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Tag: Delta

  • Delta aspirant lawmaker accuses leaders of causing violence

    A House of Assembly aspirant in Delta state, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, has accused past lawmakers of Warri South West constituency of perpetuating violence through bad leadership in the years gone.

    Mulade, a renowned environmentalist made the assertion while unveiling his five-point agenda for the council area during a press conference in Warri, Monday.

    He however, vowed to ensure peaceful coexistence between the Ijaws and Itsekiris, the two ethnic nationalities in the constituency, if elected in 2019.

    The lawmaker hopeful, running under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while noting that he had made consultations with critical stakeholders, as well as traditional authorities across the constituency, emphasized that he is not “sponsored,” rather an “independent candidate” seeking “to serve the interest of all for peace.”

    Stressing that underdevelopment in the constituency stemmed from ethnic hostilities caused by egoistic leaders, he assured that he will initiate programmes that will encourage unity between the ethnic nations.

    “It is no gain saying the fact that the failure to pursue a programme that embraces both Ijaw and Itsekiri in Warri South West is the bane of development and progress in the area. For years, we have allowed ethnic differences to separate us. The consequences of what they did with the mandate we gave them was violence, hatred and divide and rule policies that attracted the anger of our young people that caused even greater problems than we could imagine.

    “Our people cannot afford to go back to the days of insanity perpetrated by some self-centred leaders with questionable characters. The cry of every right thinking person in Warri South West is for a man or a woman who has the capacity to build bridges of peace between the two inter-married Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic tribes in the council area.

    “Our people are in search of a person who for years has seen the need to work for the progress of our people through peaceful advocacy. Let me say with all sense of humility that if I am given the opportunity to serve, I will do everything possible to ensure that we will never again get involved in inter-ethnic strife. I will give equal attention to the needs of both ethnic groups. From henceforth, the people of Warri South West will view their representatives, not as Ijaw or Itsekiri, but as leaders with vision and mission for our rich and oil bearing communities,” Mulade stated in a text released at the end of the conference.

    He added that he will sponsor bills that will lead to the provision of quality education, pointing out that this will lead to healthy competition between learners in the riverine areas and those on the uplands.

    Other parts of the agenda include “development of sports at the grassroots” which he said is key to winning laurels at international competitions;” “environmental justice” and then, “leadership development and poverty eradication.”

  • ‘Government must stop killings’

    Pan-Igbo socio-cultural group, Igboekulie has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to address the orgy of killings in the country.

    The president of Igboekulie Prince Ben Onuora in a statement said last Saturday’s killings in Plateau State, where over 100 citizens were killed was condemnable.

    He said Nigerians were becoming hopeless on security

    He added:  “Our President cannot continue to do the same thing all over again and expect a different outcome. After each round of killings in Benue, Taraba, Zamfara, Nasarawa, Kogi, Enugu, Delta, Ondo and other places, Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari condemns the killings, promising to improve on the security of the nation.  These promises are hardly kept because nothing seems to change beyond the presidential commiseration.”

    The group said government’s failure to arrest and prosecute the killers and their collaborators was making the situation hopeless.

    “Igboekulie condemns in very strong terms the unabating massacre of innocent Nigerians by invading and rampaging herdsmen who appear to have immunity against arrest or prosecution.

    Read Also: Killings: Buhari to put more pressure on security chiefs

    “We also, condemn the unwholesome nonchalance of the Federal Government of Nigeria to the unprecedented loss of lives in the past three years.  An FGN that has successfully dealt with restive groups across Nigeria cannot suddenly be helpless, unless out of mischief, when it concerns the murderous herdsmen.

    “After three years of unrelenting bloodshed, it is time for the President, as Commander-in-Chief, to critically evaluate the performance of the security agencies and rejig same to reflect the diversity of the country in line with the federal character principle.

    “This nation is being brought to its knees daily with unprovoked violence by people who insist on illegally grazing their cattle on the farmlands of other Nigerians.  If this journey to anarchy is allowed to continue, no one is sure of how it would end.”

    “We call on all other socio-cultural groups to rise and condemn the spate of killings by the protected invaders against the weak in our society and the contrived helplessness of the FGN.  An injury to one is an injury to all.  If this madness is not halted, it could be the turn of your community tomorrow.”

  • EFCC Benin secures nine convictions in 12 months

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Benin Zonal office, said it secured nine convictions for various financial crimes within the last 12 months.

    Mr Mailafia Yakubu, zonal head of the Benin office comprising Edo, Delta and Ondo, disclosed this on Friday at an event to mark the first anniversary of the zonal office.

    Yakubu disclosed that within the period 654 petitions were received, while 557 were found worthy and approved for investigation.

    He explained that 64 petitions were rejected due to various reasons, and that from the approved petitions, nine were forwarded to other zones for logistics reasons.

    Read Also: EFCC arraigns siblings for N50m fraud

    He also said 23 cases were forwarded to the Nigerian Police Force as the matters raised were within the jurisdiction of the Police, while one was forwarded to another sister agency.

    He said 28 cases were pending in court.

    The zonal head further disclosed that a total of N312.561, 585.31 in cash was recovered: N4, 209,097.96 for the Federal Government, N147, 220,600.00 for corporate bodies and N161, 131,887.35 for individuals.

    He also disclosed that the zone secured the forfeiture of a vehicle to the Federal Government, and was in the process of securing the interim forfeiture of two houses and three vessels used for illegal activities.

    He noted that as part of strategic plans to ensure a corrupt free nation, the zone embarked on an aggressive sensitisation and enlightenment campaign in schools.

    The zone had earlier visited two orphanages within Benin, where food items and cash were donated.

    A sensitization for students to be part of the fight against corruption was carried out on secondary school students across Benin on the need to “see something, say something and do something.”

    NAN

  • Sack of 568 Deltaline workers insensitive-Delta APC

    The Delta state chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has described the approval of the sack of 568 employees of the Delta Line Transport Service Limited by the state governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, as a mark of the administration’s insensitivity.
    The party, in press statement issued on Friday and signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Mr Moses Kamanya, said it was sad to note that while other progressive governors were initiating people-oriented projects and engaging all other activities that will better the lots of their citizens, Governor Okowa is throwing Deltans into already saturated unemployment market.
    It stated further that while Deltans were complaining of the ways and manner their collective heritage were auctioned out to political allies, who sponsored the governor’s election in 2015 for a mere N161million , for an equity, another investor bidded for over N2billion, they are shocked to learn that 568 breadwinners have been thrown into uncertainty.
    “Our independent investigation has shown the management of God Is Good Motors (GIGM), who bought 70 percent stake of the company from Delta state government, at a rip-off price of N161m , has not invested a kobo since taking over.
    “Like every actions of the PDP led government since 1999 which has always been anti-Deltans, if not how do you explain why a government will throw its citizens into untold hardship in the alter of political exigencies?
     “Today the information out there is that, the new management has started recruiting non-Deltans employees from Anambra and Imo states at the expense of Deltans who laboured for the transport company for years, so whose interest is Okowa serving?
    “We sympathizing with the affected families over this unjust action of the PDP led government in Delta state and we want Deltans to see this as a wakeup call to vote out this insensitive and clueless government come 2019 and take back our state and common wealth from these rabble rousers that has held the state hostage”, APC said.

  • Delta sacks Customary Court president, others

    THE Delta State Judicial Service Commission has sanctioned some members of its staff for offences ranging from misappropriation of funds, dereliction of duty, gross insubordination and incompetence.

    The head of the commission and Delta State Chief Judge, Justice Marshal Umukoro, ordered the sack of the President of Oshimili South Area Customary Court, Asaba, Mr. Patrick Ifeanyi Nwachukwu on allegations bordering on incompetence and indiscriminate striking out of cases. The commission also compulsorily retired the Assistant Director John Nwokobia, for unauthorized/illegal withdrawal of sums of money from an account operated by the court and converted same for personal use. Also dismissed was Mr. Matthew Happy Edirin (a driver) for abandonment of duty, negligence, insubordination and gross misconduct.

    Another staff identified as Akpotohwho was demoted from the post of Chief Driver GL. 07 to that of senior motor driver mechanic GL. 06 while Mr. Augustine Akatugba was issued a warning letter. Two others, Mr. Patrick Ezeute and Bridget Ogunmola were exonerated by the commission. The case of another member of staff, Mr. Ebute Moses, who allegedly converted to personal use, monies ordered by court in suit to be lodged into an account, was deferred

  • ‘Buhari has done more for Delta than Jonathan’

    A stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, Olorogun Otega Emerhor, on Wednesday night, declared that President Muhammadu Buhari has done well in Delta State more than former President Goodluck Jonathan, who hails from the zone.

    He spoke with State House correspondents after meeting with the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari.

    On what are the chances of Buhari in the Southsouth, Emerhor said,:”In 2015, we had President Jonathan who is from the south south, that created an emotional issue but we have seen now that even when Jonathan was in power, he did not do for Delta what President Buhari has done for us.

    “The Ogoni cleaning exercise that is going on there is one of the major thing we can count on. The east west road is being completely rehabilitated and that did not happen when one of our own son was the President.

    “So, we are very very confident that the south south this time around wants to belong to the center and that is why we are going to be able to deliver the President there.”

    Optimistic that the APC can take over the reins of leadership in Delta State from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he said that the current Governor off the State has not done enough thus, clearing the coast for the APC to take over.

     

  • Delta: Defiant faction holds parallel congress

    Despite the decision of the national body of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to reschedule the state congress in Delta State, a faction loyal to Chief Great Ogboru and Senator Ovie Omo-Agege yesterday conducted a parallel congress in Asaba.

    It would be recalled that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party had reschedule the Congress till Monday, May 21st, 2018, following alleged attempts to compromise the process.

    The Nation gathered that the National Working Committee of the party decided to postpone and reschedule the state congress in the state because plans to compromise the congress committee were uncovered.

    Although leaders of the party from across the state, including seven governorship aspirants, had agreed to compile a ‘unity list’ to put an end to squabbles among various interests in the state and avert further violent activities, some elements within the party still attempted to sabotage the local government congresses in the state by conducting parallel congresses. The parallel congresses were, however, rejected.

     

  • One killed, four injured in Delta

    Gunmen have shot dead a young man and injured four others at Owevwen in Ughelli North Local Government of Delta State following a leadership tussle.

    The Nation learnt two youths were earlier killed during a shooting. Their bodies were hidden in a bush.

    It was gathered residents had fled for fear of a reprisal.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said the bodies were discovered last Wednesday, adding that youths mobilised to apprehend the suspects.

    He said: “Youths loyal to the community chairman, Lucky Dietaruvwe, on receiving information that members of a rival faction suspected to have carried out last Wednesday’s attack, are camping in the bush, mobilised to apprehend them.”

    Police spokesman Andrew Aniamaka, who confirmed the incident, said investigation had begun to arrest the suspects.

     

  • Delta: Exercise peaceful as leaders adopt ‘unity list’

    Yesterday’s local government congresses of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were peaceful in Delta State, unlike the experience during the ward congresses last weekend, when one person was killed.

    The Nation observed that the process of the exercise, at the designated centres, went without drama. The process was done by simple affirmation of candidates that had already been adopted by the party ahead of the exercise.

    It was gathered that the peaceful conduct of the process was as a

    result of the choice of the leadership of the party, including seven governorship aspirants of the party, to harmonise their various

    interests, drew up what they termed the ‘Unity List’, so as to avert a repeat of the bloody ward congresses.

    Explaining the reason for the peaceful conduct of the exercise, a leader of the party in Delta, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, said following agreement reached by the party stakeholders, they harmonised and came up with unity list to avert fresh squabble.

     

  • N30milion car loan for lawyers in Delta

    The Delta State Government says it has included N30million car loan in the 2018 budget for legal officers.

    It said it was to enhance the personal security and transportation needs of legal officers in the Ministry of Justice.

    The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Peter Mrakpor disclosed this yesterday while receiving in audience the newly elected executive members of the State Chapter of Law Officers Association of Nigeria, led by its Chairman, Barr. Thomas Anigara.

    According to the Attorney-General, the new head in the 2018 budget which has a provision of N30 million was different from the amount captured for general car loan for civil servants in the state domiciled in the Office of the Head of Service.

    Mrakpor while explaining the rationale for the special provision, said it was aimed at supporting legal officers to purchase their personal vehicles to ease their movement to court.

    Earlier, Chairman of the Law Officers Association of Nigeria, Delta State Chapter, Mr. Thomas Anigara told the Justice Commissioner that the visit was to formally introduce members of the new executive of the body to him.