Sen. Kalu calls on INEC to conduct one-day election circle to curb rigging in Nigeria

Sen. Kalu calls on INEC to conduct one-day election circle to curb rigging in Nigeria

Francis Tayor

Abuja_____ Chief Whip of the Senate and former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to consider holding the 2023 general elections on the same day, saying it would  reduce cost and prevent rigging.

Kalu said Presidential, National Assembly,  Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections could be held concurrently on the same day rather than having staggered dates for them.

In a statement he personally signed, yesterday, Kalu said holding the 2023 elections on the same day would minimize cost, give the electorates the opportunity to vote for their preferred candidates and also protect their votes.

He cited the United States, Ghana and Sierra Leone as countries indulging in same day election, adding that Nigeria would not be out of place copying the same model.

“INEC should conduct the 2023 elections same day as staggered elections are unnecessarily expensive. 

The conduct of the elections in different days give room for rigging, thuggery and several vices. It also puts the lives of the voters and INEC officials on intense danger. When elections are conducted on the same day, popular candidates will emerge because everyone will be busy in their polling units and zones, unlike different days.The cost of running two days elections will also reduced. To deepen our democracy, we need to get the elections right. When leaders with genuine interests of the people are voted to power, they provide  exceptional leadership and infrastructure to their people,” Kalu stated.

Here are Gov. Okowa of Delta State new Commissioners and their portfolios

Here are Gov. Okowa of Delta State new Commissioners and their portfolios 

1. Prof. Patrick Muoboghare - Higher Education

 

2. Hon. Chika Ossai - Primary Education 

3. Rt. Hon. Basil Ganagana - Transport 

4. Chief Emmanuel Amgbaduba - Oil and Gas 

5. Dr. Mordi Ononye - Health 

6. Hon. Ovie Oghoore - Project Monitoring and Audit

7. Mrs. Bridget Anyafulu, Esq. - Humanitarian and Community Support Services 

8. Hon. Solomon Golley - Works (Rural Roads)

 

9. Isaiah Bozimo, Esq. - Justice and Attorney-General 

10. Hon. Henry Sakpra - Special Projects 

 11. Hon. Jennifer Oma Adasen Esq. - Science and Technology.

Delta APC Chairmanship aspirant Ebiakpo, vows to dislodge PDP in 2023 when elected

Delta APC Chairmanship aspirant Ebiakpo, vows to dislodge PDP in 2023 when elected

......says APC has what it takes to take over Delta State when united

Francis Tayor

A Chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, and a top contender for the party’s State Chairmanship position in the forthcoming APC congress in Delta State, Hon Ebiakpo Ezebri has said that with the caliber of persons in the state chapter of the party, APC has all it takes to dislodge the PDP from the state come 2023 election.

The grassroots political strategist stated this in warri during an interview with our correspondent Francis Tayor, disclosed that if the party leadership can mend fences, unite and put the party’s interest above their personal ambition, the days of PDP dominance of the political space in Delta would be over, as Deltans are fed up with the party’s 20 years of monumental corruption and maladministration.

Ebiakpo, a battle-tested hand, a former State Financial Secretary of the party stated also, that if elected as chairman of the party in Delta State, he will be coming to office with a handy experience in electoral matters and strategies, having run for elections at different levels.

According to him, “If I become the Chairman of the APC which I am fighting for, I have a lot of strategies that the APC will use to dislodge the PDP in Delta State.

Hon. Ebiakpo Ezebri

“I think today we have key leaders in the party that can win the election for us, we have the Distinguish Deputy President of the Senate, Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, Festus Keyamo, Great Ogboru, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, former House of Assembly Speakers, Victor Ochie and Hon Monday Igbuya many more, some of us believe that all of these people must come together to win this state.

“So, if am the state Chairman today, my first task like I told you is to decentralize the party, then my other task will be to see how these leaders can come together before even the primaries of the party so that whoever we are picking will be a formidable force.

Though to sack PDP from Delta will be difficult because these people have been feeding on our collective wealth in past 20 years and they have planted their people everywhere, even in your house, you may be an APC, your wife is PDP, and because of the job she is doing.

PDP is a household name in Delta but I believe they have their shortcomings and some of us who have seen this, believe PDP can be dislodged. Some of this strategy I might not disclose in the media.

“From my observation, one thing we are lacking is that the APC has not sold itself to the grassroots, selling the party to grassroots is a key to winning the election, as the Chairman, I will make Deltans own APC in every unit, wards, and the 25 local government areas.

“In the 25 local governments today, hardly will you see 15 where we have APC local government secretariat, we don’t have. If you go to the 270 wards, my brother, forget about writing names, you will not see less than 100 wards that have a secretariat.

“The way APC is run today in Delta, if they have a problem in the ward they run to the state, because the structure of the party at ward, local government, and the senatorial district is week, I will change all that if I become the chairman by empowering the executives at these levels to handle most of the issues at the grassroots level, is not everything they take to state chairman as we have it today.

“Today, the state Chairman is overburdened, instead of thinking of how the party will win elections, he will be solving problems of the wards, because the party structure in the local government is weak, everybody now runs to the state or local government. I believe if I become chairman, I will create a kind of federating unit, we have three Senatorial Chairmen of the party.

I have checked as of today, where is the Senatorial office of the party in Delta South as we speak? APC doesn’t have an office in the senatorial district, quote me anywhere, an office that is on the ground that has an address, here in Delta South. APC has no senatorial office in Delta Central, the same thing with Delta North, all we have are senatorial chairmen. We don’t have an office, everybody is Asaba.

Another issue that I will address is that elected executives must function in the office they were elected to serve, today a senatorial chairman has no cutout function for him, a senatorial youth leader has become just a title without responsibilities, and all these things will change if I become Chairman.

“So, what I am saying is that, if I am made the chairman of APC, within three months, this is not a manifesto but a burning desire, because APC has to settle down in the 25 local governments of the state, and we cannot run like this.

Today if you talk about APC is Prophet Jones, nobody is calling a ward chairman, nobody is calling a local government chairman, nobody is calling a senatorial chairman, everybody is Jones. Jones is a state chairman, Jones is not in your unit, ward, local government, or senatorial district, so why should Jones name be mentioned in your unit, ward, local government, and senatorial district issues?”

He also promised to deploy his experience to checkmate PDP rigging machinery in the creek, where the party had always used to overturn votes from the mainland since 2019, having confronted and defeated them in the past.

Notorious female gunrunner arrested with N2.4m in Katsina

Notorious female gunrunner arrested with N2.4m in Katsina

The Katsina State Police Command has arrested a suspected gunrunner, Aisha Nura in Batsari Local Govt Area of the state and recovered N2.4m found in her possession. 

Spokesperson of the command, SP Gambo Isah, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday, July 30, said the 27-year-old suspect is the wife of one notorious bandit known as Nura Alhaji Murnal.   

 "On 25th July, 2021 at about 0900hrs, based on a tip off, the Command succeeded in arresting one Aisha Nura, `F`, aged 27yrs of Baranda village, a Fulani settlement at Batsari LGA of Katsina state," the PPRO stated. "Nemesis caught up with the suspect when she was arrested in a suspicious manner, concealing her presence and trying to board an Okada motorcycle from Batsari town heading towards Nahuta village.

Immediately she was searched, money, the sum of two million four hundred and five thousand naira (N2,405,000:00K) was found in her possession, reasonably suspected to be proceeds of arms supplies to bandits in Kaduna state.

 "In the course of investigation suspect confessed to the commission of the offence and admitted that she was sent by husband one Nura Alh. Murnai a notorious bandit, belong to the camp of bandits’ leader one Abu Radda to collect the money on his behalf from his counterparts in Kaduna forest. Investigation is ongoing." he added.

Don't allow politics to disunite us, Jonathan tells ljaw political leaders, lNC, IYC

Don't allow politics to disunite us, Jonathan tells ljaw political leaders, lNC, IYC

Francis Tayor

Yenagoa____ Former President Goodluck Jonathan has implored leaders and stakeholders of Ijaw nation to shun divisiveness and work together in love and unity for the collective interest of the Ijaw people in Nigeria.

Jonathan gave the charge when the Professor Benjamin Okaba-led leadership of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) accompanied by the Central Zone officials of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), paid him a consultative visit at his office in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on Friday lastweek.

He noted that the relevance of the Ijaw ethnic nationality as a minority group is being threatened because they are not existing within one location, except in Bayelsa where their homogeneity is very pronounced.

He urged well-positioned Ijaw sons and daughters to sacrifice for the people and place collective interest above personal gains, stressing that differences among Ijaws should not jeopardize Ijaw unity.

Jonathan said the INC and the IYC have a huge role to play in ensuring the unity of the Ijaw people, especially among the political class, whom he emphasized must not allow political contestations to disunite them.

He said, “But the key point about us is the unity of the Ijaw people. And that is key. We are not too many in terms of physical number. We are widely spread, not concentrated in a geographical area, so our relevance is threatened along many states.

“Apart from Bayelsa State that we have a majority or almost the whole population, others are spread thinly (in other states). And a people like this need to be united to make impact. The collective interest of Ijaws should take precedent and people must sacrifice because of the interest of Ijaw land”.

The former President congratulated the INC executives on their successful election and subsequent inauguration, and commended them for the programmes and activities they were carrying out to promote the Ijaw cause.

He also thanked them for the visit and encouraged them to feel free to seek his involvement in any issue, adding that he was ready to play his role in service to Ijaw land.

Earlier, the INC President had expressed gratitude to Jonathan for supporting Governor Douye Diri to ensure a hitch-free election of the apex Ijaw socio-cultural organization which had been adjudged to be very free and credible.

Okaba, a professor of Sociology at the Federal University, Otuoke, said his leadership hit the ground running soon after their inauguration on May 14 “to drive the Ijaw agenda for resource justice, restructuring and internalization of the Ijaw struggle for self-determination and self-actualization”.

While enumerating some achievements recorded by his leadership, Okaba also informed the former president that the INC was working towards holding an All Ijaw Summit to appraise the Ijaw question and future in the Nigerian State.

BBN 2021: VOTE YERINS in the Big Brother Naija Show

BBN 2021: VOTE YERINS in the Big Brother Naija Show

Friends and Family Members, Dr Yerins is my son in the Big Brother Naija show. He is a destiny child with a mission in the society. From Monday 2nd August, 2021, mobilize massively and vote for Yerins accordingly. No more sms vote.

 VOTING PROCEDURE; 

(1) Download DSTV Or

 GOTV app in your phone.

(2) Open app and put your IUC /smart card number.

(3) Press Vote now and tag Yerins (picture of Yerins there ).

Download DSTV or GOTV app on your phone. For  DSTV premium you have 2,500 votes per day .

For GOTV max you have 1,500 votes per day per smart card depending on the type of subscription. Voting is free & your viewing satisfaction won’t be disrupted.

Spread the message to all your neighbours & relatives. Ready to vote on Monday. God bless us as we commence voting. 

Sender:

Saibakumo Ahmed Eniyeketon.

Gov. Okowa of Delta State Sworn-In additional 11 Commissioners, charges them to deliver on the prosperity agenda

Gov. Okowa of Delta State Sworn-In additional 11 Commissioners, charges them to deliver on the prosperity agenda

Asaba_____ The Executive Governor

of Delta State, His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, has on Thursday 29th July, 2021 at the state capital, Asaba sworn-in 11 commissioners as members of the State Executive Council.

The Governor in his inaugural speech charged the commissioners to be committed to the key policies of his  administration.

He noted that the government has achieved much in the areas of infrastructure and entrepreneurship training to better the lots of Deltans, keeping tab with the prosperity mantra but admitted there’s a lot more to cover to tackle the problems of youth unemployment, widespread of poverty, and social cohesion.

“To all the Commissioners, it’s my hope you justify the confidence that has been reposed on you with this appointment.

“With less than 2 years to the terminal of this administration, every minute counts as we strive to deliver our goals and promises to the good people of Delta State.

“Moreover, as you commence your stewardship today, make it a priority to allowing yourself with the ideals and ideas to the key policy trust of this administration.”

In addition, Okowa charged the commissioners to be cautious in their relationship with all to create a viable environment.

“In your utterances and actions, develop a work environment devoid of mutual suspicion, distrust, exclusion, and resentment.

“This administration is passionate and believed in peaceful coexistence, hence you should be good ambassadors of this administration. Congratulations to you all”, he asserted.

The eleven commissioners are:

Prof. Patrick Muoboghare, Hon. Chika Ossai, Hon. Basil Ganagana, Chief Emmanuel Amgbaduba, Dr. Mordi Ononye, Hon. Ovie Oghoore, Barr. (Mrs) Bridget Ayanfulu, Hon. Solomon Golley, Barr. Isaiah Bozimo, Hon. Henry Sakpara, Barr. Jennifer Oma Adasen.

Meanwhile, eighteen commissioners had been sworn in, totalling 29 members of the State Executive Council, and seven out of this number are women.

Prof. Patrick Muoboghare responded on behalf of the newly sworn in commissioners. He thanked God for the appointment and appreciated the governor for the confidence in them to serve, stressing that they will not disappoint Deltans.

Stop misleading the public with lies, fake news, Diebiri Youths tell Ogugu, Binebai, others

Stop misleading the public with lies, fake news, Diebiri Youths tell Ogugu, Binebai, others

Francis Tayor

Warri_____ ln response to an unguided, baseless and inciting publication made by the Liberator Newspaper online with the caption' Diebiri-Batan Community Elders Writes Okowa, want his E.A. Ako tamed over looming insecurity' dated 19th July, 2021, the youths of Diebiri kingdom under the aegis of Diebiri Youth Council (DYC), has cautioned one Mr. Don Dickson Ogugu, Mr. Lude James Osuobiri and Mr. Princewill Binebai to stop misleading the public with lies as well as spreading fake news geared towards inciting and creating division among the illustrious sons and daughters of Diebiri-Batan Community in Warri South West local government area of Delta State.

The youths in a communique issued at the end of a meeting held on the 29th July, 2021 at Warri, and jointly signed by the leadership of Comrade Quinton Tekedor (President), Comrade Ulayefa Orubu (Secretary), Comrade David Saturday (PRO) and Comrade Bestman Warekebi (Assist Secretary) respectively, has charged Don Dickson Ogugu, James Lude Osuobiri and their partners in crime to henceforth desist from circulating lies about the administrative bodies of Diebiri kingdom, if not the law of the land will soon catch up with them.

According to the Diebiri Youth Council President, Comrade Quinton Tekedor, said Diebiri kingdom have a functional well documented written constitution since 2014 and as amended in 2019, that is binding to the entire kingdom. How can a full grown up adult man like Don Ogugu with his sane mind come up with a blatant lies from the pit of hell to say that Diebiri kingdom is on the process of drafting her emerging constitution to misled the public just because of his selfish interest?

As if that wasn't enough, the chronic liar Don Ogugu went ahead in the said publication to say Diebiri is a proposed kingdom, deliberately ignoring the facts that Diebiri kingdom had been in existence since time immemorial and is duly recognized by government and the multinational oil companies as one of the prominent ljaw kingdoms in Delta State.

It was very unfortunate and shameful in the person of Ogugu to orchestrate that fallacious publication with some dissident elements to cause chaos among the sons and daughters of Diebiri-Batan Community- a sub community in the kingdom aimed at tarnishing the hard earned reputation of our Paramount Ruler, HRM. Engr. J.O. Orubu, our distinguished leader, Pastor Hon. Ako Samuel and our dynamic Diebiri Governing Council Chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Orubu for no just course.

Speaking further, the youth President said the Paramount Ruler of Diebiri kingdom is a man of honor, custodian, humility and advocate for peaceful coexistence. Likewise Pst Hon. Samuel Ako is an embodiment of many feathers. He is a beacon of hope to the people of Diebiri kingdom because of his selfless services to humanity as well as his commitments to attract infrastructural development towards the advancement of the kingdom.

In tackling the claims of alleged Seven Concern Families in the kingdom, the youth President stressed that there was nothing like Seven Concern Families in Diebiri kingdom, noting that such name is alien or unknown entity to Diebiri people. It is a ghoast name fabricated from the pit of hell by the duo of Dickson Ogugu, James Osuobiri and their partners in crime in order to cause confusion in the kingdom. 

The youths however, challenge them to present the documents with historical background and genealogical presentation to buttress their claims of the Seven Concern Families, stressing that it has become imperative because they are aware and abreast with the acquisition documents that confers rights and privileges to Diebiri Community.

Meanwhile, the Diebiri Youths has unanimously endorsed and stand by the outcome of Diebiri Governing Council in the selection process conducted on the 10th of July, 2021 at Diebiri-Batan Community Town Hall, that produced Mr. Isaac Ogongbene, as Chairman Kokologbene Community, Mr. Alex Ebi Fenimine, as Chairman Diebiri-Batan Community and Comrade Quinton Tekedor, as the President Diebiri Youth Council. They asserted that their emergence followed due process and consultation among the four quarters of the Kingdom, the statement added.

Onduku Congratulates Bozimo, salutes Okowa on appointment as Commissioner

Onduku Congratulates Bozimo, salutes Okowa on appointment as Commissioner

Francis Tayor

Warri_____ An ljaw youth activist cum journalist and the Publisher Niger Delta Mirror News Online, Comrade Oyinbi Onduku, has joined friends, family members and well wishers to congratulate one of the illustrious sons of Azebiri Community, Isaiah Bozimo (Esq.), on his recent appointment as well as successful sworn-in as Commissioner by His Excellency, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, the Executive Governor of Delta State.

In a congratulatory message released on Thursday 29th July, 2021 in Warri, Onduku also expressed gratitude to governor Okowa in finding Isaiah Bozimo worthy to serve under his cabinet, stressing that the people of Azebiri Community in Bomadi local government area are very grateful and overwhelmed by the development.

He emphasized that Azebiri community in Bomadi had been denied of such rare political appointment over the years, but thank God today Gov. Okowa has changed the narrative with this singular gesture. 

Onduku reiterated that he has full confident in lsaiah Bozimo's leadership sagacity to contribute his quota meaningfully as a seasoned lawyer with high repute to join hand with His Excellency in order to move Delta State to an enviable height. 

He however, wished Bozimo God's divine protection, wisdom and understanding to carry out his constitutional duty and responsibilities faithfully so as to serve Deltans better. Once again, congratulations and thank you Your Excellency for the opportunity given to our illustrious son to serve in your government, the statement adds.

Diebiri Kingdom drafts Okowa, warn Osuobiri, Ogugu to desist from peddling lies against HRM, Ako, others

Diebiri Kingdom drafts Okowa, warn Osuobiri, Ogugu to desist from peddling lies against HRM, Ako, others

.......vows to sanction the duo, the dissident group and their sponsors in line with the kingdom's constitution over their uncultured, nonchalant behavior

Francis Tayor

Warri_____ The people of Diebiri Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, has written a rejoinder letter to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Delta State, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, to disregard a baseless, fallacious and uncultured publication made on the 19th July, 2021 via the Liberator Newspaper online, authored by one self-acclaimed eldest man of Diebiri-Batan Community, James Lude Osuobiri alongside Dickson Ogugu and some dissident groups calling on the state governor to call to order  one of their illustrious son who is Executive Assistant (EA) to the Delta State Government on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Pastor Hon. Ako Samuel, on alleged looming insecurity in the Kingdom.

The Kingdom in a letter to His Excellency, dated 22nd July, 2021 and jointly signed by the most eldest man of Diebiri-Batan Community/Diebiri Kingdom, Chief Pa. Gabriel Oluba, Chief. Jacob E. Nadifa (JP), Elder Dickson Kiebor Ekpelagha, Elder Friday Yonwei, Elder Engr. Fredrick Brossy, Elder Newyear Asegbaghan, Elder Johnbull Yokiri among others, has sent a serious warning to the duo of James Lude Osuobiri and Dickson Ogugu to desist from bringing to disrepute as well as peddling lies against their highly respected Paramount Ruler of the Kingdom, HRM. Engr. J.O. Orubu, their leader and illustrious son, Pastor Hon. Ako Samuel and the entire Diebiri Governing Council, stressing that there is nothing like Seven Concerned Families in Diebiri Kingdom Constitution, and that the public should disregard such lies emanating from the pit of hell. 

Moreso, the Kingdom stated that all lands, Oil wells and locations in Diebiri territory are leased to the Nigerian government and the lnternational Oil Companies (IOCs) by the Diebiri people.

In reaction to their watery accusation on Pst Hon. Ako Samuel of causing trouble and insecurity in the Kingdom, Diebiri people debunked their claims, noting that they are all fabricated lies, mere allegations and character assassination of their respected leader, and it should be condemned as well as disregarded by the public.

They reiterated that their leader and illustrious son never enslaved them or caused confusion in Diebiri-Batan community. He is a peace maker, bridge builder, selfless leader, community developer and never involved himself in the Kingdom leadership elections. As a our leader, he was recently invited by the Chairman Diebiri Governing Council, Mr. Emmanuel Orubu, to witness the inauguration of the newly elected Diebiri-Batan Executives, Kolognene Community Executives and the Youth Executives as well.

The people said Hon. Ako deserves some accolades from all well meaning sons and daughters of Diebiri for his selfless service to humanity, immense contributions towards attracting infrastructural development for the advancement of the Kingdom. Saying Ako has nothing to do with the unfounded allegations from those dissident groups and their miserable failed sponsors.

While disputing their lies on the claims that Diebiri does not have a constitution governing them rather have a hoping or emerging constitution, the Traditional Council said Diebiri Kingdom have a unanimously well written Constitution since 2014 that is in operational till date. 

However, the Paramount Ruler of the Kingdom, HRM. Engr. J.O. Orubu, the Traditional Council of Chiefs, the Governing Council as well as the entire Diebiri people has vowed to sanction the duo of James Lude Osuobiri, Dickson Ogugu and the dissident group in line with the constitution of the Kingdom over their uncultured, nonchalant behavior. 

Finally, the Kingdom has charged the baseless unscrupulous petitioners, the Liberator Newspaper to henceforth, desist from peddling lies, spreading fake news and channel their energy over useful businesses other than trying to cause chaos in the peaceful Diebiri Kingdom, the statement adds.

Insecurity: NGO calls for synergy to promote peaceful coexistence among Nigerians

Insecurity: NGO calls for synergy to promote peaceful coexistence among Nigerians

Kano______  A leading non governmental organisation, NGO in Nigeria, the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ has embarked on a two-day working visit to the North West of Nigeria, Kano State in particular, with a view to partnering and collaborating with similar organisations so as to assist the Federal and State Governments to proffer solutions to the rising spate of insecurity, banditary, kidnapping and other vices confronting the country today.

The CEPEJ delegation led by its National Coordinator, Comrade Mulade Sheriff paid the familiarization/courtesy visit to discuss and seek collaboration with the NGOs in Kano State on how to promote peace through Early Warning System.

The Executive Director, Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) in Kano State, Comrade Ibrahim Zikirillah welcomed the Mulade-led CEPEJ team,  and said the hosting of the CEPEJ Boss was a great opportunity for them to share knowledge and experiences on how to tackle insecurity, build peace, and educate the youths on the need for them to shun violence in their communities, and embrace the spirit of peaceful coexistence.

Comrade Zikirullahi added that the Resource Center for Human Rights and Civic Education which is regarded as an organization of active citizens, started in Lagos, and now in Kano, with an Office in Abuja. He said CHRICED also networks and engages in so many activities. 

According to him, the body is working on a project titled Social Mobilization for Transparency and Accountability in Maternal Health, and Resource Budgeting in Kano State; it promotes democratic participation in Kano State, fosters transparency and accountability in constituency project delivery in Kano State, as well as promotes human rights and civic education among Kano people.

The CHRICED Executive Director applauded CEPEJ for its activities and programmes, and invited CEPEJ National Coordinator to attend the  15th anniversary of CHRICED coming up later this year. 

Responding, National Coordinator of CEPEJ, Comrade Sheriff Mulade said the NGO focuses on five (5) thematic areas - peace building, good governance, fundamental human rights, justice, as well as environmental sustainability, and uses conferences, seminars, rallies, symposia, workshops, town hall meetings or people's parliaments, as well as educational research as advocacy strategies.

Comrade Mulade said CEPEJ is committed to community development and other humanitarian activities, and works with Government, parastatals, professionals, other NGOs and stakeholders at both national and international levels. 

The CEPEJ Boss also revealed that the NGO had organized national conferences in Nigeria and other countries in Africa, mobilized experts on peacebuilding, human rights, environment and security to speak as resource persons. He cited the conference held at the Koffi Annan International Peacekeepig Training Centre, Accra, Ghana as an example.

The ceremony featured the exchange of pleasantries and a group photograph between the CEPEJ and CHRICED teams.

Igbegbe Congratulates Zuokumo on promotion to Assist Commissioner of Police

Igbegbe Congratulates Zuokumo on promotion to Assist Commissioner of Police

A renowned ljaw freedom fighter cum philanthropist in the heart of Niger Delta, Alaowei Friday Igbegbe, has joined other well wishers to felicitate and congratulate the immediate past DPO of B'Division Warri, Mr. Kelvin Zuokumo, on his recent promotion to Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP).

Alaowei lgbegbe, in a congratulatory message released on Monday 19th July, 2021 in warri, noted that Kelvin Zuokumo promotion is well deserved as well as timely owing to his hard work and dedication to duty in the Nigeria police force over the years.

Igbegbe who is the Ebogha 1 of Ogbe-ljoh Warri Kingdom, described Zuokumo's promotion as the Lord's doing, stressing that his commitment to duty at all time has endeared him this new fit in service. 

He further emphasized that ljaw nation, especially the good people of Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State are very proud of him, saying God will continue to protect him to create an indelible impact in the Nigerian Police Force. He urged him to continue to discharge his duties without fear or favour to the best of his ability in accordance to the Nigeria Police Act, adding that peace and security in our society cannot be compromised.

Once again, congratulations my dear beloved brother, wishing you more timely promotions ahead, lgbegbe stated.

Passage of PIB Bill: lNC salutes action of patriotic lawmakers staged walk out

Passage of PIB Bill: lNC salutes action of patriotic lawmakers staged walk out

Ijaw nation salutes the courage, sagacity and dexterity of our Senators and other patriotic

National Assembly members and, in unison, support their historic and symbolic walkout during

yesterday’s rowdy session in defense of the teeming masses of the criminally marginalized,

balkanized and brutally bastardized Ijaw people and environment by successive administrations

of this country. 

The walkout staged by our distinguished Senators is a clear message to the Nigeria state and the International community of our total rejection of the 3% allocated to Host communities, the misapplication of the concept of host communities and the allocation of whooping 30% of profits from our oil and gas resources to the exploration and exploitation of oil and gas in frontier  basins in the PIB.

The walkout by our patriotic Senators further expresses our disillusionment over the continued unsavory treatment meted against the over 27 million Ijaw people who, in spite of bearing the burdens of sustaining this country, have experienced irreparable and unimaginable losses of their sources of livelihood as they continue to suffer the pollution of their ecosystem on account of the activities of  insensitive multinational oil companies without appropriate remediation as well as existential threats in the hands of the Nigerian state.

The Ijaw nation shall continue to condemn any policy that attempts to make what duly belongs to us as belonging to everybody and anybody without first respecting our right to ownership as we have at no time assumed ownership and control over what belongs to others. 

We are finding it difficult to calm down the nerves of our people whose anger is daily heightened by the unrelenting oppressive demeanour of those presiding over the fortunes of our God-given resources. Whereas we thought the PIB offered a veritable opportunity for the leadership to redress and pacify our people by hearkening to our petitions and cries of marginalization and underdevelopment, the recent decision by the Senate of the Federal Republic to allocate a paltry 3% to the Host Communities Trust Fund has poured fuel on an already combustible situation.

We wish to restate that the 3% provision for the Host Communities Trust Fund, 30% of Profit provisions for oil and gas exploration and exploitation of Frontier basins and the arbitrary distortion of the definition of host communities in the PIB remain totally unacceptable to the Ijaw nation.  Since our appeal as the leadership of the Ijaw nation appears to have fallen on deaf ears, we cannot promise or guarantee that we shall be able to contain any recourse to restiveness that could arise in Ijaw land.

Prof. Benjamin O. Okaba

President, Ijaw National Congress (INC).

Diebiri Kingdom Elects New Executives of Batan, Kokologbene, DYC

Diebiri Kingdom Elects New Executives of Batan, Kokologbene, DYC

Francis Tayor

Warri_____ The people of Diebiri ancient Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, has elected new Executive Council members to pilot the affairs of Batan community, Kokologbene community as well as Diebiri Youth Council.

The historic election was held on the 10th of July, 2021, at Batan Community Town Hall, attracted the Traditional Council, the Governing Council, Opinion leaders, illustrious sons and daughters of the Kingdom to select and constitute the new Executives from the four quarters to lead Batan, Kokologbene and the Diebiri Youth Council in the next two years.

After following due process in a peaceful atmosphere according to the constitution of the Kingdom, Mr. Alex Ebi Feminine was elected as Chairman Batan Community, Mr. Issac Ogongbene as Chairman Kokologbene community while Comrade Quinton Tekedor was elected as the Youth President of Diebiri Youth Council precisely.

Delivering his advisory speech to the newly sworn-in executives, the Paramount Ruler, Pere James G. Orubu, the lbenanaowei of Diebiri Kingdom charged the newly constituted excos to uphold the constitution of the Kingdom and strive to lift the affairs of the Kingdom forward in all ramification. He further urged them to work as a team to ensure peace and security among the various communities in the Kingdom.

Also speaking is Pst. Hon. Samuel Ako, who admonished the newly sworn-in executive members to do all they can to unite all sons and daughters of Diebiri Kingdom, both home and in diaspora for a more peaceful and prosperous Kingdom.

While the Amakosu-owei of the Kingdom, Chief. Gabriel Oluba called on Diebiri sons and daughters to support the newly constituted executive members in order to move the Kingdom to an enviable height, he noted. 

In their acceptance remark, the newly sworn-in Chairmen of Batan, Mr. Alex Ebi Feminine, Mr. Isaac Ogongbene of Kokologbene Community and the Youth President of Diebiri Youth Council, Comr. Quinton Tekedor thanked and appreciated the leaders and the illustrious sons and daughters of Diebiri Kingdom for the trust and confidence bestowed on them to serve, stressing that they will not disappoint the kingdom. They further commended Emmanuel  Orubu led Diebiri Governing Council executives for creating the enabling environment for all the aspirants to conduct free, fair and transparent election process, and promised to operate an all inclusive administration to ensure that Diebiri Kingdom have a fair share of her natural resources from the government as well as the multi-national oil companies operating in the Kingdom, they stated.

However, below is the comprehensive list of the newly constituted executive members of the various communities in the Kingdom.

DIEBIRI YOUTH COUNCIL EXECUTIVES:

1) Quinton Tekedor-President

2) Godwin Perebo -- Vice President

3) Ulayefa Orubu -- Secretary General

4) Bestman Warekebi -- Assistant Secretary

5) Ebiere Nadifa -- Treasurer

6) Morris Oweifaware -- Financial Secretary

7) David Saturday -- PRO

8) Rita Matthew -- Organising Secretary &

9) Stephen Bomene -- Spokesman.

BATAN COMMUNITY EXECUTIVES:

1) Alex Ebi Feminine -- Chairman

2) George Kpadowei -- Vice Chairman

3) Emmanuel Bomene -- Secretary General

4) Victor Igetei -- Assistant Secretary

5) Saturday Olasebede -- PRO

6) Matthew Oluba -- Financial Secretary

7) Samuel Tako -- Treasurer    &

8) Emmanuel Suoware -- Spokesman.

KOKOLOGBENE COMMUNITY EXECUTIVES: 

1) Isaac P. N.Ogongbene -- Chairman

2) Edwin Abobo -- Vice Chairman

3) Stephen Okubo -- Secretary General

4) Kenneth Nadifa -- Assistant Secretary

5) Simeon Seibomu -- PRO

6) Amakiye Ade -- Financial Secretary

7) Perez Igetei -- Treasurer &

8) Abadi Erebu -- Spokesman respectively.

Delta 2023: Ndokwa Nation expresses hope for Ijaw Governorship Ambition, as Boziimo preaches equity, fairness and justice in Ukwuani

Delta 2023: Ndokwa Nation expresses hope for Ijaw Governorship Ambition, as Boziimo preaches equity, fairness and justice in Ukwuani

The people of Ndokwa nation have stated that they share common destiny and same story of deprivation with the Ijaws of Delta State as people grappling with multifaceted challenges of underdevelopment and environmental degradation. The remark was made by Brigadier Gen. Mike Ndubuisi (Rtd), President General of Ndokwa Neku Union, highest socio-cultural organisation of Ndokwa Nation in Delta State on Wednesday 14th of June 2021, during a consultation visit by the Delta Ijaw for Governor 2023 lobby team at Ezhionum Community in  Ukwuani Local Government Area of the State.

Gen. Ndubuisi commended the Ijaw delegation for the seriousness displayed in their lobby to produce the next Governor of Delta State. He stated that "Looking at the list of members from your team, we can see the seriousness of the Ijaws ahead of 2023. According to him, the Ndokwas like the Ijaws speak with one voice noting that he would convey the appeal of the Ijaw people to the Ndokwa Nation and take the right decision at the appropriate time. In a related development, Prof. Julie Umukoro, National Woman Leader of Ndokwa Neku in her brief remark expressed hope that the visit of Ijaws to Ndokwa nation will mark a new beginning in Ndokwa quest for justice.

Earlier, leader of the Ijaw delegation,  Alaowei Broderick Bozimo who spoke on behalf of the Delta Ijaw for Governor 2023 lobby team appeal to the people of Ndokwa Nation to give full support to the Ijaw governorship bid come 2023, noting that the Ijaws and Ndokwa nation are people with peculiar challenges and that a Governor of Ijaw extraction would appreciate the peculiar challenges of the Ndokwa Nation and do the needful.  Alaowei Bozimo reiterated that Ijaws in Delta State have been supporting others by voting governors across all the senatorial districts and ethnic nationalities in Delta state since the creation of the state

and make a case for Ijaws to be supported to produce Governor of Delta State in 2023.

Elder Bozimo further informed the Ndokwa Nation that three capable Ijaw sons, namely: His Excellency,  Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sen. James Manager, Senator Representing Delta South Senatorial  District and Dr. Braduce Amakazi Angozi, former commissioner for Agriculture, Delta State and Chairman of Burutu LGA have indictaed their interest to contest the 2023 Governorship election. He expressed his confidence in the capacity of the trio to govern Delta State, if given the opportunity. Sounding philosophical,  Bozimo said that there is time and season for everything, this is our time and season: "I believe that the hand of God is deeply involved in this Ijaw for 2023 Governorship because all the narratives favour the Ijaws. We will all dance to Asaba to install a new king in the Government House who will be an Ijaw man, our God specialises in impossibilities", he said!

On zoning, Alaowei Broderick stated that "Power has gone round to all the three senatorial districts in Delta State, hence it is not out of place for an Ijaw man from the Delta South Senatorial District to become Governor come 2023, the Ijaws have sacrificed a lot economically, politically and otherwise to merit the Governor of Delta State come 2023. This is not an ethnic matter, we are part of Delta State hence we should be given a sense of belonging. We have competent aspirants that can deliver and that those who disregarded zoning in the past and contested all Governorship elections in the state have no moral justification to talk about zoning". He further commended Gov. Okowa for his clarification on the issue of zoning in Delta State and the circumstances of his emergence as Governor of Delta State.

The  Ijaw delegation include Alaowei Broderick Bozimo,

Gen. Broderick Demeyeibo rtd,

Hon.(Dr.) Barry Gbe,  Commissioner for Economic Planning Delta State,

Hon.(Chief) Daniel O. Yingi, Special Adviser Nominee, 

Chief J.T Government, Governoring Board Chairman  Delta State School of Marine Technology Burutu,

Barr. Newworld Safugha, Executive Assistant to the Governor,  Renewable Energy, 

Hon. Paul Kurugbe, Member SPEB,

Barr. David P. Ekerokosu, Chief James Nieketein,

Hon. Collins Olorogun, Eng. Ezonfade Oyakemeagbegha- INC Publicity Secretary,

Hon. Joel Bisina, PhD,

Eric Omare,

Roland Oweilaemi,

Dr. Doubra Collins Okotete - IYC  Western Zone Chairman,

Hon.Bebeteidoh W. Austin, 

Prof. R.K. Moruk,  Admiralty University 

Rt. Rev. Godwins Soroaye,

Chief  Aribogha Johnny (JP),

Chief Wellington Bobo,

Mr. Ekenwan Akwagbe,

Eng. Dr. John Agori,

Eng. Plus Donyegha,

Barr. Fred E. Owotorufa,

Fanty Goodness Owotorufa (Mrs),

Hon. Allan Egbegi,

Chief M. Keme,

Hon. Ekiyorkeyi Asiyai, Hon. Gloria Okubodogha 

Comr. Moses Fiyebor 

Okporu Ebi Augustine- D.G Delta Ijaw 2023 Governorship Advocacy Group (GIGAG)

Mr. Francis  Abulu,

Victor  Ikpa,

Hon. (Chief) Roland Kemefa,

Hon. Korokorosei Sagbegha,

Hon. Tina Yinkore,

Education E.T,

Kebbi Oyas,

Mr. Funebi Numupeide,

Barr. Roland Esite,

Mr. Kemezode Tobi,

Eng. Emmanuel Obolu.

The Ndokwa Neku Union was represented by, Gen. Mike Ndubisi (Rtd) President General, Dr. Chukwumeke Ojieh, Sec.Gen, Prof. Julie Umukoro, Woman Leader, Engr. Eugene Agadaga- P.R.O, Mr. Ifeanyi Odachi-Youth Leader. Other dignitaries are, Maj. Agali (Rtd), Chief V.O.T Abanum, Engr. Meshach Ochonogor, Chief Enejide, Mr. Timothy Umukoro, Ogbuefi Efe, Hon. Oji, Chief Mrs Rita Enu, Barr. Mrs Omude,b Hon. (Mrs) Egbune-j Vice Chairman Ukwani L.G. A, Chief Prince Obi Nzekwu President of Ndokwa Clans among others.