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Tag: Ifeanyi Okowa

  • Mass defection hits Delta PDP as Sheriff faction joins APC

    Mass defection hits Delta PDP as Sheriff faction joins APC

    The camp of the opposition All Progressive Congress (Delta chapter) swelled Saturday when supporters of the former national chairman of PDP, Ali Modu Sheriff joined the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).

    The over 14,000 loyalists were led into APC by former deputy national chairman of the PDP, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh,

    Ojougboh, former member of House of Representatives, was also a former vice chairman of PDP in the South-South zone.

    Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachukwu who hails from the state; national vice chairman of APC (S/S), Mr. Hilliard Eta; chairman of the party in the state, Jones Erue; O’tega Emerhor and Hyacinth Enuha were among APC chieftains that received the new members at a ceremony in Agbor, Ika South L.G.A.

    The ceremony witnessed the symbolic dumping of PDP membership cards into a waste basket and the lowering of a huge PDP banner thus signaling the rejection of the party by the former members.

    Dr. Ojougboh said they were suffocated out of PDP, adding that after the Supreme Court judgment that affirmed the Ahmed Markafi national leadership, members of the Sheriff faction were sidelined.

    His words, “We asked the national body to open up the party after the unfortunate court judgment; the next thing we heard was that they were going to grant us amnesty as if we are criminals. When Raymond Dokpesi was nominated as member of the committee for the non-elective convention, his nomination was rejected because they said they spent money on the court judgment”.

    Continuing, “As if that was not enough, during the Anambra State governorship primary election, Jerry Gana was made chairman of a three-man committee to midwife a transparent election but governors Ayo Fayese of Ekiti State and Nyesom Wike of Rivers State rejected it and came up with another committee that went to Anambra and handed everything to Peter Obi.

    “Back here in Delta, we asked the state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa to remove impunity but what we continue to see here is a corrupt and family government. Till date, Okowa has not been able to account for the N20 billion Paris Club refund”.

    According to Ojugboh ,”We now said it is time to look for people of like minds, people of progressive ideology to meet with because I know most of you have ambitions to pursue. If we do not make a decision to belong to the progressives, most of you will miss out.”

    Former factional chairman of the PDP in the state, Mr. Austin Ogbaburhon told APC chieftains that the Sheriff faction is a beautiful bride, adding that they have rejected offers from other political parties and enjoined APC to negotiate well.

    Receiving the new entrants, vice chairman of APC, South-South, Mr. Hilliard Eta said the new members have further brightened the party’s chances to wrest power from the PDP in the state come 2019.

    “For us at the national working committee of the APC, Delta is a low hanging fruits for us to pluck but the coming of Ojougboh and his teeming supporters has made the fruits even lower for us.

    “We welcome you into the party and urge you to go to your units and wards to register. Registration is free and you will add value to APC,” Eta said.

  • Delta: No bad blood between Ibori and Okowa

    Delta: No bad blood between Ibori and Okowa

    Sometimes the strength of a friendship is best measured by the number of people trying to ruin it through bad blood. If the foregoing is extended to the romance between Delta Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and the strongman of Delta politics, James Ibori, then their friendship is very strong indeed. Not a week passes without one plot or the other hatched to tear the two apart.

    Governor Ifeanyi Okowa

    Since Ibori’s ‘triumphal’ return to the state early in the year, it has become apparent that the friendship between him and Okowa goes beyond a political marriage of convenience. Theirs is a bond forged in the fire of mutual hardship, having seen each other through trying times. Unsurprisingly, not everyone is happy about the strong bond between the two, hence the repeated attempts to destroy their relationship. The latest attempt is the gist making the rounds that Ibori and Okowa are no longer on talking terms.

    Those in the know have since debunked it as a false alarm peddled by some individuals with evil motives.

  • Kidnapping is on downward trend – Okowa

    Kidnapping is on downward trend – Okowa

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Wednesday said the spate of kidnapping and other security challenges were on the downward trend in the state.

    Okowa made the the remark shortly after the State Security Council meeting in Warri.

    The meeting was held with the heads of security agents in the state.

    Addressing newsmen, the governor said the synergy between the state and the security agencies, especially in information sharing had helped to reduce crimes and promoted peace in the state.

    “Every two weeks, we sit with security chiefs to analyse security situation in the state.

    “Today, it is heartwarming to note that issues of kidnapping and other security challenges came up, it was discovered that they are on downward trend.

    “I assure that this administration will continue to encourage the good working relationship with the security agencies,” he said.

    Okowa commended traditional and other community leaders for the effective collaboration with the state government to engage the youth to embrace peace.

    He, however, expressed displeasure that the issue of illegal oil bunkering still persisted in spite of several measures adopted by the security agents to halt the menace.

    Okowa said that the Deputy Governor Kingsley Otuaro had been mandated to go on advocacy visit to areas like the Ogulagha Community where there were threat to oil facilities.

  • PDP back to regain power – Okowa

    PDP back to regain power – Okowa

    Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, said on Saturday the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has recovered and returned to restore vibrancy and integrity to Nigeria’s democracy.

    He urged Nigerians to partner the party in the efforts to achieve the objective.

    The governor stated this during the PDP Non-Elective National Convention in Abuja, adding that the party has become reformed and refocused to win future elections in the country.

    Okowa, who is the Chairman of the PDP Convention Committee, said the last two years presented great challenges to the party.

    He said the defeat suffered in the 2015 presidential election and the gale of defections were enough to sink the party’s ship, but expressed delight that the party has overcome the challenges.

    He urged Nigerians to support the party, adding that it would not disappoint the country.

    “Ours is a party firmly anchored on the grassroots, connected to the people in a unique way that recognises that power truly belongs to the people.

    “We are rebounding back, realising that there is a champion in each of us in the party.

    “A collective leadership and partnership resolved to do things right and that is all that we need to build the strength to recapture power,” he said.

    NAN

  • PDP ready to take power in 2019 – Okowa

    PDP ready to take power in 2019 – Okowa

    Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, on Wednesday predicted victory for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 general elections.

    Okowa, who chairs the party’s Special Non-Elective National Convention Committee, said the convention slated for Saturday, would signpost the party’s readiness to return to power in 2019.

    The governor spoke during the inaugural meeting of the committee, at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja, adding that the convention would be an acid test of the party’s readiness for 2019 polls.

    Okowa said: “Yesterday (Tuesday), we were inaugurated with the task of organising a successful national convention for our great party. It is our hope that the various committees will set out to work immediately as we have barely a few days to go.

    “As an organised party, I have confidence in our leaders of the various sub-committees that we will be able to deliver a successful national convention that we can all be proud of.

    “I trust in our abilities because I have seen a good number of committed party members who are dedicated to the cause of ensuring we return to power in 2019.”

    On preparations for Saturday’s national convention, Okowa said a lot of grounds had already been covered by the leadership of the party despite the limited time frame.

    “Our party is back alive and with the national convention, PDP will send a very strong message that will make Nigerians to realise that we are very much ready to take over power come 2019,” the governor added.

  • Okowa restates commitment to youths, sports development

    Okowa restates commitment to youths, sports development

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has restated his administration’s commitment to the development of sports and empowerment of youths.

    Okowa made the assertion as the 2017 Warri Relays and Confederation of Africa Athletics Grand (CAA) Prix 2 began at the Delta Polytechnic, Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area of the state.

    The event, organised by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) in conjunction with the Delta Government, is meant to prepare the country’s athletes for future national and international competitions.

    The governor, represented by the Speaker, Delta House of Assembly, Mr Sheriff Oborevwori, said the government would continue to support the development of sports.

    “We are always glad to be part of this type of event and other activities geared towards the encouragement, empowerment and development of our youths.

    “My administration will continue to support athletics and other sports.

    “As you are already aware, Delta is a home for sports and we have produced international and national champions for decades,’’ he said.

    The President of AFN, Chief Solomon Ogba, commended the Delta Government for the sponsorship.

    Ogba also said the state was famous for producing national and international champions, including Blessing Okagbare, an Olympic medalist in 200m.

    Some of the events featured at the event included 100m (men and women), 4x100m relay, javelin and high jump.

  • Delta, private firm, sign MoU for $20m oil palm project

    Delta, private firm, sign MoU for $20m oil palm project

    The Delta Government has signed a 20 million dollars Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Norsworthy Investment Limited, a private firm, for the cultivation of 3,000 acres of oil palm and processing plant project.

    The MoU for the project which would be sited at Akwukwu-Igbo community, Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state, was signed in Asaba on Thursday by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Festus Agas.

    Agas reiterated the commitment of the state government to provide the needed support for investment towards developing every sector of the state economy.

    He said: “Upon the inception of this present administration in the state, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa, expressed his commitment to create an enabling environment for investement to thrive.

    “The governor is committed to creating jobs and as such ensure a massive investment drive to grow our economy.

    He pointed out that Okowa’s administration placed high premium on agriculture, saying that agriculture remains the mainstay of the state economy.

    He lauded the management of Norsworthy Investment for its interest in developing the state, assuring the firm that the state government would provide every necessary support to make the project a success.

    “In my opinion, I think this is most strategic MoU we have signed with a private firm so far.

    “I want to say here that it is a laudable move that will not only create jobs, but also bring development to the area.”

    Agas called on other investors both local and foreign to emulate Norsworthy and take advantage of the enabling investment environment in the state to help grow the state economy.

    Also, the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr Kingsley Emu, said the signing of the agreement marked the highpoint of a business plan hatched over eight months ago by both parties.

    According to him, what we are witnessing today is the highpoint of a meeting held about eight months ago between the state government and Norsworthy Limited.

    “Sometime ago, the company approached the Delta state government requesting for three thousand acres of land to enable them grow oil palm plantation for agricultural value chain development.

    Emu said following the request, the state government approached the people of Akwukwu-Igbo community and the community volunteered to provide the needed land.

    According to Emu, the people of Akwukwu-Igbo, led by their monarch, Chief Obi David Azuka,  have provided the three thousand acres of land, which have been inspected and ready for the take of the project.

    The commissioner said that the land provided was highly productive considering its richness in agricultural production, and expressed the hope that the investment would be of mutual benefit to the state and the company.

    “It is our believe that this strategic move by Norsworthy will open up the area and create jobs for our people,” Emu said.

    Earlier, the Chairman of Norsworthy Investment Limited, Dr Gabriel Ogbechie, expressed the determination of the company to contribute its quota in the development of Delta.

    Ogbechie said: “We are very passionate when it comes to investment, not only in Delta but elsewhere because investment brings development to the people and grows the economy of its area of operation.

    “I want to commend Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa for his vision and commitment to bring development to the state, and we are ready to bring our own contribution to growing the Delta economy.”

    Ogbechie, who is also the chairman of Rainoil Nigeria Limited, a leading player in the nation’s petroleum industry, said Nigeria was blessed with veritable agricultural land that should be utilised to improve the fortunes of the nation.

    He said with the signing of the MoU, the company would be moving to site as early as possible to commence clearing work so that the project could start in the shortest possible time.

    “As a company, we are going to inject an initial 20 million dollars into the project to take off, and as we move on, more funds will be inject to expand and grow the investment.

    “Also, I see this project creating over five thousand jobs for our people. I can assure the people of this state that this project is going to improve the economy of Delta state,” Ogbechie said.

    NAN reports that the occasion was attended by some members of the Delta Executive Council, management team of Norsworthy Investment Limited and a representative of Akwukwu-Igbo community, Dr Ben Iwezu.

  • Delta Assembly passes 18 bills in 12 months – Speaker

    Delta Assembly passes 18 bills in 12 months – Speaker

    The 6th Assembly of the Delta House of Assembly says out of the 34 bills received in the last 12 months, it passed 18.

    The Speaker of the Assembly, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori announced this while briefing newsmen on the activities of the assembly as it marks its second anniversary on Thursday in Asaba.

    Oborevwori said that out of the 18 bills passed by the assembly, 12 of them had received assent by Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa, while the remaining six were waiting for his assent.

    He said that some of the bills, which had been assented to by the governor included the Delta State Economic Planning Council Amendment Law, 2015 and the Delta State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy Law.

    Oborevwori said that the Delta State Anti-kidnapping and Hostage bill was also passed into law.

    He said that bills awaiting the governor’s assent included the Delta state agency for control of HIV/AIDS Bill, 2016 and the Delta State Bureau for Lands Instrument Preparation Charges Bill.

    Oborevwori assured the governor that the assembly would continue to maintain a cordial working relationship with the executive arm of government.

    He further assured the people of the state of the assembly’s readiness to improve on its performance as it commenced the third legislative year.

    Oborevwori said that the remaining 16 bills, which had not been passed by the house, were at various committee stages.

    The speaker assured people of the state that the assembly would continue to do that which was expected of them as lawmakers.

    “We are aware that the people of the state are looking forward to the delivery of more dividends of democracy and it is in our place to make it happen.

    “Despite the harsh economic situation which has affected service delivery, the assembly remains committed to providing effective representation to our constituencies,’’ he said.

    Oborevwori said that in the next parliamentary year, the house would ensure that it retained its focus and engage in deliberations and matters that would improve the fortune of the state.

  • Educationist advocates re-introduction of teachers’ training colleges

    Mrs Oghenekvwe Abigor, the Headmistress, Olodi Primary School, Warri, on Wednesday suggested the re-introduction of Teachers’ Training Colleges (TTCs) into the country’s educational system.

    Speaking with newsmen in Warri, Abigor said that the return of such colleges would help address the falling standard of teaching in the country.

    She said that TTCs were the foundation through which the basic rudiments of teaching was taught and imparted in aspiring teachers.

    While commending the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) for its effort at improving the teaching profession, Abigor said some of the basic things TTCs were known for could be introduced into the Colleges of Education curriculum.

    “TTCs are the foundation of teaching where teachers are exposed to the basic rudiments of the teaching profession.

    “I appeal to the TRCN to re-introduce the TTCs or incorporate some of those things taught in the colleges into the Colleges of Education,to improve on our teaching standard.

    “How can you send somebody to go and study Psychology and ask him to go and teach?

    “I make bold to say that without a Teachers’ Grade Two Certificate, which you get on graduation from a TTC, you are not a teacher”

    Abigor commended Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta for his doggedness towards improving the standard of education in the state.

    “New teachers posted to my school under this administration, are paired with qualified teachers who train them on how to teach pupils,” she said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the TRCN has threatened to eliminate unregistered and non-professional teachers from 2018, to bring sanity into the teaching profession.

     

  • we shall collaborate with FG to sustain peace in Niger Delta- Okowa

    we shall collaborate with FG to sustain peace in Niger Delta- Okowa

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta said the State Government would collaborate with the Federal Government to sustain the existing peace in the Niger Delta region.

    Okowa gave the assurance on Tuesday when he paid a courtesy call on His Royal Majesty, Anthony Ogbogbor, the Uzorigbudu of Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area of The state.

    The governor who was in Ozoro to commission some completed road rejects in the area, urged the people to remain peaceful to attract more projects to the area.

    According to the governor, the Federal Government is committed to ensuring sustained peace in the region.

    “We shall collaborate with the Federal Government to ensure that the existing peace is sustained in the entire Niger Delta region.

    “So, I urge you to remain peaceful and your request on the OML 26 operating in this area is noted,” he said.

    Ogbogbor commended the governor for his prudence in the management of the “lean resources” accruing to the state currently.

    He, however, called on the governor to insist and advise the operators of the OML 26 on the local content.

    “Host communities should be giving right of first refusal, we are peaceful people but they should look our way,” the monarch said.