Category: Southeast report

Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has said he will support any initiative towards enhancing the capacity of legal practitioners.

He spoke when the President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Olumide Akpata, visited the Government House, Yenagoa.

Diri hailed the NBA president for the initiative to go round branches of the association nationwide to know their challenges.

Commending Akpata’s vision for capacity building for lawyers, the governor said a basic problem of the judiciary in the state was training and retraining.

He pledged his support for any training initiative.In response to a request that courts be also provided in rural areas apart from the state capital for easy access to justice, Diri said the challenge was not in building the facilities, but about ensuring the security of the judges.

He said: “I have never heard the NBA president going round the branches in Nigeria. This is the first of its kind and we need to appreciate you for it.

“The thought of getting in touch with your branches to know their challenges and proffer solutions is commendable. This is what makes you a leader.”Let me also praise you on your vision for capacity building of the lawyers.”

As a government, I want to pledge our support if you are doing that in our state. ”People have to be abreast of modern developments and changes in professions. It is worthy of note that you are treading in the right direction to ensure that lawyers undergo training and retraining while they do their job.

”The NBA president hailed Governor Diri for the cordial relationship between his administration and the judiciary.He noted that the feedback from lawyers in the state indicated that they were being taken care of by the government. Akpata pledged the support of the bar for the administration.

An auto magnate, Chief A. C. Okocha, has said only Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has the wisdom and expertise to salvage the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the power sharing crisis that is about to engulf it.

Okocha, who is also the national chairman of Ogwashi-uku PDP Leaders and Elders forum, noted that it was indeed a thing of joy that when almost every leader in the PDP was declaring to contest the presidential election, Okowa kept his cool and was watching from a distance.

“I can tell you without mincing words that Okowa is much more qualified than most of those clamouring to be president,” Okocha said, adding: “This governor prefers to do things differently. He is a man of great wisdom who watches issues keenly before dabbling into them.”

Okocha said now that key members of the PDP have fought themselves into a cul-de-sac, Dr. Okowa would have no choice but to step out and provide quality leadership so as to create a sustainable atmosphere.

He said anything short of this could affect the chances of the party in taking over power at the centre in 2023.

“I know Okowa and I know what he can do,” Okocha said.

He noted: “The governor loves peace and orderliness. This is what is required in the PDP at the moment and I believe he is the only one who can bring about order in the party. He should step up and do that now before the party implodes.”

 

 

 

Ex-Cross River Governor Mr. Liyel Imoke said in Calabar yesterday that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would reclaim the state from the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the 2023 general election.

He told reporters at the end of a PDP caucus meeting that the party’s confidence stemmed from the fact that it had never lost election in the state.

Sitting Governor Ben Ayade won the governorship seat on the platform of the PDP, but defected to the APC on May 20, 2021.

Imoke said the caucus meeting was summoned to strategise for the 2023 elections.

“We have never lost election in Cross River since 1999 when Nigeria returned to democracy; a defection is not a loss.

“In 2023, we do not intend to lose; that was why the caucus meeting was convened to rub minds, share opinions and strategise towards winning the 2023 general election.

“On the issue of zoning, just as at the national level where the issue of zoning is being discussed, we also discussed it at the caucus level.

“It is not my responsibility to disclose what was discussed on the issue,’’ the former minister of power said.

He said the PDP in the state was organised, well managed, and had an experienced chairman with a long history of political participation.

The Chairman, Mr. Venatius Ikem, said the caucus had robust discussions on varied issues, including zoning and that the public would be informed of decisions taken at the appropriate time.

Ikem stressed that the party was yet to take a decision on the zoning of power or any other position in the state to the southern senatorial district.

“On the issue of zoning power to the southern senatorial district, our party will take its decision at the appropriate time.

“Wherever you hear about the zoning of power or particular positions to the southern senatorial district for now, I am sure the source is not the PDP.

“All party aspirants are assured of a level playing field pending when we make decisions on all matters before us, including zoning,’’ the chairman said.

The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that the caucus meeting was attended by stalwarts like Mr. Donald Duke, former Cross River governor; Sen. Sandy Onor, Amb. Nkoyo Toyo and Prof. Stella Atu, among others.

 

 

 

Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) has said it has over 20,000 certificates that are yet to be signed, following absence of convocations in the university in the past five years.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Aloysius Okolie, made the disclosure in Enugu at the weekend during the orientation for the 2021/2022 academic session of new course participants/ students of the Institute for Peace, Conflict and Development Studies (IPCDS) of ESUT.

He lamented that ESUT held its last convocation in 2017, a development, he noted, led to the current backlog of unsigned certificates numbering over 20, 000.

Okolie said plans were afoot to partner the private sector in boosting operations of IPCDS.

He said no nation, whether developed or developing such as Nigeria could record a feat in an atmosphere of crisis and insecurity as currently being witnessed in the country.

The newly appointed VC, who hailed the Director of the institute, Prof. Felix Asogwa, on how he had been piloting the affairs of the centre since inception, expressed dissatisfaction about the inconsistency in organising convocations in the university.

Okolie said ESUT would soon embark on aggressive marketing of IPCD$ as well as seek partnership with the private sector with a view to strengthening its operations.

The VC, who advised the students, including those of post graduate, to brace for the challenges and take their studies seriously, warned that henceforth, his administration would not sign the certificates of students with less than 75 per cent attendance.

 

 

Trouble is brewing in Warri South Local Government of Delta State, over the decision of incumbent Chairman Dr. Michael Tidi to vie for the Warri South Constituency 2 seat in 2023.

A community leader at Okere-Urhobo Warri, Mr. Igho Egheba Okumagba, said the Warri South Constituency 2 created by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which comprised Okere Urhobo and Agbarha Warri kingdoms in Warri South Local Government, belonged to the Urhobo of Warri.

Addressing reporters in Warri at the weekend, Okumagba stressed the need for an indigene of the constituency to contest the Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA) seat.

According to him, Tidi’s declaration to contest election in Constituency 2 for the 2023 DTHA remains unacceptable to the indigenous Urhobo of Warri and a call for anarchy and crisis in Warri and its environs.

“Tidi’s declaration to contest in Constituency 2 remains condemnable and unacceptable to the people of Okere Urhobo Kingdom and Agbarha Warri Kingdom.

“It should be made clear to the public that the Urhobo of Warri was at loggerheads with the Itsekiri over the ownership of Warri metropolis, until the Supreme Court judgment that put an end to the controversy in favour of the Urhobo,” he said.

 

 

Okumagba urged the state government led by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to call the council boss to order, to avoid crisis that might erupt from his ambition.

Tidi, who is of Itsekiri origin, intends to contest against the current lawmaker representing the constituency, Matthew Opuoru, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Policy Alert, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has raised the alarm over an alleged plot by security agencies and Akwa Ibom State Government to attack its workers and partners.

A statement at the weekend by the Executive Director, Mr. Tijah Bolton Akpan, said the plan was not unconnected with its role in exposing government’s poor fiscal governance.

Policy Alert is committed to promoting economic and ecological justice in the Niger Delta.

The statement alleged that Policy Alert’s workers, volunteers and media partners were being targeted.

But the state government has denied plotting to attack the organisation, its workers and partners, saying it was not the character of the current administration to do so.

Information and Strategy Commissioner Iniobong Ememobong said: “Governor Udom Emmanuel is transparent and sincere in matters of finance. He has nothing to hide.”

 

 

 

The Anambra State House of Assembly has screened and confirmed the 20 persons nominated by Governor Charles Soludo for appointment as Commissioners.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the confirmation of the nominees took place through a voice vote conducted during plenary yesterday.

Recall that Governor  Soludo in a letter dated March 28 submitted the list of the commissioner-nominees to the Assembly for screening and confirmation.

The Speaker of the House, Mr Uche Okafor, listed the names of the 20 commissioner-nominees confirmed by the Assembly to include: Mr Ifeatu Onejeme – Ministry of Finance, Prof. Ofonze Amucheazi – Ministry of Lands and Mr Ifeanyi Okoma – Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.

Others are: Dr Afam Obidike – Health, Mr Patrick Aghamba – Youth Development, Mrs Ifeyinwa Obinabo – Women Affairs and Social Welfare and Dr Obinna Ngonadi – Commerce and Industry.

Also confirmed are: Mr Julius Chukwuemeka – Power and Water Resources, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh – Education, Mr Paul Nwosu – Information, Dr Foster Ihejiofor – Agriculture and Mrs Patricia Igwebuike – Transportation.

Others include: Mr Felix Odimegwu – Environment, Mr Chikodi Anara – Homeland Affairs, Mr Collins Nwabunwanne – Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs and Mr Donatus Onyeji – Culture, Entertainment and Tourism,

Prof. Chika Ifemeje was confirmed as Attorney-General and Commissioner, Ministry of Justice, Mr Anthony Ifeanya – Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Ms Chiamaka Nnake – Budget and Economic Planning and Mr Paulinus Onyeaka – Ministry of Housing.

NAN reports that the House Committee on screening had given its report through its Chairman, Dr Pascal Agbodike, during plenary.

Agbodike noted that all the nominees were screened by the committee and that they all answered the questions put to them satisfactorily and provided all the necessary documents.

The report of the committee was, however, adopted as the resolution of the Assembly.

NAN also reports that the 20 confirmed Commissioners will be sworn in on Saturday.

Also at plenary, Dr Cater Dike-Umeh representing Aguata Constituency I, rejoined the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Dike-Umeh, who had defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in October 2021, announced his return at plenary.

“I want to inform this Assembly that I have successfully made a U-turn and retraced my steps to my home party APGA.

“I have tendered unreserved apologies to my party leaders at the national, state and ward levels because I have no justification for leaving the party in the first place.

“I will like to tell this House that I was well received by my home party APGA,” he said.

Mr Okechukwu Okoye, member representing Aguata II constituency (APGA), welcomed Dike-Umeh back to the party and the House adjourned to April 12. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng

 

 

An indigenous oil and gas firm, ND Western Limited, has said it is committed to efficient health care delivery for its host and neighbouring communities.

The Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Eberechukwu Oji, spoke yesterday at the inauguration of a laboratory, Delta Plus Diagnostics, at Ogunu in Warri South Local Government of Delta State.

The facility was established by ND Western/Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) Joint Venture, operators of OML 34, in conjunction with the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) and Katchey Company Limited.

Oji said the facility would help mitigate the challenges of accessing efficient health diagnostic services in the area by reducing “the need to travel long distances” for laboratory tests.

“With the global health challenges we face today, coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic, which has claimed millions of lives all over the world, it is pertinent to state that at ND Western, we do not shy away from these challenges.

“We recognise these challenges and proffer solutions through collaborative efforts with partners that share our drive, as we like to excel at everything we are involved in.

“As such, we will be delighted to collaborate further with stakeholders to make sure Delta Plus Diagnostics Laboratory is utilised optimally many years from now.

“We are not only passionate about oil and gas, but we are also committed to the health and well-being of every individual. And like the proverbial phrase says, ‘health is wealth’.”

He hailed the Federal Government and the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for the success of the project, which he noted would support the medical research community in the Southsouth, as well as neighbouring states.

The Managing Director of NPDC, Mr. Ali Zarah, represented by the Executive Director, Assets Management, Dr. Ismail Mohammed, said the project came at the right time when the world was facing serious health problems such as the COVID-19 pandemic, among others.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Katchey Laboratory, Mrs. Kate Isa, expressed delight in being part of the project, which she described as very “sophisticated”.

The event was graced by the Ovie of the Agbarha-Warri Kingdom, Orhifi Orovwagbarha Agbarha-Ide Ememoh II; Ovie of Ughievwen HRM Matthew Egbi Owahwa II; the Ovie of Effurun-Otor, HRM King Duku II, as well as the Olu of Warri, HM Ogiame Atuwaste lll, who was represented by Chief Clement Maleghemi.

 

Former Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information and Orientation Daniel Iworiso-Markson has promised to implement his ‘new deal manifesto’ if elected into the House of Representatives for Ogbia Federal Constituency.

He said he remained the best choice for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with the general acceptance and popularity to win the coming election for the party.

Iworiso-Markson said the ‘new deal manifesto’ was anchored on six pillars of Bond of Unity, Education, Empowerment, Special Status for Ogbia, Oloibiri Oil Museum, a UNESCO heritage site and Effective Communication.

He spoke yesterday in Yenagoa when he presented his expression of interest and nomination forms to the people of Ogbia Kingdom to contest the 2023 House of Representatives election on the platform of the PDP.

Iworiso-Markson said his decision to procure the forms was another stride in his conviction to provide effective representation at the National Assembly by leveraging his experience, network, exposure and connections.

He described his manifesto as a well-thought-out strategic plan that encapsulated his vision to bring about a pragmatic approach and a paradigm shift in people’s representation.

He said the manifesto formed the basis of his aspiration to the National Assembly and that he would work with PDP leaders and stakeholders to achieve it.

Iworiso-Markson said: “Having picked the form, I decided to bring it back home to present to our leaders and stakeholders who are pivotal to my journey to the Green Chambers. It is another significant day in my quest to offer myself to represent Ogbia people.”

“It also signifies a major step in the realisation of the ‘new deal agenda’ which we have mapped out. The focus of the agenda is to make stronger the Bond of Unity in Ogbia, to provide workable partnerships that will guarantee quality

education for our children, empower our youths and women in critical skills that will make them employers of labour.

“Also create a special status for Ogbia, as the first place where oil was discovered in commercial quantity. Make the Oloibiri Oil Museum, a UNESCO heritage site and provide like never before, effective and efficient communication so that our people can have a sense of what is going on in Abuja. This is the thrust of our agenda.”

He vowed to deploy his network and support base to ensure the re-election of Governor Douye Diri, noting that he deserved a second term.