The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger Delta

  • Ex-Presidential Amnesty Programme boss Kuku graduates with first class in UK varsity

    Ex-Presidential Amnesty Programme boss Kuku graduates with first class in UK varsity

    Ex-Presidential Amnesty Programme boss Kingsley Kuku has bagged a Law Degree from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN ) in the United Kingdom.

    Kuku graduated with First Class in Law at the University of Central Lancashire, Preston, England, UK.

    The graduation ceremony took place on Thursday.

    Kuku had previously bagged Executive Certificate in Public Leadership at the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, Boston, Massachusetts, USA .

    Kuku also bagged Research Ph.D in International Relations (Peace Studies) at the Selinus University of Science and Literature, Bologna, Italy(2019).

    Furthermore, he holds an MSc in Political Science (International Relations) at the Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Nigeria and a Bachelor in English Language at the Ondo State University in 1995.

    Read Also: ​Employment: Ijaw Youth Council commends Amnesty boss

    Kuku was a special adviser on Niger Delta Affairs to former president, Goodluck Jonathan. He also served as the Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty.

    He was also a signatory to the historic Kaiama Declaration of 1998; Member of the Ondo State House of Assembly (2003—2007).

    Kuku has remained a voice and an active stakeholder for the development and restoration of lasting peace in the oil-rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

    He has continued to utilise every minute of his post office life to develop himself, preparatory to serving his fatherland and humanity.

  • Omo-Agege makes historic campaign visit to Itsekiri, Egbema riverine communities

    Omo-Agege makes historic campaign visit to Itsekiri, Egbema riverine communities

    Delta governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has promised to address the developmental needs of riverine communities in the State if elected.

    Omo-Agege, who lamented the absence of social amenities and development in Itsekiri and Egbema communities in Warri North LGA, said his administration will proactively tackle the challenges by bringing development to them.

    The Deputy Senate President gave the assurances on Thursday when the APC ward-to-ward campaign train made a historic campaign visit riverine communities of Gbokoda and Opuama in the Warri North Council area.

    By the visit, Omo-Agege becomes the first governorship candidate and government official since the creation of the State to take the campaign to the riverine communities of Itsekiri of Gbokoda and Opuama in Warri North.

    Omo-Agege, who rode on a two-hour boat ride to the oil-rich riverine communities, decried the absence of development in the communities visited and assured that his administration will address their pains.

    Speaking separately at the various wards visited, Omo-Agege said despite the homogeneous contribution of Warri North to the state resources, there was nothing on the ground to justify their contribution.

    Omo-Agege, who was accompanied by top APC leaders in the State, including former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and DG of Delta APC Campaign, Elder Godsday Orubebe; Delta APC chairman, Elder Omni Sobotie; Itsekiri leader, Chief Ayiri Emami; former Executive Director Project of NDDC, Engr. Tuoyo Omatsuli; Chief Michael Johnny and Prince Yemi Emiko, said Warri North was too critical to the state to be abandoned.

    He specifically stated that his administration will tackle the absence of hospitals to cater for the health needs of residents of riverine communities whose only access to quality healthcare is in Warri, which is two hours drive from Gbokoda and Egbema.

    The Delta Central lawmaker said he made the historic visit to the riverine communities to personally ascertain the challenges the people of the area were facing to tackle them.

    Omo-Agege, while appealing to Itsekiri and Ijaw people to vote for him as Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for president and other APC candidates in the elections, said his administration will put an end to the marginalisation and underdevelopment of riverine communities across the state.

    “This is an oil-bearing community and this is an oil-bearing LGA. The bulk of the money we receive as a state from the 13% derivation comes from the oil produced here.

    “If not for Tuoyo’s contributions, you will not know that this is an oil-bearing local government. The Itsekiri people are marginalised by the Governor Okowa-led government, inspect this, you still have some Itsekiri leaders saying, ‘where Okowa we will go’.

    “Somebody is using your money to enslave you and you are clapping and dancing after him, for seven and half years Okowa didn’t bring anything to our people here,” he said.

    Addressing a crowd of APC supporters in Gbokoda, Omo-Agege said: “The Itsekiris are marginalised by the current administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa-led PDP government. While coming on this two-hour boat ride, many questions are running through my mind. First, why is there poverty when Warri North contributes so much to our revenue development not here?

    “If you look at the entire Itsekiri and Ijaw nations, there is no tertiary institution in Itsekiri and Ijaw lands, yet in one day, not too long ago Okowa and Sheriff created three Universities and Governor took one to his home town and never considered the Itsekiri and Ijaw nations.

    “Okowa didn’t think that nobody in Itsekiri is important enough to be considered to be rewarded by placing a higher institution in Itsekiri land yet we have Itsekiri leaders dining with him and are now urging him on to continue the marginalisation of Itsekiri.

    “Despite of this, none of the Itsekiri leaders is angry, why is Ejele not angry, why are even Governor Uduaghan and your House of Assembly members not angry? Why I, Ovie Omo-Agege is angrier than they?

    “We have suffered enough. I am also a stakeholder in Itsekiri Nation. So, when I say we, I speak also as a stakeholder. I am angry and I want the Itsekiri people to be angry too. You have a chance now to remedy the marginalisation, by voting PDP and Okowa outcome 2023 elections.

    “We now have a choice, and our choice is easy. l am very certain that Okowa has not visited Gbokoda and doesn’t know the deplorable condition our people live in, and he has been a Governor for over seven years, in all these years what Okowa has to show for the Itsekiri people is market.

    “Asiwaju is your in-law. When Tinubu Becomes President, you have produced a president. When Asiwaju becomes president by your votes, we are going to collaborate to reactivate Koko, Warri and Burutu ports.

    “I know the challenges you face. I will work with Yinka and other Itsekiri leaders to address them. Tuoyo has tried but I will take it up from there. I promise to address the challenges of health in this community. Our women who want to deliver do not need to be rushed to Warri for the hospital,” he added.

    Chief Ayiri Emami, an APC Leader in Delta state while addressing party supporters said that wards in Gbokoda are all for APC, said: “The President that is coming is our in-law. He’s the husband of our sister. We must ensure that we vote for Tinubu. For the three of us (Tuoyo, Prince Yemi Emiko and Ayiri) to be here means Itsekiri is here. Vote for Omo-Agege.

    “In the forthcoming elections, don’t be deceived by money. Vote for Tinubu, Ovie Omo-Agege and other APC candidates. Omo-Agege as a governor will perform and develop our communities.

    Speaking also, APC Warri North LGA chairman, Omatsuli Akatakpo said: “It’s the first time a gubernatorial candidate will be visiting Itsekiri riverine communities for the campaign,” stressing that the people of Warri North will support the candidacy of Senate Omo-Agege. “Our people will vote for him enmass.”

    Sobotie noted that the level of underdevelopment of Gbokoda and Egbema communities deserves urgent attention, saying that it’s only an APC-led government that can address the situation.

    According to him: “Omo-Agege is also from Koko. Voting for him is voting for one of your own. Your in-law is going to be the next president of Nigeria. Is it not good to have your sister as the first lady? Vote for Bola Tinubu.

    Omatsuli said that Itsekiris will vote for Tinubu and Omo-Agege because they know what they he can do. “Omo-Agege understands the pains and needs of the Itsekiri People.”

    Ekpokpo Emmanuel, a House of Reps candidate, assured Omo-Agege and other APC leaders that the Itsekiri and other tribes in Warri North have agreed to vote Omo-Agege as the next Governor, assuring the Omo-Agege-led government will be beneficial to Itsekiri.

  • Stop heating polity, Tabai advises parties

    The Pere of Tuomo Kingdom in Burutu local government area of Delta State, HRM (Justice) Francis Tabai, JSC (rtd), Esuku 1, has tasked parties campaigning for the 2023 general elections to stop heating up the system with malicious campaigns.

    Tabai gave the task during an interview with newsmen at his country home at Torugbene, noting that elections were not do-or-die affairs.

    He advised political actors to strictly follow the rules of the game, stressing that violent and malicious campaigns could breed anarchy in the political system.

    He said: “Political parties should stop the dog-kill-dog attitude. You want to destroy your opponent for the purpose of your survival? That’s unhealthy politics, it will not help the system, it will not help the nation. Your campaigns must be issued-based and not character assassination.

    Read Also: Don’t heat up polity, Lagos APC cautions PDP candidate

    “We have to choose who governs us at all tiers of government and whatever we’re doing should be defined by the very purpose we want to achieve. As far as I’m concerned, the best defining factor in politics is love for society.

    “As for my kingdom, we virtually lack all basic necessities of life; there’s no potable water, electricity and infrastructural development. The only road leading to my kingdom, the Bomadi-Tuomo-Torugbene-Ojobo road, has been under construction for the past ten years.

    “However, I call on INEC to be straightforward in the conduct of the 2023 general elections, which is the only way to guarantee a healthy competition”.

  • I’ll make DESOPADEC functional if elected, says Omo-Agege

    I’ll make DESOPADEC functional if elected, says Omo-Agege

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has promised to ensure that the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) meets her mandate of developing oil-bearing communities if elected.

    Omo-Agege, who is the Deputy Senate President, said DESOPADEC, unlike Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s era, will be fully functional and funded to meet the yearnings and aspirations of oil and gas producing communities in the State.

    He said he has struck an agreement with the presidential candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to revive ailing seaports in the State including the Burutu and Warri seaports if the former Lagos Governor wins l.

    Omo-Agege gave the assurances on Tuesday in Burutu town when the APC ward-to-ward campaign train visited Burutu ward 10 and 11 in Burutu Local Government Area of the State.

    The Delta Central lawmaker decried that Burutu which used to be the economy hub of the state with one of Nigeria’s best seaports and Delta Timber Industry (DTI), Burutu has been left to rot away despite the council’s monumental contribution to the nation and Delta’s economy.

    The APC governorship candidate, while promising to “bring back Burutu to its glory days”, vowed to end the marginalisation of any section of the state by ensuring that development gets to all parts under him as governor.

    He also promised that his administration will tackle the issue of absence of power supply in Burutu Council and ensure that the all-important Ayakromo Bridge which connects several Ijaw and Urhobo communities was completed.

    “I can assure you that as a governor, we’ll restore the glory days of Burutu when Elder Godsday Orubebe was the council chairman when there’s electricity and the Delta Timber Industry was thriving. Today, Burutu is a shadow of its old-self, and yet, we have a sitting governor who came to Burutu to campaign in 2015 and 2019 where he promised prosperity for all Deltans.

    “But when you go round Burutu today, what you see is lack and decaying infrastructures. Governor Okowa, then, came to deceive Ijaw people. But we are here with your leader and former council chairman (Elder Godsday Orubebe) to assure you that we’ll restore the glory days of Burutu Council and even make it better.

    “I can assure you that we are going to bring electricity back here because this is the goose that lays the golden egg. We are going to pamper Burutu. We are going to pamper the Ijaw Nation, Itsekiri Nation, Ndokwa Nation, Isoko Nation, Urhobo Nation and Anioma Nation.

    “We’ll ensure that 50% of the Derivation money must be seen to be expended on behalf of those who produce the wealth. The era in which few persons hijack DESOPADEC funds for their personal use is over. If we say this money is for DESOPADEC, it must be used for the benefit and development of the oil-producing communities.

    “We’re going to appoint credible people who will effectively manage the resources of DESOPADEC for the benefit of our people to bring industry and ensure that there’s electricity in our communities”, Omo-Agege stressed.

    Omo-Agege, while soliciting votes from the people of Burutu for all APC candidates, further promised to attract investors to the state and revive ailing state-owned industries across the state.

    APC Chairman in Burutu LGA, Comrade Seikemiengan Moni said the people of the council will vote for Omo-Agege and other APC candidates in 2023 because the ruling PDP in the state has failed their people for too long.

    Read Also: Omo-Agege: I’ll establish tertiary institution in Ijawland

    Comrade Moni posited that more PDP members are joining the APC because they believed the capacity of Senator Omo-Agege who has performed credibly well as a senator representing Delta Central.

    He assured the people of the council and Ijaw Nation that Senator Omo-Agege’s administration would be beneficial to them and other tribes in the state.

    Also speaking, the Director General of Delta APC Campaign Organisation, Elder Godsday Orubebe, lamented, “Delta Timber is dead. It employs over 500 staff. There’s no light. Omo-Agege will give us light. The port will work again. I will come back to life. He will empower our youths, women and the aged.”

    Meanwhile, several chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Burutu Council have defected to the APC with the assurance that they will deliver Senator Omo-Agege and other APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.

    Among those who defected during the campaign train include Mr Abe Idolor, Comrade Alex Enekrogha, Lucky Otutufa, Chief Grade-One Clarke and Godspower General.

  • Omo-Agege: I’ll establish tertiary institution in Ijawland

    Omo-Agege: I’ll establish tertiary institution in Ijawland

    Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege has assured that his administration will establish a tertiary institution in Ijawland if elected as Governor in 2023.

    Omo-Agege also promised to connect Bomadi and its environs to the national grid to end the aged-long darkness in the local government area.

    The APC governorship candidate spoke at Bomadi when the APC ward-to-ward campaign train visited Bomadi Council on Monday.

    Omo-Agege, who lamented the state of the collapsing Ohoror/Bomadi Bridge and access roads in the council, said his administration will address them urgently if elected.

    The Delta Central lawmaker posited that the Okowa-led government has abandoned the people of Bomadi and other Ijaw communities despite their contribution to the state revenue.

    He promised to change the situation and elevate the urban status of Bomadi as one of the commercial cities by attracting development to the council.

    “I want to assure you my good people of Bomadi Council, with Bola Tinubu as the President, I will fix the Bomadi, Gbaregolor, Akugbene and Ohoror/Bomadi Bridges. I will fix the roads that have failed. The only existing bridges and roads still existing in Bomadi were done by former Governor James Ibori.

    Read Also: Omo-Agege: I’ve executed more projects in Delta Central than Okowa

    “Recently, the Catholic Bishop of Bomadi spoke with me where he appealed that I should use my good office to ensure that Bomadi is connected to the national grid. Bomadi has been in darkness for too long. Let me assure that Bomadi will be connected to the Ughelli 33KVA line to ensure that Bomadi is linked to the national grid”, he said.

    Omo-Agege appealed to the people of Bomadi and Delta Ijaw people to vote for him, stressing that he will keep every promise he was making to the people of the state if elected as governor.

    Decrying the lack of higher institution in Ijawland, Omo-Agege said: “Under my administration, we’ll establish a tertiary institution in Ijawland to bring education to the people of Ijaw. The promises I am making to you today can only be possible if you vote for me, Tinubu and other APC candidates who will actualise the yearnings of our people.”

    Address the mammoth crowd of APC supporters at Bomadi and Tuomo 1, Delta APC chairman, Elder Omeni Sobotie, alleged the Okowa-led government had not done any project that is worth one billion in the last seven and half years.

    Sobotie said an APC-led government of Senator Omo-Agege will address the aged-long marginalisation and underdevelopment of the area if elected in the 2023 general elections.

    Also speaking at the various wards visited, former minister of Niger Delta Affairs and Director-General of Delta APC Campaign Organisation, Elder Godsday Orubebe, charged the people of Ijaw Nation to overwhelmingly vote Senator Omo-Agege and other APC candidates in the elections.

    Orubebe, who spoke in Ijaw language, told cheering supporters that an Omo-Agege-led government will not disappoint the Ijaw people if elected as governor, saying that Omo-Agege will establish a higher institution in Ijawland.

  • Omo Agege consults Delta Catholic Priests, PFN

    Omo Agege consults Delta Catholic Priests, PFN

    Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege has dismissed fears that Nigeria may be Islamised if the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is elected.

    Omo-Agege assured Christians will benefit if Tinubu is elected as President Muhammadu Buhari ‘s successor.

    He asked them to mobilise their members and vote for the former Lagos Governor.

    The Delta APC governorship candidate spoke separately in separate town hall meetings with the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) chapter and priest of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria in Agbarho and Oghara areas of the State.

    At Agbarho, Omo-Agege told members of PFN to overwhelmingly vote for all APC candidates, including Tinubu and himself, saying the Church has so much to gain with Tinubu as next President.

    He reminded Delta PFN leadership that though Tinubu is a Muslim, his wife, Senator Oluremi, is a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) with five of their children as Christians.

    The Delta Central lawmaker also informed the Christian leaders that Tinubu’s wife also hails from the state, saying the former Lagos Governor deserves Deltans’ support in 2023.

    Omo-Agege assured the PFN leadership that he would run an all-inclusive government and regularly consult the body in decisions affecting the development of the state.

    “There’s no doubt that our presidential candidate (Bola Tinubu) and his vice are both Muslims. It’s also true that his wife is a pastor. For a man who couldn’t islamised his wife and children, will not islamise Nigeria. Tinubu will be fair and just to Christians. Christians will benefit so much from his government.

    “With Tinubu as President, Delta State has so much to benefit. We want the next president to come from Southern Nigeria. As for me, and my house and supporters we have decided we want a Nigeria like Lagos.

    “This is beyond an individual. It is what we want as a country. If God answer my prayers and make me Governor of Delta State and Tinubu President, it becomes easy for me to convince Asiwaju to help me reopen the Warri, Sapele, Burutu and Koko seaports.

    Read Also: Omo Agege to Okowa: you can’t rescue Nigeria after destroying Delta

    “As for Tinubu, his wife is from here (Delta), he paid the bride price in full.
    I know how I treat my in-laws and I love them just the way I love my wife.
    So, we expect Asiwaju to do same thing for us. I want the Church to support Tinubu and vote massively for him”, Omo-Agege said.

    While answering questions from Catholic priests at the town hall meeting in Oghara, the APC governorship candidate said: “By God’s grace, when I become governor, we’re going to be asking questions on loans that are borrowed that were not properly utilized.

    “This is my church and I feel comfortable here and I want to run an all inclusive government. I want to run a participatory Government, as governor every quarter, I want to hold a town hall meetings with the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria.

    “Before we do our budgeting, I like to know the views of the Catholic Church,what area that is dearest to them that they want funds applied. I want to consult you every quarter, that way it becomes ‘our government’. I will come to you from time to time to consult, find out your views.”

    He further said that his administration would budget funds for the maintenance of public infrastructure across the State.

  • TOWARD 2023: DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN NIGERIA

    TOWARD 2023: DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN NIGERIA

    BY ADEMOLA OLADOSU

    The bond that connects human beings is their basic fundamental rights. We are
    continuously witnessing large scale devaluation of fundamental rights of persons
    all round the world. These examples are avalanche: Russia-Ukraine conflict,
    farmers-herdsmen conflict, indecent treatment of migrant (economic) workers and
    the immodest treatment of Iranian women. With the theme: dignity, freedom and
    justice for all, the United Nations (UN) in its wisdom expanded the scope of
    human rights in a working democracy. On 10 December, the United Nations
    usually celebrate human rights, in commemoration of the day when the UN
    General Assembly adopted the universal declaration of human rights in 1948. That
    declaration forms the backbone of the human rights architecture of our societies
    where each of us – without discrimination – has the right to hire and thrive in
    peace and safety.
    Personally, human rights can (will) always work in a solid democratic framework
    and ideas. Since the advent of democracy in Nigeria, the Nigerian people have seen
    increased sensitivity to the principles and ideas of democracy.
    The bygone era of the militaristic junta and phantom coup D’état have raised the
    Nigerian populace responsibility to human rights. Since then human rights based
    laws have been legislated to address issues of gender imbalance, police brutality,
    abuse of power and electoral violence. The electoral system has seen increased
    political reforms and gains since 2003. Pertinent to note, is the inbuilt inroad for
    people with disability and Nigerian living abroad participating in the electoral
    process. We have witnessed gigantic strive in judicial pronouncement like
    Amaechi vs INEC (2007) ,Fayemi Vs INEC (2010) and Mimiko Vs INEC (2010).
    There have deepened the electoral process and democracy.

    TOWARDS 2023

    2023 elections is Nigeria’s most important electoral process. Presently, Nigeria is
    witnessing turmoil in her strive towards progress. Her economic index is dipping
    down with many macroeconomic parameters showing poorly management of the
    economy by the political class. Unfortunately, poverty index is high with the
    attendant effects on the right of persons. The massive stealing of common wealth
    by the political class indicates devaluation of person rights and humanity. Since
    1999, the political class has not only devalued the “Naira Power” but also inflicting
    poverty and economic downtown to her citizenry. The integral part of a democratic
    system is the “people”. Supporting what former American President John F.
    Kennedy stated in his thesis; “the rights of every man is diminished when the
    rights of one man is threatened”. The political class must wake up to the right of
    “One Nigerian”.

    2023: Racing Forward

    The Nigerian people must fight for good governance and social accountability.
    Conversely, the political class must earn the populace trust and dignity. 2023
    election is a make -or -may process and not a do-or-die process of politicking that
    killed the previous Nigerian republics. Citizens must vote according to their
    conscience and defend it as such. On the other hand, politicians must be ready to
    accept the result and play no politics of bitterness. Like what the German
    philosopher Reinhold Niebuhr said; “Man’s capacity for justice makes democracy
    possible but man’s inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary.” As
    Nigerians we must support Nigerian nascent democracy by participating in the
    electoral process.
    God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
    Ademola Oladosu is a political activist and freelancer, writers from Abuja.

  • Omo-Agege, Sobotie challenge Okowa to account for 13% Derivation refund

    Omo-Agege, Sobotie challenge Okowa to account for 13% Derivation refund

    For the second time, Delta governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has asked Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to account for Delta’s share of 13% oil derivation paid by the Federal Government.

    Omo-Agege challenged Okowa to personally render accounts of how Delta’s share of the money was expended by the PDP-led administration in the State.

    The Senate Deputy President spoke on Monday when the APC ward-to-ward campaign train visited Abbi, Kwale, Utagba-Uno and other wards in Ndokwa West Local Government Area.

    Omo-Agege, who was received by a crowd of supporters at the various wards visited, stated that there was nothing on ground to justify the huge resources the state had received from the federal government.

    Accompanied by his running mate Friday Osanebi and other APC leaders, he stated that APC remained the best choice for the 2023 general elections.

    The APC governorship candidate noted that the Okowa-led administration marginalised the people of Ndokwa Nation.

    He added that his administration will be youth and women-friendly if elected.

    Omo-Agege explained that it was on that basis he chose Osanebi as his running mate to bridge the gap between his generation and the youths.

    According to him: “You all know that about seven years ago, Okowa came running for Governor under the platform of Anioma Agenda. At a time, he told all Deltans that the people of Delta North have been marginalised and that the only way to address that marginalization was to elect an Anioma son and that when elected he will bring prosperity to the people of Anioma nation and the entire Delta State.

    ”But today, as I drive through Ndokwa west local government area, that prosperity that Okowa promised, I have not seen anything like that. For almost 12 years Charles Emetulu has been in government and Commissioner and House of Assembly but did not attract any development to Ndokwa West local government area within the period.”

    “Meanwhile, Emetulu was there when Okowa’s stooge, the Speaker of the Delta State of Assembly held the gavel and Okowa established three universities in Delta State but neither him nor Sheriff, the PDP governorship candidate brought anyone to Ndokwa Nation.

    “The Ndokwa Nation contributes too much to the Nigerian economy and Delta State and it is because of Ndokwa people principally that the derivation Funds came to Delta including the one that has been missing which Wike has helped us to trace in Premium Trust Bank. We didn’t know where our N250 billion that was missing was placed but Wike was able to help us and we have been able to trace our derivation money to an account in Premium Trust Bank.

    “We know that we have a law in Delta State that derivation Fund is supposed to be 50% to the oil producing communities and 50% to the government. We know that 50% belongs to the oil-producing communities in Delta State and before any money is expended it is supposed to be appropriated in the House of assembly but no, they have not appropriated that money, they should tell us why our derivation Funds is been spent without appropriation. Why we are asking Sheriff, Okowa and Charles Emetulu to give an account of Delta State derivation money, the good news is that God has given us the chance to vote out PDP in the coming election.”

    He urged Deltans to vote for APC presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who will help to reopen the economy and make all the ports functional, Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Ogidigben.

    Read Also: Orubebe drums support for Tinubu, Delta APC leaders close rank

    “He will also help us so that we can evaluate what happened to our Delta Steel Company, and when all of these are functioning, there will be good jobs for our youths and children; and that is why we must vote for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for President and Senator Peter Nwaboshi and all other APC candidates,” he said.

    Delta APC Chairman, Chief Omeni Sobotie, while receiving defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) to APC at Abbi, noted: “I can assure you that you are not going to regret supporting APC. Over seven years Delta PDP promised prosperity for all Deltans, but there is no single prosperity. Deltans should go and ask Okowa to bring back our N250 billion which President Buhari released to him.”.

    The leader of the PDP defectors at Abbi, Tony Ogwu said that the PDP-led Delta Government over the years has not been fair to the Ndokwa nation even with the huge contributions of Ndokwa to the State and National economy and development.

    Ogwu said: “PDP in the past 23 years has relegated the Ndokwa nation in the scheme of things, we are the least to be considered when developmental projects are to be sighted, our people are giving positions that they can’t even use to empower themselves let alone others, today, Ndokwa is at the bottom in the ladder of development index in Delta, no thanks to Okowa and Delta PDP.

    “The 2023 elections present an opportunity to pay the PDP back for their years of neglect of Ndokwa Nation by voting them out, and voting for APC, our future as a nation lies with the APC, in 2023 Ndokwa Nation must join the mainstream of our national politics by embracing and voting APC,” he added.

    Senator Omo-Agege and his team also visited HRM Oduosa of Utagba-Ogbe Kingdom, Kwale, where he berated the Okowa-led administration.

    He assured the monarch that his administration will be fair and address socio-economic and infrastructural development issues facing the people of Ndokwa West LGA.

  • Buhari will assent to varsity of Agriculture Aboh bill, Omo-Agege assures

    Buhari will assent to varsity of Agriculture Aboh bill, Omo-Agege assures

    Delta All Progressives Congress(APC) governorship candidate Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has assured the people of Ndokwa Nation that President Muhammadu Buhari will assent to the biil establishing the University of Agriculture Aboh in Ndokwa East local government area.

    He said the bill establishing the institution has been passed by both Chambers of the National Assembly and waiting presidential assent.

    Omo-Agege, who is the Deputy Senate President, stated these on Saturday when the ward-to-ward campaign train of APC visited Aboh and other wards in Ndokwa East local government area.

    Omo-Agege said that the proposed establishment of a university of Agriculture in Aboh was not a misplaced priority, considering Ndokwa Nation’s contribution in oil and agriculture to the development of the country.

    He added that Ndokwa Nation remains the only federal constituency in Delta State without a higher institution.

    While lamenting the underdevelopment of Ndokwa Nation by the Okowa-led administration, he promised to put an end to the political marginalization and infrastructural neglect of the area.

    Omo-Agege further berated the PDP-led government for abandoning the all important Benoku Bridge which connects several oil producing communities in Ndokwa East local government.

    “I want to tell you that all of the punishment and wickedness visited upon the people of Ndokwa East by Okowa will stop on the day of the election. I am very pained anytime I think about Ndokwa East local government area and see your sufferings and the amount of neglect, I share tears”.

    “I know how much Ndokwa East local government contributes to the economy of Nigeria and I know how much comes to Delta State because of Ndokwa East contribution. And I wonder what the people of Ndokwa East did to Okowa that he has decided to treat you with so much hatred?

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    “Just one day alone, Okowa and his stooge established three universities, no one was established in Ndokwa Nation because of the hatred he has against the people of Ndokwa Nation.”

    “And the most painful part is that his stooge, who is the speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly presided on the day these three universities were established. He couldn’t even ask Okowa to place one in Ndokwa Nation because two of them have so much hatred for Ndokwa people.”

    “But let me assure you that the suffering and neglect are over; and that is why I as your son working with your Senator Peter Nwaboshi came together and we ensured that the bill for the university of agriculture is established in Aboh.”

    “And as I speak to you, that Bill establishing the University of Agriculture has been passed by the Senate and House of Representatives; and we are going to make sure President Muhammadu Buhari signs it.”

    President General of Aboh Development Union, Chief John Ajie Ogwu, described Omo-Agege as a bonafide Aboh son who they are proud of.

    Ogwu said the Aboh people and indeed Ndokwa Nation will massively mobilize and vote for him to emerge as next Governor.

    According to him: “Senator Ovie Omo-Agege is an Aboh son and we are proud of him. We are solidly behind his governorship ambition and we will massively deliver him.”

    Other leaders of the party who spoke during the campaign, promised to deliver Omo-Agege and other APC candidates in the 2023 general elections.

  • PAP: Ndiomu seeks support of monarchs

    PAP: Ndiomu seeks support of monarchs

    The Interim Administrator of Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Major General Barry Tariye Ndiomu (retd), has sought the cooperation and support of traditional rulers in the Niger Delta region for the success of the scheme.

    Ndiomu, who noted that as custodians of the culture and tradition of their people, the monarchs command enormous influence which they can deploy to propagate the new policy direction, assured that his policy direction is aimed at ensuring that the Programme becomes more impactful to the real beneficiaries.

    The PAP boss stated this when he hosted the traditional rulers under the aegis of the Association of Niger Delta Monarchs in Port Harcourt.

    He stated to maintain the desired peace and stability in the region, monarchs must be consulted just like other critical Niger Delta stakeholders.

    “Ever since I assumed office, I have been trying to get myself acquainted with the mode of operations of the Presidential Amnesty Programme. I have interacted with several stakeholders across the region and I realized that I will also have to meet with the monarchs in the Niger Delta.

    “Being the principal custodians of the tradition and culture of our people and by virtue of your positions as monarchs, you’re the closest to the people.

    “PAP is a national security programme and considering the role of our monarchs in the Niger Delta, it is very important that you’re carried along with the new policies that I intend to introduce to ensure we maintain peace and security across our region.

    “I believe that through you, we can reach out to educate people that we need to maximize the benefits of this programme. This programme has already swallowed over a trillion naira. I personally believe that if we had properly directed the resources, a lot more could have been achieved,” he noted

    Ndiomu told the monarchs that he was seeking the approval of the Federal Government to commence the process of getting ex-agitators to form cooperatives as part of the deliberate policy to make them self-reliant.

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    He said despite the obvious challenges, the PAP has recorded some degree of success, especially in education and skills acquisition, but insisted that much more could have been achieved.

    “We have recorded quite a number of successes in the educational pursuit of the dreams of ex-agitators and all other indigenes of Niger Delta through the very robust scholarship schemes.

    “As of today, we have 2,984 students in training, in various tertiary institutions across the country.

    “We have also over these years between 2015-2022 produced 121 first-class graduates in various levels of the scheme.

    “The total number of graduates between 2018-2022 is 2,881. On this number we have Bsc students 1,862, Masters degree 362, PhD 38, we also have about 53 students currently schooling abroad, first degree, a masters degree, and PhD,” he added.

    Highlighting some of the challenges that have bedeviled the programme, Ndiomu said: “One of the challenges I inherited in the amnesty office is the issue of the accuracy of the database, now like I said earlier, initially from the disarmament and demobilisation exercise they had recaptured about 30,000.

    “Now when I took over office, they still had the 30,000 intact, based on our records. But you’ll agree with me that that is not realistic, what that means is that nobody died, nobody graduated from the university and got gainfully employed and so I decided to investigate.

    “I’m sure our royal majesty and highnesses must have read in the papers some reactions by some of our people, at the end of the day, they call you all sorts of names, but what I am doing is in their best interest.

    “In my investigations, now there are two categories of what we call stipend payments of the ex-agitators, you have the bulk payment and you have the single individual payments too, that is supposed to be to individual ex-agitators.

    “In the course of our investigations, the bulk payment was explained to me, and I want to believe that that is the truth as monies paid in bulk to some of the ex-militant leaders and the basis for that is because there were a number of ex-agitators in the list, that was not accounted for disarmament and demobilisation phases, and so there was the need for all payments to be made to the ex-militant leaders who will, in turn, disburse same to those affected.

    “But strangely in the course of investigating, if we could justify that of the bulk payment programme of the ex-militant leaders, we now found individuals with single BVN having multiple payments into their accounts with a single BVN, so which means a single BVN receiving 33 stipend payments of 65 thousand naira monthly.

    “In a bid to now delist these names, well not delisting them to say we’re completely denying them because we have to understand exactly why an individual had 33 stipend payments into his account.”

    Executive Chairman and General Coordinator of the Association of Niger Delta Monarchs of Nigeria, HRM King Frank Okurakpo, assured Ndiomu of their support in ensuring the success of his tenure.

    Other traditional rulers described the meeting as a necessary interaction for the good of the Niger Delta, noting that it was the first time any head of the PAP was reaching out to them to collate their views on the programme.

    The monarchs urged Ndiomu to remain focused and priotize the needs of the ex-agitators while also avoiding some mistakes of his predecessors.