PAP Sets Aside N1.5bn Cooperative Fund to Empower Ex-Agitators

PAP Sets Aside N1.5bn Cooperative Fund to Empower Ex-Agitators

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), has launched a N1.5billion Cooperative Fund – the Presidential Amnesty Programme (Beneficiaries) Cooperative Society Limited (PAPCOSOL) to give strategic empowerment directly to ex-agitators of the Niger Delta.

While officially launching the scheme at the Amnesty Office in Abuja on Wednesday, Interim Administrator of the PAP, Major Gen. Barry Ndiomu (rtd), said the initiative is a “novel alternative economic development scheme" designed to create a more viable means of sustainable livelihood for ex-agitators with socio-economic development of their communities and making them self reliant.

Ndiomu recalled that over the years, various reintegration empowerment programmes have delivered less fulfilling results, but expressed confidence that the Cooperative initiative “is considered the most practicable approach to ensuring the sustainable reintegration of ex-agitators”.

The Interim Administrator further reiterated that the scheme which will be serviced monthly with N500million, was birthed out of the need to encourage the ex-agitators who are fast ageing on, to explore more sustainable means of livelihood, rather than depending on the monthly N65,000 monthly stipend from the Federal Government.

He said the Cooperative which already has offices in Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states, would be closely supervised by the PAP Office and would be run by an Advisory Board led by HRM Justice. Francis Tabai, a retired Supreme Court Justice, and other seasoned professionals and ex-agitators.

Ndiomu noted that the beneficiaries would be provided with technical support on their business ideas, and would also get access to grants, adding that the core areas of the scheme would focus on agricultural value chain, services and manufacturing.

He regretted that the monthly N65,000 stipends has introduced the culture of dependency and indolence.

In his brief remarks, Justice. Tabai commended the Interim Administrator for championing the drive to reposition the Presidential Amnesty Programme and transform the lives of Niger Deltans, promising that he would pour in his wealth of experience to ensure that the Board delivers on its mandate.

Similarly, Hon. Felix Bonny Ayah, Member representing Southern Ijaw Constituency I, who is also a beneficiary of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, lauded Ndiomu for thinking out of the box on the initiative, stating that they as leaders will embrace this new thinking and promised to give him maximum support all the way through the scheme.

Other members of the Board are Major General Emmanuel Salubi (Rtd), Comrade Joseph Evah, HRH Henry Binidodogha Ekes - Egbema 1 and some ex-agitaors.

Owotorufa celebrates pa Clark at 96, describes him as ljaw National Treasure

Owotorufa celebrates pa Clark at 96, describes him as ljaw National Treasure

Yenagoa___ A foremost ljaw philanthropist cum legal luminary and security expert, Alaowei Fredrick Owotorufa has joined other well wishers across the world to celebrate with ljaw National Leader, High Chief. Sen. Pa. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, OFR, CON, as he clocks 96 years today.

Barr. Owotorufa in a congratulatory message released on Thursday 25th May, 2023 at Yenagoa, described Papa Clark as a National Treasure and Asset of ljaw nation. He further stressed that Papa Clark selfless services and love, and contributions to the upliftment of the ljaws globally, and the oppressed and marginalized people of the country makes him stand out amongst his contemporaries as the epitome of equity, fairness and justice.

According to him, said:

" Happy heartily birthday, my beloved father, national leader and treasure of the Ijaw nation. 

" You are a national asset: an emblem of grace, stewardship, tenacity, indefatigability and royalty. I am beyond joyful, grateful to God and honoured to be able to share and partake in this momentous day with you, on this occasion of your 96th birthday. 

" Your significance to our people is like sunshine and rainfall, without which there isn't sunshine, illumination, life, energy, photosynthesis, food, bountiful harvest and much more. You are the pillar, the pillar that holds the fort of this unconquerable nation. 

"Thank you for your immense contributions   to humanity. Thank you for your leadership and guidance. Thank you for loving me and my family, so wonderfully. Thank you for a life of selfless service, a life so richly lived, and envied by all and sundry. I therefore pray to God Almighty, to preserve you, and strengthen you in all ramifications of life, to continue the excellent works to which you have dedicated your life. We, your children, are all extremely proud of you".

Congratulations, Papa!!! Happy Birthday!!!

*Fred E. Owotorufa MNIM,CFE, FICA*

Delta Govt Confers Chief Sylvester with Justice of Peace (JP) Title

Delta Govt Confers Chief Sylvester with Justice of Peace (JP) Title

Francis Tayor

Warri _____ ln the Federal High Court Oghelli, Delta State Government through the Ministry of Justice has honoured and conferred one of the illustrious sons of Ogbe-ljoh, Chief. Sylvester Tiebebedigha, the Doumienwei (Peace Maker) of Ogbe-ljoh Warri Kingdom with the reverend Justice of Peace (JP) title in recognition of his contributions in maintaining peace, orderliness, fairness and justice in his community in particular, and Delta State at large.

Chief. Sylvester Tiebebedigha was commissioned on Wednesday with presentation of the Appointment (Conferment) Letter by the presiding judge of the Federal High Court 1 Ughelli, Justice Obi alongside other of his colleagues.

By this Conferment, he would be henceforth addressed as Chief. Sylvester Tiebebedigha JP, as well as has the legal backing of the government to settle minor cases, administer justice and fairness to maintain peace and orderliness within his locality in order to complement government peace building initiative.

Reacting to the development, Chief. Sylvester Tiebebedigha thanked and appreciated Delta state government in finding him worthy for the honour and conferment of the noble title JP, adding that he will continue to give his best in maintaining peace, justice and equity within his locality in particular, and Delta State at large.

Buhari Describes Dangote Refinery as a Game Changer for Nigerians

Buhari Describes Dangote Refinery as a Game Changer for Nigerians

...... As five other African presidents join Buhari to inaugurate Dangote  Petroleum Refinery

Lagos_____ President Muhammadu Buhari, has inaugurated the Dangote Petroleum Refinery located in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.

While inaugurating the multibillion dollar project on Monday, May 22, 2023, President Buhari described it as a game-changer for the Nigerian people.

He said, “I urge and encourage our other great entrepreneurs to emulate this iconic Nigerian industrialist and join the government in accelerating our growth in order to realize our country’s globally recognized economic potential.

“When I travel around Africa and meet and engage my brother Heads of State (and I am delighted some of their Excellencies are here), I often sense a quiet expectation that our country is blessed with resources and human capacity to lead Africa’s rise to economic prosperity and the attainment of Agenda 2063 – ‘The Africa we all want’.

“But to achieve the goals of Agenda 2063, Africa must come together – we must integrate our economies, eliminate barriers to trade and energize our youthful population to scale up our productive capacity.

“We must create necessary conditions for our private sector to grow and partner with the public sector to accelerate economic growth across the continent.

“We must not allow outside powers to use some of our leaders to destabilize our economic and political trajectory.”

The historic event was graced by some African leaders; President of Ghana, Nana Addo; the President of Niger Republic, Mohammed Bazoum; the President of Chad, Mahamat Derby; the President of Senegal, Macky Sall and his Togolese counterpart, Faure Gnassingbe.

The Ghanaian President, Akufo Addo, while delivering his speech said the refinery would not only strengthen the Nigerian economy, but that of West Africa and the entire continent by extension.

He noted, “I’ve said it before, that when we think of West Africa and Africa before our individual countries, we’re not just being Pan-Africans, we’re being true nationalists because what makes West Africa and indeed Africa better will make each of our individual countries better and more prosperous.

Addo added that “this spectacular project, the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical complex does exactly that. It makes West Africa better and stronger”.

Similarly, the President of Senegal, Macky Sall, in his own speech, observed that the Dangote Refinery is a thing of pride for the entire African continent.

Sall said, “It is a great investment that confers great respect and admiration to Nigeria, the most populous country in our continent. The Dangote Group is certainly helping to meet the challenge of universal access to electricity, to give fertiliser and to give opportunities to the other African countries.”

The plant owned by Dangote Group, cost about $19bn in construction according to the Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote.

According to Dangote, “Our first goal is to ramp up production of the various products to ensure that within this year, we are able to fully satisfy the nation’s demand for quality products.”

The refinery in Lagos, took nearly seven years to build, and it is said to be the world’s largest single-train refinery, meaning the plant has one integrated distillery system which can produce a variety of products and petrochemicals, instead of having different units for each type of product.

The plant, which is not yet operational, is said to have the capacity to produce about 650,000 barrels of petroleum products a day. It also includes a power station, deep seaport and fertiliser plant.

Mulade Takes Nigeria's Peace & Unity Campaign to Kano, Katsina, Niger

Mulade Takes Nigeria's Peace & Unity Campaign to Kano, Katsina, Niger

........ Says Nigeria's unity is Non Negotiable

Francis Tayor

Kano____ A Niger Delta born peace and environment advocate, Chief Comrade Mulade Sheriff, convener of the Nigeria for Peace Project, has reiterated that peace is very important in the present day Nigerian situation. 

Comrade Mulade, also the National Coordinator of Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, an NGO, stated this in Kano, Kano State during a week-long peace advocacy visit to the northern State, first point of call was the Kano State Chairman of CAN, Bishop John Namaza Niyiring. The NGO boss also visited Major General Zamini Sarham (Rtd), HRH, Dr. Faruk Umar Faruk, the Emir of Daura, Katsina State and His Royal Highness, the Etsu Nupe of Niger State where he strongly advocate that there is urgent need for unity and reconciliation in Nigeria, through the promotion of peace, equity and justice at all times.

According Chief Mulade Sheriff, "I am here with the co-convener of the project, Alhaji Ibrahim Waiya, to formally inform you that a project tagged Nigeria for Peace (N4P), an intervention initiative, was conceived and birthed by some like-minded civil society officials and patriotic individuals from across Nigeria who strongly believe in the nation's unity." He said recently, the nation has been confronted with many security, communal, and ethno-religious conflicts which have threatened the foundation of our dear country.

"It is imperative to state that the unity of Nigeria has continued to be threatened by bad elements who whipped up religious, ethnic and regional sentiments during political campaigns. This situation runs  counter to our collective resolve to be a united and peaceful nation," he emphasized.

Comrade Mulade asserted that it was to achieve this objective that has made some non-state actors and patriotic Nigerians, who had been working on national unity and peace, to come together and champion the project through concerted efforts to compliment other initiatives to restore and sustain national unity, cohesion, and peaceful coexistence, with sustainable national development as their goal.

In his response, the Kano State CAN Chairman, Bishop John Namaza Niyiring commended the group for the initiative, noting that Nigeria is in dire need of peace and total restoration, and promised to be part of the peace-building process. For his part, Maj. Gen. Zamini Sarham (rtd) thanked the group and also appreciated them for the laudable move, calling on all and sundry to support the peace project for the sake of unity and well being of our dear nation.

Addressing the delegation at his palace, His Royal Highness, Dr. Faruk Umar Faruk, the Emir of Daura, Katsina State gave the group kudos for embarking on such a huge project to save Nigeria. "We cannot pretend to be safe because our country has been faced with many serious challenges ranging from insurgency, armed banditry, kidnapping, political thuggery and religious intolerance, all of which have helped to further deteriorate the unity of Nigeria. I want to assure you that I am fully in support of the project, and I will be committed to undertake any responsibility for a peaceful and united Nigeria," he added

The delegation was also at the palace of the Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Niger State Traditional Council, HRH Maj. Gen. Yahaya Abubakar (rtd). Responding, the Royal Father thanked the team and encouraged them to sustain the movement so as to fix Nigeria, despite our ethnic, cultural and religious diversities, to fast track the development of our dear Nation.

Kokole to Lay Mother ln-law to Rest on Friday 26th, at Gbekebor in Delta

Kokole to Lay Mother ln-law to Rest on Friday 26th, at Gbekebor in Delta

........ Invite friends, colleagues, well wishers to join him for the burial rites

Francis Tayor

Warri ____ Preparation is on top gear as the Assistant Director Administration (Exco Recorder) Burutu Local Government Council as well as the Secretary to the Burutu LGA Traditional Rulers Committee, Mr. Patrick Selekeye Kokole popularly known as PS Kokole is set to lay to eternal rest the remains of his beloved late mother in-law, Mrs. Maria Kala-erekedounana Okiwowo, aged 72 in her home town Gbekebor Community in Burutu LGA, Delta State.

In a statement released on Monday signed by himself at Warri and made available to the Press, the Ayakoromo born simple, humble and respected successful humanitarian, PS Kokole specially requests family, friends, colleagues, well wishers and the general public to join him in giving his late mother in-law a befitting final burial rites this weekend Friday 26.

According to the burial programme jointly signed by Mr. Mark Kaduna Ezonfade for the family and Mr. Gilbert Okiwowo for the children stated as follows: 

Wednesday 24th May, 2023:

4:00PM_Vigil Mass at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Gbekebor.

Friday 26th May, 2023: 8:00AM_ Body leaves Ame Specialist Hospital Mortuary Okumagba Avenue, Warri via Miller Waterside NPA to her home Town Gbekebor.

10:00AM_Requem Mass at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Gbekebor. 

Thereafter, internment/ entertainment of guests follows immediately at her family compound, Gbekebor.

She was survived by 7 Children, 38 Grand Children, 2 Great Grand Children, Dauther in-laws,  Son in-laws and many other relatives too numerous to mention.

However, there shall be social night wake keep till dawn at the same venue.

Music to be supplied by a renowned Dj ADK of Ayakoromo alongside other guest artists.

Meanwhile, it will interest the public to note that Mr. PS Kokole was former Vice Principal, Ayakoromo Grammar School. A community leader and one time Chief Adviser to Ayakoromo Community. He is the current Director Delta State Cooperative Federation and Treasurer to the Delta State Cooperative Financing Agency.

IYC: Meet Your Spokesman Aspirants Amatoru, Bedford, Awipi, Binebai in the Forthcoming Council Elections

IYC: Meet Your Spokesman Aspirants Amatoru, Bedford, Awipi, Binebai in the Forthcoming Council Elections 

Oyinbi Onduku 

Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) is the umbrella body accommodating the entire youths of ljaw Nation both male and female, literates and illiterates, poor and the rich, rural and urban dwellers, home and abroad respectively.

The body is being led by elected executive President alongside other executive members numbering over fifteen persons that constitutes the Excos which tenure last for three years.

The various elective executive positions are being shared according to the zones that made up the council, especially Central, Eastern, Western Zones and Special Area Chapters across the country including Lagos and Abuja.

According to the structure and functionality of council in practice, aside from the President, the position of  Spokesman in council is the next most powerful office to look up to in terms of projecting and protecting the interest of ljaw youths in the most populous country of Africa continent Nigeria.

With the numerous challenges bedeviling ljaw nation resulting from underdevelopment, bad government, oppression from majority ethnic groups, environmental pollution by multinational oil companies, herdsmen attacks etc, there is urgent need for ljaw youths to elect a very competent, selfless, fearless and vocal President alongside Spokesman to consistently tackle Nigeria federal government as well as other perceived enemies of ljaw Nation in the country.

At this junction, we present to you the four aspirants at the moment vying for the position of Spokesman of Council. However, this is public opinion poll, and it is expected ljaw youths from Western Zone should endeavor to use this medium to make a right decision by selecting the most competent aspirant amongst them according to their background, pedigree and contributions so far in the ljaw nation liberation struggle over the years.

1) *ENGR. AMATORU TORUBENI VICTOR (MNATE)*

He was born into the family of late His Royal Highness, Chief Amatoru Dennis Torubeni of Tuomo Community, TT Clan in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, in the early 80s.

He is a graduate of Civil Engineering Technology (HND) from Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana Ebonyi State, 2006/2011. He also acquired a Post Graduate Diploma in Civil Engineering at the prestigious Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State in 2019. And he is currently pursuing his Master's Degree in Civil Engineering, University of PortHarcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

While in the higher institution, he was active in student union politics and was elected as Treasurer National Association of Civil Engineering Students (NACES), Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic Unwana Chapter. He was former Secretary General Niger Delta Student Union Government (NIDSUG) as well as President Niger Delta Student Union Government (NIDSUG) Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic Unwana Chapter precisely.

Professionally, he is a fellow of the National Association of Technologists in Nigeria (NATE).

Contributing his quota to the ljaw liberation struggle, he had played a critical role to protect the ljaw course as active member of Meinbutu during the ljaw/ltsekiri ethnic crisis in Warri and its environ.

He had served ljaw nation in different capacity during the days of Alhaji Asari Dokubo as President of Council to the present Comr. Timothy lgbifa led administration.

It will also interest you to note that he was former Special Assistant (SA) on Education to Barr. Oweilaemi Pereotubo led lYC government as well as the National Spokesman of the Niger Delta Nonviolence Agitators Forum (NDNAF), ably led by most senior. Comrade Wisdom lkuli as National President.

He is currently a Media Assistant (SA) to the National President of ljaw National Congress (INC), Prof. Benjamin Okaba, and he used the office to play a vital role in resolving the leadership crisis rocking lYC Eastern Zone.

Presently, he has indicated interest to serve ljaw nation under the capacity of Spokesman in the forthcoming ljaw Youth Council (IYC) elections comes July, 2023.

2)  *BEDFORD BEREFA BENJAMIN* 

He is a media personnel and consultant with several years of experience who hails from Ekogbene community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

A graduate of Health Education from the prestigious Niger Delta University, after which he proceeded for a Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Journalism from the International Institute of Journalism.

He is also an associate member of the Institute of Strategic Management, ISMN. He has attended several National Conferences to deepen discourse on  environmental issues and advancement in the Niger Delta region.

Bedford Berefa Benjamin is a young man with a passion and interest in the Ijaw course. Hence, he has used his wealth of experience in journalism to give a voice to the issues affecting the Ijaw people, both locally and internationally.

He has written several news items, articles, and features on the Ijaw struggle, the marginalization, and social injustice of the Niger Delta, including issues on Resource Control.

Currently, he is the Chief Executive Officer of The Breath Innovation, an organization that specializes in media related activities with an online television and news blog, The BreathTV.

The Breath TV is a platform that is currently promoting and propagating the Ijaw struggle.

He is a true Ijaw breed who is the current Spokesman of Ijaw Political Frontiers, a group committed to the Ijaw course. Criticize, analyse policies, and promote political positions that affect the Ijaw nation, engage political heads, and suggest programs for the progress of the Ijaw collective struggle.

Bedford has contributed his intellectual properties in the ljaw liberation struggle and attended more than three National Conventions, participated in several Boro Day celebrations, and protested to express the collective dissatisfaction of the Ijaw Nation. He has also done several documentaries on his platforms and others to showcase the level of environmental rape of our coastal territories, decay of infrastructure,  the devastating effect of the flood. He is currently working on a material to expose the level of sufferings in the interlands and the way forward, including other developmental works, to tell the Ijaw story.

As a student of the Kaiama Declarations in 1998, Berefa followed the struggle senso stricto by interviewing and following notable leaders in the Ijaw struggle for Self-Determination.

He has served sacrificially with his time, energy and money. He is competent, versatile, and has the capacity to do the job when given the mandate by ljaw youths come July, 2023.

3) *AWIPI PEIBULOU LAWSON*

Comrade Lawson Peibulou Awipi is an indigene of Bomadi Town in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State. He is a graduate of Political Science from Delta State University, Abraka. He also obtained Masters Degree in Public Administration at the University of Benin, Edo State in the year 2017.

Comrade Awipi as he is well known, has been an activist right from the classroom. In 2010, he was elected as the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the National Union of Izon-Ebe Students (NUIS) College of Education Chapter, Warri, Delta State. And of course, as the PRO of NUIS, he used the position to project, protect and defend the interest of Ijaw students.

In 2013, he became the National President of the National Union of Izon-Ebe Students (NUIS). As NUIS President, he mobilized Ijaw students to protest against the injustice metted on Niger Delta ljaw people by the Federal Government of Nigeria. He equally mobilized the student community to Abuja with coaster buses to block the entrance of National Assembly over bad government, and the impact was greatly felt by Nigerians both home and abroad. He was the first ljaw student to organize "Ijaw Cultural Day" as NUIS President where all Ijaw Students all over Nigeria gathered in Ijaw House, Bayelsa State and the student community used the programme to call Nigerian Government to order on issues that affects the Niger Delta ljaw people at then. 

Awipi's struggle for better ljaw nation did not end after graduation from school. He has been very active and committed in the Ijaw struggle with all passion. On the 13th of August, 2018, he was elected as the Information Officer of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Western Zone, and he served ljaw youths incredibly well.

Right now, he has declared his intention to further serve ljaw Nation under the capacity as National Spokesman of lYC come July.

4) *AMB. BINEBAI PRINCEWILL YERIN*

He was born in the mid-80s to the ace African Drama scholar, Prof. Ben Binebai, from Ofougbene Community (Iduwini Kingdom), Burutu LGA, Delta State.

A graduate of Mass Communication from Delta State University (DELSU) Abraka. He is an encyclopedia of the Ijaw socio-cultural, political and economic history. He is full of life, young, intelligent, outspoken, visionary and industrious.

While in the university, he was active and committed to student union politics, especially SUG, Faculty, Departmental and the National Union of lzon-lbe Students (NUIS) where his indelible inputs were greatly felt at that time.

Amb. Princewill Binebai is a household name both in community service, activism, media profession and otherwise.

His leadership charisma is unbeatable. Having served as Youth President of Burutu Community, he was elected as Iduwini Clan Chairman of ljaw Youth Council (IYC) where he used his exalted office to holistically tackle the Federal, State and Local governments to prioritize the development of Burutu as the headquarters of oil rich council area that is host to Forcados Terminal.

He is the current President General of the umbrella body Delta Ijaw Comrade Community, a coalition of ljaw human right activists and media professionals rendering selfless services towards development and promotion of ljaw nation in the state and beyond.

As a career journalist, he founded The Liberator Newspaper Worldwide in order to tell the real story of the Niger Delta people, especially the underdevelopment of the oil rich ljaw region where environmental degradation, poverty and hunger has become the order of the day.

As a patriotic ljaw youth, he uses his news media to propagate the problems and needs of the ljaw people before the government and the multinational oil companies operating in the region in order to provide immediate solution to the plight of the people.

He is admired by the young and the old due to his philanthropic life style, humility, dedication to duty, honesty and hardworking. His contributions to the development of ljaw nation politically, economically, academically and culturally across the country is overwhelming.

His passion for the progress and development of ljaw nation has endeared him once again to serve his people in the forthcoming lYC elections as the Spokesman this time around. He is coming with the desire for the voice of ljaw nation to be heard louder and clearer within the shores of Nigeria and abroad.

President Buhari to Commission Dangote Refinery on Monday 22nd in Lagos

President Buhari to Commission Dangote Refinery on Monday 22nd in Lagos

President Muhammadu Buhari will offically commission the Dangote Refinery on Monday nextweek 22nd May, 2023 at Lagos State, South-West Nigeria for commercial operation.

Facts: 

The Dangote Refinery has the capacity to process about 650,000 Barrels Per Day of crude oil, making it the largest single-train Refinery in the world.

Dangote Refinery is expected to create over twenty five thousand (250,000) Job Opportunities for Nigerians.

The Dangote Refinery will buy Nigerian crude oil in naira and sell petrol in naira thereby strengthening the naira in the currency market.

Boro-Day: Amagbein Donates N1m to Boro family, backs Ogbuku on NDDC, Cautions Lauretta over Interference

Boro-Day: Amagbein Donates N1m to Boro family, backs Ogbuku on NDDC, Cautions Lauretta over Interference 

By Saint Mienpamo 

Yenagoa ____A renowned Niger delta agitator and founder of Amagbein Force, General Endurance Amagbein, yesterday led hundreds of followers and supporters to Kaiama, hometown of the Ijaw lcon, to mark this year’s Isaac Boro Day.

Amagbein who is also the founder of Amagbein Peace Movement, presented a cash donation of N1million to Boro’s family in support of this year’s celebrations.

Presenting the cash donation and unveiling the renovated Boro family house, Amagbein who was represented by the National Leader of Amagbein Force, Alhaji Harmony A Destiny, said the gesture was to support the family of Boro in view of the contributions and sacrifice to the Ijaw nation and struggle .

He commended the federal government for appointing Chief Samuel Ogbuku as the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, just as he called on chairman of the board of NDDC Mrs Lauretta Onochie to desists from politicizing the commission.

He said: “Today is a great day in Ijaw nation, we want to thank our leaders Endurance Amagbein, High Chief Government Tompolo, Alhaji Asari Dokubo and others for their contributions to the Ijaw struggle.

“We are also thanking the federal government for appointing Chief Samuel Ogbuku as MD of the NDDC from the Adaka Boro Movement. We are using this opportunity to call on Lauretta Onochie to desists from using the NDDC as a political business, she should back off from any plan to kick against the NDDC board.

“We are calling on the federal government to ensure that Amagbein is recognized because he has paid his dues in the Niger Delta struggle. You can see that the oil theft has been stopped and we are the same people that said oil theft will not stop if Amagbein is not given the pipeline surveillance contract, and today oil theft has stopped.”

In his remarks, the Coordinator of Amagbein Peace Movement, Comrade Yogo Okardi, who extolled the legacies of Isaac Boro, commended the founder of Amagbein Force, Endurance Amagbein, for always making it a point of duty to celebrate the late Ijaw freedom fighter, and called on other prominent Ijaw leaders to emulate the young youth leader.

He said: “We are here to celebrate the legacies that the late Isaac Boro has laid down for Ijaw people and the Niger Delta. We want to thank Endurance Amagbein for making it a point of duty to fund the celebration of Isaac Boro day every year. As the host of the crude oil, we are not supposed to beg before we eat and it pains us.

“We want to call on the youths to always support leaders like Amagbein that have the youths and development of Ijaw nation at heart that is why we have decided to formed an NGO to support a leader who is genuinely fighting for the cause of the Niger Delta people.

“We want to also thank our father, Government Tompolo, Asari Dokubo, who are still alive and have continued to uphold the culture of Ijaw people and the legacy of Isaac Boro. The youths are more united today than before, and we call on the state and federal governments not to play with the development of Ijaw people and Niger Delta because we are the host and owners of the oil.”

In his response, the patriarch of the late Isaac Boro family, Mr. David Jasper Boro, expressed gratitude to the founder of Amagbein Force and Peace Movement, Endurance Amagbein, for his love and support towards the Boro’s family, describing him as an adopted son of the family.

He said: “We are really grateful to Amagbein, you can see this house behind us, it was an old dilapidated building but Amagbein made it what it is today, not just renovating, he rebuilt it. Last Christmas he donated a cow and money for the family and this time he has brought N1million,” he said.

The month of May every year is marked to celebrate the Ijaw Icon, Major Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro, who struggled for resource control and inclusion of the Ijaw people in the Niger Delta Region.

N'Delta group slam ex-agitators fake letter to Tinubu, hail Ndiomu for his good works

N'Delta group slam ex-agitators fake letter to Tinubu, hail Ndiomu for his good works

Warri _____The Niger Delta Civil Society Group, consisting of the Niger Delta Solidarity Forum, Niger Delta Progressive Front & Coalition of Niger Delta Youth Movement, has described the open letter written by some faceless group masquerading as Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Agitator as untrue, fallacious, and regrettable. 

The civil society group in a joint statement signed by Daso Famous Bibawari in Warri said the open letter was devoid of truth and could be inciting, noting that, the writers decided to supplant truth with lies, but, such must not be allowed to flourish in the minds of the people, lest they believe the concocted lies.

It is worrisome that the writers of the open letter admitted that there was a case of multiple accounts being operated by a single individual detected by the forensic exercise conducted by the Barry Ndiomu-led Amnesty Programme. What is more worrisome is that the group admitted to such fraud with either a weak defense in a shameful manner.

What would have been the fate of those who are legitimately entitled to a #65,000 monthly stipend when certain people decide to use various crooks and mean to divert multiple people's entitlement? What is more worrisome is that these unscrupulous people have been benefitting illegally from other people's proceeds before the current administration detected it and stop it.

Though the Amnesty Programme was designed to redeem ex-Agitators from the shackles of violence, destruction, and civil unrest, the Ndiomu leadership has continued to prioritize the interest of these people, even when he inherited backlogs of unpaid stipends from previous administrators, he never gave excuse in discharging his duty. 

Since he assumed office, he has paid the entitlement of legitimate ex-Agitators every month, and even encourage them to get contemporary skills that can help them survive the current economic realities in the country. 

His brilliance has made it possible to conceive a Cooperative Scheme that can serve as a way of supporting them with soft loans. He not only stops there, Ndiomu has also made sure to rally support from philanthropists to contribute towards the success of all his initiatives, for the overall good of the ex-Agitators.

 We also note his efforts at enlisting some of our qualified men into the Nigeria Military and Para-Military, having met with the leadership of these security architectures.

If we are to defeat corruption, one must take time to praise, General Ndiomu, for putting the interest of legitimate beneficiaries at heart rather than supporting crimes under the guise of fraudulent payment.

We have gotten to a stage in our life where we need to start eschewing every form of dishonesty and acts that are counter-productive to the Niger Delta region. If we are very vocal on manners in which certain politicians have amassed wealth for themselves at the detriment of the people, we then, need to serve as a right example.

One of the greatest decisions the Interim administrator has done is sanitizing the scheme to allow qualified people access to their funds.  Coming from an era, where illegality is the order of the day, we are now at the phase where we can now begin to have a strong belief in public institutions.

The public need to disregard those spurious lies because they are capable of harming our collective progress. Those who are legitimately qualified for the monthly stipend have continued to show appreciation to the Interim Administrator for the timely payment. 

We associate with the people's General, an administrator par excellence, and agree with his efforts at sanitizing the system. It is only when we have a sanitized system that the money can go around to everyone qualified people.

We call on the incoming President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to retain an upright man like Ndiomu to continue his good work in the office.

Prophet Jeremiah Visits Jonathan, discuss Nigeria unity in Bayelsa

Prophet Jeremiah Visits Jonathan, discuss Nigeria unity in Bayelsa

Yenagoa ____ Billionaire Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin yesterday held a closed door meeting with Former Nigerian President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, to discuss national issues in Bayelsa.

A viral photos trending on the internet featured the Billionaire Prophet Fufeyin, who is the founder Of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry, Warri and the former Nigerian President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan in Bayelsa.

The prophet also had another closed door meeting with the Minister of Environment, Dr Mohammed Hassan Abdullahi in Abuja.

This is coming barely few days after the prophet held similar meetings with Ooni of Ife and Arthur Eze.

Dr Jonathan GCFR GCON is a Nigerian politician who served as the president of Nigeria from 2010 to 2015.

He is the founder and Head Prophet of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry, Warri, Delta State, Nigeria.

A ministry he founded on 3 April 2010, is one of the largest churches in Nigeria, with millions of attendance in it’s weekly programs.

The former president commended Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin for his philanthropic gestures towards promoting peace and unity in Nigeria. Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin, who is known for his immense contributions towards humanitarian services in the country, has been at the forefront of promoting peace and unity in Nigeria.

NDDC MD, Ogbuku Applauds Senate for Passage of N876bn 2023 Budget After Inquiry

NDDC MD, Ogbuku Applauds Senate for Passage of N876bn 2023 Budget After Inquiry

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has expressed his gratitude to the Senate for passing the NDDC budget for 2023 on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. 

The Senate had earlier stood down consideration of the budget and requested further information and clarification on the financial activities of the NDDC for 2021 and 2022 budget estimates.

In a statement released today, Dr. Ogbuku said that the budget passage was a significant milestone in developing the Niger Delta region. He said the budget, which amounted to N876 billion, would enable the NDDC to continue providing critical infrastructure and services to the region’s people.

“We are grateful to the Senate for their support and commitment to developing the Niger Delta region. The passage of this budget will enable us to continue providing critical infrastructure and services to the region’s people,” Dr. Ogbuku said.

The Managing Director also pledged to ensure that the funds allocated in the budget are used judiciously and by due process. He said that the NDDC would work tirelessly to ensure that its projects are completed on time and to the highest standards.

“We are committed to ensuring that every kobo allocated in this budget is used for its intended purpose. We will work tirelessly to ensure that our projects are completed on time and to the highest standards,” Dr. Ogbuku said.

Dr. Ogbuku also called on all stakeholders in the Niger Delta region to support the NDDC in its efforts to develop the region. He said that the NDDC needed help to do it and needed the support and cooperation of all stakeholders in the region if it was to achieve its goals. He said that together, they could build a better future for their people.

“We cannot do this alone. We need the support and cooperation of all stakeholders in the Niger Delta region to achieve our goals.

Dangote Refinery will Curb Fuel Importation by NNPCL_ PENGASSAN

Dangote Refinery will Curb Fuel Importation by NNPCL_ PENGASSAN

Abuja______ The coming onstream of Dangote Refinery in the coming days will cut importation of petroleum products by NNPC Limited and the evils of petrol subsidy.

The president, Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Comrade Festus Osifo, stated this on Thursday, at the 7th Triennial National Delegates’ Conference in Abuja.

He said with the refinery, there will be an impact on the fuel supply dynamics.

“We welcome the bold move by operators of Dangote Refinery coming on stream soon and hope that its addition will enhance local production, reduce products importation as well as end the era of uncertainties in petroleum products pricing and evils of subsidy payment,” he said.

While he commended NNPC Ltd for the rehabilitation of the refineries, especially the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, the PENGASSAN head revealed that South Korean Daewoo (the contractor) has not mobilised to Kaduna Refinery despite signing the contract early this year.

“Kaduna is yet to start and we are pushing to ensure they are completed on time,” he said, as he partly blamed the delay on the insecurity and kidnapping in Kaduna.

On tackling the lingering energy crisis, PENGASSAN tasked the incoming government on hastening the completion of the refineries’ rehabilitation.

“The incoming government must do all within its reach to see to the conclusion of the current rehabilitation effort and initiatives that are currently in place so that our nation’s refinery will come up in no distant time,” Osifo said.

He also said after nine months of battling crude oil theft along with protests by oil workers, production has moved up by 500,000 barrels per day (bpd).

Highlighting the steps PENGASSAN took, Osifo said: “Key among these was the nationwide protests against crude oil theft and presentations at the National Assembly.

These efforts had started yielding fruits as our crude oil production level which was less than a million bpd in August 2022 had risen to more than 1.5mbpd today.”

Tantita Security Nabs Crude Oil Theft with Laden Barge at Opete in Delta

Tantita Security Nabs Crude Oil Theft with Laden Barge at Opete in Delta

.....Secures crew’s arrest for security agencies

Francis Tayor

Warri ____ lnformation reaching our news desk has it that Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited which is a private security contractor engaged by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) belonging to Tompolo has once again intercepted a barge laden with suspected stolen crude oil in Delta waters.

According to our source, the security operatives of the company intercepted 1,000 metric ton capacity barge and two storage tanks of about 45, 000 litres capacity with consignments of suspected stolen crude oil at Opete Community in Udu Local Government Area of the State.

It was further gathered that the barge has been set ablaze on Saturday, while the suspects involved in the illegality were arrested and handed over to security agencies, a eyewitness reported.

It was not clear who the true owners of the vessel are, at the time of filing this report.

However, more details shall be disclosed to the public in our subsequent publications as event unfolds.