The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger Delta

  • Pidgin website launches in Nigeria

    Pidgin website launches in Nigeria

    Prime 9ja Online Pidgin, a website that aims to deliver news and information to the Nigerian public in pidgin language, has been launched.

    The website, the first of its kind in Nigeria, seeks to promote the use of pidgin language and bridge the communication gap between the media and the public.

    Chima Joseph Ugo founded Prime 9ja Online Pidgin covers a wide range of topics, including politics, sports, entertainment, business, and lifestyle. The website has a team of experienced journalists dedicated to delivering accurate and timely news to readers.

    In a statement, Chima Joseph Ugo said: “We noticed that there was a gap in the media industry, as there was no news website that catered to the large population of Nigerians who speak pidgin. We wanted to change that, and that’s how Prime 9ja Online Pidgin was born.”

    Nigerian pidgin language, widely spoken across the country, is a unique blend of English, indigenous languages, and creole. By providing news and information in pidgin, Prime 9ja Online Pidgin hopes to make the media more accessible to the Nigerian public.

    “We believe that everyone deserves access to accurate and timely news, regardless of the language they speak,” said Chima Joseph Ugo. “By providing news in pidgin, we hope to reach a wider audience and promote the use of Nigerian pidgin language.

    “We are excited to launch Prime 9ja Online Pidgin and provide Nigerians with a platform that speaks directly to them in their language. We hope to become the go-to source for news and information in pidgin English in Nigeria,” Ugo added.

  • 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.”

  • Collation of Delta Gov results unlawful, says APC

    Collation of Delta Gov results unlawful, says APC

    The Delta All Progressives Congress 2023 Governorship Election Campaign Council has accused the Returning Officer of the State Governorship 2023 Election, Independent National Electoral Commission, Asaba, of collating the election results in complete breach of provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.

    The Campaign Council alleged that the Returning Officers are against the provision of the Electoral Act, particularly Section 64(4) of the 2022 Electoral Act, which mandates the returning officer subject result to be announced to his or her verification and confirmation of its correctness.

    Delta APC Campaign council in a petition dated March 20th, March 2023 signed by Mr Godwin Anaughe, Director, Election and Strategy, addressed to the Returning Officer, Delta State Governorship 2023 Election, Independent National Electoral Commission, Asaba, Delta State.

    APC in the Petition which also copied the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Abuja, Nigeria and Commissioner of Police (in charge of election) and the Press, are disputing results from 20 local government areas as was announced by INEC.

    The petition reads: “Following the conduct and announcement of results, the Electoral Act provides the collation of the announced results to determine the winner of the election. The collation of the result of the Delta State Governorship election held on the 18th day of March 2023 is being done across the board without regard to the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022. Section 64(4) of the Electoral Act, 2022 provides:

    “A collation Officer or returning officer at an election shall collate and announce the result of an election, subject to his or her verification and confirmation that the:
    (a) number of accredited voters stated on the collated result are correct and consistent with the number of accredited voters recorded and transmitted directly from polling units under section 47(2) of this Act; and
    (b) the votes stated on the collated result are correct and consistent with the votes or results recorded and transmitted directly from polling units under section 60(4) of this Act”.
    The All Progressives Congress, in the course of this State collation exercise, has raised questions as to the correctness of the votes stated in the collated results being produced from many of the Local Government Areas before the returning officer as it is contemplated under section 64(6) of the Electoral Act, 2022, which provides:
    “Where during the collation of results, there is a dispute regarding a collated result or the result of an election from any polling unit, the collation officer or RETURNING OFFICER shall use the following to determine the correctness of the disputed result-
    (a) the original of the disputed collated results for each of the polling units where the election is disputed;
    (b) the smart card reader (in this case-the BVAS) used for accreditation of the voters in each of polling unit where the election is disputed;
    (c) data of accreditation of recorded and transmitted directly from each polling unit where the election is disputed as prescribed under section 47(2) of this Act; and
    (d) the votes and results of the election recorded and transmitted directly from each polling unit where the election is disputed under section 60(4) of this Act”.
    For the avoidance of doubt, without prejudice to the correctness of any collated result, as may arise from any inquest, the All Progressives Congress has disputed and is still disputing before this Collation Body, the correctness of the collated results from all polling units in the following Local Government Areas of Delta State: –
    DELTA NORTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT

    1. Aniocha North
    2. Aniocha South
    3. Ika North East
    4. Ika South
    5. Oshimili North
    6. Oshimili South
    7. Ukwani
    8. Ndokwa East
    9. Ndokwa West
      DELTA SOUTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT
    10. Bomadi (Only Wards 07, 08 and 09, that is, Akugbene1, Akugbene2 and Akugbene3)
    11. Burutu
    12. Patani
    13. Warri North
    14. Warri South West
    15. Warri South
    16. Isoko North
      DELTA CENTRAL SENATORIAL DISTRICT
    17. Ethiope East
    18. Okpe
    19. Ughelli South (only Wards 04, 05, 07 and 08)
    20. Sapele (Only Wards 02, 03, 05, 08 and 10)
      We know for a fact that every Political Party and candidate or its agent has the right to contest the correctness of any collated result pursuant to section 64(6) of the Electoral Act, 2023 and once that is done the Collation Officer or Returning Officer has a bounden or mandatory DUTY to inquire into the disputed collated result by taking the steps outlined in this section of the Electoral Act. The collation officer does not have discretion in the matter.
      Section 64(5) provides that a collation officer or returning officer shall use the number of accredited voters recorded and transmitted directly from the polling unit under section 47(2) of this act and the votes or results recorded and transmitted directly from the polling unit under section 60(4) of this act to collate and announce the result of an election if a collated result at his or a lower level of collation is not correct. It is our contention that in the above LGAs, there was a massive bypass of the BVAS and illegal entry of false results.
      The law permits a dispute as to the correctness of any result or collated result to be raised at any stage or level of collation. Once a dispute is raised, the returning officer MUST adopt and follow the procedure in section 64(6)(a)-(d) as quoted above. The returning officer has no discretion in the matter. This is the purport of section 64(8) of the Electoral Act, 2022 which provides:
      “Where the dispute under subsection 6 arose at the level of collation and the returning officer has satisfied the provision of subsection 6(a)-(d), the returning officer shall accordingly declare the winner of the election.”
      We invite you to note from the above-quoted provision of section 64(8) that until the returning officer follows the procedure in section 64(6)(a)-(d), he or she has no power to declare the winner of the election, as doing so is tantamount to deliberate and reckless violation of the Electoral Act. which itself is an offence punishable under section 64(9) of the Electoral Act 2022, which provides:
      “A returning officer or a collation officer, as the case may be commits an offence if he 0r she intentionally collates or announce a false result and is liable on conviction to … imprisonment of at least 3 years or both”.
      In view of the totality of the foregoing, we demand that the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) and the polling unit results (FORMs EC 8A), FORMs EC8B (WARD LEVEL COLLATED RESULT) and FORMs EC 8C (LOCAL GOVERNMENT COLLATED RESULTS) in the respective areas where the results are disputed be reviewed in line with the dictates of the electoral Act regarding collation of result.
      We hope that wise counsel will prevail.
      Yours sincerely
      Mr. Godwin Anaughe
      Director, Election and Strategy
      CC:
      Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Abuja, Nigeria.
      Commissioner of Police (in charge of election)
      The Press,”
  • APC, YPP, others reject Akwa Ibom results

    APC, YPP, others reject Akwa Ibom results

    Some party agents in Unit 17, Ward 2, Oruku Anam in Akwa Ibom State have called for the cancellation of results in the area.

    In a letter signed by the aggrieved party agents titled: ‘Electoral fraud and request for cancellation of election in unit 017,’ the agents claimed the exercise was marred by massive fraud, including rigging for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) by the police and other security agents.

    The agents gave five reasons why the election in the area must be cancelled, stating that there were no results sheets as it was removed allegedly by the PDP.

    They also alleged that the Electoral officials were compromised, having accredited over 50 voters without ballot papers.

    The agents alleged that the PDP brought out a huge number of voters’ cards and handed them over to some persons who got same accredited for the exercise. These, among other reasons stated in the letter, were the reasons the agents said the exercise should be cancelled.

    The letter was signed by the agents of the APC, ZLP, YPP, LP and APGA.

    Corroborating the allegation, Honourable Bassey Etienem, who shared a video from his polling unit, accused the men dressed as police and wearing state security tags of working for the ruling party in the state.

    Etienem said: “My anger is the security agents assigned to us that I called, and he asked me to send pics and videos, which I did but did not respond. I had to resort to self-help. What if I had died in the process? There was no military intervention from anywhere when we were being brutalized and harassed by the fake police officers. I went into a battlefield yesterday and not an election.”

  • Decentralisation of Electricity: Sambo, Ariyomo, others finally win

    Decentralisation of Electricity: Sambo, Ariyomo, others finally win

    • By Yòmí Oyékàn

    It is no longer news that President Muhammadu Buhari has assented to the alteration of the constitution to move electricity from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent legislative list, specifically to now empower states of the federation to license, generate, transmit and distribute power.

    For millions of Nigerians, this is a cheering news. Rightly, appropriate commendations must be given to the legislators, in particular, the chairmen and members of the legislative committees on power of both the Senate and the House of Representatives as well as both the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and the President of the Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan.

    What many Nigerians may however not know is that this is the cumulative output of nearly 17 years of concerted science and engineering driven legislative advocacy that was led by the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the National Development Initiative (NDi), the Electrical and Electronics Engineering Division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, and recently, the Nigerian Institution of Power Engineers.

    The hard work of the NSE ad hoc expert committee on power put together by the then President of the NSE, Engr. Babagana Mohammed FNSE, comprising of senior Fellows of the engineering profession such as Prof. Abubakar Sani Sambo FNSE, former Director General of the Nigerian Energy Commission and former Vice Chancellor of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi, Engr. Tunji Light Ariyomo FNSE, pioneer Coordinator of the Ondo State Information Technology Development Agency, former Special Adviser on Energy to the Ondo State Governor and Policy Lead on Energy and Infrastructure of the NDi, Engr. Paulinus Ogu FNSE, another accomplished engineer, Engr. John Ayodele FNSE, Engr. Ibrahim Bakori, Engr. Ahmad Kaitafi, Engr. Charles Okafor, Engr. Mike Ezugwu, Engr. Ahmad Ibrahim Kaitafi, Engr. Joseph D. John, Engr. M. B. Nasir, Engr. T. Shekarau, and Engr. Dr. I. Musa, among numerous others deserve emphatic mention.

    As rightly observed by the world renowned astrophysicist, Neil deGrasse Tyson, “nobody remembers the engineer!”

    Yet, it is important to remember those who do the heavy lifting at the backend.

    The NSE produced over the years the presidential technical and position papers for decentralisation, pushed for obligatory license requirement to be raised from 1mw to 10mw, advocated for reduced regulation to promote exponential growth in power availability as against the incremental philosophy favoured by the Babatunde Fashola SAN led power sector during Buhari’s first term.

    These eminent engineers and scores of their colleagues who may not be so prominent are worthy of commendations for their contributions towards the bill, their knowledge-driven technical papers and measured agitation for states in Nigeria to license, generate and distribute electric power independently.

    Leveraged correctly, this is a significant step towards tackling the persistent problem of power outage in the country and ensuring a steady supply of electricity to homes and businesses.

    In the maiden South West of Nigeria engineers’ annual lecture in 2021, Engr Ariyomo as the guest lecturer stated that “the power sector reform Act of 2005 that ought to fix the sector had fundamental flaws, usurped the constitutionally guaranteed roles of states in areas outside the national grid and further centralized the power sector at the expense of performance, peer accountability and efficiency.”

    Engr. Ariyomo thereafter announced “that Ondo State under Governor Akeredolu had taken the giant leap by enacting the first wholly independent state power sector law in Nigeria and setting up the Ondo State Electricity Regulatory Bureau with power to license and issue permits in areas not covered by the national grid system”.

    He listed the various engagements ongoing to secure the concurrence of national legislators and then predicted that “the constitution would of necessity change in no time to enable sub national governments full involvement in areas under the grid as worthy partners to the national goverment”.

    The communique at the end of that lecture was for all engineers to continue to mount pressure on the National Assembly until power is completely extricated from the inhibitive exclusive legislative list.

    Prof. Sambo on the other hand, apart from being the leader of the NSE team and the Ministerial Taskforce on Power, has over the past two decades leveraged his leadership position in the World Energy Council to point in the direction of active participation by states, accelerated introduction of renewable energy alternatives to cover the 60% access to energy gap in Nigeria and the need for commensurate capacity building in the sector to ensure that Nigeria has the manpower to provide world-class support for her energy sector.

    This writer wholeheartedly use Prof. Sambo and Engr. Ariyomo as worthy points of contacts to all Nigerian engineers who played pivotal roles over the years despite the frustrations they might have experienced in that typical pioneering roles.

    While other contributors are equally deserving of accolades, the Nigerian engineers deserve multiple commendations. It is the hope of the masses that other individuals and organizations will continue to rise to the occasion in the efforts to bring about positive change in the nation’s power sector.

  • Violence mars election at Evwerni as thugs destroy BVAS machine

    Violence mars election at Evwerni as thugs destroy BVAS machine

    There is growing tension in Evwerni in Delta State as thugs suspected to be working for a former Delta lawmaker and a Commissioner reportedly led suspected thugs to destroy all electoral material, including some BVAS machines.

    As of the time of filing this report, voting has been disrupted in all the polling units in Evwerni, in Ughelli North Local Government Area.

    A team of journalists monitoring the elections were prevented from entering the community by the rampaging thugs allegedly loyal to a serving State Commissioner.

    It was gathered that security personnel sent to the community have been compromised as they allegedly supervised the disruption of the process.

    Some of the corps members and other electoral officials were attacked by the thugs with some sustaining injuries while about three BIVAS machines were smashed.

    Evwerni is the country home of the founding Leader of APC in Delta State, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor.

  • Firm set to establish Trust Fund for oil communities in A’Ibom

    Firm set to establish Trust Fund for oil communities in A’Ibom

    Fifteen youths from oil-bearing communities in Mbo local government area of Akwa Ibom State have graduated from a one-year skills training programme in oil and gas related areas.

    The training was sponsored by Oriental Energy Resources Limited, an indigenous oil firm in line with it’s Technical Skill Acquisition Training Programme(TSAP).

    The youths were trained and certified  in areas as structural and pipeline welding, pipe fittings as well as sand blasting and painting.

    Speaking at the graduation ceremony in Uyo yesterday, Managing Director of the  indigenous oil company, Mustafa Indimi, said the company was committed to human capital and enterprise development.

    Read Also: Supreme Court affirms Udofia as A’Ibom APC guber candidate

    Indimi, who represented by the company’s Director of Operations, Mr. Augustine Ekeigwe, said: “To demonstrate our commitment to human capital and enterprise development in Mbo local government area, we have paid for the full cost of the training.

    “I am pleased to inform you that in December 2022, the fifteen youths successfully completed the training in three main areas of specialization. These are structural and pipeline fitting as well as sand blasting and painting”.

    He also said the company is set to establish the Host Community Development Trust Fund for the general benefit of it’s host Communities.

    Indimi explained that the establishment of the Host Community Development Trust Fund was part of it’s social investments obligations based on the Petroleum Industry Act of 2021.

    The Managing Director of Azimarin and General Services Ltd, Engineer Michael Abakam said it was a privilege to be engaged by Oriental Energy Resources Ltd to handle the training of the 15 youths.

    “This programme was 100% funded by Oriental Energy Resources Ltd from it’s training Calendar of January 2022 to December 2022”, he said.

  • Deliver Omo-Agege, other APC candidates, Emerhor charges Deltans

    Deliver Omo-Agege, other APC candidates, Emerhor charges Deltans

    The founding leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, has charged leaders to redouble their efforts and deliver the party guber candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege as the next Governor of the oil-rich State.

    The APC leader also tasked the party faithful to put aside anger and work in unity with the party leadership at all levels to deliver all the party’s House of Assembly candidates.

    Emerhor, who is also the South-South Director of the Directorate of Contacts and Mobilisation of the APC-Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Presidential Campaign Council, gave the charge at his Evwreni country home in Ughelli North Local Area during a meeting of the Emerhor Political Family and members of the PCC South-South contact and mobilisation committee.

    He said the meeting was called to get firsthand reports, evaluate the party’s performance and challenges in the Presidential and National Assembly elections and profile solutions in order to come out with better results in the March 18th election.

    Olorogun Emerhor while speaking to leaders and elders of the Emerhor Political Family (EPF) and the Delta State Chapter of the South-South Directorate of Contacts and Mobilization, commended members of the party for securing victory for the presidential candidate of the APC and President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu; two APC Senators-elect and a House of Representatives seat during the February 25th election.

    While urging them not to rest on their oars, the APC leader charged them to go back to their units and wards to work for the victory of Senator Omo-Agege and other APC candidates.

    Emerhor added that working in synergy with other party leaders whether old or new, stressing that the party under the leadership of DSP Ovie Omo-Agege is poised to win the Delta governorship election.

    According to him: “Delta APC of today, is one united family, there are no old or new members, we are all working towards one goal, which is to deliver Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and all APC House of Assembly Candidates across the state.

    “I want to assure you that with the victory of our President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and that of Senator Omo-Agege’s victory, everyone will get a fair share of the democracy dividend. DSP Omo-Agege will be fair to all Deltans and everyone in the APC.

    “So, go back to your units, wards and local government and redouble your efforts by mobilising Deltans to come out en mass and vote for our candidates, because Deltans stand a better chance of benefiting from Tinubu-led government.”

    He also urged Deltans to reject the PDP and its candidates in the March 18th election as a payback for the seven years of poor governance which has left Delta in a state of coma and infrastructural decay.

    Notable APC leaders and elders in attendance include Chief Dr. Martin Ohwoevwo, Chief John Onojeharho, Barr. Cyprian Ashibougwu, Elder Uba Donatus, Prince Edewor Akpedafe, Engr. Tuoyo Omatsuli, Hon. Mudiaga Okorefe (Acting Coordinator of EPF), Chief Evans Omatshogunwa, Hon. Ebiakpo EzeDr, Dr Wilson Omene, Sir Godwin Ohwoekevwo, Sir Andrew Agbaga, Chief Voke Oshasha, Arch. Augustine Seibi, Chief John Akpotudougha, Hon. Uzezi Akugha, Hon. Solomon Owumi, Prince Maikpobi Okareme, Hon. Emma Obanya, Pastor Faith Odongharo, Apiloko Jacinta, Chief A. Orugbo, Comrade Christian Onodjocha, Madam Elizabeth Mukoro, Mrs Edirin Ajueshi, Mrs Ufuoma Emeyerakpor, Hon. Goddy Ewerode, Amb. Felix Datuowei, Evang. Odaderia Samson.

    Also in attendance were all EPF LGA Coordinators, PCC Delta State Executives, LGA and ward coordinators amongst others.

  • Why Omo-Agege is right choice as Delta Gov

    Why Omo-Agege is right choice as Delta Gov

    Olorogun Bernard Okumagba

    Our state, Delta, is at an epochal moment that will determine whether we make the bend to get on the road to development or if we regress. There is little doubt that most Deltans are disappointed with the condition of our state. For a state that is blessed with abundant oil, gas and solid mineral resources, arable land and some of the best human capital in Nigeria, it is without a doubt that Delta should not be in its current sorry state.

    Delta is the largest producer of oil and gas in Nigeria, with more raw materials in clay, limestone, kaolin, silica, tar sand and decorative rocks, which if properly harnessed, would provide job opportunities for our  fast growing population and teeming unemployed youths.  

    So why is a state so blessed with such an array of raw materials, many of which have not been harnessed, be in such a terrible state where there is mass youth unemployment and despair? That is an issue at play here as Deltans go to the poll to elect a governor on March 18, 2023. It is clear that if we are to change our story from despair to a new era of new economic opportunities, development and growth, Deltans must vote in a governor that means business. That person is Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Senator Omo-Agege comes with verifiable records of performance as a lawmaker. He has distinguished himself excellently at the Red Chamber of the National Assembly to the benefit of all Deltans. Senator Omo-Agege will replicate his endless developmental strides exemplified by the numerous projects he attracted to his Constituency and beyond while serving as Senator representing Delta Central for the past 7 (seven) years-plus and as Deputy Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the past 3 years-plus. He will also be bringing his vast experience to bear in the management of the state resources as Governor of Delta State.

    Read Also: I’ll not reverse teachers’ retirement age in Delta – Omo-Agege

    Senator Ovie Omo-Agege is a development-oriented administrator. As Governor, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege would usher in a new vista of hope and opportunities for Deltans. Omo-Agege’s emergence will also improve the relationship and enhance synergy between the Federal and Delta State Governments and thereby, attract the needed development currently eluding the hard working and peaceful people of the State.

    A peek into the BAND agenda of the Omo-Agege manifesto shows a candidate that has done serious work. Deltans who have followed his  campaigns at rallies and town hall meetings across the State would notice that he has shown a clear understanding of the needs of our people and has equally articulated a very clear and measurable agenda towards meeting the needs. His manifesto and presentations shows understanding and clear intent, which Deltans cannot take for granted.

    Explaining his mission, Omo-Agege said: “Our men and women must have decent jobs that allow a good quality of life. Our programme for the next 4 years in Delta State will bring back job creation, a productive economy, a sense of community and respect for people. Creating jobs for young people is a challenge which will define us, for this generation and the next, and will remain a key priority for us as part of our long-term commitment to full employment.”

    He adds: “To create jobs, we will introduce an ambitious ‘Delta State Employment, Entrepreneurship and Empowerment Programme (DEEP) and will support our Social Economy and our Small and Medium Enterprises. DEEP is an unbreakable commitment to be fulfilled with innovative ideas and reforms targeting massive private-sector economic development and growth through responsible management of government resources and processes. 

    “The driving strategy behind DEEP will create modern cluster industries and manufacturing centres that will generate good jobs in every Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State. Our target is to create the right environment and support mechanism, including structured state guarantees, for the private sector to develop at least 5 major employment-generating corporate vehicles in each LGA annually. These will drive well-organised, government-supported and actively supervised Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to be strategically spread across the State on the basis of the unique economic strength of each LGA. This is at the core of our overall BUILD A NEW DELTA – BAND governance agenda.”

    Delta State has not had a leader who lucidly articulates his vision as Omo-Agege does. Omo-Agege’s  manifesto immensely underscores his passion and the promise of a new Delta anchored on creating employment, development, good governance and enduring security.

    Yet another plus is that Senator Ovie Omo-Agege is a detribalised Deltan whose actions, body language and antecedents are devoid of ethnic sentiments. Rather, he has performed exceedingly well in his duties and has established friendships in various communities, local government areas, senatorial districts across Delta State and beyond. All these are assets that will come handy to Build A New Delta.

    When it comes to the imperatives and challenges of development in Delta State, Deltans should  trust Omo-Agege who has delivered on his electoral promises in the past. 

    I urge Deltans to choose this trustworthy, progressive-minded and detribalised Deltan who has a clear vision of massive infrastructural and social development of Delta State.

     _Olorogun Bernard Okumagba, FCA is a former Commissioner for Finance in Delta State_

  • MWUN key to breaking 15-year salary stagnation jinx, says NPA

    MWUN key to breaking 15-year salary stagnation jinx, says NPA

    The management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has said the support of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) was critical to securing approval for salary increments for its workers, which has stagnated since 2008.

    Managing Director of NPA, Mohammed Bello Koko, said this when he received a letter referenced MWUN/MD/NPA/RFC/23 dated March 6, 2023 signed by the Secretary-General MWUN, expressing appreciation for the salary increment of its members.

    Read Also: SAN sues lawmaker over unpaid N20m legal fees

    His words: “Breaking the jinx of salary stagnation suffered for over a decade by the Authority’s employees was made possible with the support of the MWUN, and we remain appreciative”. He added that “this critical support from MWUN has buoyed us to intensify our relentless drive towards continuous improvement in the welfare of our esteemed workers in ways not limited to monthly salary alone.

    “We are further delighted by the fact that our own Comrade Adewale Adeyanju is now the Deputy President of the NLC, this gives us the necessary solidarity and backing to push for more benefits for our highly valued human resources.”

    Koko, accompanied by the President General MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju,  paid an advocacy visit to the headquarters of the NLC to solicit solidarity towards an increase in NPA workers’ salaries.