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  • Delta students to get N381m Bursary in 2019

    The Government of Delta has approved N381 million for the 2018/2019 bursary scheme for its students in higher institutions.

    The Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, made this known while briefing newsmen on the outcome of State Executive Council meeting on Wednesday in Asaba.

    Aniagwu, who was in company with the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Olisa Ifeajika said that the state government approved that over 17,000 students benefit from the assistance.

    “Government has approved the sum of 381 million naira for the 2018/2019 bursary scheme for students of Delta State origin in higher institutions in the country. Over 17,000 students will benefit from this scheme from the over 24,000 students that applied.

    He disclosed that government has also approved the recertification of all co-operative societies in the state to ensure that they meet best practices and they truly reflect the yearnings and aspirations of their members.

    Read Also; Councilor assassinated in Delta

    Aniagwu also disclosed that EXCO has approved the reorganization of the Ministry of Oil and Gas with the creation of additional six departments to ensure that the Ministry meet up its mandate of monitoring the activities of the oil sector in the state.

    While expressing government’s concern on environmental cleaning, the commissioner said that government would soon embark on the clearance of illegal structures on our highways to ensure safety of motorists and other deltans on these roads.

    On the palliative measures on ‘federal roads, he said that the state government would continue to carry out the repairs of the roads as they impact more on the state economy and the lives of deltans.

  • ‘Lyon’s popularity alone can’t win Bayelsa for APC’

    Ex-militant leader and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa,s State, Eris Paul, popularly known as Ogunboss, has warned leaders of the party against carefree attitude in their approach to win the November 16 governorship election.

    Ogunboss particularly urged the national and state leaders of the party not to underrate the Peoples Democratic Party and its state leader, Governor Seriake Dickson, ahead of the poll.

    Speaking in Yenagoa, the state capital, the ex-creek warlord insisted that winning the forthcoming election would go beyond the popularity and wide acceptance of the party’s candidate, Chief David Lyon.

    He said the APC must avoid nonchalant attitude, overconfidence and embrace hard work, early preparations by quickly setting up campaign structures in units, wards and the state levels.

    Ogunboss, who hails from Southern Ijaw observed that the APC has so far dominated the political stage of the state following the acceptance of its candidate and political errors of the PDP.

    But he said the APC should be serious from the beginning to the end and stop parading itself as if it had won the election.

    He said: I am shocked when some party faithful claim that we have gotten the crowd, the numbers and even the publicity is on our side. But that does not get the job done. The might, the crowd, the number and media publicity are good designs. A good design in politics is a great combination of common sense, but not enough to say you have already arrived

    “Yes, you have the chances and opportunity that are knocking on our door as APC, but the most common way people give out their chances is by thinking they have arrived when they have not.

    “Elections are won by structures not by number of defectors. The same way theatres and actors were required for the creation of the world, so are structures required to win a governorship election.

    ‘What are our structures? Where are our theatres and actors to win the elections? Good designs are not foundations of a map. A map is not the territory it represents, but the ground it occupied. Dickson is not an easy target in an election.

    Read Also: Post primary: Court orders substituted service on Lyon, running mate

    “I repeat, Dickson is not an easy fight during an election. You’re going to territories that were once structured by PDP and they are surviving like old monuments or quaint customs’.

    “This is time to break thumbs, smatch quaint customs, kick structures to build structures or its medicine after death. Efforts and courage alone is not enough to win an election, this is time for direction, know your job, go down and kickstart the job. You have a task that challenges your human excellence and definitiveness because no fixed purpose in any struggle is lost”.

    Ogunboss also called on the Chief Dikivie Ikhiogha Committee on peace and reconciliation to reach out to known party chieftains that may have become aggrieved before and after the Governorship primaries of the party to shealt their swords and work for the victory of the party.

    “Though every member of the party have the right to be aggrieved if wronged, the preparation of the party and the setting up of a peace and reconciliation committee should be seen as an indication to embrace dialogue and work for the victory of the party”, he said.

  • ‘Enormous’ economic potentials in Sapele, Warri other ports revival – Omo-Agege

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has described as “enormous,” the economic gains to be derived from reviving the Sapele, Warri, Burutu, and other ports in Delta state.

    He also harped on the need for oneness in Urhobo nation, urging its leaders to prioritize the interest of the ethnic nationality in their different dispositions.

    The DSP spoke at the inaugural public lecture of the Urhobo Renaissance Movement (URM), held Tuesday, at the PTI Conference Centre, Effurun.

    URM, a group of professionals of Urhobo extraction, seeks to “rekindle the spirit of unity” and promote development across Urhobo nation.

    Represented by an aide, Chuks Erhire, Senator Omo-Agege said rebirthing the culture of Urhobo people will include developing the economic and social sectors of the land.

    “Your task in cultural renaissance, as you know, has to take into account the totality of our ‘Urhoboness’. It is in this context that I understand your earlier call on the federal authorities to resuscitate the six sea ports in Urhobo and adjourning lands that have since been abandoned or closed to commercial traffic. These include Sapele, Warri, Koko, Forcados, Burutu and Escravos ports.

    “There’s need for a concise, constructive and sustained follow-up on this until the desired results are obtained as we are aware of the enormous economic potential this holds. This is in terms of job creation, as well as the creation of ancillary industries, complete with the multiplier trails they leave in their wake.”

    Omo-Agege while recalling the efforts of the founding father of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Chief Mukoro Mowoe, to ensuring unity across Urhobo land, posited that the establishment of the renowned Urhobo College, Effurun (UCE), in 1946 “is a reconciling symbol”.

    He further urged the organisation to use its various capacities to forge the much needed “unity of purpose and interest within the Urhobo leadership, and nation in general. We cannot be tired of calling for unity of purpose among our people since our nominal strength translates to divisions and clashes”.

    Meanwhile, in his lecture, Professor of Commercial and Industrial Law, Prof. Joseph Abugu, opined that keys to reviving the fortunes of Urhobo nation should be directed towards cultural, economic and political “resurgence”.

    Read Also; Nigeria, South Africa to review 32 agreements

    Calling for Urhobo leaders to be “vocal” in the agitation for Nigeria’s restructuring, he said, “the clamour for restructuring of this country will continue and only equity will cure it. Our independence will come when our leaders recognize there is inequality in the system.”

    Former Minister of Information, who chaired the occasion, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, had earlier commended the organization for remaining steadfast in its vision to ensuring the development of Urhoboland, urging those with “access to where decisions are being taken” to use it as an “asset”.

    Dignitaries at the ceremony include member representing UghelliSouth North/South/Udu Federal constituency Hon. Francis Waive, Convener of URM, Professor Hope Eghagha, traditional rulers, among others.

  • My wife subjects me to perpetual fear, man tells court

    Rahimi Ganiyu, a businessman, on Thursday, petitioned a Mapo Customary Court in Ibadan to dissolve his 17-year-old marriage over his constant fear of his wife, Adijat Ganiyu.

    Ganiyu, a resident of Soka area in Ibadan explained before Chief Ademola Odunade, the President of the court that his wife whom he married in 2002 had become a terror by constantly causing him apprehension and discomfort.

    He added that the only option he had left was to seek legal intervention in getting Adijat out of his house or she might get rid of him any moment from now.

    “For some years now, my cohabitation under the same roof with Adijat can best be described as passive or servant-master relationship because of the fear my wife has instilled in me.

    “If there is any misunderstanding between both of us, Adijat usually aim at my life and she does this by threatening me with knife.

    “In fact, she recently got petrol in an attempt to set my house ablaze and it took the effort of well meaning people in the community to pacify her.

    “I cannot count how many times Adijat has willfully destroyed my personal wears including; clothes shoes and other properties.

    “Worst still, she damaged my car key and the windscreen and I cannot allow her to kill me before my time,” Ganiyu said.

    Read Also: 60-year-old arrested for defiling 9-year-old niece

    In her argument, the respondent opposed the suit and refuted all the allegations leveled against her.

    Adijat however, prayed the court to consider the four children between both of them in dismissing her husband’s divorce prayer.

    “My lord, none of the submissions made by Ganiyu against me is true, though we sometimes had quarrels.

    “He doesn’t even fend for the children, let alone their feeding or mine.

    “I even suggested to him that I can jointly shoulder the responsibility with him. He however, adamantly refused to do anything.

    “We quarreled because he never wanted to be responsible, he doesn’t like paying the children’s school fees,” Adijat stated.

    In his judgment, Odunade held that the court was convinced that the allegation of threat to life was well proven against Adijat.

    Consequently, he dissolved the union and granted custody of the first two children to the plaintiff and the last two to the respondent.

    The Arbitrator also directed Ganiyu to pay N10, 000 as the children’s monthly feeding allowance in addition to being responsible for their education and other welfare needs.

  • Ondo lawmaker, Yomi Akinrutan, celebrates love

    Proverbs 18:22 says: “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD”. Hon. Prince Abayomi Akinrutan, is a happy man, whose joy knows no bound as he is still basking on the euphoria of immense blessings and favour marriage has thrown at him.

    The Ondo State Lawmaker representing Ilaje constituency 1 is in gay mood as he celebrates his 15th year of nuptial bliss with his delectable wife Olamide On October 2. The love birds tied the knot on the 2nd of October in 2004 ever since that moment, they have witness tremendous growth in every aspect of life till date as they are both blessed with three beautiful kids.

    The Olugbo of Ugbo crown Prince never ceased to show his flare for writing. He took to his social media where he eulogised the tenacity and doggedness of Olamide, stating how she stayed with him through hard times.

    Read Also: Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila’s large heart

    “Thanks for being the reason behind my smile, for making me look forward to tomorrow and for always pushing me towards success., Thanks for accomplishing me in this journey of my life and for being such an amazing person”.

    ABA, as he is fondly called, is a business man who has his hands tied on several business littered across the country ranging from; hospitality, Oil and Gas, Recreational Centre, Entertainment, Music business etc. He is the current parliamentary Secretary and Ondo State Chairman House committee on OSOPADEC.

  • Has Hon. Farouk Lawan ‘Mr Integrity’ faded into political oblivion?

    Those conversant with the political melo-drama in the National Assembly since 1999, would attest to the fact that the fear of the Hon. Farouk Lawan, a fierce legislator, witty in nature and politically sound, is the beginning of wisdom.

    The Kano state born politician was in 1999-2015 elected into the Green Chambers representing the Bagwai/Shanono, Federal Constituency Kano State.

    Lawan rose to his political crescendo after her served as the chairman House Committee on Finance under former Speaker Aminu Masari.

    Farouk galvanised some important issues, revealing some fraudulent activities. His fearless and uncompromising nature, despite wavering storm by strong political opposition, earned him the moniker ‘Mr. Integrity’.

    However, he formed a caucus in the House named the; ‘Integrity Group’. They opposed the first female Speaker Patricia Etteh, after being paraded for financial mismanagement, which led to her resignation before the emergence of Dimeji Bankole.

    After being elected for his fourth term in 2011, Lawan’s political odyssey nosedived, taking a negative twist. His sobriquet became the opposite.

    Lawan was bestowed with an appointment as the Chairman of House Committee to investigate the federal government on fuel subsidy. At that very moment, Lawan never knew the office that came as a blessing in disguise, would eventually sink his political dynasty.

    According to reports filed by Lawan and his committee members, lots of fraudulent activities were detected. A whooping $6.8million was paid for petroleum products subsidy that were never delivered.

    Farouk’s political career received a jab when the human in him came to the fore. His integrity was put to test when he allegedly solicited for bribe from Femi Otedola.

    Farouk reportedly demanded for $3m as kickback to cancel the name of Otedola’s companies from his report before presenting it to the House. He was later paid $500,000 by Otedola in cash.

    On collecting the slush funds, Lawan was caught on a planted secret camera. Afterwards, his political career crumbled like the biblical wall of Jericho.

    When Lawan, saw that he might be indicted by the footage, showing how he collected bribe from Otedola, he quickly played a fast one, claiming he collected the cash to expose blackmail and was going to inform the committee and House about it. He was arrested alongside his cohorts, suspected for bribery scandal and charged to court.

    Ever since his ordeal with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the political empire, he struggled to build over the years, failed to resurrect.

    His loyalists and followers deserted him. They withdrew their support for him as he failed to return to the Lower Chamber in 2015.

    According to a close source stated he is struggling with his dwindling political career.

    “Farouk has lost his political clout to misadventure and political misfortune. He is still struggling for political relevance. With the way things are going now, I’m not sure he can ever bounce back. That stain on him has crashed him politically,” the source stated.

    It was further gathered that the former legislator is desperate to bounce back from his political woes but every attempt has hit the rocks.

  • BREAKING: Senate receives MTEF/FSP report

    The Senate on Thursday received the report of its Committee on Finance and National Planning on the 2020-2022 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP).

    The report was laid before the Senate by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Solomon Adeola, who also moved for the report to be considered.

    In the document, the Federal Government proposed the sum of N10.002trillion as the 2020 Appropriation Bill and the sum of N2.45trillion for debt service for next year.

    The Senate had on September 25 received the 2020-2022 MTEF/FSP from President Muhammadu Buhari and on September 26th, referred the document to its committee on Finance to report back on Wednesday, October 2.

    Read Also: Senate moves to check illegal mining

    Lawan, however, appealed to his colleagues to note that the report has been harmonized between the Senate and the House of Representatives who worked on the report jointly.

    He said there was need to speedily consider and approve the report to be able to catch up with the presentation of the budget early next week by Buhari.

     

    Details shortly…

  • BREAKING: Gunmen abduct Bayelsa commissioner’s father

    Unknown gunmen have abducted the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Doodei Week’s father, Chief George Agbabou Week.

    He was abducted from his home at Ayama-Ijaw in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

    The incident reportedly happened in the early hours of Thursday.

    Details shortly…

  • Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila’s large heart

    For the want of a perfect description, Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila is a misunderstood man. He is a dogged and resilient fighter, who is hell bent on achieving his tall dreams.

    The Speaker of the 9th National Assembly is synonymous with grace. The reason is not far-fetched. He is one of the few who have witnessed the goodness of the creator in their lives.

    Achieving his long -time dream as the Speaker is a clear indication that anything can be achieved with hard work, loyalty and consistency.

    Naysayers must have recoiled into their cocoon as elections at the Green Chambers are over and the House under his leadership has been fully involved in the business of law making.

    Those who have enjoyed a close rapport with Gbajabimila will attest to the fact that there is one thing you can’t take away from him; his heart of kindness and love for the downtrodden.

    Read Also; Oyo guber candidate, Bayo Adelabu, celebrates

    Despite his position as the 4th man in the country, he is not power drunk. Yet, he sees wealth, affluence and position as God- given which must be used for the uplift of humanity.

    The trained lawyer has demonstrated his humane side quite often most especially in 2017, when he gifted a physically challenged lawyer, Kamarudeen Idowu a brand new car for graduating from Law school.

    When he emerged Speaker, he further appointed him as one of his aides at the Green Chamber.

    The latest of his philanthropic deeds was when he visited Gidan Baki IDP camp, Kastina where he saw a 3-month old baby Halimatu Abdulai, who needed an urgent cleft plastic surgery.

    The Speaker, in his magnanimous nature, offered to sponsor the surgery in Abuja. A close source disclose little Halimatu has undergone a four- hour surgery at the Royal Specialist Hospital, Abuja where she is recuperating.

  • Oyo guber candidate, Bayo Adelabu, celebrates

    For those who think his influence and clout will be submerged after his loss at the last gubernatorial election in Oyo state under the All Progressive Congress (APC) Bayo Adelabu with the sobriquet “Penkelemense”, is still enjoying massive support from his party and people around him.

    Away from his defeat to Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the former Deputy Governor of Central Bank, who challenged his election at the tribunal, has accepted the outcome of the result in good faith and currently working on his next move politically.

    After setting his feet in the murky waters of politics, the Agbaakin Parakoyi of Ibadan land was widely commended for pulling such a huge weight at the just concluded pools. This is a clear indication that, he is well loved in Oyo state and beyond.

    On the 28th of September, Bayse 1 as he is fondly called in the social radar, celebrated his 49th birthday amidst pomp. Many had thought he was going to be deserted by favour seekers and supporters.

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    To the chagrin of his detractors, a mammoth crowd of supporters came out to share in his joy of his birthday. This turnout further certified that, Bayo is a heavy weight in politics.

    As part of the birthday celebration activities, APC leader in Oyo state, Mr Akin Oke also commissioned a new edifice. The Adelabu Penkelemense Political headquarters located at the highbrow area of Jericho, Ibadan.

    The birthday and building commissioning witnessed the presence of top political heavyweights in the state.

    In attendance were APC chieftain, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, ably represented by Mr Tunde Rahman his media adviser, Hon. Dapo Lam-Adeshina and a host of others.

    The First Class Accounting Graduate from Obafemi Awolowo University, we gathered, is currently focusing on his business, humanitarian foundation and human investment/development.

    He is currently restrategising and rebuilding his political dynasty. He will be relaunching his gubernatorial ambition in 2022, ahead of the 2023 general elections.