Okowa's aide, Ozobo to launch Delta youth leadership, media training workshop Dec 10

Okowa's aide, Ozobo to launch Delta youth leadership, media training workshop Dec 10

ASABA- The special assistant to the governor of Delta State, His Excellency senator Ifeanyi Okowa (PhD) on political matters, Comrade Ozobo Austin would be launching Delta State youth leadership/media training workshop on December 10, 2020.

According to the programme schedules, the first phase of it would begins with Burutu LGA at the above slated date with atleast three(3) participants each of Buruttu eleven (11) federal wards and inclusive of all online media practitioners and Comrades from Burutu LGA.

The programme would be targeting atmost hundred (100) participants from Buruttu, thereafter, it would be held in all the 25 Local government areas in the state in further dates.

The explosive workshop would be taken place at JoeMarine Warri at 10am prompt of the said date, participants would not pay any money to participate, launch would be provided and other seminar materials would be given free of charge.

However, Okowa's aide had acknowledged the fact that proper youth engagement was the best way to fight and reduced crime in Delta society as it had been proven in several fronts that the stick approach was always destructive.

Besides, the programme would offered lots of benefits to our dear state and participants as it would helped to curb youth restiveness, seapiracy, oil bunkering activities and militancy in the state.

The programme as it's in line with the stronger Delta vision of our amiable governor, it would helped to built leadership capacity among youths,  improved writing skills and reeducate youths who found career in online journalism in the state.

Birthday: Mejuya Celebrates Former DCP Presley Dode As He Clocks Plus 1

Birthday: Mejuya Celebrates Former DSP Presley Dode As He Clocks Plus 1

It is true today is your birth anniversary hence I am taking your birth anniversary as an opportunity to thank you for all that you are to me. I will never be able to forget the support that you have given me.

The Lord Jesus Christ asked the one leper, "Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 18 Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?" (Luke 17:17-18).

Today i returned to give God glory for your life and also to thank you for your selfless service to humanity and mankind just like the one leper. Dear father, you have carved an niche for yourself in history. Your personality in the Nigeria police force excites as much as your integrity. You means different things to different people, to some, you are a patriotic Nigerian who served Nigerians with utmost honesty,fear of God and dedication while others sees you as a "reformer in the police force" who loves all and sundry. 

Meanwhile, your courage, resilience and tenacity of purpose in the pursuit of justice in the police force, no doubt, stood you out as a reformer with valour. With keen observers of your contributions to kiagbodians home and in Diaspora you have place your footprints in the sands of time everywhere across the globe. You proved to be a good leader while in service as a deputy commissioner of police by the value and quality you gave Nigerians during your 35 years of service as a police officer, hence, you have since been remembered as one of the most vibrant, vocal, courageous and ebullient Deputy commissioner of police.

Born into a Royal family, humble and disciplined, It is worthy of note that DCP Presley Dode deserve to be celebrated always. Also, history would never let if off that he is one of the best deputy commissioner of police that stood for justice and one who fought against illegal collections cum accountability in the face of daunting challenges in the police force. These never weaken his morale in the delivery of justice to those whose case were brought forth before him while in office. 

Your selfless service to humanity has made you to received a confetti of honours and a plethora of awards from government and individuals.

I believe that Prayer is the foundation of the glorious future hence It is the prophetic utterance that carries powerful weight to shapen ones destiny and empower he or she to be fulfilled in every sphere of Life hence my prophetic word to you dear father, on your birth anniversary, you shall never struggle for anything in life and whatever you need in life shall come to you as a surprise and Whatever you desire God to do, uphold, increase and perfect in your life, henceforth it has already be lifted up before God on your birthday anniversary.

Happy birthday and congratulations Deputy Commissioner of Police (rtd), Prince Presley Dode

Mejuya Tamaradoubra Godswill

Writes from Delta State capital, asaba

​Gov. Diri Presents 2021 Budget Of N290.2bn To Bayelsa Assembly

 ​Gov. Diri Presents 2021 Budget Of N290.2bn To Bayelsa Assembly

Francis Tayor

Yenagoa____ Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has presented the 2021 budget estimate to the House of Assembly. It is christened the “Budget of Growth.”

Presenting the N290,295,465,423 Appropriation Bill on the floor of the assembly on Thursday, Governor Diri noted that the outgoing year 2020 has been challenging due to the impact of COVID-19 and the ravages of flooding but expressed optimism that 2021 would be one of progress and prosperity for the state. 

Giving a breakdown of part of the sectoral allocations, he said N34billion was earmarked for Works and Infrastructure while Education was allotted N24.9billion, Health N5billion, Agriculture N11.3billion, Trade and Investment N500million and Environment N3.3billion. 

He also added that personnel cost would gulp N66,646,082,751 while capital expenditure would take N80, 017, 254,683 and overhead costs N66,185,336,658.

The governor assured that his administration will at all times ensure the transparent management of financial resources while ensuring that the 2021 budget give Bayelsans good reasons to face the future with confidence.

The state number one citizen promised to ensure that every sector of the state economy is affected positively, saying the mandate given.

Delta Taskforce Monitors Weekly Sanitation At Ugbwuangue, Ogbe-ljoh Markets

Delta Taskforce Monitors Weekly Sanitation At Ugbwuangue, Ogbe-ljoh Markets

Warri_____ As part of the Delta State government efforts to ensure clean and hygienically friendly environment for all Deltans, the State Taskforce on Environment on Thursday, monitored the compulsory weekly sanitation exercise at Ugbuangwe and Ogbe-ljoh markets in Warri South Local Government Area of the state. 

The exercise which commenced at about 7am on Thursday morning and lasted for three hours, recorded huge success as market women massively turned out to clean up the drainage systems and evacuate waste within and around their shop premises. 

Despite the mass turn out, it was not encouraging as some stubborn traders refused to come out for the exercise, especially Ugbuangwe market. 

Speaking during the exercise, the state Chairman of Taskforce on environment, Hon. Sylvester Oromoni expressed satisfaction for the massive compliance by traders, especially Ogbe-ljoh/Main market, noting that the weekly market sanitation exercise was to ensure cleanliness and hygienically safe environment for both traders and customers. 

Hon. Oromoni stated that the weekly market sanitation exercise is very important for us to clear our drainage systems, especially the nearby canals at market places in order to ensure free flow of water. 

He therefore, charged the market women to sustain the good work, stressing that Governor lfeanyi Okowa led government meant well for traders across the state. 

However, the market women complained that their challenge is the drainage system. Mrs. Rose Ajenimuwa, who is the Chairlady of Ugbuangwe market Women Association stressed that the market drainage system is blocked and there is no free flow of water to the canal, thereby causing air/water pollution around where they sell chicken and meat within the market. 

"We are using this medium appeal to the Chairman Warri South LGA and the Delta state government to help clear the heap of refuse dumped at the canal in the market, stressing that the refuse dump had blocked free flow of water from the drainage system in the market down to the canal," Mrs. Rose stated. 

The Taskforce Chairman was accompanied to carry out the exercise by Michael Oyimor, Hon. Frank Alale, Mrs. Philomena Odjegbu, Mr. Destiny Onojanie among others.

Okowa's Security Aide Appeals To Delta Youths To Welcome Return Of Police To Duty

Okowa's Security Aide Appeals To Delta Youths To Welcome Return Of Police To Duty

The Senior Special Assistant, SSA Security to the Governor of Delta State, Engr. Emmanuel Udoka has appealed to youths of Delta State to gladly welcome the return of police to duty, adding that it was in the interest of all to allow police to work.

He made this statement based on coded intelligence that some youths are still infuriated seeing police on the road and streets carrying out their statutory functions.

The Security aide affirmed that the police had learnt their lessons with the #EndSARS Protest, adding that its aftermath had been demoralizing to them.

"Even the Government and every leader holding one position or the other had learnt one lesson or the other. The #EndSARS Panel of Enquiry is equally doing a great job which will bring peace, reconciliation and compensation to every one that was unjustly victimized by SARS.

"However, we must give peace a chance. The country belongs to us all; we are still trying to find our feet economically, which is why we shouldn't destroy the little we had managed to build.

"Our youths must understand this. They must understand that they had made their point and now should allow our leaders to learn their mistakes and correct themselves going forward", said Udoka.

Meanwhile, it was gathered that the SSA Security had been going round the local government areas, interfacing with various security agencies and communities leaders on best way to initiate peace processes and build on them in the interest of growth and development.

Ezekiel Visits JTF Sector 1 Commander Effurun, Calls For Synergy

Ezekiel Visits JTF Sector 1 Commander Effurun, Calls For Synergy 

Francis Tayor

Warri_____ In a bit to ensure adequate security for all Deltans during the yuletide period, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the governor of Delta State on Security Matters, Comrade Daniel Pere Ezekiel has visited the Joint Taskforce Sector 1 Commander Effurun Barracks, Col. Sani Ahmed in order fashion out ways to curb insecurity across the state.

Speaking during the close door meeting on Tuesday at Effurun Barracks warri, the Senior Special Assistant noted that the visit was culminated as a result of the recent security challenges in the riverine areas. 

Ezekiel stressed that the recent report cases of kidnapped and abuse of market women in the riverine communities is becoming unbearable. He emphasized that his office has come to synergize with JTF Sector 1 Command Effurun, so as to work together as a team in order to flush out sea pirates, kidnappers and other criminal elements terrorising Delta waterways.

According to him, said: " There is a need to engage other critical stakeholders in fighting crimes in our society, especially traditional rulers, royal chiefs, community chairmen, youth leaders among others in the area of intelligence gathering. In doing that, l believe we can beable to locate the hideouts and apprehend  those criminals operating within and around their vicinity. My office is very much ready to work with you in this regard, so as to clear the riverine areas free from the hands of those bad boys, especially now that Christmas is around the corner, Ezekiel asserted."

In his reaction, the Commander JTF Sector 1 Effurun Barracks, Col. Sani Ahmed appreciated governor Okowa's aide, Ezekiel for the timely visit, stressing that his office is equally ready to work with him. He further assure Deltans to be law abiding and go out peacefully for their normal daily businesses, adding that the military personnel as well as other security operatives out there is not to intimidate anybody, rather to ensure peace, protect lives and property's, he stated.

South South Governors, Leaders Demand FG To Restructure Nigeria ln Line With True Federalism

South South Governors, Leaders Demand FG To Restructure Nigeria ln Line With True Federalism

Francis Tayor

Port harbour___ Governors and people of the South-South geopolitical zone have demanded for restructuring of Nigeria in line with the principle of true federalism, to guarantee peace, security and stability of Nigeria.

The governors, observed that the country is not at peace with itself and not working as it should, particularly, for the people of the South-South region.

Chairman of the South-South Governors forum and Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa stated this as the position of the zone during the regional stakeholders meeting with presidential delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Ambassador Ibrahim Gambari at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

Governor Okowa, explained the people of the South-South are committed to restructuring of Nigeria in a way that guarantees true federalism and devolution of powers to the states to create and manage their own police and security architecture under a federal structure.

“True federalism guided by the principle of derivation, revenue sharing and control of resources by each State of the federation as it was the case in the first republic.”

He said the kind of federation the South-South geopolitical desires, is one where federating units are constitutionally empowered to create their own structures like Local Government Areas, manage their elections and control their judiciary.

“We are all aware of the huge endowment of this country. As such, it is imperative to stress that with a little bit of efforts, imagination, hard work, sacrifice and leadership, every state of the Federation as of today, has the ability and capability to contribute to the national purse. This should be encouraged rather than the whole country depending substantially on a region of the country.

“What is worse and even more painful in this ugly situation is the deliberate lack of understanding, empathy and the uncompromising attitudes of some Nigerians, who have refused to understand the challenges of the South-South region of the country especially, the degradation of the environment and our waters. As a result, most of the demands of the region have remained unattended to while the resources of the region have been used continually to develop other parts of the country”.

The governors reiterated the call for the relocation of the headquarters of major oil companies, NNPC subsidiaries from Lagos and Abuja to the South-South region.

Governor Okowa requested for immediate implementation of the consent judgment entered in the Supreme Court Suit No: SC/964/2016 to enable the South-South region get its share of $55billion shortfall of collection on deep offshore and inland basin production sharing contracts.

The governors further called for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the region’s major seaports in Port Harcourt, Calabar, Warri in order to enhance the economic development of the South-South region.

In addition, they demanded that the two refineries in Port Harcourt and one in Warri that have continued to bleed the country’s resources in the name of turn around maintenance, should be privatised. According to him: “Enough is enough. Let us now privatise them and in doing so however, allow the States and the region among others, considerable equity in the name of fairness and justice”.

Concerned about the rot in the NDDC, the governors observed that one of the major failures of the intervention agency is its refusal to forge and foster synergy, consultation and cooperation with the state governments especially, on project location, development and execution.

“We have resolved and we, as the State governments will no longer allow NDDC to execute any project (s) in any state of the region without it consulting State governments. Frankly, enough is enough and we have a court judgment to back our position.”

In his remark, the Chief of Staff to the President, Ambassador Ibrahim Gambari, said the stakeholders meeting was at the instance of President Muhammadu Buhari, to the presidential delegation comprising of all the Ministers from the region to visit and consult with representatives of the people regarding the recent EndSARS protest.

Gambari, noted that reports indicated that there were instances , where breakdown of law and order was reported across various locations in the South-South states. He lauded the governors of the South-South States for their quick response and actions in addressing the EndSARS crisis.

Beyond the EndSARS issue, he said, the President acknowledges that the citizens in the region have also been dealing with other concerns that are particular to the region such as the degradation of environment due to decades of mishandling and adherence to environmental standards.

The chief of Staff said he will convey the demands of the region to the President

The Deputy President of the Senate, Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege, urged the leaders of the region to avail themselves of the on going review of the 1999 Constitution by the National Assembly since most of the issues contained in their demands are constitutional matters.

The Director General of Department of State Services, DSS, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, lauded Governor Nyeson Ezenwo Wike, for his stance against the outlawed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) which hijacked the EndSARS protest and killed 10 security operatives, torched stations and court buildings in Oyigbo.

The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, said fake news gave impetus to the nationwide EndSARS that culminated in the death of civilians, police personnel and their assets.

Adamu alleged that intelligence has confirmed that the EndSARS protest was funded from within and outside the country.

He further added that one of the primary objective of the protest was to effect a regime change.

Present at the meeting were: Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State; Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River; Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akw Ibom; Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State; and Godwin Obaseki of Edo State.

Others are: Godswill Akpabio, Minister of Niger Delta; Timipre Sylva, Minister of State for Petroleum; Goddy Jedy Agba ,Minister of State, Power; Festus Keyamo, Minister of State, for Niger Delta; Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Health, the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammad. The Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi was however , absent.

Other eminent persons present included: the National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga, rtd; former President, Nigerian Bar Association, Onueze Okocha (SAN); among others.

Fuel Price Hike: NLC, TUC Stage Walk Out From Meeting With FG

Fuel Price Hike: NLC, TUC Stage Walk Out From Meeting With FG

Abuja______ Federal Government representatives met with labour union leaders in Abuja on November 22, 2020.

Labour union representatives on Sunday staged a walk-out from a meeting with the federal government, barely five minutes after it started.

According to the president of the Trade Union Congress, Quadri Olaleye, on the meeting’s agenda were the issues surrounding the hike in the price of fuel and electricity tariffs.

In his opening remarks before the closed-door session, Olaleye accused the federal government of dishonesty, playing to the gallery and painting the organised labour in a bad light before civil servants and the public.

Representing the Nigerian Labour Congress was its deputy president, Najeem Yasin.

In attendance from the federal government were the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, the Minister of State for Labour, Festus Keyamo, Minister of State for Petroleum, Timiprye Sylva, Minister of state for power, Goddy Agba and the Secretary to the Government, Boss Mustapha.

..........More to follow

Just-In: IPDI Blasts Buhari over Niger Fuel Deals, Says he is a nepotistic president with no vision, foresight

Just-In: IPDI Blasts Buhari over Niger Fuel Deals, Says he is a nepotistic president with no vision, foresight

Warri_____ A South-south social political pressure group, the Ijaw people's Development initiative, IPDI has said president Muhammadu Buhari had failed Nigerians over his nepotistic plan to import fuel to the country from Niger republic.

The group, speaking through its national president, Comrade Ozobo Austin, added that Buhari had turned Nigeria to a laughing stock before the international community on his bigotry actions an inactions.

The group said Buhari poor understanding on the dynamics of internal governance was the reason Nigeria was experiencing unimaginable recession at every intervals.

IPDI asserted, it was shameful for Nigeria ,the giant of Africa to condescend so low to sign a nepotistic deals of importing fuel to Nigeria with Niger republic.

They posited that Niger republic is not up to three states in Nigeria and operated only on low capacity refineries and ordinary does not had the capacity to supply Nigeria fuel if not that Buhari had turned himself to a religious bigot.

The group said Buhari doesn't mean well for Nigerians, hence enriching Niger republic and his Arabic countries with Nigeria resources was now his primary responsibility.

IPDI said Nigeria had Three mega refineries in the country and if overhauled, it would create more positive impacts in the country than importing fuel from Niger republic, one of the Africa poorest countries.

The right group said Buhari should sign oil deal with artisanal refineries in Nigeria Niger Delta to supply the country fuel, instead of importing fuel from Niger republic whose refineries were below standard compared to refineries in Nigeria.