic all-round development and it has become a case study for real development indices. As part of his vision for holistic development, Governor Okowa ensured the granting of autonomy to local government councils. Knowing that their monthly allocation can’t take them far, he began giving the local government councils N400 million monthly to support their development aspirations.

    It should also be emphasized that despite having one of the largest workforce in Nigeria, Delta State under Governor Okowa has consistently paid workers salaries up to date. Those opposition elements who have been asking what Governor Okowa has done with Delta State money actually know that he has done well for Delta. To them, politics should be played dirty. But Governor Okowa is moving on and Delta State is the better for it. Governor Okowa will fully consolidate his achievements in Delta State in the next few months before handing over in May. History will certainly judge him kindly. Let Omo-Agege read this and get educated about Governor Okowa’s legacies.

  • OPINION: Omo-Agege’s political end time – By Mathew Igherige

    OPINION: Omo-Agege’s political end time – By Mathew Igherige

    By Mathew Igherige

    The end time usually exhibits peculiar characteristics which resonate with fear, desperation, confusion and the knowledge that doom or the end is at hand. At such moments the character or characters involved become pitiable as they are worsted by fear and dread of their many misdeeds. They are prone to hallucinations and nightmares and they usually splutter in dread and confusion when they express their frustrations. Their eyes could be open but they cannot see. Their ears are open but they cannot hear. They act and speak irrationally. An end time personality is usually a tortured soul.

    Senator Ovie Omo-Agege the political turncoat and mace snatchers accomplice who is now the Delta State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate has become fully aware that his political end time is here. This awareness is demonstrated in his frenzy, confusion, loss of understanding, acute loss of weight and other symptoms all arising from his mortal fear of losing the governorship election to the acclaimed and widely accepted Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, the longest serving Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Omo-Agege needs help and psychological rehabilitation. He has a history of suffering grinding political defeats until he rode into the Senate on the back of Great Ogboru and judicial ambush in 2015. It is also well known that he knelt down with hands raised over his head to beg PDP leaders so he could return to the Senate in 2019 promising that he would not think of the governorship in 2023. But blind and inordinate ambition pushed him into the race and now he is confronted by the ugly prospect of defeat.

    Omo-Agege derives vitality from President Buhari because politically he is like a child looking for trouble thinking that his mother would be around to back him. But Omo-Agege has got it wrong because Buhari is tired and he is preparing to return to Daura. When Omo-Agege visited the presidential villa on Thursday he came out again with wide claims and lies that have become his political trademarks. He told pressmen that he just met President Buhari and beat his chest that Delta State was “ripe for taking by the APC”. Which Delta State? Omo-Agege is hallucinating. He said the same thing in 2011 when against all good sense he ran against Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in whose hands he met an electoral waterloo. Omo-Agege was so bruised and so confused that he ran around four political parties in four months, PDP, RPN, AC and ACN.

    Omo-Agege knows that neither himself nor the APC can win elections in Delta State. Delta State is PDP and PDP is Delta State. Those around Omo-Agege are politically irrelevant dealers who for lack of what to do are hanging around him. They really do not believe in him. For many years this same people mocked him as a fugitive who fled from America to Nigeria. They also mock him for his shallow intellectual content. But circumstances has placed them under the same suffocating room. So the truth is that Omo-Agege has no committed followers.

    In his desperation he went on repeating the same old lies of Delta State receiving 4.2 trillion naira and borrowing 400bn naira. These are childish lies which should not be from someone who is aspiring to the high office of governor. On the other hand, let Omo-Agege tell Deltans what happened to the 100bn naira meant for the polytechnic at Orogun until other Senators threatened to report him to the EFCC before part of the money was released for the work that should be ongoing there. He should tell Niger Deltans how he wanted to hijack the board of the NDDC so he could control them in view of his gubernatorial elections until Godswill Akpabio stopped him.

    He claimed that the health sector in Delta State under Governor Okowa nose-dived. This is a lie. Delta State is the first state in Nigeria to inaugurate the health insurance scheme and today it has gone beyond the 80% national benchmark. Delta State has been rated the best in terms of focus on the health sector nationwide. Omo-Agege also claimed that Delta State is not paying the N30, 000 minimum wage. This again is a lie. Delta State has been paying this for a long time and to add that Delta State is among the five states that pay workers’ salaries regularly in Nigeria. So why is Omo-Agege generating lies?
    Omo-Agege failed woefully as chairman of the National Assembly Constitution review committee.

    Thinking about what lies to tell he went on uttering “er…er….er….” in response to what he made of the constitution review assignment. He blamed the states for not granting the local governments autonomy. Unknown to him Delta State has long granted the local governments autonomy, yet the man who wants to be governor of the State does not know. How sad.

    In his desperation, he called Governor Okowa a traitor who betrayed the South to emerge as a presidential running mate. This is not true. Governor Okowa is a consummate political strategist and thinker. He accepted to be running mate in the best interest of Nigeria. On the other hand, Omo-Agege is the real traitor. Was he not begging and working to be running mate to Senator Ahmed Lawal, his master and senate president before the bubble burst? Omo-Agege is the traitor to southern Nigeria. What is his position on restructuring and federalism? What is his view on herdsmen terrorizing the south? What is his view on the water resources bill? He had none because he is a sold to a section of the country and a betrayer of his people.

    Omo-Agege talked about Delta State’s indebtedness and how the APC has developed the economy of Nigeria and Delta State. This is really fever induced gibberish. Under Omo-Agege’s APC Nigeria is going through her worst economic crisis since independence and statistics show that every Nigerian, out of the 203 million of us, is indebted to four hundred thousand naira as a result of the debt incurred by Omo-Agege’s APC. Nigeria under Omo-Agege’s APC has also become the poverty capital of the world. So what economy is Omo-Agege referring to? If not for Governor Okowa’s managerial skills, Deltans would have been suffering from the socio-economic hell that Omo-Agege’s APC unleashed on the nation.

    Omo-Agege is at his wit’s end and this is his political end time. He is seeing his defeat and he is panicking and confused. He is overwhelmed by fear. Those who should know say that he is already playing the Nicodemus calling his PDP friends at night to prepare a safe landing for him. His end game is his crushing defeat come March this year. Deltans shall boo him.

     

    Igherige write from Ellu.

  • Delta 2023 guber: The battle between Oborevwori and Omo-Agege – By Ediri Oyibo

    Delta 2023 guber: The battle between Oborevwori and Omo-Agege – By Ediri Oyibo

    By Ediri Oyibo

    While elections are not do-or-die affairs, they have come to be known literally as battles. Most times, fierce.

    The battle for who takes over from Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is currently raging in Delta State while Okowa himself is fighting his own battle to become the next vice president of Nigeria.

    The governorship primary election of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and that of the All Progressives Congress (APC) pitted the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori against the Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege for the Delta 2023 gubernatorial election.

    Riding on the popularity of the PDP in Delta State, Oborevwori is being tipped as the candidate likely to win the 2023 governorship election in Delta and take over the helm of affairs of the State from Governor Okowa at Osadebey House.

    Senator Omo-Agege, however, won’t give up, despite the political configuration of Delta being perceived to be working in favour of the PDP. He is doing everything possible to overturn the applecart and emerge Governor of the State.

    Some pundits are of the view that given the history of PDP in the Delta and its stranglehold on power for 24 years now, Oborevwori will likely defeat Omo-Agege by a reasonable margin. They say Oborevwori is projected to garner the majority of votes and win in Delta North because of the Governor Okowa factor.

    According to these political seers, Omo-Agege’s deputy, Friday Osanebi, who is from Delta North as Okowa, does not have the weight to outdo the PDP vice presidential candidate in the district. This is more so as the Governor is said to have done creditably well in Delta North.

    With Delta North in the kitty for the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Delta Central, where both  Omo-Agege and Oborevwori hail from, will be a battleground. Nevertheless, both candidates will likely share the spoils but Oborevwori, by their calculations, will defeat Omo-Agege in the Senatorial District by a slight margin.

    This is even as Oborevwori’s popularity vote is judged to be weakened in Delta Central by the effect of Chief James Ibori, who is said to be currently sitting on the fence, nursing the aftereffects of the PDP governorship primary, which failed to come out well for his anointed candidate, Olorogun David Edevbie.

    Reconciliation efforts to reunite the Ibori and Okowa factions of the party are still askew but ongoing.

    Meanwhile, it is public knowledge that Omo-Agege is an associate of Chief Ibori who brought him into politics when he was Governor of the State. Given this situation, Omo-Agege is fancying the chances of the former Delta State Governor pulling his weight behind him.

    As a pointer, his Deputy Governorship candidate was recently seen dining and winning with the former Delta State Governor at a location in Lagos State.

    For Delta South, the Delta State House of Assembly Speaker is said to be favoured too. This is especially so, as the people of the two Isoko local government areas there have pledged their backing.

    In the same Delta South, former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan is marshalling the campaign to pull the block votes of the riverine local governments for Oborevwori.

    Most Deltans who have monitored the political campaigns so far have observed that the campaign trail of Oborevwori has gathered more steam than that of Omo-Agege.

    Recall that the PDP candidate has taken his campaign to all the 270 wards of the party in the State garnering support of party faithful.

    These notwithstanding, political watchers are sounding a warning that the biggest mistake the PDP and its candidate can make is to take Omo-Agege and APC for granted.

    For example, they warn that he can still spring a surprise. They particularly point out the PDP must put into consideration the fact that the Deputy Senate President can pull the proverbial federal might to enhance his chances of prosecuting the election.

    However, with the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the federal might just be of no effect.

    The BVAS, which has been described as a game changer, is expected to drastically reduce the usual malfeasance associated with elections in Nigeria.

    Also, true is the fact that with this being a general election, the federal might of the administration would be overstretched not to have effects on States elections.

    These are some of the factors that will come into play as Oborevwori and Omo-Agege battle it out in this 2023 governorship election in Delta.

    But at the end of the day, only Deltans will decide who will be their governor, going forward. The only punches expected to be thrown in the 2023 elections are the casting of votes.

     

    Oyibo, the Editor of TheNewsGuru.com (TNG), writes from Abuja.

  • Delta 2023: We’ll resist attempts by PDP to intimidate us – Omo-Agege

    Delta 2023: We’ll resist attempts by PDP to intimidate us – Omo-Agege

    Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, the APC governorship candidate in Delta, has said that the era of politics of intimidation and violence was over with the introduction of BVAS machines in the nation’s electoral system.

    Omo-Agege, who is also the Deputy President of the Senate, made the remark on Saturday during the party’s ward-to-ward campaign in Uzere, Aviara and Olomoro communities in Isoko South Local Government Area of the state.

    The lawmaker representing Delta Central Senatorial District, said that the party would resist any attempt by leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to intimidate the APC members in Isokoland and other parts of the state.

    “The politics of intimidation is over. With the introduction of the BVAS machine by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), be rest assured that we buried the politics of intimidation and violence.

    “Let me assure our teeming supporters that there will be adequate security in the next elections. For our supporters and Isoko people who want to vote for APC, come on the days of the elections and vote for us.

    “For those planning to intimidate our members, they should know that we will resist them,” Omo-Agege warned.

    He urged the electorate in Isoko and other parts of the state to turn out en mass to vote for all APC candidates in the Presidential, National Assembly, Governorship and State Assembly elections, assuring that there would be adequate security.

    The lawmaker further assured the people of Delta that their votes would count in the forthcoming elections, adding that the era when election materials were snatched and thumb-printed in political leaders’ homes was gone forever.

    At Aviara Kingdom, Omo-Agege told the cheering crowd that his administration resolved and restored the aged-long electrical blackout in the community.

    Also, Mr Joel Thomas-Onowhakpo, the APC Delta South Senatorial candidate, urged the people of the state to collect their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVC) ahead of the forthcoming polls.

    He appealed to the electorate in Delta South to vote APC and ensure that PDP was relegated in the state

    Thomas-Onowhakpo also urged the people to vote for Omo-Agege as governor, assuring that his administration would bring massive development to all parts of the state.

    Highpoint of the campaign was the defection of scores of PDP chieftains in Isoko South, including former deputy governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Mr James Igbi, to the APC.

    Other defectors from the  the PDP included Mr Goodluck Obrogo and  Mr James Miller, a political aide to the majority leader of the Delta House of Assembly.

    They announced their defection at Uzere, the country-home of PDP stalwart, Ogieh, saying they were rejecting the PDP for APC over the underdevelopment of Isoko Nation by the Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa-led administration.

    Among the campaign train included the State Chairman of the party, Elder Omeni Sobotie; Director- General of Delta APC Campaign and former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe.

    Others were Dr Otive Igbuzo; Dr Ogaga Ifowodo; former APC chairman in Delta, Apostle Jones Erue; Mr Godwin Anaughe; Mr Karo Ilolo and Prince Yemi Emiko among others.

  • Omo-Agege congratulates Ewherido, Warri Diocese Bishop-elect

    Omo-Agege congratulates Ewherido, Warri Diocese Bishop-elect

    The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has congratulated the Bishop- Elect of the Catholic Diocese of Warri, Rev. Fr. Anthony Ewherido, on his appointment by His Holiness, Pope Francis.

    In a congratulatory message personally signed by him, Senator Omo-Agege expressed profound delight over the appointment of Monsignor Ewherido.

    The Delta APC Governorship candidate described the bishop as a “thoroughbred priest educated to the highest level in the finest traditions of the Catholic Church, an expert in Theology who rose to the rank of a Professor of Biblical Theology and Languages”.

    The Bishop-elect who hails from Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, is a constituent of the Delta Central lawmaker.

    Until his appointment, Ewherido is the Rector of his alma mater, SS. Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Ibadan.

    Omo-Agege recalled the cleric’s past as an impactful teacher, devoted priest, administrator, noting that he had always been guided by hard work, godliness and passion for humanity.

    In his congratulatory message, the Deputy President of the Senate said, “I congratulate the membership of Warri Diocese not only for the peaceful selection process that led to your emergence but also as the second indigenous Bishop of the Diocese.

    “I am optimistic that your tenure will usher in peace in the area. It will also be an era of positive revolution in the vineyard to help save the world.

    “I pray that the Almighty God will bless you with good health of mind and body so that you will continue to serve the Universal Church and the people according to God’s wishes. Congratulations Padre”.

  • Ogidigben EPZ, Okerenkoko Varsity key to devt of Niger Delta, says Omo-Agege

    Ogidigben EPZ, Okerenkoko Varsity key to devt of Niger Delta, says Omo-Agege

    Deputy Senate President, and Delta State All Progressives Congress, APC, gubernatorial candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has said the Export Processing Zone, EPZ, at Ogidigben, and the Maritime University at Okerenkoko, both in Warri South-West local government area of Delta State, are critical to the development of the Niger Delta.

    Speaking when the APC ward to ward campaign berthed in the local government, Senator Omo-Agege pointed out that the EPZ which was started by the President Goodluck Jonathan administration has been abandoned because the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa/ Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, administration in the state has not made it its priority.

    “You remember that when the project started under the administration of former President Jonathan, former governor Emmanuel Uduaghan showed interest. Uduaghan was very much interested in the EPZ when he was governor. But since he left office, and Okowa took over, the project has been abandoned. When I become governor, I will consult Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu as President. We’ll liaise with oil companies. This EPZ must become reality.”

    Senator Omo-Agege lambasted Okowa/ PDP for insensitivity to the plight of the people of Warri South West, pointing out that their “hatred” for the area has blinded them to the immense opportunities that the EPZ brings to both the state and the region.

    He pledged to liaise with the in-coming Tinubu presidency to bring development to the area. According to him, the local government had contributed massively to the development of Nigeria, and it is only fair to reciprocate by ringing in concrete and tangible benefits.

    He promised to work with the relevant authorities to ensure that the oil companies operating in the state return their headquarters to the oil producing areas.

    His words: “Before I came here, I listened to my brother, Alex Eyengho, demanding that we force the oil companies to return to the area. When Tinubu becomes President, we will ensure that all the oil companies that left come back.”

    He said that he has the assurance of Tinubu that the Delta ports which were once the live wire of the local economy would function again.
    “This will create the enabling environment for businesses to thrive. Tinubu has assured me that once he becomes President, NPA will work again. Our ports in Koko, Warri and Burutu will work again. There will be plenty of jobs for our children.”

    He praised APC chieftain, Chief Ayiri Emami, for investing in the area, in spite of daunting odds, pointing out that with its scenic beauty, the waterways and natural beaches of the area are natural tourist attractions.

    Earlier at the town hall meeting with the community elders, opinion leaders, women leaders, youth leaders and student leaders, the APC flag bearer said, “my coming here today has the full approval of His Royal Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, when I consulted with him and made known my intention to contest the governorship seat. I am therefore standing before you to present myself and my team of other contestants so you can vote for us next year to make the desired impact and move this state forward”.

    “On my way to the venue of this meeting today, I took time to look at the community closely and observed that apart from Chevron that operates in this area and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), especially when my younger brother here, Tuoyo Omatsuli, was a Director there and brought so much development to this place, nothing has been seen of the impact of the state government”.

    “The PDP had been government for a long while and it is very sad that a government that made so much in revenue from a particular area cannot provide anything for the people as dividends for the gas and oil explored on their land all these years. These are some of the injustices we intend to correct as a party and that’s why we are here today”.

    “I want to assure you all today that with the APC “five over five” team of President, Governor, Senator, House of Representatives and State Assembly members that will be sworn by as from next year by God’s grace, all these issues will be addressed”

    “And with the resuscitation of the abandoned EPZ project, we are convinced that the issue of unemployment among the teeming able bodied youths both from the state and outside would be reduced. It would also boost the revenue base of the state,”he stated.

    At the venue of the rally at the Ugborodo playground, the party Chieftains and candidates took out time one after the other to address the crowd.

    First to speak was the APC Delta South Senatorial Chairman, Mr. Austin Oribioye, who emphasized the need for the people to vote the party’s candidates across board.

    In his own speech, the candidate for House of Representatives for the Warri Federal Constituency, Mr. Emmanuel Ekpoto Ekpoto, assured of the party’s determination to make the oil rich city of Warri great again.

    The APC Delta South Senatorial Candidate, Mr.Joel Onowakpo, noted that the change Deltans crave cannot come at a better than this, and urged the people not to allow the opposition PDP to continue their deception because they have nothing to offer.

    “We have had enough of PDP deception in Delta state. They have ruled us for almost 24 years and we have seen little or nothing of their impact in terms of development. It’s time we give this new set of APC candidates a chance to prove their worth come next year, he declared.

    Also addressing the crowd, the former Executive Director of NDDC and the Chief host of the Ugborodo Campaign rally, Engr. Tuoyo Omatsuli, noted that since change remains the only constant in life, the people should be ready to embrace change from PDP to APC and urged them to remain focused.

    Chief Ayiri in his remarks said he is quite familiar with the PDP rigging machine in Delta, and is determined to ensure that it doesn’t happen again. “I know all about the rigging process in PDP in the state. We know how we allocated figures in the time past but here I am today a Chieftain of the APC. Please, I am appealing to you all that you should not allow the manipulation of PDP continue in the state. Some of their candidates are used to coming at night. When they come this time around, don’t let them deceive you, “he admonished.

    Senator Omo Agege, took the advantage of his speech to clarify the issues around the relocation of the headquarters of Oil Companies to their operational base as demanded by the Ugborodo community elders, noting that it was jointly passed by the Senate and House of Representatives and that he had raised the issue on the floor of the Senate.

    While promising to revisit it, he expressed optimism that with Tinubu as President and himself as governor, the National Assembly resolution would be fully implemented.

    Earlier, the APC governorship candidate and his team had a brief stop over at the palace of the paramount ruler of Gbaramatu Kingdom, HRM Oboro Gbaraun II Aketekpe (Agadagba), to intimate him of the plan to hold a rally in his domain.

    The royal father prayed for his success and that of his team in the forthcoming election. He said as the custodian of people’s’ tradition and rulers of kingdoms, the Royal fathers can influence the outcomes of elections in their domains by either requesting or directing their subjects on who to vote but that they have chosen to remain neutral in the interest of the democratic process.

    At the Okerenkoko rally, APC chieftain, Chief Michael Johnny, demanded that with its endowments, the community deserves special attention of the APC government. He recalled how not long ago, security forces raided Okerenkoko and destroyed buildings and other structures. He therefore demanded that the incoming state government build a 1000 unit housing project as a compensation to the community.

    Chief Johnny also demanded a befitting permanent site for the Maritime University, Okerenkoko, and that its enabling law be enacted. He complained that the community’s floating dockyard was spirited away by the Federal Ministry of Transportation, under the then leadership of Rotimi Amaechi, and demanded its return.

    In his response, Senator Omo-Agege said that the Maritime University is not only strategic to the development of the state, but also strategic to the Niger Delta. He clarified that its enabling law, especially the issues of funding, have been virtually concluded, and that hopefully, it would receive Presidential assent soon.