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Tag: Delta State

  • State of emergency should cover more areas —AVM Ararile

    State of emergency should cover more areas —AVM Ararile

    The Ovie of Umiaghwa-Abraka Kingdom in Ethiope-East Local Government Area of Delta State, His Royal Majesty, Lucky Ochuko Ararile, Awaeke 1, is not just another traditional ruler. He is a retired Air Vice Marshall (AVM). His military involvement in Chad, Liberia and Sierra Leone and at home largely served as the basis for his appointment as the pioneer Coordinator of the Federal Government’s Amnesty Programme for ex-militants. He spoke to Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia on his life as a traditional ruler, his military years and the security challenge in the country.

    The Amnesty Programme that you started, can you tell us how you got involved in it, and are you satisfied with where it is today?

    I can say that since I left the amnesty programme in 2010, they have made quite an effort. The second phase which is the demobilisation and reintegration is very challenging. One thing is to train them, and the other one is to get them employed and we are talking of about 30,000 persons. When I finished the disarmament, we actually had 20,000 plus but subsequently more were added and it is now about 30,000. We are only talking about people who carried arms or purportedly carried arms. We have a lot of youths, millions of them, that are yet be attended to in the Niger Delta. And if they are not taken care of, they might think the only way government responds to issues is when they get violent. That message need to be avoided, the youth problem must be addressed holistically in the Niger Delta and indeed Nigeria.

    Can you tell us your challenges when you started the Amnesty Programme?

    O yes! There were lots of problems, serious logistic problems. For example, there were no camps to keep the ex-militants. Funds were not released on time to pay their stipends until they started to riot. It appeared to me that those that thought out the programme did not believe it would work. There were even deliberate attempts to sabotage the programme. Some preferred the military option instead. These were the contending forces one had to out-manoeuvre to achieve whatever level of success we were able to achieve.

    Would you say that when you entered the creeks you were apprehensive that anything could happen to you?

    Of course, anything could have happened. We were ready for anything. It will interest you to know that three of the four helicopters belonging to the Nigerian Navy and OAS which we used during the amnesty have crashed. I condole with the families of these gallant pilots who displayed exceptional courage during the disarmament exercise. Well, these crashes could have happened then and that is the risk of the job.

    From your present status as  a traditional ruler how best do you think government  should tackle the security challenges facing the country, especially the Boko Haram problem?

    Well I am happy that President Goodluck Jonathan has gone ahead to declare a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. However, if I were to advise, I   would have recommended that Bauchi, Kano and Gombe be included. This is because as the operation in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa progresses, there will be relocation of Boko Haram elements to these other states. Having said that, I think it is necessary for us to really analyse Boko Haram. After the fall of Hissen Habre in Chad, some renegade Chadians occupied Bama and Baga areas where coincidentally the Boko Haram is concentrating its efforts in the latest insurgency. Gen Buhari led the operation to flush them out. The Maitatsine sect with similar religious and operational doctrines unleashed mayhem on Borno, Adamawa and Kano. President Shagari at the time ordered the military to deal decisively with them. Subsequently, the whole of the North East became insecure due to the activities of nomadic Chadians and others. So, it appears to me that Boko Haram, by their modus operandi, are not Nigerians. There may be a few Nigerians who are in nominal leadership positions, I do not believe that Nigerians will indiscriminately be killing Muslims, Christians, burning down schools and hoisting flags. People who are taking this as religious are missing the point, so I support the President’s action completely. But for his decisive action, Boko Haram would have spread to Sokoto, Kebbi, Taraba, Kogi etc by 2015 and most of the so- called northern elders would have  been dealt with by Boko Haram.

    The best strategy really in dealing with Boko Haram is to cut off their sources of funding and target the leadership.

    As a traditional ruler now, how are you coping with the needs of your people and the pressure that comes with leading the community as opposed to the regimented life in the military where you came from?

    Leadership in whatever form, whether as a monarch or a commander, is all about the people and use of resources. In the military you have what they call institutional power. You have the power by law, the authority. But as a monarch it is the people themselves that give you the authority. You don’t have any coercive instrument, so you must persuade. Once you are able to explain to them, you don’t have problems.  I don’t take any decision on my own.

     How much of your privacy has your new status as traditional ruler taken away?

    Not at all. In the palace I am not under any restriction. There is nothing that I am forced to do. I still go and play my golf, visit my friends and if my friends want to visit me, they visit. No restriction whatsoever.

    Did you have the premonition that one day you would be a traditional ruler?

    No, No, No. When I wake up I still wonder how I got to this place. I had retired for almost a year before I was called to be king. It is a noble and humbling experience.

    How is life after military service?

    Well, it has been quite an experience and challenging too: two different ball games. It demands different approaches and competencies in dealing with human beings.

    Let’s look at the regimental life in the military. How was it?

    One is grateful to God. Looking back, one served for over 35 years- from the age of 20 years. So a very substantial part of my life was spent in the military. My story is essentially the military part of my life. I went to the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) for the basic military training and thereafter went to various flying training schools of  the Royal Air Force as well as the United States Air Force. Subsequently, I participated in many military operations both within and outside the country. I participated in the OAU Peace Keeping Operations in Chad in 1980; ECOMOG operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone from 1990 to 2000, among others. Internally, I was involved in the Joint Task Force, Operation Restore Hope in the Niger Delta and then the Amnesty Programme. So it was a very busy engagement while it lasted.

    Could you recall  your most memorable moments  in the Air Force?

    Easily the most memorable for me was the operation to insert Nigerian troops into Lungi Airport in Freetown, Sierra Leone, to counter the coup by Major Johnny Koroma. It fell on me to take the Air Force C130 airplane, with a crew of nine, to airlift some troops from Liberia to Lungi. At the time of the coup, only the Air Force had about 30 personnel on ground. We had earlier moved our war planes to Guinea immediately the coup was announced. We used to operate from Sierra Leone to Liberia. The situation on ground was dire. The Air force personnel were low on ammunition, food and other supplies. The Sierra Leonean army occupied the southern end of the airport including part of   the runway while the Nigerian Air Force personnel occupied the northern end. As a result, we had to use half of the runway that was occupied by our troops, landing and taking off in opposite directions in order not to overfly Sierra Leonean positions. We deceived the Sierra Leonean Army into believing we had authority from Major Koroma to land. By the time they realised what we were up to, we had inserted about a company of troops led by then Lt Col Kwaskebe, with two MOWAG armoured fighting vehicles, four jeeps and enough ammunition and food to sustain operations for two weeks. The same night we completed the mission, the Sierra Leonean army attacked our troops. Their barrack by the airport was overrun by our soldiers and the airport was secured for the subsequent operations by Brigadier General Maxwell Kobe. Without that airlift by the air force, it would have been impossible to overthrow Major Johnny Koroma. So I was happy to have participated in that operation.

    Looking back  at your role at that point which seemed to have changed the whole game, would  you say that you are happy today?

    Yes, I am happy about our contribution, even though it’s unrecognised. It is not in the nature of the air force or indeed the military to advertise the roles they play, but we all have our stories to tell.

    You also saw action in Liberia. Various stories have been told about what happened there concerning Nigerian troops. Tell us more about Nigeria’s role.

    I was a pilot, I flew in from Nigeria. Sometimes, I spent a week or more in Monrovia depending on the nature of ongoing operations but I was not directly involved in army type of operations on ground. So those who were responsible for physical security and the fighting on ground will avail you with the facts more than me. But I am aware of what happened but I cannot be categorical.

    As a pilot, how do you feel when you hear of plane crashes in the country. Are they caused by pilot’s error or mechanical problems?

    A lot of things could lead to air crashes.  It could be pilot’s error; it could be technical problems; it could be procedural errors. It could be a problem with  inadequate infrastructure: no radar, no radios, control procedures,  et cetera. So each crash must be investigated and the causes or findings released to the public for the benefit of all. To tell the truth, things are much better now than in our time.

    The Air Force Dornier that crashed carrying military personnel I learnt you were supposed to be on that aircraft?

    Those were my pilots.  I was their commander at 81 Air Maritime Group. So I knew them. They were fine pilots and gentlemen. At the time the accident happened I had left the unit and was in Abuja.

    Were you surprised when you heard of the crash and you must have been used to that aircraft, could it have been a technical error?

    There was no problem with the aircraft, that particular accident was weather related, it had nothing to do with technical fault and the pilots were ok, but they ran into very severe weather which led to the crash, it had nothing to do with the condition of the airplane or the pilot.

  • SURE-P kits youths, others in Delta

    THE Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) has cheered up youths in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State.

    How? It provided over 900 of them with work kits to enable them lead independent lives, apart from contributing meaningfully to the economy of the state.

    The distribution of the tools took place at Otorho-Agbon, headquarters of the local government area.

    The benefiting youths were spread across the 11 wards in the council. Others also gained from the programme.

    Items presented were clippers and generating sets to 100 barbers, hair-dryers and generating sets to 100 hair-dressers, sewing machines and generating sets to 200 tailors, while tricycles were distributed to 30 persons for mass transport. Eight persons got tricycle trucks for transportation of farm produce.

    Two hundred and thirty women were given N50,000 each to recapitalise their mini-trades and mass transit businesses. Some, like the elderly, needed the cash so they could buy blood pressure apparatus.

    In addition, 60 women were linked up with a consultancy, Dibof Enterprises Limited based in Lagos to train them in different areas of micro-enterprises. such skills include soap and detergent making, printing of recharge cards, production of confectionaries, air fresheners, among others.

    Speaking at the event, Ethiope East Council Chairman, Sunday Eromedoghene Onoriode said the SURE-P, which cuts across political parties, is in compliance with the directive of the Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to implement it in the 25 councils.

    Onoriode explained that Ethiope East received N70,670,280,006, being its share of the subsidy proceeds for the period covering from May, 2012 to January 2013.

    He said it complemented the wisdom of the state and Federal Government, which deemed it necessary to align with the programme, to bring succour to impoverished Nigerians.

    Onoriode explained that the Federal Government in January, 2012 approved the partial withdrawal of oil subsidy from the Nigerian petroleum market, though added that the dividends of the subsidy will be reinvested in the welfare of th people.

    Represented at the programme launch by the Commissioner, Directorate of Local Government Affairs and the Accounting Officer of the SURE-P Mr. Neword Safugha, Governor Uduaghan said the programme was in line with the three-point agenda of his administration.

    Dr Uduaghan advised beneficiaries to make judicious use of what they received under the programme.

    The Political Adviser to the Governor and Deputy Chairman, Delta State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ighoyota Amori; Director-General of Federal Budget, Dr. Bright Okogu, the Ethiope East leader and party chairman, Chief Bernard Edewor and Dr. Kings Okpako hailed the council chairman, Sunday Onoriode for his initiative in ensuring that the empowerment benefited the down-trodden.

    They said that the programme was one of the best in the country.

  • Delta tackles kidnappers

    I know kidnapping won’t stop like that. But as the government has started crushing their dens, anyone that allows his house to be used for kidnapping activities knows the house will be demolished

    THERESA did not imagine what would befall her as she drove her grey coloured Honda CRV around Aladja, Delta State, early this year. In a twinkle of an eye, she was abducted by a gang that swooped on her. And save for the timely interception of a team of anti-crime patrol duty policemen from the Abraka Division, her family and friends would have had to look for ransom to set her free.

    Following a radio message from the police control, the police were able to prevent the kidnap. Such was not the case for many kidnap victims in the state.

    Had the kidnappers been successful, they would have opened a channel of communication, usually by the mobile telephone, with a victim’s loved one. Bargaining, logistics, grief, pains, fear, and exchange of money would follow.

    While kidnapping has become a plague in the country, the situation in Delta State has become very worrisome. In a recent statement by the Delta State Commissioner of Police, 139 armed robbers and kidnappers were arrested between January and April 2013, while 29 were killed in action. And while 36 kidnapped victims were rescued by the Delta State Police Command, a lot more kidnap victims met other fate.

    Notoriously known as the state with the highest number of kidnappings, the fear of kidnapping is very rife in Delta State. Company executives, top government officials and all rich men go about with armed security guards. They are prime targets.

    “A lot of people are being kidnapped every day,” said George (not real name). “The kidnappers can catch anybody and when they demand for ransom, what goes on is like bargaining. I know someone that when he was kidnapped, the kidnappers asked for five million naira. At the end of the day, when the person’s family couldn’t raise that sum, they collected N200, 000 and freed him.”

    And one place fingered as harbouring the majority of the kidnappers is Urhoboland. According to a victim who was kidnapped on the outskirts of Benin City in Edo State, he could hear the people in the village where he was kept conversing in Urhobo. “I heard the elders discuss; I heard children talk as they passed and walked to school. I cannot speak the language, but I recognise, it very well.” she said.

    Onoriode Sunday Eromedoghene, the chairman of the Ethiope-East Local Government Area, where Kokori is situated, confirmed this trend. “It is true that the state of kidnapping is alarming,” he said. “But, the traditional rulers are in the best position to talk about it.”

    Perhaps, it is to acknowledge the fact that these kidnappers are not ghosts that informed the decision of the administration of Governor Emmanual Uduaghan not to hand over a staff of office to a newly installed monarch in the state till his community is able to hand over Kelvin Oniarah. Oniarah is said to be the suspected kingpin of the kidnappers. Though, they said he rarely comes around the town, he is reputed to possess spiritual powers from a shrine to make him ‘disappear.’ According to a statement from the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Ikechukwu Aduba, Kokori, a town in Ethiope-East Local Government Area, harbours Kelvin Oniarah, the most wanted suspected kidnapper. The fair-skinned 25-year old man is said to head a notorious gang responsible for over 30 kidnapping and robbery operations across the state. So notorious is he that the Delta State Police Command has declared Kelvin, as he is popularly called, wanted. But Kelvin remains at large.

    Currently, along many roads in the hinterlands, it is not strange to find security posts manned by fierce-looking army personnel and mobile policemen. Cars are inspected and okada (commercial motorcycles) have been banned from operating in Kokori, Isiokolo, Okpara, Eku and Abraka – towns in the Ethiope-East Local Government Area. The commercial motorcycles had earlier been banned in Asaba, the state capital, and Warri. And in a bid to crush the kidnappers, the Delta State Police Command with the backing of the Delta State government, has been demolishing identified operational bases where kidnappers keep innocent citizens. So far, about seven buildings have been destroyed. Kelvin’s father’s house was among those destroyed.

    A house was demolished at Orogun where the Accountant of the Delta State University, Abraka was held; another one at Ozoro where Major Gen. Peter Onode (rtd) was held was demolished; a house at Kokori and another one in Warri, where a female victim was held, were also pulled down.

    While a section of people in these communities adores these kingpins and sees them as messiahs because of the cash they dole out regularly, another section dreads them. Either way, members of these communities do not squeal, either from being beneficiaries of the kidnappers’ largesse or from fear. According to a resident of Samagidi, a town close to Kokori, who would not reveal his name, anyone that loves his life dare not report them. “You just look and go on your own,” he said. “They have informants everywhere. Anytime, security vans or strange people enter the community, they have people who inform them. And they are always never caught. But, people around here know them.”

    And while for many people, the fear of kidnappers is potent, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Lucky Uyabeme, believes that the tide of kidnapping is on the decrease.

    But there is still a disturbing case. That is the matter of Dr. Mercy Mukoubia, a lecturer in the Science Education Department of the Delta State University, Abraka. Kidnapped from her bedroom in Obiaruku in April, she has not been seen since then. An attempt to rescue her after a N1.2 million ransom was dropped at Ozoro was botched. An accomplice was shot and others were arrested. Uyabeme says the case “is something of a mystery.”

    And three weeks ago, the wife of the traditional ruler of Ughelli Kingdom, was kidnapped when she went to register for her courses at the Delta State University, Abraka. She was rescued by the police who also demolished the building where she was kept. The Delta State University administration is worried over this trend as lecturers and their relations have become targets.

    In May, the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Abraka branch, Dr. Emmanuel Mordi, complained to the Commissioner of Police, Ikechukwu Aduba, that at least 20 lecturers and their relations had been kidnapped in the last two years.

    A retired staff of the Delta State University, Abraka believes that the government’s move to destroy any building used as a kidnappers’ base would serve as deterrence.

    He said: “I know kidnapping won’t stop like that. But as the government has started crushing their dens, anyone that allows his house to be used for kidnapping activities knows the house will be demolished.”

    As the war goes on, it is no doubt that the state government together with the security personnel are determined to flush out criminals. This move of demolishing kidnappers’ dens has recently been adopted by the Edo State government.

  • Ibori: Court to hear Delta government’s application July 10

    Ibori: Court to hear Delta government’s application July 10

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed July 10 for the hearing of a application by Delta State Government, seeking to claim the $15million bribe allegedly offered former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu, by jailed ex-Delta State Governor, James Ibori.

    The bribe was allegedly meant by Ibori to stop the commission from further investigating him for the “alleged massive looting” of the state treasury while in office.

    Justice Gabriel Kolawole fixed the date on Monday following a recent ruling by the Court of Appeal, Abuja, striking out an application by a Lagos-based refrigerator repairer, Olalekan Bayode seeking to halt further hearing in a suit pending the hearing of his appeal.

    When the case was called, parties were set to argue the application by Delta State, but the court said it was inconvenient in view of its tight schedule and directed them to choose a fresh date

    The Federal Government had applied to the court for an order of forfeiture and to direct the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), where Ribadu had lodged the bribe money he rejected, to release it to the government should no one showed up to claim the money.

    Delta State government later came forward to claim the ownership of the money.

    It claimed that Ibori, being the state governor when the bribe money was offered, must have taken the money from the state’s coffers.

    Before Delta State’s application could be heard, Bayode applied that he should be appointed as a manager to disburse the money to the needy people in the society, especially widows and orphans through a charitable organization.

    He applied to be joined in the case and prayed that the money to be released to him.

    In a ruling, Justice Kolawole dismissed Bayode’s application for being frivolous and lacking in merit.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Reduce cost of governance, leaders urged

    Reduce cost of governance, leaders urged

    The Delta State chapter of the Campaign for Good Governance has inaugurated members of its executive committee and local government co-coordinators, with a call on political leaders to reduce the cost of governance for sustainable democracy.

    The event, which attracted people from across spheres of human endeavour and civil society organisations across the state included a lecture which had as its theme-”High Cost of Running Government in Nigeria.”

    They include Prof. Patrick Igbigbi, Provost, Delta State University, Anwai Campus, Asagba of Asaba, Obi Prof. Chike Edozien, represented by Eso Ongaye, Onoi of Asaba , Delta State Commissioner for Commerce Kingsley Emu and a host of others.

    The guest lecturer, who was an ex-presidential aide and ex-Commissioner of Economic Planning in the State Mr. Clement Ofuani, urged a rethink of running governments, stressing that spending about 70 per cent to 80 per cent of the budget on recurrent costs and a paltry 20 per cent to 30 per cent on capital development is a recipe for under-development.

    According to Ofuani, developing countries such as Nigeria are prone to corruption due to reasons such as widespread poverty, lack of social security framework and failure of institutions charged with enforcing laws.

    He said the impact of corruption on high cost of running government are creation of offices and position for accommodation of protégés, cronies without respect to public interest.

    Another impact of corruption, he said, is making of procurement without following due process and competitive pricing, including poor quality jobs leading to additional ameliorative expenses.

    Ofuani said high cost of governance can be ameliorated by privatisation, use of information communication technology, incentives, accountability and law enforcement.

    Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Patrick Igbigbi emphasised the need to reduce governance, noting that Nigeria lags behind most in the same income bracket due to high cost of governance.

    In his opening speech, Coordinator, Obaro Onuafe urged the electorate to develop the culture of vigilance, charging them on the need to hold leaders accountable.

    He blamed the low level of development on an immature political class.

    The high point of the occasion was the formal swearing-in of the state executive members and local government coordinators.

  • Ibori fails to get 13-year jail term reduced

    Ibori fails to get 13-year jail term reduced

    Jailed former Delta State governor, James Ibori, has lost an appeal against his 13-year prison sentence for embezzling 50 million pounds.

    Reuters reports that Judge Antony Edwards-Stuart on Thursday in London rejected Ibori’s appeal for a reduction of his sentence and said that money laundering should attract close to the maximum 14-year sentence.

    Ibori pleaded guilty to 10 charges of fraud and money-laundering in February 2012.

  • Western Delta Varsity graduates 198

    Western Delta Varsity graduates 198

    A total of 198 students have graduated from the Western Delta University, Oghara in Delta State.

    They were the first set of students to be awarded first degree by the university and none of them made a first class degree at the institution first convocation ceremony held last weekend.

    The two best graduating students, Efevberha Oghenevbaire and Emuobohwo Joy were awarded N100,000 cash each by the institution and a scholarship by the Delta State Government for post graduate studies in any foreign university.

    Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Peter Hugho in his address warned parents against sending their wards to study in any African University especially those along the West African coast.

    Prof. Hugho said the Web metric ranking of African universities showed that Ghana universities were not better than Nigeria public universities.

    The VC stated that the instability in Nigeria’s universities adduced by parents for sending their children to foreign universities was not found in private universities.

    He noted that there has been no incidences of disruption of academic activities brought abot by unionism in private universities.

    According to him, “It is my contention that private universities are on to rescue the educational system from the decadence into which it is sliding. This is because the student will be getting good quality education free of minimal vices in a well organized and regulated environment”.

    Pro-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Andrew Onokehoraye called for amendment of the laws establishing the Tertiary Education Trust Fund to enable it contribute to the development of private universities in the country.

    The former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin said private universities generate their own funding and are expected to play by the same rules in terms of infrastructures, admissions, teaching and research as prescribed by NUC and JAMB.

    He called for understanding of the fact that the goals of universities whether federal, state or private universities are to produce educated workforce that will meet Nigeria’s need in the 21st century.

    Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan who announced the scholarship for the two best students promised to support the university in actualising its dreams.

  • Chambers advocates home-grown investment

    Chambers advocates home-grown investment

    The President of Warri Chamber of Commerce, Mines Industry and Agriculture, Alex Sharta has urged all wealthy Nigerians to invest in nation’s economy, saying such efforts will impact positively on the gross domestic product (GDP) among others.

    The chambers boss made this remark recently at a press conference to herald the forthcoming 50th golden jubilee celebration of the chamber in Warri, Delta State.

    Speaking earlier, the chairman of the local organising committee, Sir Simon Asite said, the 50th anniversary tagged: “The Role of Agriculture in nation-building” will also discuss other sub-themes like job creation, raw material production to power industrialization as well as commerce and human capital development.

    Among the dignitaries expected at the event include Chief Edwin Clark, former Federal Minister of Information, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, as the guest speaker and the Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, etc.

  • Scholarships for Delta private university students

    Scholarships for Delta private university students

    Scholarships for Delta private university students

    Students from privately owned institutions in Delta State now have an opportunity to benefit from the state’s government scholarship and bursary schemes.

    The decision was made known by the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan last week when he received a delegation from Novena University, Ogume in Asaba.

    The governor, who expressed surprise when he heard that students from privately owned institutions were unjustly excluded from the scheme, said the scholarship and bursaries were meant for all Deltans regardless of their institutions.

    He directed the State Ministry of Education and Scholarship Board to ensure that that all higher institutions in the state whether public or private be included in the scheme.

    “I am surprised to hear that students of private institutions were not benefitting from the bursary and scholarship programmes. The programmes are for all students of Delta State origin in higher institutions whether owned by government or private individuals,” the governor stated.

    Delighted by the governor’s decision some students from privately owned institutions who spoke with our correspondents said the bursary and scholarship scheme will ease the financial burdens of their parents and enable them enjoy some benefits available to their counterparts in government owned institutions”.

    Blessing Lawrence, a student of Western Delta University, Oghara said if implemented, the governor’s gesture will give students in private universities a sense of belonging. “I’m very happy because if the governor’s orders are implemented it will give those of us in private institutions a sense of belonging. We will be able to enjoy the benefits our counterparts in government owned schools enjoy.”

    For Daniel Okodua, a third year student of Novena University Ogume, participating in the bursary and scholarship schemes will ease the financial burdens of parents who have children in private institutions. He said: “If we can get scholarships and bursaries like those in public universities, it will go a long way in easing the financial burdens of our parents. They will be able to save money in order to meet other needs”.

  • Deltans are my passion in 2013

    Deltans are my passion in 2013

    I think that our problems lie more with us and with the values choices that we have made and not with our form of Government or the constitution that we have. I think that with the right values, we can succeed even with the worst constitution.

    We make the constitution, the constitution does not make us, therefore it can only be as good as what we put inside it. I want to say that nothing in 2013 as a year will change the hunger and desire that led me into public life: the people. So if you ask me about my passion for 2013 and beyond, the people will remain the centre of my passion. My passion is the people.

    I love to serve—service to humanity. I love to make a difference. I love to leave a legacy of change in the lives of people. I am in leadership today and I am contending with the challenges of leadership. I came to this position having followed, read, served and observed leaders in action and therefore with a clear understanding that leadership is the ep icenter of the solution to the numerous challenges that we face today as a state or nation.

    Well the last sentence might seem like a leaf taken from Chinua Achebe’s famous little book: the trouble with Nigeria when he evoked his theory that ‘ the trouble with Nigeria is leadership’. I adopt his position with a slight modification. I want to add that while leadership is an issue, the people have their own role as well. The people must hold their leaders to account in a responsible manner. And to do this, the people must also discharge their own obligations. The people must insist on truth, integrity and service to community as irreducible minimum in supporting any leader.

    If this were then to happen, we would sooner than we think have a culture of leadership that makes difference in a way that significantly alters the lives of our people for the better: a transformative leadership.

    And so for any leadership to be truly worth its name, it must make an impact in the lives of our people. For me since assuming office, the task was clear: how do we transform Delta state in way that enables the people to harness all opportunities that are abundant in our state.

    To accomplish these aims have not often been as easy as I have stated. Indeed, if it were, then we would not be talking about leadership challenges. But because it is not, that is why as a leader I have to exert considerable energy, time and resources with all the political footwork and skill available to me to drive forward this vision.

    In 2007, when we first assumed office, we outlined our three point agenda of Peace and Security, Human Capital and Infrastructure Development as the roadmap for the Delta beyond Oil vision of the administration.

    We must build key infrastructure that will trigger private sector investment. It, at the same time, imposed on us the obligation that we must develop a strong human capital that will support such investment and the state and thus make Delta state economy a competitive one.

    As a goal, it is long term but I am must add that it is worth it. If we had not started we would not today be more secure.

    We have moved decisively on several fronts. Our peace and security agenda is now with passage of time not as celebrated as it once was. I want to recall that for a long time, at least for the period when peace and stability eluded the Niger Delta region, we were a show piece following our engagement approach, which I dare say was the forerunner to the federal government amnesty programme.

    Beyond this, we were also concerned with the internal cohesion of Delta state as a political unit. Thus we were determined to rise above ethnic or political division by adopting a policy of inclusive government and inclusive development. We are making sure that appointments and projects are spread to every corner of the state, to deal with the problem of lamentation of marginalization or neglect. Today, I don’t recall any section of the State with the fear of dominance, despite the difference in tribe and tongue. State or nation building have not always been an easy task, but by building social cohesion we are making great progress.

    I am leaving the last bit on infrastructure in the concluding part of this essay, not because I rate them as unimportant.

    We blazed the trail in award of scholarship to first class graduates, in addition to the various scholarship/bursaries schemes enjoyed by Deltans, education in Delta state is virtually free. Over 18,000 class rooms have been renovated or built with over 100 schools constructed to international standards. The structure of our model schools are architectural showpiece that have marveled anyone who have seen them; we have also built a brand new international airport that is easily the best in the country in Asaba and should in the new year upgrade the Osubi airport to international level. our multiple health programs is giving access to the poor to take care of thier health challenges. Under our careful management, we are making Oghara teaching hospital a great centre of healthcare and it should in no time become a reference point in Africa. Our IPP programme is on course, the Industrial clusters in Warri and Asaba will make great progress in the 2013. We are committed to reactivating ailing industries or selling off those that draw private sector interests.

    We will in 2013 setup 10 agro-based industrial plants, its take off should begin early in the New Year and should boost employment and agriculture production in the state. Our micro credit system should be able to impact 25,000 more recipients in addition to the 100,000 that had already benefitted. Our road rehabilitation and construction will not slack as we are determined to increase our network grid of roads. We have one of the most active public transport systems with our buses and other forms of transportation.

    A lot is being done.

    Delta state will continue to make the great progress we promised, focused on the people and addressing the needs of the people.