The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger delta

  • Philanthropy has been my lifestyle – Okanoro Kenneth

    Philanthropy has been my lifestyle – Okanoro Kenneth

    Chief Executive Officer of Seth Hotel and Philanthropist Mr Okanoro Kenneth Oghenekome has expressed delight in his philanthropic gesture.

    The CEO made the statement at a brief event, where he doled out N500,000 to Mr. Collins Odinaka to help him stand on his feet.

    Okanoro said he was led in his spirit to help him, following his pathetic story, and it was hurtful seeing him in such pain.

    Read Also: Imagine if there was no Mike Adenuga, by Femi Adesina

    He further said what was more painful was the drive and zeal in him to ensure his children are educated. 

    “I saw a man who was so passionate about education, despite not having the resources to do so.

    “Whatever I do for him today, in terms of empowerment, will go along way to cushion the effects of the biting season and ameliorate his living condition,” Okanoro said.

  • Senate Presidency: N’Delta stakeholders call for equity, justice

    Senate Presidency: N’Delta stakeholders call for equity, justice

    Niger Delta Stakeholders in the All Progressives Congress APC have called on the leadership and critical stakeholders of the party from the region to support credible and a team player as the country’s next President of the Senate for the sake of equity, fairness, and justice. 

    The group noted that the 2023 general elections have created deep gully and division across the country, hence there is an urgent need to give every region sense of belonging and set off the process of total healing and reconciliation in the country. 

    The group which styles itself as Niger Delta Stakeholders for Equity and Justice (NDSEJ) disclosed this in a press statement after its meeting held at Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on Monday, noted that the nation cannot attend the desired peace and development without equity and justice in the distribution of political offices.

    Read Also: Group mobilises support for Akpabio over Senate presidency

    The statement which was signed by the Convener of the NDSEJ, Chief Alfred Ebikeme, and its Secretary, Prince Victor Ogie Osagie, appealed to APC leaders from the zone to consider and support a southerner to emerge the Senate president.

    According to the group, “We believe in politics of equity, fairness, and justice and that is why we are calling our leaders from the Niger Delta region to support a credible, resourceful person who will not lord over the people as the next senate president.

    “Though we have one of our own, the immediate past Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio who is reported to be eyeing the Senate presidency of the 10th National Assembly, however, his last outing as a supervising Minister over the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC left a sour taste in our mouth.  

    “It’s on record that under his watch, Senator Akpabio blatantly refused to run the NDDC with a functional board, instead, he opted for sole administrators thereby shutting out the entire leadership of the region in the administration of the Commission, the consequence of this is that the people of the Niger Delta were starved of good and quality representation in the NDDC board.

    “We think that at this critical time of our national history, where we are divided along religious and ethnic divides, the Senate leadership that we need is a man that believes in teamwork and not a superman who will lord over other leaders and colleagues because, in the national assembly, it will need a great deal of teamwork to pull a bill through.

    “What Nigeria needs urgently in the National Assembly is purpose-driven, visionary, selfless, and people-oriented leadership, to make informed and relevant laws that will better the lives of Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora. 

    “We should not forget in a hurry how the Saraki and Buhari frosty relationship impinged on governance in President Buhari’s first tenure, we can’t afford a repeat of that in the Tinubu-led government, that will be too much baggage and a drag.”

  • Our expectations from Tinubu, by Niger Delta leaders

    Our expectations from Tinubu, by Niger Delta leaders

    Southsouth leaders and some prominent groups in the Niger Delta region have set an agenda for the President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    Priority areas are the completion of the East-West road, the revival of seaports, the completion of all abandoned federal projects, fixing the coastal roads, and the revival of the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries, among others.

    The groups believe in Tinubu’s capacity to establish programmes and policies that would lead to the empowerment of the people of the region.

    They include the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, the Itsekiri Liberation Group (ILG), the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought (ILoT), the Ikwerre People’s Congress (IPC) Worldwide and prominent Ijaw youth leader, Bodmas Kemepadei.

    IYC urged Tinubu to prioritise the completion of the East-West Road and expand the scope of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).

    IYC Spokesman, Comrade Ebilade Ekerefe, lamented the terrible state of the expressway that links the Southsouth geopolitical zone to other parts of the country.

    He said the dilapidated and decrepit nature of the road had been hampering commercial and economic activists of the people of the region hence it should be given utmost priority in Federal Government’s infrastructure development.

    Ekerefe also urged the President-elect to ensure that some landmark projects in the region such as Oloibiri Museum, Brass Fertiliser Project, among others, were given priority attention by his administration.

    He said: “As an umbrella body of Ijaw youths in the Niger Delta, we urge that upon assumption of office, the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu should prioritise the complete rehabilitation of the East-West Road that is in a very sorry state and a deathtrap right now.

    “We also demand that all the Federal Government’s uncompleted projects in the Niger Delta should be completed to provide succour to the people. Some of those projects that require federal government’s strong intervention include the Oloibiri Museum, the Brass Fertilizer Company and others.

    “Also, the Federal Government should provide jobs for the youths across the states in the region through skills acquisition, capacity building, empowerment and grants. Tinubu should endeavour to expand the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) and make it more people-oriented in line with the current economic realities to make it more robust and sustainable.”

    The kinsmen of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State under the auspices of the IPC asked Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in critical sectors and work towards winning the confidence of the people.
    The Chairman of IPC, Livingstone Wechie, believes there should be a state of emergency for the economy, health and security.

    He said: “From day one, the first task of the incoming administration should be aimed at winning back citizens’ trust and confidence.

    “If this administration must succeed, it must start by initiating strong policies that meet the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians as a proof of a people Centered mandate.

    “The incoming administration should prioritise the end of selective economic monopoly by fully opening up the Wharfs across the country particularly in the Southsouth and Southeast to massively spread economic opportunities.

    “Other potential states outside Lagos and Abuja should be opened up to international air routes for foreign direct investments including the opening of Visa issuing and Consular offices in key Niger Delta and Southeast states to open them up to the boundless international opportunities.

    “A state of emergency should be declared in critical sectors such as health, security, judiciary, education, housing and the economy with a view to focus on making them work through innovative and enforceable policies.

    Read Also: Nnamani to Obi: align with Tinubu for a new Nigeria

    “It is critical that the entire security structure and infrastructure should be reworked to guarantee the safety and security of Nigerians. The government knowing through intelligence should isolate all merchants of what is perceived as an insecure industry.

    “The academic curriculum of Nigeria should be radically reviewed to meet advanced and modern realities in innovative climes by creating opportunities for special talents and gifted citizens from nursery to tertiary levels. This will help build a creative and innovative future for Nigeria.

    “Access to justice should be a priority of this administration with a mandate to unbundle the judicial system for Nigerians to have their cases speedily dispensed of within set record time.

    “The Supreme Court should be decentralised regionally across the federation by setting up at least three panels in each region with equal jurisdiction with a timeline on the dispensation of cases. Hence, outstanding reports for judicial reforms should be fully and immediately implemented.”

    Wechie said in the Niger Delta, the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) should be reworked to boost the stake of oil-bearing communities to reflect the ownership rights of host communities.

    He said: “There should be a deliberate standing policy that all Oil Multinationals should relocate their headquarters to the Niger Delta. The fuel subsidy regime has continued to be portrayed as a criminal cartel enterprise and a scam enriching certain state and private agents at the expense of citizens and the incoming administration must come out clean on this.

    “If any, the government cannot outrightly remove subsidy because the welfare of citizens remains its primary responsibility within the context.

    “The incoming administration should only remove the subsidy provided it guarantees the functional state-owned refineries are quickly put in place and relevant laws enforced without prejudice if any result must be achieved against the conduit of endless turnaround maintenance.

    “It is only the government and not the private sector that will subsidise petroleum products for Nigerians. Hence, the government will fail if it pretends about the realities raised by Nigerians concerning petroleum subsidy.”

    The ILoT appealed to Tinubu to declare a Marshall Plan for the development of the Niger Delta.

    The group said a Marshall Plan under the direct supervision of the Presidency would address the environmental devastation and infrastructural deficits in the region.

    It declared the current developmental approach as ineffective and ad-hoc in nature insisting it could not address the developmental challenges of the region.

    ILoT scribe, Sir A.S Mene, warned of dire consequences except the incoming government led by Tinubu addressed the issues of marginalisation.

    He said: “The President-elect needs to declare a Marshall Plan for the Niger Delta. We cannot continue to adopt the current development strategies, which are ad-hoc and ineffective, to develop the region.

    “There is a need for a Marshall Plan to robustly address the challenges in the region because today the Niger Delta remains devastated and economically challenged.”

    Mene urged the incoming administration to construct the coastal road, adding that the promise to build a coastal road starting from Akwa Ibom to Lagos state was long overdue.

    He said: The incoming government led by Bola Tinubu must focus on the coastal road project starting from Akwa Ibom to Lagos state, connecting the entire oil producing areas.

    The group appealed to the incoming administration to revisit the issues of the 13 per cent derivation fund, stressing that the current practice where state governments took 50 per cent of the 13 per cent meant for oil-producing areas was unacceptable.

    He said: “The issue of the 13 per cent derivation fund needs to be reviewed. The entire 13 per cent needs to be directed to the development of the Niger Delta as the current practice where state governments in the region take half of the money to develop other parts of the state is unacceptable and cannot see to the development of the region.”

    He said to avoid a crisis in the region, the incoming administration must critically review all forms of infrastructural development of the region including building schools, hospitals, electricity and provision of potable water.

    The ILG said the incoming President must be seen as a man who keeps to promises recalling that the Vice-President, Yemi Osibanjo during the tour of the Niger Delta promised that all oil companies would relocate their headquarters to the region but failed to actualise it.

    The Coordinator, ILG, Mone Oris, said Tinubu should prioritise the completion of the East-West road and revival of the seaports in Koko, Calabar and Port Harcourt.

    He said: “There should be a commitment in the completion of the East-West Road. Then Warri Port, Koko Port, Calabar Port and Port Harcourt should be seen as working. Today, Nigerians are aware that the Lagos Port is choked up and causing a lot of congestion in Lagos.

    “If these ports are working, some of the activities will be brought down this way. The president-elect should work on this. We cannot be exporting crude oil from the region through vessels, but cargo vessels cannot enter the region. So there should be proper policy to ensure that the ports in the region work.”

    “The road from Lagos to Calabar should be put into consideration by the President-elect. Travelling from Lagos to Calabar is less than five hours, if that road is completed today. And it will bring a lot of development to the region.

    “The president-elect should look at the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. The purpose of establishing the ministry is to see that the Niger Delta is developed. But today you see that for the past eight years, there’s no tangible thing that the ministry can say it did.

    “The president-elect should look into the ministry. Until today, we did not hear anything about the forensic audit. The federal ministry has become a cash cow for some individuals. So policies that should be made for the ministry must be those that will benefit the people of the region.”

    A prominent Ijaw youth leader, Bodmas Kemepadei, President-elect to focus on the construction of roads, and bridges, to link riverine communities to major cities in order to stimulate economic growth and improve the quality of life of the Niger Delta people.

    He said: We also seek the President-elect to look into the issue of the coastal road network that is designed to traverse all the states in the region, linking our rural communities to every state in the region via the coastline and to Lagos, his home state.

    “The issue of sustenance of peace must also be a top priority, oil theft is one major factor that has birthed violence in the region, the current pipeline Surveillance programme being managed by the NNPCL should be adequately sustained and more opportunities created.

    “The Warri and Port-Harcourt refinery should be resuscitated for production, to create employment and reduce the level of crime and oil theft.”

  • MULTI-TRACKING NIGERIA HAS BECOME A COMPELLING PROJECT

    MULTI-TRACKING NIGERIA HAS BECOME A COMPELLING PROJECT

    • By Tunde Akanni, PhD

    For the first time in the history of the country, and also acutely contrasting with simple logic and commonsense, a second runner up in the presidential election February 25, 2023, is making a most laughable claim of having won the election. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of All Peoples Congress, APC, had won the election with no fewer than two million votes ahead of the Labour Party’s Peter Obi who came third with Abubakar Atiku of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, coming second. 

    In a most convincing reconfirmation of the previous rating of the three during the presidential election, Peter Obi’s Labour Party, LP, won the governorship seat in only one state out of the 33 available for bid. But neither  Obi, the presidential candidate of LP nor his VP candidate has demonstrated the universally known genuine spirit of sportsmanship. In spite of the unmistakable statistical data, they have been insistent that they won, as against the official declaration of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. It’s been messy to the extent that the narrative, especially online, of the opposition in the camp of the second runner in the presidential election, is extremely befuddling, having thrown all caution to the wind.  If this was never sufficiently envisaged, one organization did, apparently projecting scientifically and taking advantage of intellectual efforts well cultivated and nurtured on elections. 

    Dr Babatunde Afolabi, Africa Regional Director of the Geneva headquartered Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, HD, oozed so much excitement in 2019 over a book project he had superintended as the Nigeria Director of his organization. The book is titled “Post-Election Assessment of Conflict Management Mechanisms in Nigeria, 2019 and Beyond”. Such was the excitement that even before the production was concluded he had programmed the public launch session that was to feature two reviewers namely, Prof Jibrin Ibrahim, renowned fellow of Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD, and yours sincerely. Incidentally, COVID-19 happened and ensure global shutdown for the better part of 2020. Though painful, the book launch from which so much was expected had to be postponed indefinitely.  But HD kept having the feeling that the launch still had to happen and so it finally did on December 1, 2022.

    The launch attracted the best of the sober stakeholders in the moulds of high ranking and veteran diplomats, high profile civil society players and academics featured, among others, His Excellency Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, former Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General/Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel;  the immediate past INEC Chair, Prof Attahiru Jega;former Special Representative of the ECOWAS in Liberia, Ambassador Tunde Ajisomo; former Nigerian Ambassador to France and former AU Special Rep in Liberia, Ambassador Akin Fayomi; Dr Hussein Abdul, one of the two non-media professionals recently appointed to serve on the National Media Commission.

    Beyond the impactful speeches at the launch are the more enduring recommendations of the publication played up by your’s sincerely as the reviewer. What are these?  They include:

    • Formal and informal conflict management structures and initiatives should work more closely in preparation for election processes.
    • Traditional and religious leaders should be mindful of the implications of publicly showing sympathy or support for any political party or candidate.
    • Development partners, donor organizations and other stakeholders should support the sustained training of journalists and social media influencers on conflict-sensitive reporting.
    • The signing of Peace Accords should be promoted at all tiers of government, including the federal level with enough resources and incentives to ensure that all stakeholders comply with their provisions.

    The inadequacy of attention and resources allocated to the last two suggestions listed above have since been haunting Nigeria since February 25. The conduct of the media, especially the so-called Fifth Estate, has been unimaginably irritating. Outright misinformation and disinformation competing incessantly and compelling the concerned to do rebuttals to the discomfort of the world. Incidentally, unmistakable as the manifestations are, even core stakeholders appear dismissive. Otherwise, how do we explain the insensitivity to diversity manifest in the composition of the recently inaugurated National Media Commission with the inclusion of the spokesperson of only one of the presidential candidates, Prof Stella Okunna?  How can the promoters of the commission convince the world against bias with the religious insensitivity burden with the only two muslims included in the 10-member body, being neither media scholars nor media professionals? The commission has since been inaugurated and expected to command our respect. How?

    The centrality of the media to Multi-Track Diplomacy is such that cannot be over-emphasised with the other tracks feeding it and even feeding on it to enable proper functioning in mitigation of conflicts.  The media connect with the people as collectives and individuals and therefore bear a lot of responsibility helping to stabilize social imbalance.  This is the very basis of  the rigorous transformation effected by media and conflict resolution experts and scholars as manifest in the trajectory of, at first, Peace Journalism and much later till date, Conflict-sensitive Journalism.

    Such is the reckoning that conflict-sensitive reporting enjoys that UNESCO has had to invest heavily on it with trainers and researchers  being relentless globally to entrench the principles. But what has our own newly inaugurated commission to do with all the global efforts?  The world waits!

    Compounding the situation further is the disregard for HD’s submission on Peace Accord. Since its inception, it has always been a one-off, pre-election routine.  But post-election engagement as scientifically foreseen by HD has turned out to be hugely important.  This is to the extent that if care is not taken, whatever is envisaged to be dividends of democracy may get  recklessly frittered away.

    The Peace Accord, as envisioned by HD with the wish for robust funding should be all-encompassing to accommodate the rest seven tracks of diplomacy as conceptualized in 1991.  And Nigeria is well endowed enough to drive the integration of the rest seven tracks to work for the desired peace for our dear country.  For instance, not a few Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies programme in different universities in Africa and even beyond have had to rely on the University of Ibadan professors for take-off and sustenance.  Such also is the respect that the world  has for the relevant experts from Nigeria that there is hardly any of the global associations that does not have a Nigerian on its leadership team. Interestingly, Dr Afolabi who conceptualized the book mentioned in this article is the current Africa Director of HD whereas he was Nigeria Director of HD when the idea of the book took root.  Perhaps more important are the renowned efforts of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in the recent time in Ethiopia and other parts of Africa.

    It is absolutely indispensable to ensure adequate sensitivity to diversity in the workings of democratic processes, say at the level of political parties as well as at the level of formulating solutionist agendas such as may involve constituting membership for an all-important organ like the National Media Commission whose relevance transcends election and related complications. Most concerning perhaps is the sky high intolerance of the so-called Obidients one of who is Prof Okunna, who, self-respecting, should have honourably declined the membership of the commission, on the ground of equity, even if she was erroneously offered. Wouldn’t his fellow Obidients not have pulled down the sky on and offline? Is the Nigerian media sector so Obidient- biased to ignore this to the detriment of other political parties and indeed the nation’s peace?

    Tunde Akanni, PhD, a media and conflict expert is  an associate professor of journalism at the Lagos State University, Nigeria.

  • Delta APC leaders behind Omo-Agege to retrieve mandate – Emerhor

    Delta APC leaders behind Omo-Agege to retrieve mandate – Emerhor

    The Founding leader of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in Delta Olorogun O’tega Emerhor has said the party’s leaders and various support groups in the State are united in the quest to recover its ‘stolen’ mandate from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) and its governorship candidate in the March 18th Gubernatorial election.

    The APC chieftain, while calling on Deltans and party faithful to remain steadfast and undaunted, assured its governorship candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and the party leaders will use the instrumentality of the law to reclaim the mandate given to APC. 

    Emerhor, who was the party’s 2015 governorship candidate and the first Nigerian to run for election on the platform of APC in 2013, urged Deltans and Nigerians to remain hopeful as it is only a matter of time for their choice of Governor of Delta State to be restored.

     He said the leadership of the party in the State has confidence in the capacity of the Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege to lead the party in the legal battles to reclaim its mandate in the court.

    Read Also: We’ll win at the end of the day – Omo-Agege

    While noting that Omo-Agege is not new to recovering his stolen mandate through the judiciary, Emerhor posited that this wouldn’t be any different and have the support of APC leaders in the state and beyond.

    Emerhor claimed the 240,000 votes scored by the APC although heavily understated are votes purely out of the BVAS system while the bogus figures allocated to the PDP shall collapse upon BVAS interrogation as they are products of rigging and inflation of votes.

    Olorogun Emerhor implored Deltans not to be dismayed by the purported outcome of the governorship election which fell short of their expectation. 

    According to him; “The PDP acting to type has stolen our mandate through the back door, but let me assure you that their laughter and celebration will be short-lived.

    “The party leadership and our candidate are working round the clock to put up a strong case against the mandate robbers and God’s willing, we will come out victorious because the days when PDPs steal and run away with votes are over.  

    “So, we call on Deltans, APC faithfuls who came out in their numbers to vote for our party in the March 18th governorship election to remain steadfast, because the declaration of the PDP by INEC as the winner will not stand judicial scrutiny. APC’s ultimate victory is assured.”

  • Ohanaeze Ndigbo endorses APC’s Omo-Agege for Delta Gov

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo endorses APC’s Omo-Agege for Delta Gov

    Delta chapter of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo has endorsed the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, as its preferred choice.

    The Igbo body promised to mobilise members in Delta and vote massively for Senator Omo-Agege to emerge as the next Governor of the oil-rich state.

    The leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Delta North, Chief Frank Nwandu, announced the endorsement of the APC gubernatorial candidate during a stakeholder meeting with Omo-Agege in Asaba, the state capital.

    Nwandu described Omo-Agege as the most competent and qualified candidate vying for the coveted governorship seat in the state.

    He also said Omo-Agege’s track records in the 8th and 9th Senate set apart from his rivals in the next Saturday’s governorship election, adding that the APC candidate eminently qualifed to succeed Governor Okowa.

    Omo-Agege had told the Igbo community in the State that his administration would run an all inclusive government, adding that there will be no discrimination under him.

    The Deputy Senate President, who urged the group to mobilise their members to vote APC, said the Okowa’s administration had plunged the State into huge debts with nothing to show for the huge borrowing.

    He explained that prior before Okowa’s government, the school fees for tertiary institutions in the State was within N25,000 to N30,000 but under the PDP-led administration, tuition fees had risen above N300,000.

    The Delta Central lawmaker noted that his administration will review the current tuition fees in all the state-owned higher institutions with a view to reducing the amount.

    According to him: “In the past seven and a half years alone (I am sure you are all privy to this information as these are all issues within the public domain), the state has received, excluding internally generated revenue, about N4.2 trillion. And when you look round the state, I mean everywhere in the state, you cannot see anything that is remotely commensurate with that money that has come to the state.

    “We have States in this country that have received less than Delta, but you can see the level of development in those states. For instance, Rivers State receives less from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) and less from derivation. But Rivers has been like a construction site in the past eight years. More importantly, despite all of this, Rivers State or the governor does not owe one kobo to any contractor or to any bank. Even though we received so much, as much as N4.2 trillion, Delta now owes over N850 billion to banks and other creditors.

    “Now, let me make this clear. There is nothing wrong with taking loans. Any civilized country or sub-national takes loans for development. If we are told today that out of N250 billion, about N10 billion is being set aside to address the perennial flooding challenge in Asaba, I don’t believe that anybody will quarrel with that. Or will anybody quarrel with that? No! But every year as you all know, we have the flooding challenge in this place and government now makes money from what they call internally displaced persons’ camps (IDPs). Once the rains start, some persons are already positioning themselves to make money for setting up IDP camps.

    Read Also : Tinubu presidency will actualise EPZ project, says Omo Agege

    “Asaba is our state capital and if just N10 billion is set aside to address the flood challenge in Asaba, I don’t think anybody will quarrel with that. And how do I know this? In Imo State, our neighbour, Governor Hope Uzodimma has taken concerted measures to address the flooding challenge in Owerri by deploying technology to tackle flooding in Owerri. And as it is right now, the bulk of the flooding challenge in Imo State’s capital city is pretty much gone. What is wrong if our state government decides to earmark about N10 billion out of the N850 billion to address this flood challenge in our state capital? Is there anything wrong with that? If you look round now, moving from here to Warri, you either go through Agbor or through Asaba-Kwale-Oleh-Isoko-Ughelli to Warri. Whichever option you take, both routes are in a state of total disrepair. I agree that the roads may be federal roads, but if only about N11 billion each out of these loans is dedicated to the repair and completion of these roads, I don’t believe anybody will quarrel with that. Will you quarrel with that?

    “Our anger is this: These debts that have been accumulated in Delta State was misapplied and misappropriated. Nothing was applied for purposes and projects that would have been beneficial to all of us. And let me say this: you are Igbo from the other side of River Niger, but you live here in Delta. However, today you are debtors in Delta because you live in this state. You are part of the N850 billion we owe because you live and work here.

    “I know that you never went to any bank to ask for loans, but Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has gone to the banks to ask for loans on your behalf. So now, he is leaving government, but you are a debtor and your children and grand children are debtors and we don’t think that is proper.

    “Now, as if that was not bad enough, he decided to bring a candidate, a candidate who never had the guts to interrogate and caution him against the excessive, reckless borrowing as his successor. As Speaker of the state House of Assembly which is a co-equal arm of government, no loan can be procured without the consent of the House of Assembly.

    “If the Speaker had put his foot down and disagreed with the governor, the terrible situation we are in now could have been mitigated. The Speaker could have tell Gov. Okowa that he cannot go on a borrowing spree. At least he could have persuaded the governor to tie the loans to specific developmental projects.

    “He did not exercise his power to moderate the mindless borrowing that has turned Delta into a high level debtor state. This is the same man Okowa is parading as governorship candidate and his successor. They are actually putting forward a manifesto that we should “EXPECT MORE”. This means that we should expect more borrowing.

    “Our brothers and sisters have given the best part of their years as civil servants in the service of Delta State with monies deducted monthly from their salaries for their retirement. Unfortunately, on retirement, they have not been paid their pension and gratuities since 2011 while some of them are dying every day.

    “Some of them have cursed Okowa that he will never win the vice presidency and I think God has answered that prayer and their curses have actually caught up with him. That is why he has not succeeded in his quest to become the Vice President of the country. Those who are still alive and are close to death have not yet received their pension through no fault of theirs and yet we have a Speaker who could not caution Okowa to use some of the money to settle the pension of our retirees.

    “I am sure you all have children who are in tertiary institutions in the state either in any of the State universities or Polytechnic system. Before former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan left government, tuition fees and levies was just about N25,000, but today, the same fees have increased to about N300,000.

    “Where will you get the money as parents and children to make all these payments? Yet, we are being told that they have a manifesto called MORE, EXPECT MORE, meaning that we should expect more borrowing, more increase in tuition fees, non-payment of pension and in short, expect more hardship.

    “I am here today to offer myself as a viable alternative. We can do better than that as Deltans and we can do better as Delta State. I have my own track record. Everybody knows me. Everybody knows Ovie Omo-Agege as a man of dignity in this country. They know what I am capable of doing, but more importantly, when I give my word, my word is my bond.

    “But I cannot do it alone. I need your help to achieve better goals for Delta. I am in this because I want to change the narrative. We have to change the narrative. We can do better. In Delta State, you cannot win the governorship with the votes of only Urhobo, Isoko, Ijaw, Itsekiri or Anioma people.

    ” Everybody must come together to make it happen. I have a good chance of emerging the governor, but I need your help. I need your help as partners. I am telling you what I am bringing to the table and I expect to hear from you what you want an Omo-Agege government to do for you, first as Deltans and then more importantly as stakeholders of Igbo extraction.

    “I know the challenges Anioma people face ranging from discrimination in employment and placements in the state’s tertiary education system. I understand all of that, but I am here to tell you that there will be no discrimination in the government that I will run. Opportunities will be available to all Deltans. I will not say that because your parents or grandparents are from Anambra, you will not be entitled to opportunities, No! If the state civil service advertises for positions, I expect all of you to apply and the leadership of Ohanaeze Nd’Igbo to be on top of it and keep us on our toes such that the Urhobo, the Isoko, Itsekiri, Ijaw, and Anioma and all those who apply will be considered for employment on equal basis provided they are qualified. You have my commitment that to the extent that those who apply are qualified, they will be considered for employment in the state civil service.

    “The same applies in the admission process into our state tertiary institutions that will be based on equal opportunities. It does not matter where you come from, provided you reside in Delta and you pay your taxes in the state. But much more important is that I would want you to participate in government. For instance, when Bola Ahmed Tinubu was governor of Lagos State, we had people of Igbo extraction in his government. In fact, one of them, Ben Akabueze, is my very good friend. He was the Director of Budget Office under Tinubu in Lagos for many years.

    “There are other Igbo people who served under former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola and even in the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.

    “This phenomenon is not in Lagos alone. In Kaduna State, my friend, Governor Nasir el-Rufai, has Igbo, Urhobo, Isoko and person’s from other ethnic groups serving in his cabinet. We are keen on who can add value to governance. When I become governor of this state, I will work with the best brains and people who will add value to the agenda we are presenting before our people.

    “So, essentially, I will reach out. I will reach out to the Igbo people in Delta State, represented by the leadership of Ohanaeze Nd’Igbo, when we are about to form a government, God willing, to represent the interests of our brothers of Igbo extraction. These are some of the key issues I believe I have identified on my own.

    “I do not stand here to claim exclusive monopoly of ideas to the issues of governance, but I mean well for our state. Therefore, I want to hear from you. You don’t have to necessarily present them to me today, but I would like you to put together what your expectations are for the government to be run by me. You can make your submission today or on a later date. But, today, I make a commitment to you that if the Igbo nation resident here in Delta stands by me, supports and delivers me as governor, in return, those issues we have agreed on, I will surely implement them.

    “Finally, let me say this, we had the presidential and National Assembly elections in the country last week. Votes have been taken and results have been declared, some may like it and some may not. We have the judiciary as the next bus stop and those who feel aggrieved can approach the courts. That is the situation on ground. In light of that, I want to make an appeal and speaking as a Senator and as Deputy President of the Senate, I know the advantages that can accrue to a state where there is synergy between the state and the Federal Government. It is much more easier for me as a governor of the All Progressives Congress (APC) extraction to liaise more and get more from an APC president than I will get from another one.
    So today, as we speak, a President-elect has been declared and I don’t want Delta State to be in the opposition. I want Delta State to be hooked up to the national political ‘grid’ for want of a better expression so that if there is anything we need as a government here, it will be easier to get it from the Federal Government.

    “About two or three weeks ago, we were in Owerri for the presidential rally and the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, was saying that he asked President Muhammadu Buhari to convert many state projects into federal ones, which were approved expressly and there was applause everywhere. That can only be possible when there is synergy between the state and the Federal Government. I can get the Federal Government to do some of the projects that have been abandoned in Delta State like upgrading Warri Port and dredging of the Escravos Bay if there is synergy between the state and Federal Government. Imagine what a dredged Escravos Bay and rejuvenated Warri Port where vessels are now allowed to berth at the Koko Port and Burutu Port will do to the economy of Warri and the entire state and especially our brothers and sisters who are into trading. Unfortunately, that has not happened because there is no synergy between Okowa’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Federal government led by President Buhari of APC. I am sure I am communicating.

    “I seek your support as partners. I won’t rule you. I want to be a chief servant. I am seeking sound leadership, but help me. I need your support to succeed in my quest to govern Delta State. The time is very short now, but I want a situation where after I have been declared governor on March 12 or March 13, God willing, with the support of the Igbo people, we will rejoice with the Igbo and the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.”

  • Delta 2023: Omo-Agege favourite to win Saturday guber election

    Delta 2023: Omo-Agege favourite to win Saturday guber election

    All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Delta State Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has Indeed played his card very well and proven to be a leader of season’s choice, having recorded credible achievements infrastructurally while repositioning eminent Urhobos, and by extension, Deltans. This alone shows that, he is a leader of his time and man of the season to beat.

    Delta state is an oil rich region, sited in the southern part of Nigeria, swinging in abundance of human capacity and resources, and being managed by a few cabals, with extended families, whom we considered “ Oligarchical rulers, not leaders. Chronologically in the democratic dispensation in Nigeria, from 1999-2007, Chief James Onanefe Ibori governed the state with ideological infrastructural development, even with his high handedness in corruption that finally landed him in United Kingdom’s prison for 13 years after he was convicted for money laundering in 2011, whereas he was acquitted and discharged of bribery and corruption by the Nigerian Competent law court, which has remained an irony the country has suffered till date.

    Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration is not totally bad as that of his predecessor Uduaghan, at least, a pass mark for maintaining and sustaining egalitarian society of Deltans but failed in addressing pertinent issues like teachers pensions and arrears, infrastructural decay and injudicious use of the state allocations, hence, plugging the state into a debt of N272 billion , and then, his widely acknowledged betrayal of Asaba Accord last year where all southern governors met and unanimously agreed , that power must shift to the south, only for the Governor to accept his party Vice Presidential slot given to him by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party and a perpetual presidential failure.

    This is a factor that will work against his anointed Governorship Candidate, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, speaker of the state House of Assembly, whose legislative functions has been compromised because of his ambition, by approving billions upon billions of loan for the governor without no meaningful development to show for, including the revelation of the 13% derivation fund paid by the Federal government, as told by Rivers State governor, Barr. Nyesom Wike, who has used his own resources to build infrastructures across his state.

    This alone has triggered loud outcries across the state particularly the opposition, All Progressives Congress, APC. Another factor here that will work against PDP , is the former Commissioner of information’s travails, and Chief of Staff, Chief David Edevbie , who contested the PDP’s primary but lost gallantly to the the speaker because of Sheriff’s choice by Governor Okowa.

    Edevbie had tried using the legal means, alleging many controversies on Oborevwori’s qualifications and fraud during the primary, but he was unlucky because of how the Nigerian Judiciary operates, threatening the collective will of democracy.

    While we acknowledged the factors of the obidients in the just concluded presidential election, won by the Labour Party in the state with large margin, followed by the PDP, while the opposition , PDP came second, this factor will not play out on March 11, because, Deltans are very wise and enlighten politically,and well exposure to the dwelling economic failure of the PDP administration in the state.

    If the election go free, fair and credible, Omo-Agege will win in a landmark victory hence, he has to be strategically prepared and safeguard his votes to the later. Certainly, Deltans should know that, with Omo-Agege has governor, Bola Tinubu, president-elect, Delta will witness economic development and better synergy will bring out the best in the state.

  • Dafinone defeats Amori, emerges Delta Central senator-elect

    Dafinone defeats Amori, emerges Delta Central senator-elect

    The Senator-elect for Delta Central Chief Ede Dafinone has expressed appreciation to God and residents for their overwhelming support last Saturday.

    According to the INEC Returning Officer for the senatorial district election, Prof. Ezekiel Agbalagba, the renowned chartered Accountant and Business mogul, who ran on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC polled 109,197 votes to defeat his closest rival, Senator Ighoyota Amori of the PDP who scored 101,385 votes.

    Speaking after his declarations, Chief Dafinone said he was going to be a Senator for the entire people of Delta Central irrespective of political or ethnic affiliation, adding that his victory will usher in people-focus representation at the red chamber.

    He applauded APC leaders, members of the Ede Dafinone Campaign Organisation, and party faithfuls, for their unflinching support during and after the election by standing up to defend the votes freely cast for APC and ensuring that the votes count.

    “I want to thank the Almighty God who made this victory possible and also appreciate our party leaders, party faithfuls, our campaign team, community leaders, support groups and everyone who made this historic day a reality.

    “I am deeply touched and overwhelmed by your support and I want to assure you that I am going to work round the clock and ensure that your concerns and voices are heard at the red chamber.

    “I want to assure all Delta Central that I will be a senator for all irrespective of political or ethnic affiliations because we are determined to make this district greater.

    Read Also : UPU adopts APC’s Dafinone for Senate

    “Together we can achieve so many great things. So, I will constantly be relating with you so that we can achieve our goals of developing the Urhobo Nation, and now is the time to be united as a people.

    “We have more work ahead of us, we must deliver our Deputy Senate President and the All Progressive Governorship candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege as our next governor of Delta State.

    We must also deliver all APC House of Assembly candidates in the next election. We will not rest, nor sleep until we deliver them. When we finish the governorship election before we celebrate.

    “From this point on, I want to assure you that your struggles, concerns and hopes will be mine. We have a lot of work ahead. I will be accessible and responsive to you as much as possible.

    ‘I am humbled and grateful for judging me worthy of service to you. Thank you very much, I am grateful.”

  • Economic Confidential fact checks polls on presidential candidates

    Economic Confidential fact checks polls on presidential candidates

    Economic Confidential has undertaken fact-checking on the process and people behind most of the polls that predict certain candidates would win the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria.

    Several polls were initiated since the18 parties on the ballot chose their flagbearers last year, most announcing likely winners. But findings show that some were done by organisations whose owners have links with candidates.

    Some tipped the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Peter Obi as winner, some projected his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart, Bola Tinubu, while others forecast flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.

    At a press conference at PRNigeria Centre in Abuja on Sunday, the quartet of Abdulrahman Abdulraheem, Mohammed Dahiru Lawal, Rahma Oladosu and Zeenat Sambo presented the outcome of research.

    They discovered some of the polls were conducted without deployment of fundamental scientific factors like methodology, sample sizes, and proper geographical spread.

    Read Also : ‘Economic crisis can aggravate mental illness’

    “One of the pitfalls we observed was the proliferation of unscientific, unverifiable and (sometimes) partisan polls conducted by different organisations which seemed to make certain candidates and their supporters over-excited ahead of the elections.

    “These results make supporters close their minds to the possibility of their candidates losing. If this happens, followers are likely to suspect foul play and resort to violence along the same ethno-religious lines that we noticed,” Abdulraheem stated.

    One of the pollsters, Nextier, which declared that Obi would win the election on Saturday February 25, is owned by an associate, according to Sambo,.

    “The founder of Nextier, Patrick Okigbo, hails from the same Anambra state as the candidate. They both graduated from the same University of Nigeria Nsukka. In July 2020, the candidate hailed Okigbo after an international award,” she said.

    In three separate polls the ANAP Foundation called for Obi, Sambo revealed checks showed the founder Mr Atedo Peterside is a politician and a close ally of the LP flagbearer.

    Economic Confidential also presented its study on the Premise Data poll, reportedly commissioned by Bloomberg, which projects Obi as the possible winner.

    Sambo noted that “Bloomberg projects Obi to win Nigeria’s presidential election” was not found on the site, suggesting the company might have used the top news outlet’s credibility to give its samplings leverage.

    “We also discovered that Premise Data, which had never done any poll before, had the same ownership details with another group, Redfield and Wilton, that did a similar poll and also projected that the same candidate would emerge.”

    Regarding the Nigerian Human Rights Community (NHRC) poll that predicted Tinubu would win, Sambo said the group was not forthcoming with the methodology deployed, citing mathematical inaccuracies in the outcome.

    On the survey by June Group Research and Council for African Security Affairs (CASA), which called the election in Atiku’s favour, she similarly pointed out failure to show the methodology deployed, saying the results were not data-based.

    The visual presentation of how the fact-checks were done by Lawal, head of fact-checking and investigation desk at PRNigeria, while Oladosu presented recommendations to the public.

    Advising the pollsters to eschew partisanship and stick to the basics of polls, she appealed to Nigerians to lower their expectations, vote and be ready to accept results by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

    At a media briefing last week, PRNigeria, a sister publication of Economic Confidential, drew the attention of security agencies, the media and citizens to issues that could pose a threat to the country’s stability during and after the 2023 elections.

  • Omo-Agege promises Delta artisans grants

    Omo-Agege promises Delta artisans grants

    All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Delta State Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has assured investors, artisans and property developers his government will abolish the collection of “Deve” levy in the State if elected.

    Omo-Agege also said that his administration will create enabling business environment to enable businesses thrive in Delta. He promised to guarantee bank grants to artisans and small business holders in the informal sector to boost the economy of the state and create jobs.

    The Delta Central lawmaker stated this during a town hall meeting on Wednesday with the National Association of Mechanics and Automobile Technicians in Delta State at Cedar Hall, Opposite Edjeba Junction, Airport Road, Warri.

    Omo-Agege, while decrying the level of infrastructural decay in Warri/Uvwie, pledged to clean up Warri and Uvwie and restore the past glory of the city.

    He said as part of measures to address the challenge of workshop space faced by mechanics, automobile technicians and other artisans in the State, his government will map out designated areas and create a mechanics village across the major urban centres.

    According to him: “Delta State is the richest in the Niger Delta region but sadly when you come to Warri and other parts of the State, there is nothing on grounds to justify the huge amounts that have come to the state in the past 8 years.

    ”Okowa has turned Warri into Keke’s capital, those of us who grew up in Warri are very sad to see what it has become under the PDP-led Delta government in the past 16 years. Warri is not a shadow of itself but the days of agony will soon be over; because when I emerged as the governor, we will clean Warri up.

    ”We will modernize this city. It will look like its glory days and we will even improve on it better. But more importantly to create more jobs for you we want to reopen the Warri Port here. And I know when we reopen it, lots of business will come to you. The economy will bubble again.

    ”My government will abolish “Deve” collection across the state, this we will do to create an enabling environment for startups and free the economy of the state and boost job creation because no one will harass anybody coming to set up business in the state going forward.

    ”And as part of our plans to create jobs for our children, we want to make sure that we will bring Julius Berger to do major road construction for us, particularly the PTI- Ororekpe-Eku-Abraka to Agbor road and Ughelli-Ozoro-Kwale-Asaba roads.

    ”We will also insist that as they are doing the job, they will hire artisans from Delta State to do the job. It is only when they tell us that they have talked to you and you told them that you don’t have any qualified person to do the job, it is only then that we can grant them permission to source for the workforce outside. But I know that there isn’t any job that they want to do that we can’t have artisans who can do it in Delta.”

    He added: ”This sector that you are operating in is a very important sector. Because your services are helps to stabilize the economy and grow wealth, that is why we want to create an enabling environment for you so your businesses can stand and expand.

    ”If it means signing an MoU with banks here to give you grants to expand your businesses and buy new equipment to work, I will call the banks and sit down with your leaders to discuss it and the government act as your guarantor for the loan.”

    Comrade Oloruntobi Sunday and Comrade Dennis Ohue, who spoke on behalf of the group, thank DSP Omo-Agege for the great job he has done as a lawmaker and assured him of their support, adding that Delta cannot settle for anything less.