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Tag: Ifeanyi Okowa

  • Delta community gives 14-day ultimatum to Police, NPDC

    To redress alleged Injustice, Impropriety

     

    The federal and Delta state government have been charged to take steps to address two issues of injustice against the people of Udu Kingdom in Delta state before the people resort to self-help.

    The charge was given on Tuesday by the people of the Kingdom during a peaceful protest, involving women and youths of the kingdom against alleged inconsiderate and unjust treatment of the people by both the Nigeria Police and the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC).

    The people, however, gave a 14-day ultimatum for the police to return the overseeing authority of the area from Burutu council to either Ughelli or Warri, just as it demanded that the NPDC locates a flow station within its land area to compensate its contribution to the nation’s daily crude oil export.

    The protesters, who matched through Otor-Udu, the headquarters of Udu council area of Delta state, had stops at the Udu council secretariat, Otor-Udu, the Delta state Government House Annex, Warri, the Delta Broadcasting  (DBS) studio in Warri and finally at the palace of the Ovie of Udu Kingdom.

    The protest, led by the Youth President of Udu Kingdom, Comrade Sunday Subi, was targeted at rejecting the decision of the Nigeria Police to attach the Ovwian/Aladja Divisional police to the Burutu Area Command and the neglect being suffered by the kingdom as a result of the absence of a flow station in the area, despite the huge quantity of oil drilled from the area.

    According to Subi, “this is to protest the attachment of the police in Udu council to Burutu Area Command, which is in Burutu council area. We totally reject this. As if that is not enough, the NPDC, which has been drilling oil from Udu for more than 30 years decides not to site a flow station here. So this is also to demand for a flow station to be sited in Udu.

    “We were initially with the Ughelli Area Command and they later took us to Warri and now to Burutu. The distance between here and Burutu is between 4 to 8 hours. However, the distance between here and Ughelli or Warri is between 20 to 30 minutes.

    “We are saying that with the number of communities we have in Udu, we are fit to have our own area command, but if they say they can’t give us an area command, they should attach us to either the Ughelli Area Command or Warri Area Command.

    “Our leaders have written petitions before now and this is the last action we will take to let the world know we have been demanding for these things. If after 14 days of this protest and we see no action, we will be forced to go ahead and lock all oil wells in Udu Kingdom”, he warned.

    Also speaking to journalists during protests, one of the leaders of the women, Mrs. Florence Jigbale said the distance between Udu communities and Burutu, which is an Ijaw riverine area, is too much for the people to contemplate.

    “The question is how do they expect us to be going that far? We can’t take this. Udu is big enough to be an area command; we have 36 communities in Udu, why will they attach us to a place that far? To get to Burutu you will go past Ughievwen and Ughelli before we can start the journey to Burutu. Udu won’t agree with them on this.

    “They should give us our own police area command, Udu is big enough, at least the federal government knows the benefits it gets from Udu. The same thing goes for the flow station demand”, she said.

    Meanwhile, attending to the protesters at the Udu council secretariat, the vice chairman of the council, Hon Justice Iyasere, said the issues being protested would be promptly addressed, noting that the chairman of the council, Hon Jite Brown, was already in Asaba with the state governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, and would related their grievances to the appropriate quarters.

  • Atiku clinches PDP 2019 Presidential ticket

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has won the PDP Presidential ticket for the 2019 general elections.

    Abubakar won the poll with 1532 votes out of the total 3221 votes cast by 36 states and FCT.

    The result was announced by Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, Chairman PDP 2018 Special National Convention Planning Committee, at the end of the party’s convention on Sunday in Port Harcourt.

    In the results announced by Okowa, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal followed Atiku with 693 votes, while Sen. Bukola Saraki placed third with 317 votes.

    Others include: Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso 158 votes; Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo 111 votes; Sule Lamido 96 votes and Ahmed Makarfi 74 votes.

    The rest are: Tanimu Turaki 65 votes; Attahiru Bafarawa 48 votes; Sen. David Mark 35 votes; Jonah Jang 19 votes; while Datti Ahmed got 5 votes.

    Read also: Atiku: To get Nigeria working again, we must defeat APC

     

    The total votes cast were 3221, while delegates accredited were 3,274 and the voided votes stood at 68.

    Atiku Abubakar was born on Nov. 25, 1946, in Jada, Adamawa. He was the vice-president of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007, on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), with Olusegun Obasanjo as President.

    Abubakar worked with the Nigeria Customs Service for twenty years, rising to become the Deputy Director, the second highest position in the Service, then. He retired in April 1989 and took up full-time business and politics.

    Abubakar contested for the APC presidenstial ticket in 2015 and came third behind Muhammadu Buhari and Rabiu Kwankwaso.

    He recently defected to the PDP from the APC to enable him to realise his ambition to become the president of Nigeria.

  • NUJ: Okowa congratulates Isiguzo

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Saturday congratulated Mr Chris Isiguzo, the new President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

    Okowa, whose congratulatory message was conveyed in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu in Asaba, called on Isiguzo to take the issues of members welfare seriously.

    He expressed optimism that Isiguzo would make a difference in the task, given his wealth of experience and the positions he occupied in the profession.

    The governor also urged Isiguzo to key into the desire of the people of Nigeria for real change and good governance and to lead the body of journalists to support the peoples wish.

    Okowa assured the union of his support at all times.

    He also commended the immediate past President of the union, Mr Waheed Odusile for his contributions to the development of the journalism while in office.

    Read Also: Former Benue NUJ Chairman wins LP ticket

    According to Okowa, the election of Chris Isiguzo as the new President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists is not a surprise, following his antecedents as Vice President of NUJ, South East Zone.

    He said: “His emergence at this time is significant and momentous in view of the fact that Nigerians are desirous to enthrone a true democratic change in the way they are being governed.

    “The NUJ should strive to change the negative narrative on the issue of welfare of journalists seriously by ensuring better conditions of service and remuneration for working journalists and retired ones.

    “If the welfare needs of journalists who are watchmen against corruption in society are well taken care of, they would be better disposed to playing the critical roles expected of them as agents of good governance and accountability.

    NAN

  • Delta starts fumigation of IDPs camps

    Chief John Nani, Delta Commissioner for Environment, on Friday said that the ministry had started fumigation of the various Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps across the state.

    Nani, who made this known in Asaba, said that the fumigation of the IDPs camp was part of the government efforts to create a comfortable environment for the flood victims.

    He said that the safety of Deltans was paramount to Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa’s prosperity agenda.

    The commissioner, however, advised the people in the camps to keep their environment clean; practice regular hand washing and always cover food stuffs to prevent rodents from gaining access to their foods.

    He said that the Environment Ministry had fumigated the IDPs at Ogbe-Afor Primary School, Asaba, in Oshimili South Local Government Area and Ewulu Grammar School, Ewulu in Aniocha South Local Government Area.

    Read Also: Delta North APC leaders endorse Utomi as consensus candidate

    The commissioner said that the ministry also fumigated the camp at Utagba-Ogbe Technical College, Kwale in Ndokwa West Local Government Area and other places.

    Nani, in a statement issued by the State Ministry of Information, said that there would be a statewide environmental sanitation on Saturday and there would be no restriction of movement.

    According to the commissioner, there will be no restriction of movement due to the ongoing West African Examination Council (WAEC) Private Examination.

    He advised the general public to keep their environment clean by cutting over-grown weeds and clearing all drains around their residential and business premises.

    Nani said the State Waste Management Board would evacuate all waste to the approved dump sites.

    He noted that the Delta State Ministry of Environment, Local Government Authorities and other relevant authorities, would monitor the exercise.

  • Paris Club Refund: NLC urges FG to rescind decision

    The Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC ), Delta Chapter has appealed to the Federal Government to rescind its decision to withdraw the third tranche Paris Club refund credited to the State. .

    NLC said the decision of the Federal Government to withdraw the refund was “worrisome”.

    The union said local government workers and primary school teachers were already celebrating following Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s release of N5 billion to off set their salary arrears.

    Rising from an emergency State Executive Committee (SEC) meeting of the NLC in Asaba, the union in a communique signed by the secretary, Innocent Ofuonyeadi also charged the Delta State Government not to renege on its promise to clear all arrears of salary owed workers.

    “NLC Delta State Council appeals to the Federal Government to rescind its decision and let the Delta State Government fulfill her promise to off set local government workers’ and primary school teachers’ backlog of salaries.

    “SEC also charged the Delta State Government to expeditiously meet her part of the bargain as requested by the Federal Government and clear every area of doubt with regards to London Paris Club refunds,” the communique stated.

    Read Also: Organised Labour to workers: Stay at home till further notice

    On the warning strike, the Delta NLC urged all its affiliate unions to adhere to the directive by the national leadership of NLC, adding that committees have been set up for effective monitoring and compliance across major cities of the state.

    The communique charged leaders of affiliate unions to sensitize and mobilise their members for the warning strike “aimed at further reaffirming NLC’s resolve for upward review of the minimum wage.”

    It said the warning strike action has become necessary following the deliberate refusal of Federal Government “to re-commence the tripartite negotiating committee meeting to enable them finalise their report for onward transmission to the Federal Executive Council upon which a bill will be sent to the National Assembly to repeal the current N18,000.00 minimum wage regime.”

  • Okowa loses aide to suspected gunmen

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Wednesday mourned the demise of his Special Adviser on Investments, Mr Sunday Ozege, who was killed on Tuesday by suspected gunmen along the Benin bypass in Edo.

    The governor’s condolence was issued and signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Charles Aniagwu in Asaba.

    Okowa commiserated with the Ozege family of Ogume in Ndokwa West Local Government Area, describing the deceased as a very hard working and easy-going man.

    The governor said that Ozege, who had served the state in various committees, was a strong pillar of support to his administration.

    Read Also:Buhari has done well in Delta State more than Jonathan – Emerhor

    “I was shocked to hear of the tragic death of Mr Sunday Ozege in the hands of suspected gunmen along the Benin bypass in Edo State.

    “He will be missed by thousands of people whom he had assisted in one way or the other.

    “His role in politics and the development of his community and state will remain an inspiration for other political actors.

    “My condolences to his family, members of the State Executive Council, close associates and the people of Ogume Community,” Okowa said.

  • Okowa lauds Team Delta for winning NYG

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Monday congratulated Team Delta for winning the 4th National Youth Games (NYG) in Ilorin for the 4th consecutive time.

    The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu in Asaba, lauded the handlers and the management of the Delta State Sports Commission for the feat.

    He said he was not surprised that the team came top because Delta had been a pacesetter in sports development.

    He said the successes recorded by the team stemmed from the huge investments in sports by the state government.

    According to him, the state government revived Headmasters’ and Principals’ Cup competitions as well as its huge investments in sports infrastructure like the Ozoro Polytechnic Stadium and the world class Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.

    Read Also: Athletes proud to represent Lagos at National Youth Games

    “The Keshi Stadium, which hosted the just concluded African Senior Athletics Championships tagged: Asaba 2018, is poised to continuously blaze the trail,” he said.

    Okowa also commended the Federal Ministry of Sports for organizing such events that provided an avenue to bring young people together for their physical and mental development.

    He assured the youths that the state government would do more to improve their welfare and charged team to continue to make the state proud.

    Delta came top with a total of 67 medals, comprising 27gold; 24 silver, and 16 bronze.

    Lagos, which did not participate in the second and third editions, emerged second by winning 23 gold, 15 silver and 22 bronze.

    Team Bayelsa and Ogun were joint third, winning 34 medals with 11 gold; 7 silver, and 16 bronze apiece.

     

  • PDP Primaries: Ensure fairness in Oshimili North, Group urges Okowa

    Oshimili North Arise, a political pressure group, has urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to provide level-playing ground for aspirants in its nationwide House of Assembly primary election on Saturday.

    It particularly called on Delta Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, to ensure that fairness prevailed in the exercise in the state, especially in Oshimili North constituency.

    The group made the call in a statement in Abuja on Sunday by its National Chairman, Dr Ndu Ojejeh and National Secretary, Mr Carl Enumah.

    It reminded the governor of decades-long political domination of major parts of Oshimili North Local Government Area by only one community, Ibusa, which had continued to alienate other communities in the area, politically.

    The group revealed that in the forthcoming primary election, the community’s political leaders, in collaboration with the local government chairman, had deployed blackmail and intimidation tools against Mr Frank Esenwah, the only aspirant not from the community.

    According to the group, Ibusa’s `political community’ headed by Sen. Peter Nwaoboshi, wants the community to continue to occupy the constituency’s seat in the House of Assembly as it has been since 1999.

    It said that since 1991 when Delta was created, Ibusa had occupied all political offices at all levels, available to the entire local government area, oppressing and marginalizing other communities.

    The group, therefore, urged Ibusa political leaders and the local government chairman to eschew blackmail and threats to delegates for the primary election “and allow them freedom to vote fairly”.

    “Let there be a free and fair primary so that any contestant who emerges from it will be seen as the people’s choice.

    “The clandestine movements to ensure than Ibusa occupies the local government’s seat in the assembly in 2019, and for their lackey in the local government’s council to pick the slot in 2023, should stop.

    “It is unacceptable and will be resisted. Let the democratic process of selecting a candidate fairly at the polls run its course in Oshimili North – enough of impunity, blackmail and intimidation.”

    The group reminded the public that “all commissionership slots for the area had always been taken by Ibusa since the creation of Delta, save for the current holder. The same applies for chairmanship of the local government.

    “Between 1999 and 2007, Dr Felicia Nwaeze, from Ibusa, was in the House of Assembly, and from then to date, Mrs Pat Ajudua, wife of Fred Ajudua, also from Ibusa, has been in the saddle.

    “Currently, Mr Peter Nwaoboshi, also from Ibusa, who was commissioner in the two terms of James Ibori as governor, and later became PDP Chairman in the state, is the Senator representing Delta North District at the Senate.

    “In spite of these cases of marginalization and brazen insensitivity, Ibusa is currently pushing with every might, for Ajudua or another person from the community to be in the Assembly in 2019.

    “Ibusa is only one community out of others, including Okpanam, Illah, Ebu, Akwukwu-Igbo (Headquarters), Ukala-Okpuno, Atuma, Aninwalo and Ukala-Okwute, in the local government area.”

    Recalling its earlier statement on the issue, the group said, “We are saying that for equity and justice, the House of Assembly position should go to any of the other communities in the area in 2019.”

    Read also: Shekarau to PDP: ‘You lack internal democracy’

    “Besides, the current position of Nwaoboshi as senator suffices as huge political gain for Ibusa people as it dwarfs the positions of commissioner, house of assembly member and local government chairman, put together.

    “Rather than be the arrowhead for perpetuating political disequilibrium and disharmony in the area, Nwaoboshi should show gratitude, magnanimity and transparent leadership by letting other positions go outside Ibusa in 2019.

    “The senator should not hold the grudge against Esenwah over allegation that he did not get enough votes in Illah community in 2015.

    “This is particularly so when the senator is pushing hard to return to the Red Chamber and everybody in the local government area has endorsed it and is in the vanguard for actualizing it.”

    The group added that Nwaoboshi, like the governor, should show good political leadership laced with tolerance, justice, accommodation, selflessness and inclusiveness.

  • Okowa expresses shock over Church building collapse

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has expressed shock over the death of a worshiper in the collapse of St. Paul’s Catholic Church building at Ugolo, Okpe Local Government Area of Delta.

    Okowa expressed the shock over the unfortunate incident in a statement issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Charles Aniagwu, and made available to newsmen in Warri.

    The church building was said to have collapsed on Sunday morning while service was going on.

    The governor described the incident as a sad, unfortunate and regrettable experience.

    Okowa prayed for the repose of the departed faithful and condoled with the family.

    According to the statement, the governor has dispatched the State Commissioner for Works, Mr James Augoye, to visit the site.

    The statement added that the visit would enable the government to unravel the circumstances surrounding the collapse of the building and how it could assist the injured worshipers and the church.

    It stated: “This is indeed a very sad and unfortunate incident. On behalf of the Government and people of Delta. I commiserate with the family of the deceased and those injured”.

    Okowa also condoled with the Speaker of Delta House of Assembly, Sheriff Oborevwori, Chairman of Okpe Local Government Council, Julius Scott.The Orodje of Okpe, retired Maj.- Gen. Felix Mujakperuo and Ugolo community in Okpe Kingdom over the incidence.

    “It is our prayer that the soul of the deceased will rest in peace, and the injured will experience quick recovery.

    “Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with the people of Ugolo in Okpe Kingdom over this tragedy,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the Delta Speaker,Sheriff Oborevwori, has promised to foot the medical bill of those injured in the incident.

  • Delta to mitigate corps members inconveniences in camp

    The Delta Government says it will mitigate the inconveniences faced by corps members in camp during their orientation period.

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa said this at the swearing in ceremony of 2018 Batch ‘B’ stream 11 orientation course for corps members deployed to Delta.

    Okowa, represented by Mr Jude Someone, the state Commissioner for Higher Education, said the state government would ensure that the scheme succeeded in Delta.

    He said that the state government was determined to strengthen and deepen relationship with the scheme to drive rural transformation and achieve prosperity for all.

    Read Also: Army to get Brigade in Delta

    He said that government must steadfastly engaged youths and ensure the creation of enabling environment for them to exercise their talents.

    He said that government would continue to be magnanimous even in the face of economic recession.

    The NYSC Coordinator in the state, Mr Benjamin Omotade, said that 2,123 corps members were registered as at the close of registration on Wednesday night.

    Omotade said Bayelsa had 464 corps members, Edo 476 and Delta 1,183, adding that the number in Delta consisted 1,197 males and 926 females.

    He advised corps members to make positive use of the camp period which could launch them into path of responsible leadership.

    Omotade said that the scheme was designed to groom youths to take up leadership roles and positions in order to build strong, peaceful, united and prosperous Nigeria.