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Tag: Emmanuel Uduaghan

  • Delta: I’m still in the race for the Senate – Uduaghan

    Former governor of Delta state, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, has debunked trending report that he has pulled out of the race to take over the Delta South Senatorial District seat in the upper chamber of the Nigerian National Assembly.

    Dr Uduaghan, who gave the clarification while hosting the Coalition of Bomadi Council Area Elders, led by its leader, Reverend Gbenekuru England, and tens of youths drawn from different youth groups in Bomadi council area of the state, however explained that he once stepped down from the race in 2015 to honour former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Emphasizing the fact that he is still very much in the race and very assured of winning the seat next year, the former governor said the current scenario is different from what was in 2015, when he had to consider doing everything that would ensure a peaceful transition in the state.

    “I have not stepped down for anybody and I am not going to even contemplate stepping down for anyone. In fact, I have put my hands in the plough and there is no going back. By the grace of God, we would be in Abuja in 2019”

    Read Also: Delta South: Between Uduaghan, Manager and Diden

    “It was for the interest of President Goodluck Jonathan’s votes from Delta that made me withdraw from the 2015 senatorial race, last minute. The stability of the state was very important to me. I needed to concentrate on the state and prepare it for a peaceful transition; otherwise, I have all the machinery to win the seat if I had so wanted it like I do now”, he said.

    On whether he was scared of any opposition, Uduaghan said, “I have paid my dues in stemming ethnic violence and militia uprising in the creeks to deserve the senatorial seat. How many people can make such sacrifice? How can somebody who has fought plenty political battles as a serving governor be scared of anybody? That is very laughable to me”.

    Meanwhile, the group; Coalition of Bomadi Council Area Elders, which is an amalgam of all the community elders in Bomadi council area of the state, has agreed to throw its weight behind Dr. Uduaghan’s  senatorial bid, saying the Delta South Senatorial District is ready for a new beginning.

    The leader of the entourage, Reverend England, who spoke on behalf of the group, also expressed the believe that when the former governor gets to the senate, the district would get qualitative representation and he would empower not just his Itsekiri people, but also the Ijaw and Isoko people as he did when he was a two-term governor of the state.

    “We have tested your capacity when you were Governor we know that the Ijaw nation benefited from your administration. Our son, the current occupant of the seat, who has been there for four tenures has tried his best but it is now time for a new beginning. It is the turn of the Itsekiri, based on fairness and equity. Your Excellency, you are the new beginning for Delta South”, the group said.

  • 2019: Okowa Has Done Nothing to Get Our Votes – Ijaw youths

    Governor of Delta state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has been said to have done nothing to get the support of Ijaw people in the state come 2019 polls.

    The Ijaw Youth Council, while disclosing this in a statement circulated Warri on Thursday, assured that unless the “miraculous” happens within the next eight months, it will do everything to frustrate the election campaigns in its areas.

    According to the IYC president, Barr. Oweilaemi Pereotubo, Burutu council area alone gave the third largest votes that saw the governor’s emergence in 2015, yet it has neither infrastructure nor human capital development to show as reward.

    He opined that this was why the governor is yet to visit any of the Ijaw local government areas for town hall meetings, as he had done to nearly 21 others.

    Read Also: Okowa decries high number of IDPs

    The statement, in parts, reads thus: “the question that readily comes to my mind as an Ijaw man, and leader of the teeming Ijaw youths world wide, is what has Okowa done in terms of development in Ijaw land to merit our votes? The answer to this mind-boggling question is practically nothing, just nothing. Yet Burutu Local Government Area alone gave Dr. Okowa the third highest votes in 2015. The reward for this bulk vote from the people is lack of infrastructural and human capital development.

    “Okowa has gone round nearly all the twenty-one local council areas in Delta State holding town hall meetings and commissioning projects. The sad story is that he has not been to any of the Ijaw local council to hold town hall meetings because the people will look at him eyeball to eyeball to go out to commission projects if he has any. He has therefore completely avoided going to these areas.”

    Listing legacy projects executed by the past two administrations, the Bomadi Bridge by Chief James Ibori and the School of Maritime Technology, Burutu, by Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Pereotubo accused the Okowa-led government of further depleting the Ijaw nation.

    “Our reward from Okowa is abandonment in all facets of his administration. If Okowa and his apologists are disputing our claims, we challenge him to convene a town hall meeting to tell the people the projects he has done in Ijaw land.

    Most of the projects he has been using to deceive the people are just on paper. There’s no visible work going on anywhere including the much publicized Ayakoromo bridge project.

    “Instead of adding to us, Governor Okowa takes away from the Ijaw nation. The only higher institution in Ijaw, the School of Maritime Technology, Burutu has since been fragmented into bits of campuses to the extent that the students population which was once exploding in Burutu is now depleted,” the statement said further

  • Okowa vows to ensure peace in Delta

    Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has said that his administration would do everything possible to ensure that peace returns to the state.

    Okowa gave this assurance on Friday at a public lecture/book presentation held in honour of his deputy, Kingsley Otuaro in Warri.

    The book with the theme: Governance, Security and Peace Building in Niger Delta, was written by the Society for Peace Studies and Practice, Nigeria, South South Zone to mark the 50th  birthday of Otuaro.

    Okowa said that people must realise that whatsoever damage done to the facilities in the state was destruction done to the people of the state.

    “I think there is still a lot to be done in Delta, even when we are enjoying so much peace at the moment.

    “People must continue to realise that whatever we do to destroy any of the facilities we have in Delta is actually a destruction done to ourselves,” he said.

    Okowa said that governors alone could not build peace, noting that peace building effort had to involve everybody.

    “Governors alone cannot build peace, it is a participatory thing; all the people of Delta have to be involved so that the partnership will be strong.

    “We have peace building structures, those of us in government must provide that partnership because without that we cannot achieve peace,” he said.

    The governor lauded the Society for Peace Studies and Practice, Nigeria, South South Zone for the great work.

    He directed that copies of the book be given to the 60 traditional rulers in the state as well as the President-Generals of the communities in Delta.

    Okowa thanked God for giving Otuaro the grace to celebrate 50 years and wished him more successful years.

    Earlier, Prof. Isaac Albert, the Director, Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ibadan in his lecture, stressed the need for Delta to build a consensus.

    “There is the need for us to know the kind of Delta we want; if we destroy our state, who will come from other state to build it for us.

    “Among the Niger Delta governors, there is also the need to build a consensus to tackle the main problems in the region,” he said.

    The 383 page book was reviewed by Prof. Chris Ogbogbo, the President, Historical Society of Nigeria, University of Ibadan.

    In his remark, Utuaro thanked God and the organisers for the honor accorded him.

    “I thank God for the gift of life and mercy; I am overwhelmed and glad to see this great day; being 50 is heartwarming and exciting,” he said.

    In attendance were the, immediate past governor of Delta, Emmanuel Uduaghan, Delta lawmakers at both the state and national assemblies, government functionaries, traditional rulers among others.

    NAN

  • Scramble begins for Orode Uduaghan’s heart

    Scramble begins for Orode Uduaghan’s heart

    Humans are social beings. Whatever the reason for their isolation, sooner or later, they get tired of playing hermit and go in search of comforting arms. This perhaps explains the latest moves of pretty Orode Uduaghan, daughter of former Delta governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan.

    Few years after she sailed away from the shores of matrimony, vowing never to return, she has made a U-turn. It will be recalled that Orode’s marriage to Ryan Okpu crashed like the price of bitcoin a few years ago, due to ‘irreconcilable differences’, leaving her with the burden of a single mother. Now older and wiser from the experience, Orode is once more fluttering her eyelashes in a come-hither gesture at the opposite sex.

    With the news that she plans to remarry, eligible bachelors have begun to up their game in a bid to catch her fancy. As the daughter of one of the most politically connected individuals around and her unearthly beauty to boot, the jostle for her attention is sure to get keener in the days ahead.

  • Uduaghan plans 30th wedding anniversary

    Uduaghan plans 30th wedding anniversary

    There is no gainsaying the fact that the real act of marriage lies in the heart and not in the church, ballroom or synagogue. While others spend fortune planning a wedding, former governor of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan, and his wife meticulously envisioned each little step in their marriage and how to deal with whatever arrow fate shoots in their way. Little wonder, as other unions collapse around them like castles of snow, theirs is still going strong after three decades.

    Come next month, Uduaghan and his wife, Roli, will be celebrating 30 years of saying “I do” at a high octane shindig sure to attract the movers and shakers of high society. Though details of the momentous occasion are still under wraps, it is expected that the former governor will maximise his connections and deep pocket to throw a glamorous bash that will be remembered for years.

  • Annulment of N500m educational grant stirs fury in Delta

    Annulment of N500m educational grant stirs fury in Delta

    Controversy is trailing Delta State Government’s decision last week to scrap the ‘First Class Scholarship Scheme’, initiated by former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

    The programme, which targeted 100 brilliant indigent students annually, is worth N5million per student, and affords first class graduate beneficiaries opportunities to continue their educational pursuits up to doctorate level in any course and country of their choice.

    But the present administration, citing paucity of fund, suspended the programme, prompting Olorogun Jaro Egbo, a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress ( APC ), and other critics to call out the government. Egbo particularly  slammed the decision, and advised Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to sack his “5,321” aides to fund it.

    A terse letter dated September 27 from the Delta State Bursary and Scholarship Board, said the government’s decision to scrap the programme was due to “financial downturn in the state.”

    The board’s Executive Secretary, Elijah Ologe, signed the letter titled ‘To whom it may concern’, and read in part: “due to the economic situation bedeviling the state, the scheme is hereby suspended.”

    Ologe said that although the board was aware that most of the beneficiaries “solely rely on the scholarship to pay their tuitions and other fees”, government had to scrap it because the state could no longer fund it.

    The announcement has however received stern backlash from beneficiaries and the opposition in the state, with respondent accusing the governor of misplaced priorities and lack of vision.

    “Okowa stopped payment of scholarship; diverts money (instead) to the payment of 5,321 SA’s. Smart government indeed,” Egbo stated sarcastically in reference to Governor Okowa’s ‘SMART Agenda’.

    Mr Toju Gedu of the Committee of Itsekiri Social Media Advocate regretted the development, stressing, “This was another laudable programme by the Dr. E. Uduaghan administration; I have two friends who are doctorate degree holders now.”

  • NHRC lists Uduaghan, Iwu, others indicted for election offences

    NHRC lists Uduaghan, Iwu, others indicted for election offences

    The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Thursday named former state governors, a former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Maurice Iwu,  INEC staff, politicians and institutions as some of those indicted for various offences allegedly committed during the 2007 and 2011 general elections in the country.

    About 60 people and institutions named were indicted for criminal offences, administrative, judicial and professional misconduct.

    Names of the identified individuals and organizations are contained in the final report of past decisions in electoral cases, released in Abuja by NHRC under an exercise termed: “Electoral Accountability Project/and Electoral Impunity Project,” which commenced in June 2003.

    The commission recommended among others, that the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the Inspector General of Police, INEC and other relevant institutions, take necessary steps on the report including prosecuting and ensuring that disciplinary measures were taken against those found wanting.

    The ex-governors named in the report are – Clarence Obafemi (who acted as Kogi State governor in 2008), Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor (Edo State) and Dr. Emmanuel E. Uduaghan (Delta State).

    Also listed are – Senator Hosea Ehinlanwo, Senator Ayo Arise, Mukhtari Shehu Shagari, Prof C. E. Onukogu, Resident Electoral Commissioner, Anambra State in 2011, Major Gen. Abubakar Tanko Ayuba (rtd), Hon. Aminu Sule Garo and Tarzoor Terhemen.

  • Emmanuel Uduaghan’s love for daughter

    Emmanuel Uduaghan’s love for daughter

    There is no better way to love a child than offering good advice and showing him or her unreserved support at all times. Dr. Emmnuel Udaghan, former governor of Delta State, understands this better than most fathers does not hesitate to stand by his daughter in all situations. Not only does his daughter, Orode Ryan-Okpu, sip from the brook of his wisdom, she gets the necessary financial support whenever she needs it.

    Uduaghan has unreservedly rendered financial support to his daughter’s project, Rubies Vocational School. The former governor and his close ally, Dere Otubu, were sighted at the event put together by SME 100 and Rubies Vocational School to commemorate the 2016 International Women’s Day at the Civic Centre, Lagos Penultimate Tuesday, where Uduaghan gave a beautiful speech on agriculture.

    The conference, whose theme was ‘pledge for parity’, was designed to develop and inspire female entrepreneurs in their respective fields in order to leave their own marks in a male-dominated sector. Participants at the conference got the chance to be mentored by leading amazons. Mrs Orode Okpu emphasised that women in the rural areas of the country would not be left out of the training programmes scheduled for this year.

  • EU appeals against death penalties, hails Akatugbe’s pardon

    The European Union Delegation in Nigeria has appealed to Federal Government to reconsider cases of people on death row in the country.

    Specifically, EU asked Nigeria authorities to commute or, where appropriate, to pardon, the death sentences of the many death row prisoners across the country.

    The body argued that such magnanimity would help enhance the respect for human life.

    While reacting to the recent pardon granted to Moses Akatugba by former Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, EU said such a gesture would avoid the harsh and irreversible consequences if there was later found to have been a miscarriage of justice.

    Reacting to the gesture of the former governor, the EU Head of Mission in Nigeria said in a statement that the body is opposed to death penalty.

    The statement reads: “The pardon of Moses Akatugba – sentenced to death for an offence committed when he was 16 years old – by former Governor of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan, was a commendable decision and significant step forward for Nigerian justice and the human rights of its citizens.

    “The EU and its Member States oppose the death penalty. We commend the former Governor of Delta State for his actions in this case; and appeal to the Nigerian authorities to commute or, where appropriate, to pardon the death sentences of the many death row prisoners across the country. This would enhance the respect for human life, and avoid the harsh and irreversible consequences if there was later found to have been a miscarriage of justice.”

    The 24-year-old, Akatugba, was sentenced to death for stealing three phones eight years ago and has spent eight years in prison. He was 16years old when he committed the offence.

    The decision to pardon him was made known shortly after the last executive meeting presided over by Uduaghan at the Government House, Asaba, the state capital, on May 28.

    Aside granting total pardon to Akatugba, the former governor also commuted death sentences of three others to various terms of imprisonment.

     

  • Uduaghan shocked, dumbfounded over former ADC’s death

    GOVERNOR Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has expressed shock and disbelief over the death of his former aide-de-camp (ADC) Superintendent of Police, Chris Eza, who was killed in Bauchi Thursday night.

    Uduaghan, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sunny Ogefere, was visibly shocked and speechless when the news of the death got to him and was yet to come to terms with the reality of the tragic incident.

    “This is heartbreaking; it is a personal loss … for a very young man to die in his prime in that manner is devastating,” he stated.

    “Chris was a gallant, courageous and dedicated police officer who was never afraid to take on any challenge,” the governor added.

    “I pray that God Almighty will grant us, particularly the family and the police the fortitude to bear the loss.”