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Tag: Uduaghan

  • Uduaghan: don’t heat up the polity

    Uduaghan: don’t heat up the polity

    Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has urged politicians in the state to guard against heating up the polity.

    Speaking against the backdrop of last Friday’s explosion at Obomkpa in Aniocha South Local Government, with the attendant allegations and counter-allegations, the governor stressed the need for everyone to remain calm.

    Fielding questions from reporters after visiting the victim of the explosion, Perpetual Damasus, who is receiving treatment at the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara, Uduaghan urged politicians and other Delta indigenes not to speculate on the incident, as the police were still investigating.

    “I enjoin politicians and other indigenes to be calm and patient with the police, who are investigating the matter. They should allow them to come up with their findings. We should also conduct ourselves in a manner that will not heat up the polity, especially now that political activities are increasing,” he said.

    Governor Uduaghan assured residents of the safety of life and property, stressing that the government was on top of the security situation.

    He studied the X-ray and scan results of the victim, urging her to be hopeful as the teaching hospital had the facilities and personnel to address her challenges.

  • Uduaghan cautions against inciting utterances

    Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has urged politicians to be mindful of their utterances and guard against activities capable of heating up the polity.

    He spoke against the backdrop of last week’s alleged assassination attempt on the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr. Victor Ochei.

    He is widely believed to be aspiring to succeed Uduaghan and the alleged attempt on his life has caused allegations and counter-allegations by his supporters and opponents.

    Speaking after visiting the victim of the alleged explosion, Perpetual Damasus, Uduaghan said: “I urge politicians and other Delta indigenes to be calm and patient with the police as they investigate the incident. We should conduct ourselves in a manner that will not heat up the polity, especially now that political activities are on the increase.”

    Damasus is receiving treatment at the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara.

    Governor Uduaghan assured residents of the safety of their life and property, stressing that government was on top of the situation.

    The governor, who took time to study the X-ray and scan results of the victim, urged her to be hopeful, as the teaching hospital has the facilities and personnel to treat her.

    The orthopaedic surgeon, Prof. Godwin Iweagbu, said her left ankle was damaged by the explosive. He assured that the threat of amputation had reduced.

    The victim narrated how a device, suspected to be a cannon, exploded at the back of the canopy where she sat, hit her in the leg and disrupted the arrival of the House of Assembly speaker at Obomkpa for an event.

    Stakeholders told our reporter that the incident could be an accident, which the speaker was capitalising on to whip up sentiments.

    “Who tries to assassinate someone with a cannon? People should stop being unnecessarily desperate for attention and crying wolf when there is none. The speaker, as a key stakeholder in the state, should put the interest, peace and security of Delta above his political ambition,” a source said.

     

  • Uduaghan, others celebrate octogenarian

    Uduaghan, others celebrate octogenarian

    For Chief Isaac Jemide, the Otsodi of Warri Kingdom, Saturday, October 19, was a very special day. Although he is anot known for flamboyance, it was not surprising when the renowned lawyer and traditional titleholder threw open the gates of his home to prominent Nigerians, including Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, members of the Bar and Bench who came to rejoice with him as he turned 80.

    Born in the ancient town of Koko, now headquarters of Warri North Local Government Area, Jemide, a devout Catholic, is renowned for his undying love for his ‘Four Pillars’ – God, Itsekiri, the bar and Rotary.

    At the thanksgiving service held at St. Cyprian’s Catholic Church, Effurun, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan extolled his contributions to the development of Delta State and Nigeria. He said the octogenarian enhanced growth in the area when he served as the House of Assembly member representing Warri in the defunct Bendel State.

    He praised Jemide, a former State Commissioner of the defunct Oil Mineral Development Commission (OMPADEC), for helping to lay the foundation for development in the area during his tour of duty and for being one of the leading lights in the politics of Warri through the Warri Leaders of Thought.

    He prayed God to grant the Otsodi of Warri long life, good health and more wisdom to help in contributing to the affairs of Delta State and Nigeria.

    Uduaghan, while recognis ing the fatherly role of Jemide, said he would always consult him for advice and suggestions that would assist in moving Delta State forward.

    In his tribute on behalf of the legal profession, Dr. Albert Akpomudje (SAN), said: “There are lawyers and there are lawyers. Chief Isaac Jemide exemplifies and personified what a lawyer properly so called should be.”

    Dr Akpomudje recalled that Chief Jemide distinguished himself in corporate world as an External Solicitor to Shell Petroleum Development Company (West), adding that the standard he set contributed to the reputation of the firm’s legal department.

    He also recalled Chief Jemide’s “robust and matured” contribution on the floor of the defunct Bendel State House of Assembly, as a legislator. “It was interesting to listen to skilled stylish objective” manner he handled the programmes of then ruling Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).

    Dr. Akpomudje added: “As a fact, most politicians, who are lawyers, can hardly come back to a successful practice for several obvious reasons I will not want to delve into on this occasion. However, Chief Jemide proved so many people wrong as he returned to practise the profession after being in the corporate world for a long time and a legislator. He was alive to sustain a flourishing legal practice as if he never left for the number of years and has remained dogged in practice till date at 80 years of age.”

    Speaking on behalf of his children, Chief Jemide’s first son, Temi said his father’s life was worth celebrating, especially in the house of God. He recalled that his father practiced politics at a time when it was more humane and issue-based, stressing, “Politics today is rough and violent.”

    The service was also attended by Deputy Governor, Prof Amos Utuama (SAN); Chief of Staff, Delta State Government House, Dr. Festus Okubor; Commissioners for Justice and Attorney General, Health and Oil and Gas, Sir Charles Ajuyah, Dr. Joseph Otumara and Mofe Pirah.

    Others were Chief Fred Majemite, Joseph Ayomike, Chief Herman, Chief Eleghemi and Chief Nelson Utienyinone and Ayo Ayomike, among others.

    The official ministers, Rev fathers Peter Medugu, Emmanuel Patrick Joseph Davou, John Iyekowa and Modestus Onuoha, among others, tasked the congregation on the need to be thankful and appreciate of even the littlest things and gesture, not only from men, but also from God.

    A reception party attended by Pa JOS Ayomike, Mr. Amorighoye Sunny Mene, prominent chiefs of the Warri and other neighbouring kingdoms, was later held at Chief Jemide’s resident located on Okoro Street, Marine Quarters Warri.

    The celebrant, who is also a renowned Rotarian, said he was overwhelmed and overjoyed by the outpour of eulogy and the show of love for him during the event.

    “I can’t thank you all enough,” he said.

     

  • PHOTO: Uduaghan inaugurates state Judicial Service Commision

    PHOTO: Uduaghan inaugurates state Judicial Service Commision

     

     

  • Eschew political extremism, Uduaghan urges Nigerians

    Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has urged Nigerians to eschew all forms of political and religious extremism.

    The governor advised them to lay the foundation for sustainable development and national integration.

    In a Sallah message in Asaba, the state capital, Uduaghan said: “Nigerians must imbibe the lessons of the Eid-el-Kabir festival, which are spirit of kindness, piety and commitment to duty, including the promotion of religious harmony and peaceful co-existence.”

    He urged Nigerians to embrace peace and religious harmony in their daily activities and show genuine love and respect for one another to enhance peace, unity and stability.

    The governor enjoined privileged Nigerians to be generous and considerate to the less privileged to attract Allah’s kindness and compassion.

    He hailed Delta residents for their support, understanding and abiding faith in his administration’s determination to transform the state.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Governor Uduaghan solicits support of security agencies in fighting crime

    Governor Uduaghan solicits support of security agencies in fighting crime

    Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has solicited the full support of various security agencies in tackling criminal activities in the state and the South-South region.

    Speaking in Warri, during separate courtesy visits on him at the Governor’s Office Annex, Warri, Governor Uduaghan harped on the need for cooperative efforts at fighting and winning the war against criminals.

    Those who visited the governor separately were the Flag Officer Commanding the Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Sidi-Ali Usman and members of the Forum of State Directors of State Security Services (SSS).

    Playing host to the naval boss, Dr. Uduaghan said the cordial relationship with the Nigerian Navy would be sustained in appreciation of the contributions of the Navy Force to the peace and security in the state.

    While affirming that the state’s romance with the Nigerian Navy had positively impacted on the security situation in the state, the governor thanked the force for dedicated services and positive roles in restoring peace in the state. He observed that about 40% of Delta State is riverine which necessitated much naval presence.

    Governor Uduaghan hailed the professional operations by the navy in the waterways which had drastically reduced criminality in Delta State, particularly kidnapping, sea piracy and illegal bunkering.

    In his remarks, Rear Admiral Sidi-Ali Usman said he resumed at the Central Naval Command in June this year but the exigencies of office prevented him from meeting the governor earlier.

    While commending the friendly disposition of the state government in aid of the Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Usman urged for the sustenance of the relationship to make them more efficient.

    Meanwhile, Governor Uduaghan also received members of the Forum of State Directors of the SSS, and lauded them for choosing the state for their conference. He said criminal activities affect the states of the Niger Delta region badly.

  • Kudos for Uduaghan’s EduMarshal

    A public commentator and National Coordinator of the Mandate Against Poverty, Chief Bobson Gbinije, has praised Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan for combating truancy in schools.

    Gbinije commended Uduaghan’s EduMarshall initiative, describing it as the magic wand and cardinal key for all embracing change.

    Nevertheless, he lamented the fates of thousands of pupils and students who still face daunting challenges in getting education in parts of the state.

    He said: “We wish to report that children in Okobia, Okuetolor, Okuegume and other towns in Okpe Local Government Area don’t attend secondary school in the 21st century because they trek more than seven kilometres to attend school at Aragba and Primary school teachers don’t come to teach because of the lethally bad roads in the areas.”

    He said rather than going to schools, youths in the area prefer to farm because of the hurdles.

    Gbinije appealed to Uduaghan to do something urgently to make the EduMarshal Programme relevant in those area.

    On the country’s independence anniversary, he said there was nothing to celebrate 53 years after Nigeria gained its independence.

    Gbinije, in a statement on the anniversary of Nigeria’s freedom from colonial rule, said the fate of university students, who have been home for months owing to the strike by the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) and other national malaises, call for sober reflection.

    He said: “After 53 years of so-called independence, we have nothing to cheer about. Can Nigeria/Nigerians survive the psychopathic corruption and political rascality of our Leaders? Only God can tell.”

  • Kelvin’s arrest: Don’t celebrate criminal children, Uduaghan tells parents

    Kelvin’s arrest: Don’t celebrate criminal children, Uduaghan tells parents

    DELTA State governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, has warned parents in the state that they risk being victims of the actions of their children who turn out to be criminals.

    Uduaghan, who spoke during the 52nd birthday celebration of his wife, Deaconess Roli Nere, made the remark ostensibly against the backdrop of ongoing military operation in Kokori, Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state.

    The Urhobo community is under siege over the activities of the celebrated crime lord, Kelvin Oniarah, who is fingered for a series of high profile robbery and kidnap operations in the Niger Delta region.

    It would be recalled that Kelvin was arrested by a crack team of Department of State Security (DSS) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    A week earlier, some women and youths in Kokori had danced and celebrated him as a hero when he issued a 60-day ultimatum to the federal government.

    Uduaghan cautioned parents to desist from celebrating when their children succeed in perpetuating evil, saying that it is a collective responsibility of all to make the world a better place.

    Speaking on marriage, Uduaghan emphasised that married couples should be patient and apply understanding for their marriages to survive.

    “In marriage, you see and hear all sorts of things but all that it requires is understanding,” the governor said.

    Meanwhile, embattled Kokori people have accused the Joint Task Force of excessive force against innocent civilians in the ongoing manhunt for members of the criminal gangs in the community.

    A leader of the community told our reporter that military men randomly beat innocent people in their homes and shops, adding, “This has added fear to the people and they have started deserting their homes and the town.

    “Imagine a soldier using rod to hit a secondary school teacher on his leg in front of his wife in the shop. Another tailor and his boys were given the beating of their lives and so on. Others have their windows and doors smashed.”

    But a source, who asked not to be named because of fear of being targeted by the criminal gang members, told The Nation that “Kokori people are generally happy with the situation on the ground (military presence).”

     

  • Uduaghan, Ogunseye, Omawummi for ‘Future Award Africa’

    Uduaghan, Ogunseye, Omawummi for ‘Future Award Africa’

    The daughter of Delta State Governor, Orode Uduaghan-Okpu, music star, Omawunmi, Chief Executive Officer, Bella Nija, Uche Pedro,the Sunday Editor of The Punch Newspaper, Toyosi Ogunseye and Africa’s  youngest billionaire, Ashish J. Thakkar have been listed  for the 2013 Future Award Africa.
    The Executive Director of The Future Projects, Chude Jideonwo, made this known on Thursday while unveiling the lists of nominees for the awards slated to hold on  29 September and 6 October.
    He said, “after the nominations, there was a period of intense research and verification of nominees before the final selection process, but thanks to the Independent Audit Committee and the Board of Judges.  They worked tirelessly over two months and are proud of the process.”
    The members of the committee are – Chief Executive of EbonyLife TV, Mo Abudu; a former Governorship aspirant in Lagos, Jimi Agbaje; Stanbic IBTC director Yemi Osindero; and LEAP Africa founder Ndidi Nwuneli amongst others.
    “All the nominees deserved to win and we are immensely inspired by them as the vetting process has been daunting, and the intense scrutiny that successful nominees have gone through has been illuminating for them as well. We stressed the importance of a combination of structure, quantifiable measures of success and impact, to get the most inspiring and worthy to rise to the top,” he added.
    Jideonwo said the decision to move the award to continental level was taken after visiting Ghana, South Africa and Ethiopia.”Seeing the great synergy and impact an Africa-wide awards would have on Africans, especially youths who have distinguished themselves in their various endeavors is captivating, ” he stated.
  • How my successor will emerge, by Uduaghan

    How my successor will emerge, by Uduaghan

    What is your succession plan for Delta State?

    It is on course.There is no way you can hold a position without having a succession plan. The person who is going to succeed me will be elected by the people. The person has to work hard. He also has to work on me who has one vote and also work on the people that have over two million votes.

    The challenge about my succession plan is that I have put a structure in place that I am marketing to Deltans. We should build an economy beyond oil and, since you are going to succeed me, you have to convince the people that your plan is to build Delta economy beyond oil. If you say it is not part of your plan and you want to make the state depend on oil forever, I don’t think you will have it easy to be elected. I am sure the person has to key into the programmes we have put in place.

    What is your reaction to the call by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, (NGF) led by Governor Rotimi Amaechi for the resignation of the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala?

    Yes, there was a call by some of my colleagues for the resignation of the Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, if she cannot manage the economy, especially the Appropriation Act. If you read the communiqué, it talked about the projection and what projection simply means is that you are not sure of what is on ground. What that means is that you are making an estimate and your projection may be correct or wrong. What has happened is that the Federal Government is saying that our projection, although it is an Act, is not quite adding up and so, we cannot run it exactly the way it has been projected.

    Again, budget is a statement of intention and there are two parts of budget. You have the revenue and the expenditure. We are talking about expenditure and that expenditure includes giving some money to the states. As regards the position today, the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting, especially for this month, is suspended indefinitely. At least no meeting has been fixed. Why and what is the problem? The problem is that there is no enough money available on the table to be shared.

    Why are we not having enough money to be shared?

    The budget was based on a projection of about 2.3 million barrels per day and with a benchmark of about $79 per barrel. About two or three weeks ago, there were issues of low production because of the crude oil theft and of course, a committee was put up. I was the head of that committee. It was found out that there was about 400,000 barrels loss of oil per day and out of the 400,000 about 320,000 was from shutting and about 80,000 barrels of crude were being stolen.

    Today, those pipelines have been opened up. So, at least, the loss is less than 100,000 barrels per day; it is about 80,000 barrels per day. So, ordinarily, one would say that look, the total production should be about 2.3million barrel per day. So, with the sales going for $100 per barrel, it simply means that there should be enough money for the allocation, but the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is telling us that they don’t have enough money that would be put on the table to be shared. So, the question is : is it the minister’s responsibilities to get this money from NNPC or is it NNPC that should tell us what is happening to the oil that is being produced and sold? Where is the money? That is where our emphasis should be. The questions should be to the NNPC and not the Minister of Finance. Let NNPC tell Nigerians what is happening to the money from production and sales.

    Some of us in the committee have been meeting for hours. About three weeks ago, we held a meeting where we sat from noon to about 8p.m. trying to get the NNPC to explain to us. On that day, the NNPC said they had some money, which they would make available for sharing. Till today, FAAC has not even got the money; they are old monies for sharing. We are not even talking of the current one now. So, the money is accumulating.

    So, you strongly believe that NNPC should be held liable, not Okonjo-Iweala?

    I think the pressure should be on the agencies that are collecting money on behalf of the federating states; the NNPC being one of them that is collecting revenue. Of course, we have others like the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) the customs and the rest.

    So, Nigerians should be asking that these monies that are being collected by these various organs, where are they? They should speak out. Pressure should be put on the right quarters so that we don’t unnecessarily sacrifice the wrong person.

    One other issue raised by the Amaechi’s NGF is that the nation’s economy should be managed by National Economic Council (NEC), not the Economic Management Team.

    There is no doubt that everyone has a role to play in the management of the economy. The Economic Management Team that was put in place by our President has some of the best and brightest Nigerians in terms of economic activities. The Dangotes, the Oba Otedekos and the Jim Ovias of this world, among others. I mean you can’t fault those people in terms of their pedigrees. I think the President has been wise enough to put those people together, mainly as advisory body. I don’t see why we should have issues with them.

    The National Economic Council is still meeting regularly; that is where you have the Vice-President and the governors, who are coming out with economic policies. So, I am not sure it is correct to say that the Economic Management Team is the issue with the Nigerian economy.

    How come that your view is different from that of your colleagues? Could it be political?

    It is not about Ministry of Finance or Ministry of Petroleum Resources. Now, in every sector, there are technical people. We have them in the NNPC. We must differentiate the NNPC from Ministry of Petroleum.

    Maybe, because I have deeper knowledge of some of these issues, that is why my position is slightly different from my colleagues’ own. I was the chairman of the committee that had to do with the challenge of oil theft and, for almost three months, I was holding meetings in Abuja every week with the security agencies, the IOCs, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Ministry of Finance, dealing with the real issue because of the challenges. Even, some of the communities, all the agencies and the illegal people were part of the meeting every week, and by God’s grace, we were able to reduce the 500,000bpd of oil loss to less than 80,000 bpd.

    So, having said that, that means our oil production is now at the quantity that was budgeted for. So, it is an issue of accountability by the agencies that are supposed to bring this money to the table. I suggest we have proper and correct perspective so that we can deal with this issue.

    How will the states pay salaries, since there is no money to share now?

    Our economy is still oil-dependent and that is why some of us are saying look, let us build our economy beyond oil. Of course, we know that we have started building Delta State beyond oil. We are almost getting there, at least, with our Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), we would be able to pay our salaries. That is our charter; grow beyond oil. Whether the FAAC is coming or not, we should be able to pay our salary based on our IGR.

    Because most states depend on this allocation to be able to pay salaries, don’t forget that, even the Federal Government is an arm in this revenue sharing issue. They all have challenges of paying salaries. I am not sure the Federal Government has paid salaries for this month now because no sharing has been done. Many states have been unable to pay salaries because, for the past three months, what is being given to them is not enough. That is where the challenge of paying salaries is coming from as far as the states are concerned.

    What is the way out?

    The NNPC should come and tell us where they keep the money. That is the solution. The problem is that NNPC has not been able to convince us we don’t have enough money to share. That is the point I am trying to make. I think why they (governors) are a bit hard on Okonjo-Iweala is that she should bring money from the Excess Crude Aaccount and all this sort, but again that is something for another session.

    If the NNPC is holding the nation to ransom, why can’t the Presidency make changes there?

    I usually don’t talk about changes because I have not been in that position to make changes. If I want to make changes in my state, for instance, that is quite easy.

    How is the reconciliation in the PDP now?

    The reconciliation process is on and we must all be appreciative and thank Mr. President for the posture he has taken on this matter. As long as we allow the reconciliation to go on, we will eventually get there. Mr. President is determined to see to the end and that is very important. The solution to that problem is not too far. I don’t think this process will just take one day or it will end on October 7. But I think before October 7, a lot of processes would have taken place that would give confidence to everybody to say something good is coming at the end of the day.

    What is your position on the agitation for a Sovereign National Conference?

    I talked about it about three years ago that Nigeria needs a national confab. What I refused to agree with is a Sovereign National Conference. If we should remove the word sovereign, we should hold a National Conference. I talked about it, maybe in low tone, over three years ago because we have various challenges in Nigeria that we need to sit down and discuss.

    There are regional challenges, there are security challenges, there are even religious challenges that we need to sit down and discuss and agree on the way forward.

    There are economic challenges, there are regional challenges in this country. If you are not from that area, you might not understand some of the challenges in those areas and until we sit down and put the things on the table, then we start the process of give and take.

    Okay, from this part of the country, these are the challenges and from the other part of Nigeria, these are the challenges. Okay I will give in to this, you will give in to that; we start the process of give and take and eventually, arrive at something that is acceptable to everyone and we move on from there. It might not even be the best by the time we even agree, but with time, we build on what we have started as a people. Because like you said, there is much suspicion, there is so much distrust.