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Tag: Delta State governor

  • UPU greets Okowa, Urhobo lawmakers

    The Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) has congratulated Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on his re-election.

    A statement by the President-General, Olorogun Moses Taiga, urged Okowa to use his second term to bring more developments to Urhobo land, in particular, and Delta in general.

    The union also greeted the lawmakers-elect from Delta Central, urging them to always promote Urhobo interest and work towards the development of Urhoboland.

    Read also: Comedian I Go Dye congratulates Okowa

    The statement reads: “The Urhobo Nation is expecting more development projects from the government in the next four years.

    “To those who feel their mandates were stolen, the Nigerian electoral system is not perfect and you have every right to go to court if you feel aggrieved. But every action you take should be legal. No more violence, we have lost too many people already.”

  • Breaking: Aide to gov Okowa shot dead in Delta

    A Special Adviser to Delta state Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa identified simply as Ngozi Ijei was shot dead in Ekpan, Uvwie local government area of the state last night.

    The killing of Ngozi, who was a key player in the political unrest in the area since the last decade, has led to fear and tension in the area.

    It was gathered that youths were mobilizing as at the time of this report to attack perceived enemies of the deceased and burn down their properties.

    Prior to his appointment by Okowa in 2016, Ngozi was standing trial for sundry crimes, including murder, but was controversially released from prison before being appointed SA on Community and Youth Affairs to the governor.

    His murder last night was the latest in a bloody chapter which has seen a spike in insecurity in Ekpan and Jakpa Road areas of Uvwie LGA.

    It would be recalled that at least six persons were killed in the area in the last couple of weeks in the latest upsurge of violence before the botched February 16 general elections.

    Uvwie is usually a hotbed of crisis since 2003, because of the usual contending political forces and interests of key players in the Urhobo community.

    The current Delta South Senatorial candidate of the PDP and incumbent House of Representative member in Uvwie/Sapele/Okpe Federal Constituency, Ms Evelyn Oboro, hails from the area.

    Oboro is locked in a supremacy tussle with deposed chairman of the council, Mr. Henry Baro, who is the APC flag-bearer aiming to succeed Oboro in the lower chamber of the National Assembly.

    The governorship candidate of the APC, Mr. Great Ogboru, has a strong fellowship in the area, and in his 2003 failed contest with then-incumbent James Ibori, dozens of houses were burnt in Uvwie by supporters of the PDP and Ogbodu’s then Alliance Democracy.

  • We shall continue to work to eliminate poverty in Delta – Okowa

    The Delta state governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, has said his administration will continue to work to end poverty in the state through its various empowerment schemes.

    Dr Okowa, who gave the assurance while speaking at the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) campaign rally in Patani town, the headquarters of Patani council area of Delta state, also said he would continue to give good and quality leadership to the state.

    The governor also charged the people of the state to stand strong and not allow any form of intimidation, even as he commended the people of Patani for sustaining peace in their area.

    The governor urged them to vote massively for the PDP from the presidential level to the House of Assembly in the forthcoming general elections.

    “We have done many road projects in Patani Local Government and many other infrastructural projects are ongoing. I am happy with the peace in Patani, we must stay together as one family by voting PDP all the way.

    “Do not allow anybody to harass you, be strong and courageous, this land belong to all of us, nobody can intimidate us. We will triple our youth and women empowerment as well as increase the number of widow beneficiaries in every wards. We will continue to work toward the unity of our people,” Okowa said.

    Also speaking at the rally, the Director-General of the Delta PDP Campaign Organisation, Mr Solomon Funkekeme, charged the people to vote massively for the party at all levels.

    “I want you to improve on your voting performance, government will continue to provide dividends of democracy to you. Embark on house to house campaign to woo more electorates for the party,” he said.

  • We did not sack Delta Line workers – Okowa

    Delta state Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has said his administration did not sack staff of the Delta Line, the state owned transport company.

    Okowa made this known Friday during a quarterly media parley with journalists in Asaba.

    He said that following the commercialization of the state-run transport company, more than 100 staff would be absorbed by God Is Good Motors, the new management of the company.

    “We have already paid four months arrears before the take over and four more months will be paid and they are also to be paid a disengagement allowance which is being worked on now but many opted to move out probably because of the allowance which they are entitled to receive and thereafter any one of them who wishes to continue with the company will be subjected to interviews, so, nobody was sacked because I know that some of them are going to be re-engaged and those who will be useful will be put to work and no form of nepotism will be allowed, so nobody was sacked,  rather they were relived on their own accord, and over 100 workers will be re-engaged by the new management.”

    Read Also:Sack of 568 Deltaline workers insensitive-Delta APC

    He continued, “I am sure that Delta Line is going to come up well because, with the plans that are on ground, we want the company to run in such a manner that as a government, and as a people, we can be proud of it and we can be sure that that when passengers are in these vehicles they can be rest assured of their safety and security; so, in the next few months, we are going to see brand new Delta Line buses, efficiency and quality of service will be the new order for the company.”

    Okowa who was happy with the progress made with the Delta Line, disclosed, “that Delta Line had over 400 drivers for just 200 vehicles, was totally alarming and it turned out that the functional vehicles were only about 80 and that functionality was failing because most of the vehicles were not doing well, and the remaining were just in mechanics.”

    The governor urged critics of the intention to commercialize Delta Line to get their facts right, stating that the transport company “is a commercial venture and it is supposed to make money for itself and possibly also for the state government through some dividend payment, but, unfortunately over time, government has continued to pour out money into that place, I have witnessed the capitalization of Delta Line three times in the past, and after some time we came back with millions and millions of debt and we could not continue in that manner and we could not allow the mistakes of the past to repeat itself, so, we thought that the best thing was to bring in a private partner who can run the company efficiently because one; is the provision of the services that you expect that company to provide and two; is sustainability of that venture to ensure that it does not go bankrupt.”

    He gave assurance that the interest of Deltans and the state were always uppermost in taking decision by his administration and the people will get good benefits from the partnership between God Is Good Motors and Delta State government.

  • ‘Okowa running Delta state without budget’

    ‘Okowa running Delta state without budget’

    The former Deputy National Chairman of Alimodu Sheriff-led faction of the People Democratic Party (PDP) who recently joined the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Dr. Cairo Ojougboh has accused the Delta state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa of massive corruption and running a government without a formal budget passed by the state House of Assembly as required by law.

    Ojougoh said in a petition to President Muhammadu Buhari that the Appropriation Committee of the State House of Assembly has not sited the state budget since the beginning of the year, adding that the Speaker of the House, merely signed the last page of the supposed budget without any form of estimate and submitted same to the governor who affixes figures as he wishes.

    While asking the President to order the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to investigate the Delta state government over alleged “blank 2017 budget and appropriation” for the state, challenged members of the state Assembly especially members of the Appropriation committee to show the World copy of the 2017 appropriation which they passed into law.

    He alleged that ten members of the Delta State House of Assembly informed him in confidence “of the high level of fraud that is currently ongoing in their legislative House.” 

    The letter reads: “Mr President, it is with heavy heart distress and grief that I write you this letter, Mr President; I am an Indigene of Agbor, Ika South L.G.A of Delta State, former member of the House of Representatives, former Presidential Liaison Officer to the Senate and SSA to the President, former National Vice Chairman South-South of the PDP and immediate past National Deputy Chairman of the PDP. 

    “This is to bring to your notice the hydra-headed corruption and malignant impunity that is currently dancing and celebrating in the Delta State House of Assembly.

    “Mr President, ten (10) members of the Delta State House of Assembly informed me (in strict confidence; that their names and families be protected) of the high level of fraud that is currently ongoing in their legislative House where they ply their trade as Lawmakers. According to them, they were emboldened when they learnt that I had left the PDP on 16th September 2017 and they felt the urgent need to now confide in me that I have left the PDP.

    “The very important issue at hand is that the members confessed to me that up till 3rd day of October they have not seen, sighted or read a copy of the Delta State 2017 budget.

    “The Hon. Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Sherrif Oborevwori signed only the last page of the budget and returned same to the Government; the Government then fills in the blank arbitrarily and apportions appropriation at will.

    “The Chairman of the Appropriation Committee of the Delta State House of Assembly and the entire members have not sighted the budget break down and estimates as the conventional practice, the actions of the Speaker with the active connivance of the Government amounts to the issuance of a blank 2017 budget and appropriation for Delta State.

    “Mr President, I dare any member of the Delta State House of Assembly to produce a copy of the approved budget estimate signed by the Chairman Appropriation Committee, the Clark and the Speaker, let any member display same on any website.

    “Mr President, I had the opportunity to speak with Prof. Sam Oyovbaire on issues of impunity and corruption in Delta State. For your information Prof. Sam Oyovbaire presented Dr Okowa to the Urhobo nation and Okowa was accepted by the Urhobos due to the person of Prof. Sam Oyovbaire.

    “I told Prof. Sam Oyovbaire that he has a name and integrity to protect, that he should disassociate himself from the mess going on in Delta State.   

    “I therefore in all humility call on Mr. President who is credited by the International Committee not to own a single house and bank account outside Nigeria, who won the presidential general election against an incumbent President due to your anti-corruption credentials to kindly deploy your good offices to cause a thorough investigation into the fraud currently in Delta State through the Blank Budget and appropriations issued by the Delta State House of Assembly by the anti-graft agencies.

    “Mr President, I am 58 years old, a soldier of truth, if I cannot stand to defend my people on matters of this nature and injustice, then I will not be fair to my God and conscience. It is most excruciating and painful that our hard earned State resources are being stolen in broad daylight.

    “Mr President, I humbly on behalf of the good people of Delta State plead and solicit of you to passionately cause and direct the relevant Government Agencies to investigate the above allegation against the Delta State House of Assembly.

    “I want to assure you, as the 2019 general election draws near, that over two (2) million votes are at stake in Delta State, your reward for addressing the fraud in Delta State shall be total unequivocal support for you and your Government and your Great Party the APC. Mr President, Delta State is dying. Kingly direct the EFCC, DSS, ICPC and Code of Conduct to investigate.”

  • Okowa hails Buhari Presidency over peace in Niger Delta

    Okowa hails Buhari Presidency over peace in Niger Delta

    Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa on Friday hailed President Muhammadu Buhari’s government for the current peace in the Niger Delta region.

    He spoke with State House correspondents after meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He said “If you find out in the past few months there has been peace in Delta state so I wanted to appreciate his visit to Delta state because that definitely helped us in the peace process.”

    Speaking further on the Niger Delta, he said “Definitely it’s very peaceful and we will continue to consolidate on the peace.”

    He also commended the Senate for the Maritime university Okerenkoko bill that passed third reading in the Upper legislative chamber.

    “Just Friday the bill for the Maritime University Okerenkoko passed third reading at the Senate that is definitely a very strong plus for us.

    “We are also aware that a committee has been set up led by the Minister of Education, my Deputy Governor is part of the committee to work out the processes to enable the Maritime university take off in October. It’s a step in the right direction so I came to appreciate him and to discuss some other issues with him.” he said

    On the progress on the Modular refineries, he said “I think the process are being put in place, you realise that the President has talked a lot about it and I believe the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and the NNPC have been working in that direction.

    “You know it’s not something that you can just bring up all in one day or in one month, I believe that the processes are being put in place to ensure that we have some of them in some of our communities in the creeks and in the Niger Delta generally,” he said.

  • Job creation key to global peace, says Okowa

    Job creation key to global peace, says Okowa

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has urged the international community to partner with African nations on job and wealth creation “as a means to ensuring global peace and security.”

    Delivering the Keynote Address at the Africa Industrialisation Day at the United Nations Office in New York, Dr Okowa said beyond creating awareness of the challenges of industrialisation in Africa, the Forum should address the need for “firm commitments to strengthen partnerships that will drive industrialisation in Africa, create jobs and sustainable opportunities for youths, women and all people to enjoy better social and economic well-being.”

    The Africa Industrialization Day is celebrated on November 20 every year under the auspices of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to mobilise the commitment of the international community to the industrialization of Africa.

    The theme for this year’s event was “SMEs for Poverty Eradication and Job Creation for Women and Youth.”

    At a symposium to mark the event, Governor Okowa commended “UNIDO’s passion and dedication to spurring Africa’s industrialization,” pointing out that the occasion “is a reminder to all of us, of the need to redirect Africa’s economic development position from being a global supplier of raw materials and primary commodities to one with progressive value addition through agro-processing, agro-industrialization and beneficiation of solid minerals.”

    Noting that “SMEs are engines forcost-effective employment generation, social inclusion, equitable development and self-reliant industrialization using local raw materials,” the Governor lamented that they have not flourished in Africa due to “funding gaps, infrastructure deficit, energy problems and poor governance structures.”

    Dr. Okowa informed the gathering that Nigeria’s policies through successive administrations have revolved around the growth and development of SMEs as catalysts for economic development.

    According to him, “the Federal Government, through the Central Bank of Nigeria, Bank of Industry, and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) are frantically taking measures to enhance the performance and growth of youth- and women-owned micro and small enterprises through a host of concessional financing initiatives spanning equity financing, debt financing, loan guarantees and grants.

    “In Delta State where I am Governor, we have developed a road map to engage our youths and women in productive enterprises and ensure inclusive growth. Our strategic approach is a comprehensive programme of youth training, development and empowerment in agricultural enterprises and vocational skills, microcredit to support small and medium scale enterprises, and the creation of a conducive business and investment environment. Also we are undertaking concerted measures for the integration of agricultural and agro-industrial development based on our comparative-advantage commodities, particularly cassava, oil palm and aquaculture.”

    He called for international support of the State’s Job and Wealth Creation Scheme, which is in its six months of operation. “In particular,” he said, “we would leverage financing and technical assistance from international and global agencies, including the United Nations, to enhance performance and sustainability of our Job and Wealth Creation Scheme.”

    Earlier, Mr Paul Maseli, UNIDO’s representative to the United Nations warned that “if Africa misses this opportunity to industrialise and create sufficient employment opportunities to support decent living conditions it could present a significant risk and threat to social cohesion and political stability in the future.

    “Fast-tracking industrialization efforts in Africa in the Post-2015 era is particularly imperative to create jobs for broad segments of the population. With almost 200 million people aged between 15 and 24, Africa has the youngest population in the world. And it keeps growing rapidly. If the present trend continues, the continent’s labour force will be 1 billion by 2040, making it the largest in the world, surpassing both China and India.

    “If the continent can increase the productivity and fully unleash the potential in this segment (SMEs), it will go a long way in the economic development of many African countries. Let us not forget how important SMEs are in the economies of advanced countries like Germany with its famous “Mittelstand”, or Italy with its SME-based success model. These are examples African countries can certainly learn from.”

  • Omasan Buwa celebrates

    Omasan Buwa celebrates

    FORMER Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria and Executive Assistant to the Delta State governor on the physically-challenged, Omasan Buwa, played host to friends and family at a birthday bash last Sunday at the Landmark Villa, Magodo.

    Prior to the wining and dining, the former London-based BEN TV presenter had a thanksgiving service at the Kris Okotie-led Household of God. The Delta State born ex-beauty queen has every reason to be grateful.

    Her twins, Olaposi and Olasubomi, are doing well and trailing their mother’s steps to give back to the society with their NGO, Rehabilitative Interactive Skills Empowerment, RISE, which is an offshoot of their mom’s pet project.

    The birthday girl is also thankful that she got fulfillment from putting smiles on the faces of the less-privileged who form the central focus of her official appointment and in whom she has found unusual companionship.

    Omasan Buwa hugged stardom after winning the second edition of the much-coveted Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria crown in 1987. She later represented Nigeria at the Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss Intercontinental competitions.

    Apart from starring in the short-lived soap opera, Memories, presenting a segment on the television show, Morning Ride, and becoming a tabloid favourite, she ran briefly a restaurant named Jazz Bar in Lagos.