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Tag: Okowa

  • Stop blaming Buhari for Nigeria’s challenges – Okowa

    Stop blaming Buhari for Nigeria’s challenges – Okowa

    Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, on Sunday urged Nigerians, especially political leaders, to stop blaming President Muhammadu Buhari for the country’s challenges.

    Okowa spoke at the end of a seven-day convention of the Rock of Ages Christian Assembly International (RACAI) held in Benin, Edo State.

    The convention had the theme: “Too Faithful to Fail.”

    The governor said Nigerians should support the President instead of the undue criticism.

    He urged Christians to constantly pray that the nation would surmount its numerous challenges.

    The governor said Delta had several challenges shortly after he took over power, but they were surmounted with the help of prayers.

    He said, “I refused to be disturbed or regret being in power at that difficult moment. Apart from plans made to tackle the problems, we embarked on prayer, especially the one we organise every May 29, since 2015.

    “This is a way to say thank you God, we still believe and trust in you. The church must continue to pray for this country.

    “If you do not pray and you continue to complain about the nation’s woes, you are not a Christian.

    “When our nation is sick, we as a people are also sick. We should take the burden of the country as that of ourselves.”

    The Pastor of RACAI, Mr. Charles Osazuwa, said it was time Nigerians took responsibility of proffering solutions to the nation’s numerous challenges.

    NAN

     

     

  • No chieftaincy titles for me while in office, says Okowa

    No chieftaincy titles for me while in office, says Okowa

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi  Okowa has said he will not accept any chieftaincy title while in office.

    He said all titles will be deferred until after his tenure.

    Okowa spoke yesterday when he visited the Odio Ologbo of Oleh in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, Anthony Ovramwah,  who was celebrating his 80th birthday.

    The governor, who was also in Oleh to inaugurate and inspect projects to mark his second year in office, hailed the communities that desired to honour him with chieftaincy titles.

    He said such titles would be taken after leaving office.

    Okowa said: “I will not take chieftaincy titles during my tenure as governor. All titles will be deferred till after I leave office.”

    The governor said he needed to concentrate on the delivery of dividends of democracy to Delta residents.

    He congratulated the Odio Ologbo on his birthday and wished him more happy years on earth.

  • Maritime varsity takes off in October – Okowa

    Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, said in Abuja on Friday that the Maritime University would commence academic activities in Okerenkoko in October.

    The governor disclosed this to State House correspondents after a closed door meeting with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to him, a committee headed by the Minister of Education in which Delta State Deputy Governor is a member has been inaugurated to ensure the smooth take-off of the university.

    He said, “We are also aware that a committee has been set up led by the Minister of Education; my deputy is part of the committee to work out the processes to enable the maritime university take off in October.

    “It is a step in the right direction. So, I came to appreciate the vice president and to discuss some other issues with him.

    Okowa commended Osinbajo, whom he said had ensured peace in Delta in particular.

    “If you notice, in the past few months, there has been peace in Delta State. So, I wanted to appreciate his visit to Delta State because that definitely helped us in the peace process.

    “And just yesterday (Thursday), the Bill for the Maritime University, Okerenkoko, passed third reading at the Senate. That is definitely a very strong plus for us,” the governor added.

    NAN

     

  • Delta Central, South endorse Okowa for second term

    Delta Central, South endorse Okowa for second term

    STAKEHOLDERS of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta Central and South senatorial districts have endorsed Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for a second term.
    At their monthly meetings at Orerokpe and Warri respectively, the party leaders declared that there will be no vacancy at the State House in 2019.
    In Delta Central, the party leaders resolved to sustain power rotation in the state, by allowing Okowa who hails from Delta North to complete his eight years tenure.
    At the Delta South meeting, which was hosted by the immediate past Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, the stakeholders vowed to stop any plan by undemocratic forces to truncate the peaceful power rotation among the three senatorial districts.
    The Executive Assistant on Communication to the governor, Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, said it was a resounding “yes” voice vote, as the leaders and stakeholders endorsed the governor.
    The party Chairman, Kingsley Esiso, described Okowa as a political phenomenon and a pan-Delta leader with charisma and solid pedigree. He added that the Okowa administration has turned everywhere in the state to construction sites.
    He said: “Our amiable governor is the political leader to watch in 2019 and from all indications the opposition is still busy chasing shadows, casting aspersions at a workaholic governor who despite the self-inflicted economic recession by APC government was able to use the meagre resources available to government in laying a solid foundation for the socioeconomic remodelling of the state.
    “In less than two years, Okowa transformed thousands of our youths through human capital development and economic empowerment policies and programmes of government.
    “It is very clear and obvious that Delta Central and Delta South benefited from the turn-by-turn power rotation in the past which is why equity, good conscience and natural justice demands that Delta North must be allowed to complete her eight years slots.
    “Okowa must remain in Government House Asaba till May 2023; he was a good friend and political partner of Delta Central for several years and still counting.”
    Delta Central Chairman, Chief Patrick Fovie, agreed with Esiso, saying that the simplest strategy for equitable distribution of political power in the state is to sustain and improve on the existing power rotation among the three zones.
    “We must therefore be vigilant and tactful in dealing with the opposition, some of its leaders are trying to cause unnecessary confusion through deceitful political propaganda anchored on “Urhobo Interest.”
    Former Governor of Delta State and leader of PDP in Delta South, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan who hosted the South meeting said commonsense ought to remind a reasonable man that its the turn of Delta North to govern the state through their proxy, the governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa.
    “We the leaders and chieftains of Delta South arm of the state caucus of our great party, the PDP resolves here and now and must be communicated to our people in the senatorial district that come 2019, Gov Okowa is our consensus candidate and he is hereby returned unopposed for re-election in 2019.
    “Equity demands that since Delta Central and Delta South did 8 years each in the ongoing power rotation in the state, it is clear and very simple to conclude that Delta North must also do her 8 years through the incumbent governor, Ifeanyi Okowa. We appreciate the timely declaration made by our general political leader and former governor of the state, Chief James Onanefe Ibori for endorsing the incumbent governor for re-election and we in the South stand by this positive decision.” Uduaghan added.
    Speaking further on Urhobo interest in the political scheme of things in respect of 2019 elections, Chairman of Delta Central of the party, Chief Fovie re-echoed that “the best Urhobo interest is to allow equity and justice in political power distribution, support Delta North for second tenure as already declared by our general leader, James Onanefe Ibori, meaning that Gov Okowa will handover to Urhobo governor on May 29, 2023.
    “Urhobos cannot be fooled and misled by the opposition which also consists of the two key actors of Uvwiamuge Declaration and the Urhobo Governorship candidates in 2015, a development which planted regrettable seeds of political discord, bitter acrimony and division in Urhobo Nation.
    “The two Uvwiamuge Declaration exponents, Chief Great Ogboru and Olorogun Otega Emerhor have now reconciled into one party, they left Urhobo more confused and divided. They got huge political patronage from the APC federal government in terms of appointments for their family members and cronies leaving Urhobo Nation in open disgrace and disrepute which the new Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) executives is battling to restore for the good of Urhobo Nation.
    “We must therefore take the turn-by-turn message to our people in Delta Central and drum it very hard on their ears so that they do not yield to the personal selfish interests of some members of the opposition who wants to fraudulently grab power relying on the deceitful Urhobo interest as their campaign strategy in 2019.”
    Oghenesivbe quoted Governor Okowa as saying that his endorsement by the leaders and people of Delta Central and South is heartwarming, a super tonic that would propel him for greater delivery of dividends of democracy through various people oriented socioeconomic policies of government.
    He said over 2,000 APC members recently defected to PDP in Ughelli North and Aniocha NorthLGAs in the state as well as a former chieftain of the APC in Okpe LGA, Chief Paulinus Akpeki who also defected recently to PDP; an indication that the prosperity agenda of the Okowa administration is impacting positively on the lives of Deltans. adding that the governor is busy talking to and engaging would-be investors to grab the various investments incentives of government in productive sectors of the state economy especially investments that would speedily jack up job creation for our teeming youths.
    Those present at the Delta South meeting includes; former governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, the State Governor Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, his Deputy Kingsley Otuaro, the governor’s Principal Secretary Hilary Ibegbulem and other party leaders and chieftains in Delta South from Ijaw, Isoko and Itsekiri axis.
    Those who attended the Delta Central meeting includes; State party chairman, Kingsley Otuaro, Delta Central PDP Chairman, Chief Patrick Fovie, House of Representatives member representing Ethiope Federal Constituency, Barrister Loveth Idisi, Delta House of Assembly member, Hon Evance Ivwurie representing Ethiope East, Okpe constituency member at DTHA, Hon Sheriff Oborivwori, Ethiope East PDP Chairman, Felix Erhimedafe, a former Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ethiope East Council, Olorogun Sunny Onoriode, and other top dignitaries.
    The May edition of Delta Central PDP leaders meeting shall be hosted by Chief Bernard Edewor at his country home in Eku, Ethiope East.

  • Delta 2019: Uduaghan, Okowa close ranks

    The Delta State governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, and his predecessor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, yesterday spurned rumours of existing acrimony between them as they rallied members of their party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the state, to mobilise for support ahead of Delta 2019.

    The media had been awash with reports of existing cold war between the two during the run-up to the 2015 general elections and further fueled by various instances of unfriendly occasional sparks and proxy attacks against each other by members of their various camps.

    However, at a meeting of the Delta South Senatorial District PDP stakeholders, held yesterday in the Warri residence of Dr Uduaghan, both leaders of the PDP charged their followers to work for the progress of the party, with the former governor tacitly endorsing his successor by acknowledging his positive progress in office.

    “I want to acknowledge what Okowa is doing in the state, you are moving forward and by the grace of God you will achieve great. We should avoid rumour mongering; it will not do us any good. James Ibori is ready to hold us together as one party in Delta, so it is where our leader goes that we will go,” he said.

    Responding, Okowa urged the people of the state to embrace peace so that the works towards a developed Delta might be fruitful, noting that there would be no appreciable development without a peaceful environment.

    He expressed the hope that with the relative peace that had returned to the state in recent times, Delta would soon climb to the second position in terms of revenue allocation.

  • Okowa commends Seplat over good community relations

    Delta State Governor Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has commended Seplat Petroleum Development Company for the giant strides it is making in the development of its host communities in Delta and Edo State.

    Okowa spoke at the commissioning of eight projects embarked upon by the NPDC SEPLAT Joint Venture in the Ugborhen community of the Sapele Local Government Area of the state.

    The Seplat projects commissioned by Okowa include: the 3.6km Elume-Ugborhen road; 3.4km Ugborhen-Ugbukurusu road; 3.76km Ugborhen-Ikeresan road; 1.09km Okuovu-1 community road; Concrete drainage system/road protection in Ugborhen; Ugborhen Housing Scheme; Ugborhen Solar Powered Water Scheme; Two blocks of 4-Classrooms and Science Laboratory at Adaka Grammar School; Ugborhen Ultra-modern town hall and Civic centre.

    The governor noted that investments by companies like Seplat in the development of host communities was bound to enhance the confidence of indigenes of oil producing communities while  encouraging peace in the Niger Delta and the country as a whole. He urged other oil prospecting companies to emulate Seplat’s consistent effort at developing their host communities.

    Okowa said: “I am glad to see partnerships like this between oil prospecting companies and their host communities. The job of government will be much lighter if oil companies and communities partner in this manner to develop our communities. I congratulate Seplat for the good work that it has done since it came into operation. I also congratulate the community for working together with the company as I look forward to seeing more oil prospecting companies engaging in this kind of positive relationships.”

    The governor thereafter donated the sum of ten million naira to the community for the furnishing of the town hall and civic centre. He also promised to construct an examination hall at the Adaka Grammar School, Ugborhen.

    Speaking earlier, Chief Executive Officer of Seplat Petroleum, Mr. Austin Avuru who thanked the Governor for honoring Seplat’s invitation explained that the welfare of members of the communities hosting the company’s operation would always remain its priority.

    He explained that Seplat was committed to the all-round development of citizens of these communities and that this influenced the decision to periodically embark on development projects affecting the health education and general wellbeing of the people as contained in the global MOU Seplat signed with its host communities in 2010.

    Also speaking, the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Major Gen. Felix Mujakperuo (Rtd), Orhue I commended Seplat for the various projects with which it is transforming the landscape of  host communities. He called for peace amongst communities in the area and urged Seplat not to relent in its effort to develop the area.

    Dignitaries at the event included Deputy Governor, Barr Kingsley  Otuaro, Speaker and Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya, among others.

  • Okowa hails firm for community relations

    Okowa hails firm for community relations

    •Inaugurates projects

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has hailed Seplat Petroleum Development Company for the progress it is making in the development of its host communities in Delta and Edo states.

    He spoke at the inauguration of eight projects embarked on by the NPDC SEPLAT Joint Venture in Ugborhen community, Sapele Local Government.

    The projects inaugurated by the governor include: the 3.6km Elume-Ugborhen road; 3.4km Ugborhen-Ugbukurusu road; 3.76km Ugborhen-Ikeresan road; 1.09km Okuovu-1 community road; Concrete drainage system/road protection in Ugborhen; Ugborhen Housing Scheme; Ugborhen Solar Powered Water Scheme; two blocks of four-classrooms and science laboratory at Adaka Grammar School; Ugborhen Ultra-modern town hall and civic centre.

    Okowa noted that investments by companies, such as  Seplat in the development of host communities would enhance the confidence of indigenes of oil producing communities, while encouraging peace in the Niger Delta and the country as a whole.

    He advised other oil prospecting companies to emulate Seplat’s effort in developing their host communities.

    Okowa said: “I am glad to see partnerships like this between oil prospecting companies and their host communities. The job of government will be much lighter if oil companies and communities partner in this manner to develop our communities. I congratulate Seplat for the good work it has done since it came into operation. I also congratulate the community for working together with the company as I look forward to seeing more oil prospecting companies engaging in this kind of positive relationships.”

    He donated ten million naira to the community for the furnishing of the town hall and civic centre.

    The governor promised to build an examination hall at the Adaka Grammar School, Ugborhen.

    The Chief Executive Officer of Seplat Petroleum, Mr. Austin Avuru, who thanked the governor for honouring Seplat’s invitation, said the welfare of members of the communities hosting the company’s operation would always remain its priority.

    He said Seplat was committed to the progress of residents “of these communities and this influenced the decision to periodically embark on development projects affecting the health, education and general well-being of the people as contained in the global MOU Seplat signed with its host communities in 2010.”

  • Why I endorsed Okowa for second term, by Ibori

    Why I endorsed Okowa for second term, by Ibori

    Former Delta State Governor James Ibori has endorsed Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for a second term. He said his re-election in 2019 will enable him to complete the eight-year tenure of Delta North senatorial district in the spirit of the zoning within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Ibori said one good turn deserves another.

    Ibori spoke at a rally organised to welcome him back to the country, after his release from jail in the United Kingdom where he was indicted for money laundering.

    He said Delta North had in time past supported Delta Central and Delta South to serve eight years tenure and that the principles of equity, justice and good conscience demands that the Urbobos of Delta Central must support Okowa and Delta North to complete their eight years, so as to enable Urhobo enjoy Delta North support in 2023.

    The former governor, who widely regarded as the godfather of Delta politics assured the people that the quality results of consolidated politics will be visible for all Deltans to see in 2019. He urged PDP members and supporters to rekindle their enthusiasm, hope and to ignore cheap blackmail and empty political propaganda embarked upon by “some mediocre politicians currently parading themselves as the new messiah of the people”.

    The event, which was organised by the Leader of the Delta Central PDP, Senator Ighoyota Amori, took place at the permanent site of the Western Delta University, Oghara, and was was well attended.

    Speakers at the occasion commended Ibori for his leadership role in Urhoboland and the state in general, adding that his travails in the United Kingdom is nothing but persecution. They added that his persecution, incarceration and long absence caused the Urhobos a big loss in the political equation of the country.

    Urhobo leaders who spoke include; former minister, Chief Grace Akpoguma, Chief Mike Adiotomre, Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Monday Igbuya, Secretary to the State Government, Ovia Agas, Hon. Evelyn Oboro, Hon. Lovette Idisi, PDP Chairman, Kingsley Esiso, PDP Board of Trustees (BOT) member, Chief Judith Enamuotor, and Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo.

    Ibori thanked the PDP family, traditional rulers of Urhobo extraction and indeed the entire Urhobo nation, Deltans and Nigerians in general, for standing by him and above all for believing in him as their political leader since 1998.

  • Okowa calls for sustained prayers

    DELTA State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, has urged Nigerians to pray hard for the nation.

    He spoke at the Bible Society of Nigeria’s (BSN) 9th Founder’s Day/Awards in Lagos last Wednesday.

    The group was founded on February 8, 1966.

    Okowa, who was represented by Commissioner for Information, Patrick Ukah, said when we put God first in our national life, there would be solutions to the nation’s problems.

    BSN’s General Secretary, Dare Adeboye, announced the completion of the translation of two bibles from English into Okrika and Kalabari languages in Rivers State.

    He canvassed funds to publish them, saying that each costs a minimum of N60million.

    He said this became necessary in view of the fact that the translations had been done in the past two years but has been hampered by funding.

    He appealed to Christians to give the project helping hands.

    The guest lecturer of the theme: Mono-economy: Antithetical to national growth and development, Pastor Bayo Olugbemi, said diversification failed because of lack of discipline among public servants and policy makers.

    He also pointed out there was lack of will among Nigerians.

    Olugbemi, who is Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) First Registrars& Investor Services Nigeria, lamented the overdependence on oil and called on each state to concentrate on their strengths.

    General Overseer, New Testament Assembly Worldwide, Pastor Samson Bamigbayan, and Managing Director of Sidmach Technologies Limited, Elder Lanre Arogundade, were conferred with the society’s awards at the event.

  • Okowa, Uduaghan, others visit Ibori

    Okowa, Uduaghan, others visit Ibori

    The Oghara, Delta State home of former Governor James Ibori remained a beehive of activities yesterday with the visit of Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and his predecessor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

    Ibori, who served a jail term in London for money laundering, returned to the country on Saturday.

    Others who visited are Deputy Governor Kinsley Otuaro, Senator James Manager, Ibori’s former deputy Benjamin Elue, and a former commissioner, Prof. Godwin Darah.

    Uduaghan arrived at Ibori’s expansive Villa at about 3:30pm. He was joined by Okowa at about 4:15pm.

    Access into the house was restricted to reporters.

    Although sources suggested there was a closed-door meeting between Ibori and Okowa/Uduaghan, others at the residence said there was no special meeting as all guests were seated in the living room exchanging banters.

    “I was there and I can tell you that there was no special meeting. They were all there privately,” a source said.

    As at the time of filing this report at 6pm , the governor’s entourage was still at Oghara.