The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Delta

  • Delta Ijaw communities oppose annexation to Ondo

    Delta Ijaw communities oppose annexation to Ondo

    Opuama and Polubobo (Tsekelewu) communities in Egbema Kingdom, Warri North Local Government of Delta State, have raised the alarm over a plot to annex them into Ilaje and Ese-Odo councils of Ondo State.

    They described the move as a “security threat” to the communities.

    A statement signed by Chief David Ugedi (Boundary committee chairman, Opuama), Dr. Bright Abulu (president-general of Polobubo community) and others said Ondo State Government Performance and Implementation Monitoring Unit (ODSGPPIMU) had produced a map annexing Opuama (Atilabo), Tsekelewu and Okirigbo communities to Ilaje East Local Development Area (LCDA), under Ugbo Ward 5.

    The statement said an earlier move to counter the development was stalled by reactions by Donald Ojogo, member, House of Representatives, Ilaje-Ese-Odo Federal Constituency, as well as Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs. Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, dated August 12, 2023.

    Ojogo had “…affirmed that there were obvious flaws in the said map, but that they were not intentional, and he was already interfacing with relevant officials of Ondo State Government with a view to clearing all grey areas”.

    Part of statements credited to the commissioner in one of the national dailies described the development as an unintended error, saying, “in the map of Ondo State distributed, there were juxtapositions in names and some names were put where they should not be.

    “This act of inadvertence has no link with the current process on the creation of new LCDAs in the state and should be disregarded completely.”

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    However, in a fresh publication of Ondo State LCDAs Administrative Map covering 33 newly-created LCDAs and 18 LGAs “our communities that were earlier found in the first erroneous maps are captured in Ilaje East LCDA, under Ugbo Ward 5, of Ilaje LGA. Could this be further error, or a daring affront and invitation for war?

    “This unhealthy political development has been a concern to Opuama, Polobubo (Tsekelewu) and Egbema at large, as this is not the first time, the government of Ondo State has attempted merger of the towns (Opuama and Tsekelewu) with Ondo State,” parts of the statement read.

    It also disclosed that in 1977 and 1978, there were attempts by the Ondo State Government to claim the said towns which led to a protest by the communities.

    Accusing the government of Ondo State of several other “instances of imperialistic tendencies” towards them, the statement added, “we are having strong feelings of insecurity of our towns and lands due to our past experiences and it is upon this background, we are categorically saying the government of Ondo State, the Ilaje/Ese-Odo Local Council Authorities and any other group of persons or individuals, should desist from incorporating Opuama and Tsekelewu into any political arrangement/creation in their state, since the two towns are ‘integral component of Delta State’; this status of the towns has been variously proved beyond reasonable doubt, in high quarters”.

    It should be noted that Opuama and Polobubo are Ijaw (Izon) communities which had been in the defunct Mid-Western Region, Bendel State and now in Delta State.

  • Suspects in same sex marriage granted bail in Delta

    Suspects in same sex marriage granted bail in Delta

    The Delta State Police Command has released on bail the 69 gay suspects arrested for allegedly conducting same sex marriage in Ekpan Community, Uvwie Local Government of Delta State.

    Counsel for the suspects, Mr Ochuko Ohimor, who spoke to reporters yesterday in Warri, said the suspects were granted bail with a sum of N500,000 and two sureties each.

    According to Ohimor, the sureties must reside within the Effurun jurisdiction.

    He added that the suspects must sign a register at the end of every arraignment at the State High Court of Justice, Effurun, in Uvwie Council, where they were arraigned on September 4.

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    Ohimor said: “The suspects were granted bail at a cost of N500,000 and two sureties each. The sureties must reside within the Effurun jurisdiction.”

    During proceedings, Police prosecutor, Supol Vincent Orarumen, had opposed the bail conditions, but the suspect’s counsel argued that it was not a capital offence.

    Recall that the suspects were paraded on August 29 at the Ekpan Police Station at the instance of the Delta Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Wale Abass.

    They were arrested by a crack team of police operatives attached to the Ekpan division.

    The arrest was made while they were conducting a gay wedding ceremony, which they tagged “All White Party,” at a location in Ekpan, Uvwie LGA.

    Delta Police boss had vowed to prosecute them in line with Nigeria’s Anti-Gay Law, which, according to him, prohibits same-sex marriage in the country.

    “I can guarantee that they will be charged in court. We are not taking it lightly. It is a clear case, though they are still presumed innocent until proven otherwise by the competent court,” he said

  • Alleged same-sex suspects granted bail in Delta

    Alleged same-sex suspects granted bail in Delta

    The Delta Police Command has released the 69 suspects arrested for allegedly conducting same-sex marriage in Ekpan Community, Uvwie LGA, Delta State on bail. 

    Counsel to the suspects, Mr Ochuko Ohimor, who spoke to reporters in Warri, said the suspects were granted bail with a sum of N500,000 and two sureties each.

    According to Ohimor, the sureties must reside within the Effurun jurisdiction.

    He added the suspects must sign a register at the end of every arraignment at the State High Court of Justice, Effurun, in Uvwie LGA, where they were arraigned on September 4.

    Ohimor said: “The suspects were granted bail at a cost of N500,000 and two sureties each. The sureties must reside within the Effurun jurisdiction.”

    During proceedings, Police prosecutor, Supol Vincent Orarumen, opposed the bail conditions, but the suspect’s counsel argued that it was not a capital offence.

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    The suspects were paraded on August 29 at the Ekpan Police Station at the instance of the Delta Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Wale Abass.

    They were arrested by a crack team of police operatives attached to the Ekpan division.

    The arrest was made while they were allegedly conducting a gay wedding ceremony, which they tagged “All White Party,” at a location in Ekpan, Uvwie LGA.

    Delta Police boss had vowed to prosecute them in line with Nigeria’s Anti-Gay Law, which, according to him, prohibits same-sex marriage in the country.

    “I can guarantee that they will be charged in court. We are not taking it lightly. It is a clear case, though they are still presumed innocent until proven otherwise by the competent court,” he said

  • Delta  plan to host successful Youth Games  as Keshi Stadium wears new look

    Delta  plan to host successful Youth Games  as Keshi Stadium wears new look

    With a few days to the opening ceremony of the 7th  National Youth Games, the Delta State Government had promised top notch organisation and a sporting experience like never before for the participating athletes, officials and members of the public.

    Chairman of the Delta State Sports yesterday  in Asaba, disclosing that the state has planned a carnival-like opening and closing ceremonies with top musical acts, Ice Prince and Jaydee scheduled to entertain.

    Okowa also informed that unlike previous editions of the games where the stands were virtually empty, the spectatorship in Delta is expected to be massive to fill the stands and cheer the athletes.

    He assured that the over 23 competition venues are fully ready except for minor finishing touches while equipment for the Gymnastic Centre has arrived and would be installed in a matter of days.

    Okowa disclosed however that there was a little challenge with accommodation occasioned by the postponement of the games into the period that schools have now resumed and most institutions are finding it difficult to make their hostels available as was contained in the initial plan.

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    Notwithstanding, he assured that provisions have been made, including the procurement of fresh beddings, fans and other necessities for the comfort of the athletes.

    All the 36 states of the federation and the federal capital territory have entered for the games with over 4,500 participants who are expected to  arrive Asaba from today  ahead of the opening ceremony on September 23.

    In a related development, the Stephen Keshi International Stadium in  Asaba in now wearing  new look for the Youth Games.

    From the gate to the main bowl and other competition centres for the event, the facility is already wearing a pleasant new look while workmen are putting finishing touches to various tasks ahead  of the all-important national event.

    According to Okowa, the Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, is so passionate about sports and has given all the needed support, and with a marching order to the Local Organising Committee to ensure that this edition of the Youth Games is the biggest and best organised in its history.

  • No respite for Delta community as floods overrun homes, farmlands

    No respite for Delta community as floods overrun homes, farmlands

    • Victims: we look up to God

    Floods occasioned by torrential rains and surging seawater have left no respite in sight for the people of oil producing Polobubo community in Warri North Local Government of Delta State.

    Most residents are already displaced, with hunger staring them in their faces, as their homes and sources of livelihoods get overrun by the disaster.

    They were forced awake from sleep in the wee hours of last Saturday, to the unexpected sight of flood in the entire community.

    In a phone conversation with The Nation yesterday, President-General of the community, Dr. Bright Abulu, said the situation is getting worse.

    He said although the Delta State Government visited on Sunday, with a promise to provide relief materials, it was yet to do so.

    The Nation learnt that the Commissioner for Special Duties had before the incident, visited the community last week. While the member representing Ijaw Ethnic Nationality in the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Spencer Okpoye and Chairman of the local government, Smart Asekutu, visited to assess the situation on Sunday.

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    Abulu said: “As we speak, the water level is still increasing. DESOPADEC promised to send relief materials, also the local government. But till now, there is no response from them”.

    He said they have also called on the Federal Government and oil multinationals operating in the area to intervene, before they lose lives.

    “We have been calling on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to come to our rescue. As we speak, there is no help, we are just looking on to God for help. That is the situation,” he added.

    The effects of the flood may have contributed to the death of the second to the eldest man, Pa Jeyimi Gbalubi, who passed away on Monday night, Abulu said.

    He reechoed the call for government, as well as oil firms operating in the area, “to come to their aid in this time of distress with relief materials and medical care”.

  • Youth Games: Team Delta ready to defend title

    Youth Games: Team Delta ready to defend title

    Six days to the commencement of the 7th edition of the National Youth Games Team Delta has intensified its preparations ahead of the games to be held at the Steven Keshi International Stadium Asaba.

    The young athletes who have been in camp were taken through rigorous training by their Coaches as the six time champions of the National Youth Games looks to maintain its dominance in the cadet sports meet.

    Team Delta who had won every edition of the National Youth Games since its inception in 2013 are favorites to win the age grade annual sports fiesta.

    The Project Manager, Media, Publicity and Mobilization of the Local Organizing Committee, Comrade Moses Etu while reacting to Team Delta’s preparation said the team does not want to leave any stone unturned in delivering another title triumph.

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    Comrade Etu said that as hosts Team Delta have been tipped to successfully defend its title saying that if the athletes failed to prepare then it would end up as a pipe dream.

    The former Chairman of Warri Wolves Football Club said that the athletes are being put in top shape to defend their title successfully as that was what was expected by Deltans.

    He assured the athletes that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had put in place everything needed to make them compete favourable asserting that their welfare remained paramount to the Governor.

    The 7th Edition of the National Youth Games commences on 20 September with the opening ceremony taking place on Sunday September 30 at the iconic Steven Keshi International Stadium, Asaba.

  • Proposed high rise building collapses in Delta

    Proposed high rise building collapses in Delta

    A multiple story building, under construction in Asaba metropolis, has collapsed, with eight persons feared seriously injured.

    The Nation gathered that a loud noise that could be heard in the vicinity followed the collapse, which caused apprehension in the vicinity.

    It was learnt construction workers scampered into the ever busy Nnebisi/Okpanam road in panic.

    A witness, Mrs Onyinye Okenyi, a food seller, said the incident occured around 5.30pm while workers were still working on site.

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    She said: “I was selling “abacha”, a local delicacy, when we heard a loud noise that could be heard as far away as ShopRite. Some persons ran out to see what was happening. Many workers in panic ran into the road.Some workers were evacuated and driven away.”

    She said some injured workers were taken away.

    The Nation investigation revealed that part of the front section of the building caved in.

    The partially building is located by Ekumeku Road About opposite Asaba Shopping Mall.

    Located on the spot of the collapsed building was the popular Southgate Hotel which was demolished to give way to the development of the structure.

  • Delta awards N78b contract for flyovers in Warri, Effurun

    Delta awards N78b contract for flyovers in Warri, Effurun

    Delta State Government says it has approved the award of contracts worth N78billion for the construction of three flyovers and road expansion in Warri and Effurun. 

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Fred Edafiogho, who spoke to reporters in Asaba, said approval of the contracts was aimed at solving the gridlock often experienced in both towns.

    He said the contracts included the design and construction of flyover at Enerhen junction to Marine gate; study, design and construction of road expansion and improvement works on the section of the DSC/NPA expressway from Effurun roundabout to DSC roundabout, including construction of a 3/4 Cloverleaf interchange at the existing Effurun flyover, as well as two pedestrian bridges. 

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    Others are design and construction of flyover at PTI junction and DSC roundabout along the Effurun/Patani, East-West highway, Effurun in Uvwie Local Government. 

    He said the project road expansion works on the DSC/NPA expressway would provide two lanes of restricted carriageway at the centre for through-traffic and another two lanes of service road in each travel direction, bringing the current capacity of the road from four lanes to eight lanes.

    He said side drains would be provided along the stretch to convey storm water to the swamp that runs beside the road and pipeline in addition to providing free flow of traffic for a distance of 4.359km with cloverleaf interchanges and U-turns allowing for unimpeded flow. 

    He added that the four projects have duration of 27 months with probable completion date of December 2025. 

  • ‘Vigilante operative’ shot dead in Delta

    ‘Vigilante operative’ shot dead in Delta

    Unidentified gunmen have shot dead a vigilante at First Marine Gate Quarters in Warri South Local Government of Delta State.

      The vigilante is simply identified as Wilson.

       He was shot dead in the wee hours of yesterday.

       Though details were sketchy, it was gathered the gunmen engaged the vigilante team in a gun duel, leading to some members fleeing due to superior power of the assailants.

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     Wilson was hit by bullets from the attackers.

     A video showed the lifeless body of the deceased covered with a cloth on the roadside.

     Police spokesman, DSP Bright Edafe, said the command was not certain of his identity as a vigilante.

     “Yes, we are aware of a killing, but we are not sure of his identity as a vigilante yet,” he said.

  • NLC strike: Federal Civil servants stay away in Delta

    NLC strike: Federal Civil servants stay away in Delta

    Workers at the Federal Secretariat Asaba stayed away in obedience to  the two-day warning strike by the National Labour Congress (NLC).

    Many offices were shut at the secretariat but a few offices opened for business.

    There was uncertainty about the industrial action among workers as many observed that the exercise was not being strictly observed.

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    Some offices that opened for work included National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Federal Fire Service, National Directorate of Employment (NDE), National Youths Service Corp (NYSC), Legal Aid Council, National Business and Technical Education Board NABTEB), National Teachers Institute etc.

    The few workers present were seen discussing the situation in groups 

    A worker, who craved anonymity, said many civil servants did not show up at their duty posts.