The Governing Council of the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State has called on the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to provide increased support to the institution to overcome its challenges and achieve its full potential.
During a courtesy visit to NIMASA’s headquarters in Lagos, the Acting Chairman of the Governing Council, Hon. Adewale Adeogun, highlighted the university’s need for additional funding, improved infrastructure, and increased support from NIMASA. He emphasized the university’s crucial role in developing skilled manpower for Nigeria’s maritime sector, which is a vital component of the nation’s economy.
In response, NIMASA’s Director-General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, commended the Governing Council for their visit and expressed the agency’s commitment to supporting the university.
He acknowledged the importance of the university in the development of Nigeria’s maritime industry and emphasized the need for the institution to explore alternative funding sources, such as research grants and partnerships with private sector stakeholders.
The Governing Council’s visit to NIMASA marks a significant step towards strengthening the collaboration between the two institutions and ensuring the continued growth and development of the Nigeria Maritime University.
ayoung woman, simply identified as Emeterhire, has died in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State, after being forced to undergo female genital mutilation (FGM) following complications during childbirth.
Emeterhire, from Ogwashi-Uku in Aniocha South Local Government, had fled her village years ago to escape the harmful ritual.
FGM has been upheld in the community, seen as a sacred practice to ‘purify’ young women and prepare them for marriage.
Sources in the village said Emeterhire’s mother, Erhuvwun, had also undergone the ritual as a young woman, surviving the ordeal but living with its scars.
Emeterhire had built a new life in Asaba. She lived peacefully, fell in love, and was expecting her first child. However, as her due date approached, her mother urged her to return to Ogwashi-Uku, fearing that her grandchild would be cursed without the traditional blessings of the village.
Emeterhire returned home, ignorant that the village elders, who had resented her, were waiting. When complications arose during her labour, they imposed on her the ritual she had escaped years earlier.
In the dead of night, as she lay in agony from childbirth, the elders stormed her home. Weak and unable to resist, she was dragged to the ceremonial grounds where FGM was performed without her consent.
The procedure, in addition to the strain of labour, was too much for her fragile state. By dawn, Emeterhire was dead, leaving behind a child.
Her death has sparked outrage among rights activists, who have condemned the practice of FGM in the region.
“This is a tragic example of how harmful cultural practice rob women of their lives,” said a local advocate, calling for action to protect women and girls from such customs.
Emeterhire’s mother, devastated by the loss of her daughter, has vowed to ensure her granddaughter does not suffer same fate. She hopes her daughter’s death will serve as a turning point in the fight against FGM in Ogwashi-Uku.
Emeterhire’s story may have ended in tragedy, but her bravery in resisting the brutal tradition has sparked renewed calls for education and reform in communities where harmful practice still persist in Nigeria. The legacy of her struggle will live on in her child, a symbol of hope for future generations.
While local authorities are yet to comment, pressure is mounting for the government to enforce stricter laws against FGM, and to bring those responsible for Emeterhire’s death to justice.
Suspected armed robbers on Friday, July 5, invaded the premises of a commercial bank at Ughelli town, Delta state, robbing a customer of an undisclosed sum of money.
A private security guard and two others were reportedly shot by the gang of five, who stormed the bank in a Toyota Venza.
It was gathered that the customer was trailed to the bank premises by the unidentified hoodlums, who shot sporadically before attacking their victim who was yet to enter the banking hall.
Reports say the gunmen made away with three “Ghana Must Go” bags containing money.
After three days of tight competition, Delta State are the winners of the 11th Chief of Naval Staff National Swimming Championship in Port Harcourt as they garnered a total of twelve gold ,eight silver and eight bronze medals to emerge tops in the largely military tournament.
The Nigeria Police placed second with eight gold ,one silver and three bronze medals with the Nigeria Army in third place with a total of twenty medals(five gold give silver ten bronze).
Hosts River State placed seventh with two gold, two silver and one bronze medal.
“We(Rivers) will be better prepared by the time the 12th CNS National Swimming Championship would be due,” noted Director of the Rivers State Sports Council , Ibigoni Benjamin
Speaking at the closing ceremony and awards and medals’ presentation to respective winners at the championship on Saturday, Rear Admiral Patrick Nwatu, who represented the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel I Ogalla, commended the courage displayed by the participants during the competition, adding: “It is not easy to swim a stretch of 100m with almost the same bust of energy from the start to end, not to talk of pushing for about 1500m”.
On behalf of the Chief of Naval Staff, he expressed gratitude to the Rivers State Government, under the steering of Governor Siminialayi Joseph Fubara for the facilities provided in a very safe environment and thumbed up the National Sports Commission for providing the template that is now facilitating events like the 11th CNS National Swimming Championship.
Nwatu said: “Swimming and other water sports can be used to gainfully engage the youths of this country and keep them away from activities like bunkering, sea piracy and pipeline vandalism that sabotage our economy”.
On her part, the National President of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation, Chief Mrs. Chinoye Daphey Aliyu enthused that “the support the Federation received from all the Stakeholders ,such as the military and paramilitary, the Rivers State Government and the athletes especially shows that water sports, not just swimming will flourish in Nigeria and help the country to take its rightful place in the comity of sporting Nations.”
She also thanked the officials for applying the best standards in officiating, adding her hope that “athletes called from this competition would not only make the cut but be on the podium for awards at the All Africa Games”.
Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, Rilwanu Olatunji Disu, who stayed from start to finish on the final day also had words of praise for the Nigeria Aquatics Federation, noting however that he was not surprised at the impressive performance of the Nigeria Police contingent, given the emphasis that the Inspector General of Police places on personal and physical fitness vin a disciplined manner.
The Rivers COMPOL, who was accompanied by ACP Shuaibu Bello, the Swimming Boss of the Nigeria Police, disclosed that the Police, under the present IGP, rewards high sports performances in several ways, from cash through scholarship to promotion from one rank to another.
One of the gold medal winners, Ifeakachukwu Nmor (from the Fire Service) assured the Nigeria Aquatics Federation that he would strive to improve his time in the 50m freestyle,50m breaststroke and 200m individual medley by the time they would be going the All Africa Games in May 2024.
A foremost political pressure group in Delta State, Delta Unity Group (DUG), has congratulated Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and urged him to implement modernisation programmes, to bring about better quality of life for the people.
This is coming on the heels of Friday’s judgment of the Supreme Court, which affirmed the election of Governor Oborevwori.
DUG in a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Sir Sunny Areh, while congratulating Oborevwori, said “the long winding and tortuous legal battle has come to an end.”
Titled: ‘At The End, It’s All About Deltans’, the body said the judgment has ended challenges with respect to the 2023 governorship election, and wished the governor well “as he pilots the affairs of Delta State in the next three and a half years.”
The statement said: “After a long winding and tortuous legal challenge to the election of Sheriff Oborevwori as governor of Delta State, the process came to a definite conclusion on January 19 when the Supreme Court, the highest court in the land, ruled in favour of the governor.
“The judgment ends all challenges to his election. We congratulate Governor Oborevwori on his victory and wish him well as he pilots the affairs of Delta State for the next three and a half years.
“At Delta Unity Group (DUG), our position was inspired by the desire to chart a fresh course in the developmental trajectory of our people, a drive we share with progressive and committed ‘Deltans’.
“We remain committed to putting our people on sound developmental pedestal and will always support all efforts, programmes and policies geared towards improving their lot.
“As democrats, the DUG believes in the effectiveness of the democratic process and institutions as vehicles for attaining the aspirations of our people to high quality of life and security. We will work for the strengthening of our democratic institutions as we believe the fundamental objective of governance is the uplifting of the welfare and well-being of the people.
“Finally, we enjoin the governor to develop and implement modernisation programmes designed to bring better quality of living for the people of Delta State.”
SOME armed men have kidnapped the proprietor of a private school, Kogbodi International School, Ughelli in Ughelli North Local Government Area in Delta State.
The Nation gathered that the school proprietor, Mr. Patrick Kogbodi was abducted at about 7.30 am on his way to church.
It was learnt that the school owner was kidnapped in the vicinity of his home along Taiga Street, off Ughelli/Warri Expressway.
It was learnt that the kidnappers numbering five shot sporadically to scare off bystanders, driving off with the proprietor to an unknown destination.
There has been an upsurge in violent crime in the state, a recent one being the kidnap of a SeniorAdvocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Chike Onyemenam in Otulu community, near Asaba, the state capital.
Also, hoodlums numbering 20, laid siege at the Uvwiamuge axis of the Ughelli/Agbarho section of the East-West road in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, kidnapping no fewer than eight persons.
The Nation gathered that Mr Chike Onyemenam was released a week later after the payment of N7.5 million ransom from the initial N15 million demanded by the kidnappers.
A source said the kidnappers have not communicated their demands to the family of the victim.
Delta Commissioner of Police, Mr Adeleke Adeyinka confirmed the kidnap.
CRUDE oil vandals in the Niger Delta are said to be upgrading their tactics in order to remain a step ahead of security agencies, Shell Petroleum Development Company Nigeria Limited (SPDC) has said.
Disclosing this at a media workshop on Pipelines Right of Way held in Ekpan, Uvwie council area of Delta State, the company noted that the effects of these illegal activities on Nigeria’s economy, as well as the environment, call for collaboration among stakeholders.
General Manager, Igo Weli announced that the company now has in place high definition aerial cameras to facilitate detection, quick response to crude oil mishaps and track vandals across its assets in the region.
Weli who was represented at the event, said, “The thieves are getting more ingenious in their theft menace each day. Some just go and cut our pipelines into pieces just to sell the steel without looking at the consequences to their lives in case of an explosion or spill to the environment.
“They have devised all manner of methods just to steal the oil. Sometimes they just bring in a large vessel and connect it directly to the pipeline and siphon crude from it.”
He added that the high definition air “cameras are attached to specialised helicopters which carry out daily overflight on our facilities. This measure has improved the surveillance of our joint venture assets.”
Emphasising that the loss of a barrel of crude is a loss to the nation, he explained that 55 percent of the business goes as revenue to the federal government to provide Nigeria’s needs.
He also pointed out that the Niger Delta states are “dependent,” on the 13 percent derivation from the petroleum industry, hence the effect of sabotaging oil installations will trickle down to the grassroots.
The installation of Obi Ifechukwude Chukuka Okonjo 11 of Ogwashi-Uku kingdom has thrown the kingdom into turmoil. Another prince, Nathan Okonjo, claims he has been installed by an aggrieved party, writes Okungbowa Aiwerie in Asaba
OGWASHI-UKU Kingdom in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State is on the boil again. At the centre of the debacle is a decade old kingship tussle, which predates Obi Ifechukwude Chukuka Okonjo 11, who succeeded Obi Ben Chukuka Okonjo, a professor of mathematics and father of ex-Finance Minister Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
The new obi’s coronation followed the endorsement and presentation by the Umu Obi Obahai royal family of Ogwashi-Uku and the traditional chalking and crowning ceremonies conducted by the Ikelike and Agidiehi (kingmakers) in Ogwashi Uku.
Despite the colourful ceremonies heralding the reign of the young monarch, a faction of the royal family, led by Prince Nathan Okonjo and his siblings, is on the warpath.
Historically, the Umu Obi Obahai royal family had suffered usurpation by the Dieyi’s regency for 140 years. But in a landmark ruling, an Asaba High Court on January 24, 2007, restored the throne to the Umu Obi Obahai royal family.
Despite the court judgment, peace has eluded the Ogwashi-Uku royal family as litigation continues to threaten the community’s unity and peace.
The crux of the matter, according to Prince Nathan Okonjo, lies in the correct interpretation of the judgment by Justice S.C Oseji, which states in item (ii): “It is the duty of the said family to meet to examine the eldest son of the late Obi and his qualifications as hereinbefore stated. It is this meeting of the sole ruling dynasty which is entitled to resolve all questions as to the qualifications and fitness for appointment and all pre-selection claims or counter-claims. If any, including in case of any dispute arising as to seniority in age between two sons of the late obi by different mothers, to determine the issue of seniority between the two sons and put forward the elder son for the succession.”
He alleged that some key family members were induced financially, saying that due process was not followed in the selection of the incumbent obi.
Prince Nathan Okonjo said: “I went to court because our family, the larger Umu Obi Obahai family, did the wrong thing. The Hon. Justice Oseji judgment was in favour of the Umu Obi Obahai family that went to court, but within the Umu Obi Obahai family is the Okonjo dynasty-the sole owners of the throne. Instead of allowing us (Okonjos) do the normal thing as the court-ordered i.e. picking and selecting a candidate to be put forward, the Umu Obi Obahai now decided to award the obiship to Prof Okonjo without following due process. Of course, right from the outset, I objected. I wrote a protest letter to the kingmakers telling them that they should not be in a hurry to chalk anybody. I told them that the man they are bringing forward is not fit and proper to rule. I have copies of these letters (displaying a sheaf of papers). The one we wrote on February 8, 2007, soon after the judgment, then the one of February 21, 2007, on the same subject-matter. You know the daughter was a one-time Finance mnister of the federation; she aided him.”
He went on: “Some of us objected, pointing out that due process was not followed. That process is for the Okonjos to sit and decide because as it is, at the time of the judgment, nobody’s father was an obi. So, for someone to make the claim of succession from father to son is ludicrous. My father was the last of the Okonjos that lived and he instituted this legal action that proved successful in 1984. If things were done properly, I, being the eldest son, should be selected, but they used unorthodox means to get him (Prof Okonjo) there.”
In his protest letter to the chairman of Aniocha South Traditional Council, Prince Okonjo said the procedure for selection of obi is that the Emordi family, acting through the Diokpa of the Emordi family, requests the Okonjo family to meet and provide two candidates for confirmation by the Emordi family. Also, the confirmation of the two candidates by an oracle must be witnessed by three or four persons in the Emordi family, one being a woman.
According to him, this crucial process was bypassed. The Umu-Obi Obahai family, he said, acted outside the main Umu Emordi group. Their (Umu Obi Obahai) only role is to accept the nomination of the Okonjo family as presented by the Umu Emordi family.
In furtherance of his desire to become king, Prince Nathan has commenced the chalking rites preparatory to being crowned obi.
He added that his action is based on an Ogwashi Uku High Court’s judgment by Justice Tessy Diai delivered on November 22, 2012.
Prince Nathan Okonjo said he had been chalked and installed by the Umuonihe Adimoso Ruling House.
According to Nathan Okonjo, the Umuonihe Adimoso, according to Justice Diai, is entitled to nominate, recommend and present a candidate for the conferment of the chieftaincy title of Onihe of Ogwashi-Uku, which also installs an Obi.
He said the age-long Ogwashi-Uku succession tradition of primogeniture cannot be swept under the carpet, adding that as the eldest male in the Okonjo family; he is the authentic obi of Ogwashi-Uku kingdom.
The late Obi Okonjo
Also, there is another suit instituted last year by Prince Clement Okonjo at an Ogwashi Uku High Court challenging the new monarch.
The suit between Prince Clement Okonjo and others vs Prof Ben Okonjo and six others has, among other reliefs, a perpetual injunction seeking to stop Obi Ifechukwude 11, who is listed as the fifth defendant, from parading himself as the crown prince to the throne.
Prince Clement Okonjo said because Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo 11 was joined in the suit, it was wrong for him to have allowed himself to be crowned as obi of Ogwashi-Uku.
His words: “This is because whether an interlocutory injunction has been granted or not against the installed obi, one should obey and respect the rule of law by holding forth until the matter is dispensed with.”
Reacting to insinuations that the new monarch was crowned in error, the Ogwashi-Uku royal family faulted such claims.
In a statement jointly signed by the Acting Diokpa; Umu Obi Obahai royal family; Prince Emmanuel Nwokolie Ohei; Ozoma of Ogwashi-Uku; and Palace Secretary Prince Okolobi Nkemjika Lawrence; Prince Ifeakanachukwu Emordi; they urged the public and the people of Ogwashi-Ukwu to disregard any misinformation being peddled by “some disgruntled individuals”.
The seven-paragraph statement reads: “It has come to our attention that Patrick Okonjo, a renegade and serial petition writer has issued a statement in which he claims to be speaking for the Umu Obi Obahai royal family.
“We want to make this known: Patrick Okonjo does not speak for the family; he speaks only for himself as he has always done.
Prince Nathan Okonjo
“We urge our people, the public, media and all stakeholders to ignore the reckless comments of Patrick. He has been issuing such frivolous statement and filing frivolous court cases in pursuit of his selfish interest for over a decade.
“The Umu Obi Obahai royal family is united in its decision which produced Obi Ifechukwude Chukwuka Okonjo. And this decision has been endorsed by Agidiehe and Ikelike , the kingmakers. The successful installation, enthronement and the joy of the people last Friday (September 13, 2019) knows no bounds and goes to show that the people of Ogwashi-Uku are happy with this decision.”
According to the statement, the new obi is rounding off the remaining traditional processes and set to begin his reign, adding: “ We thank God for making the process smooth and we also ask Ogwashians to pray for the progress and development of our great kingdom.”
Certainly, the last has not been heard in the hometown of the Okonjos.
Twelve million naira worth of jewelleries, as well as other valuables, have reportedly gone missing, after the disappearance of a young lady identified as Sonia Akpeki, in Sapele, Delta State.
Sonia, also known as “So Nia,” is said to be in her early twenties and is a student of the Delta State University, Abraka.
She reportedly ran away with her boyfriend to Ghana, with the valuables stolen from her uncle, Mr. Ogbimi Benjamin’s wife.
It was gathered that suspect broke into the said uncle’s room and allegedly made away with the items belonging to Mrs. Ogbimi, who sells cosmetics in Sapele.
It further revealed that N300, 000 bounty is being offered to anyone with useful information about the whereabouts of the fleeing lady.
Sonia’s phone, it was gathered, had been switched off since the incident, as repeated calls to her line informed.
Efforts to get Mr Ogbimi’s comments on the issue proved futile.
Meanwhile, a family source, name withheld, has claimed that there was no disagreement between the suspect and her uncle’s wife before the development.
Disclosing that efforts are on to arrest her, the family member stated, “Sonia is a thief. She broke into our uncle’s room and stole a box of gold and other valuables including expensive clothes, and then disappeared. Nobody knows where she has gone but some persons are saying she is in Ghana with her boyfriend, others are saying she is hiding in Benin.
“What she did is barbaric especially for a family that has been training her in school. This is not the first time she will be stealing from our uncle. This one is just too much. She must produce the items she stole.
“Our uncle’s wife is a very good person and she has been supporting her school financially aside the money our uncle gives to her. She was not being maltreated at all. The woman treats her as her own daughter.”
When contacted, the State Commissioner of Police, Adeyinka Adeleke, however said that the matter was yet to be reported to the police.
