Gov. Abubakar Working Against All Odds

By: Sani Ubaida

What quality leadership means to us as Bauchi State citizens is how well the people we voted into power carry on their duties in developing the state and building a sustainable economy. But for a clime that has been enmeshed by anti-development politicking and evil machinations where the so-called cabals have for a long time held sway, any elected official who desire to do things differently would certainly be met with some resistances and difficulties that could be surmountable and conquerable only by great minds and committed leaders.

In writing political history of Bauchi State, successive governors of our dear state had been held in the jugular, they had succumbed to the antipeople forces of godfatherism and moonlight financial requisition, where rather than the interest of the people, the interest of the cabals were put in the front burner of the power that be, leaving the government balance sheet dry while development was at stake with deplorable structures. Put bluntly, before the emergence of Governor Muhammed Abdullahi Abubakar's administration, the state has been under the stranglehold of antidemocratic forces holding the state to ransom.
As natural as it were, the people apparently got tired and in the 2015 general elections and when the fine and focused gentleman, Barrister Abubakar offered himself as a credible alternative under the All Progressive Congress (APC) to the slave driving regimes that had held Bauchi down for many years, the people overwhelmingly cast their ballots for him while being confident that, he’ll unshackle the state from the burden of underdevelopment and financial recklessness.

Today, we are at the first half of the journey to make up his first tenure, to justify this all-important mandate given him by the people of Bauchi State, a question could be asked, what is the man Governor Muhammed Abdullahi Abubakar doing differently and how is he redefining governance differently from what was obtainable in the previous locust ravaging regimes?

To start with, Governor Abubakar has taken a bold step of blocking the financial leakages and ensuring that, monies meant for the development of the state have channels to the legitimatize ways in developing the state and sensitizing the act of governance in the state. The points where the state's fortunes are being depleted. The monsters of corruption, godfatherism, nepotism and cronyism which have hitherto stood side by side the state's administration, were no longer allowed a space.

Upon assumption of office, the administration of Gov. Abubakar made it clear that the state must be liberated from the stranglehold of these anti-developmental practices. He made a clear and bold decision to erase the influence of cabals and political godfatherism and the immediate good of this move is that the speed of delivery public good like social and infrastructural development is no longer slowed down by the so-called powers that be. Today, policies and programs of the state are conceived solely in the best interest of the citizens.

Standing up against an established wrong system is not easy. Such a system usually has an army of powerful elements who feed fat on the rot. And that, they mount strong resistance against progressive thinking and policies. At national level, we see how the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is being sabotaged by certain forces whose only care is to maintain a status quo of corruption. Quite surprising is that, the depravity in their hearts wouldn't let them give up easily. In essence, they constitute the internal bottle neck to the administration hiding under politics and vainly to truncating policies that do not promote their own selfish interests.

Worse is their temerity to use the media to advance their unwholesome and unkind interests. They hire an army of fifth columnists who weave narratives of falsehood to beguile the unsuspecting reading public, usually using m

Okowa Assures Of His Administration's Commitment To Improve Education Standard ... Receives The Obi Of Issele-Uku

DELTA State Governor, Senator Dr  Ifeanyi Okowa has said his administration is committed to strengthening the State's institutions of higher learning, rather than establishing new ones.

The Governor dropped the hint on Tuesday

(16/01/18) in Asaba when the Obi of Issele-Uku, Aniocha North local government area, HRM Obi Nduka Ezeagwuna 11 led members of his Council of Chiefs to pay him a 'thank you' visit in Asaba.
According to the Governor, the state government already has a lot of institutions of higher learning it is catering for - three campuses of the Delta State University, Colleges of Education in Agbor, Mosogar and Warri; School of Health Technology; three polytechnics; schools  of Nursing, among others disclosing that his administration was not looking at the area of establishing new ones but, ensuring that the existing ones are accredited and equipped to standards.
"We are currently ensuring appropriate accreditation for our institutions of higher learning, we will achieve that first before any other consideration because, I truly believe that we ought to have one University that is built to international standard and we all will be proud of as Deltans," the Governor said, adding, "we should do what we can to avoid localizing institutions of higher learning, we will continue to improve on the quality of education in the existing institutions."
The Governor commended the Obi for the 'thank you' visit, decrying situation where  an individual in the area due to political reasons failed to see the projects his administration is executing in the local government area , including the construction of road to the critic's community.

"I thank you (Obi Ezeaguna II) for this visit, I thank you for the way you have ensured that your Kingdom is peaceful, wherever there is peace, we will continue to carry out developmental projects," he stated.
The Governor continued, "I am quite excited with your (Obi Ezeaguna II) comment on infrastructural development in Issele-Uku and Aniocha North LGA, bearing in mind that a son of Aniocha North in December made a comment that nothing is going on in that area; I am aware that we are working on five (5) roads in Aniocha North and we have completed two, while the other three are ongoing including the one leading to the person's village; I wonder if he has been to his village of late because, it is this false information they pass to the newspapers and we need to correct such."
" We will continue to do the much we can in the development of the area and entire Delta State in line with our agenda of ensuring prosperity for all," he emphasized.

On the request by the Obi for proper channeling of water to check flooding in Issele-Uku, Governor Okowa assured that agencies in charge of such would visit the area to ensure that lasting solution is proffered.
Earlier, Obi Ezeaguna  informed the Governor and members of the state executive council who witnessed the ceremony that they were in Asaba on a 'thank you' visit, disclosing that the Governor played vital roles during his coronation anniversary and has also, executed a lot of projects in his Kingdom and the entire Aniocha North local government area, projects which are visible for all to see while the empowerment programmes of the Governor have, also, given new lease of life to hitherto, jobless persons.

"We are here to thank you (Governor Okowa) for your contributions towards my successful coronoation and the projects you are executing in Issele-Uku, the people of Aniocha North local government have never had it so good from successive governments before your coming on board, our people are happy with the road construction, the empowerment programmes and we want to assure you that we will continue to support your administration," he said.

Gov Okowa Gets Another Recognition For Infrstructure and Wealth Creation

Delta state governor, senator Ifeanyi okowa has again been recognized for his giant strides in the area of job and wealth creation as well as infrastructure development across the 25 local Govt areas of the state.

In a letter of nomination as the 2017 Governor of the Year on Infrastructure, Job, and Wealth Creation, by the publishers of Daily Independent Newspaper, the Management of the newspaper explained that  the award was in recognition of Okowa's administration's successes in the areas of infrastructural development, job and wealth creation in 2017.
It would be recalled that the state Job and Wealth Creation programme  has won recognitions from the University of Ibadan Alumni Association and The World Bank in recent times.

Receving the letter nominating him for the award from the management team of Daily Independent Newspaper Limited led by Mr Ade Ogidan, the Managing Director cum Editor-in-Chief in Asaba today (16/01/18) Senator Okowa said, that "the recognition is really about our people, the government and the working team, I want to formally accept this award."

"Though, on assumption of duty, we met some challenges, we set up an advocacy team led by the Deputy Governor and through collaborative efforts with  the traditional rulers, the youths, security agencies and all Deltans, peace was restored, we are consolidating on that peace and developing infrastructure in the state,:" he said.
The Governor continued, "I am glad that our job creation efforts have been recognized because, with the inability of the civil service to engage all graduates and the unemployed, the best way is through job creation which leads to wealth creation. "

"With this year's budget, we are going to improve on what we are doing, our budget is streamlined and practical enough," he stated, disclosing that it was difficult to assess the level of infrastructural development of the state because, it is not a one-city state but, made up of many towns and cities which are being developed simultaneously.

Earlier, Mr Ogidan had told the Governor and members of the state executive council who were at the occasion that his administration's successes in the areas of infrastructural development, job and wealth creation attracted the attention of the management of Daily Independent Newspapers, disclosing that follow up investigations were carried out and he was chosen as exception in the area of Infrastructure, Job and Wealth Creation in the year 2017.

He said, a date will be communicated to the Governor for the formal presentation of the award.

Be In Tune With New Trends, Ukah tells Engineers

The need for Civil Engineers to always be in tune with the trends of their profession and totally avoid delivering substandard roads have been brought to the fore.

The State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, stated this yesterday (26/09/2017) at the end of a retreat organised for Civil Engineers in the state Ministry of Works in Warri.

Mr. Ukah said the performance of the Engineers was key to the success of the Okowa administration especially in propagating the smart agenda through the construction of quality roads that would stand the test of time.

The Information Commissioner called on the Engineers to be proud of the achievements of the Okowa administration saying they do not need to belong to a particular political party to do the right thing.

Mr. Ukah proposed for an award to be given to the best performing Engineer stressing that it would go a long way to spur  their colleagues to be committed and put in their best.

For his part,  the state Commissioner for Works, Chief James Augoye, emphasized that the era of compromise on road construction has passed, pointing out that the success of the Okowa administration  depends on the performance of the Engineers.

Chief Augoye said, as from October any Superintending Engineer involved in delivering shoddy jobs would be held accountable adding that it is shameful that roads just constructed failed months after being commissioned.

He assured the Engineers of the Governor's backing as well as his support when under pressure from a contractor to compromise standard.

Some of the participants who spoke during an interactive session with the Works Commissioner commended the State Government and  Chief Augoye for initiating the programme saying it was both an eye opener and a reminder.

They however said the essence of the retreat would be defeated if government shrinks back from protecting  them when under pressure  from contractors to compromise standard.

IMPERIAL GAMEVILLE OFFERS 50% TO CHILDREN ON CHILDREN'S DAY

The Managment of Imperial Gameville have in a bid to keep the hope of the country alive by paying respect to its growing populace (children) have decided to offer a discount to children who would visit on the 27th of May 2017.

Speaking to ossaioviesuccess.com the manager Mr Blessing, revealed " we have noticed that in this war of recession and economic stagnation, the ones caught in the cross hairs of the war are the children. As a company we want to bring them together, to show we feel their pain, for them to interact with others and have fun. While we as humans complain, the children carry out their activities unaware of the problems they face around them, but not without crying to God on our behalf. Our dream is to maintain the innocence of these children"

As part of the activities to mark the childrens day celebration at imperial gameville, Barney and friends would be there live to entertain the children. With a free driving simulation game for the first 10 children.

Remember All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Imperial Gameville is located at Imperial Mall, Plot 7 Core Area opposite the Delta State House of Assembly, Okpanam Road, Asaba.

INDIVIDUAL TAKES ON ROLE OF GOVERNMENT IN DELTA STATE

Residents of Asaba this morning woke up as the popular speech given by President John F. Kennedy of the united states "Think not of what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country" took a different meaning in their hearts. This came as Ernest Ogosi (auditor and member of the exco of the oshimili south Ward 9) who resides around the stadium environ decided to embarked on a road rehabilitation programe of failed porttion of access road located at GRA Phase 1 behind Sam Obi, even though he's not a resident in this area . 

Speaking with pressmen from ossaioviesuccess.com, he revealed that his motivation came as a result of the lot been done by the present Delta State Government under the distinguished leadership of Sen. Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa in road network development. "I have often asked myself I join the chants of OKOWA IS WORKING but what keeps on bothering me is AM I WORKING MYSELF?"

 "This is our beloved WARD 9- Oshimili South. Let's keep it clean and motorable. Before we think of government intervention we must first contribute our little quota in ensuring that where we live and do business is motorable for us, it would be highly hypocritical to expect someone to come and clean our rooms for us, while we reside in it. Charity begins at home. Also complementing his effort, the Special Adviser to the Delta State Governor on Protocol Matters, expressed gratitude saying it was really a sacrifice as he Ernest Ogosi wasn't a resident of the area where he carried out the job b ut still took it upon himself to do the job. 

This is indeed what it takes to be a leader, selfless service to humanity. "God bless Oshimili South & Our Leaders; God BLESS Delta State and finally God bless Nigeria."

Osanebi gets applauds, continues JAMB Exercise, Tuesday

Deputy Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Friday Ossai Osanebi was today applauded by parents and constituents for his uncommon magnanimity and heart of care.

Speaking with news men today in Ashaka during the reimbursement exercise with JAMB candidates,  parents took turns to applaud the deputy speaker in their various comments, for his numerous empowerment programs especially those geared towards empowering the human person.

" Osanebi should be prayed for always and supported", said mr. Patrick Chibogu, a former council worker, whose two children benefited.
Other that spoke were Obitx from Aboh, Ezenem Maduaka of Asaba Ase, Patrick Ekunem and others, were full of praise and thanks to the Deputy Speaker.

In line with his passion for human capital development and sound education of youths and teenagers, the Deputy Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly and chairman of the Friday Osanebi foundation, Rt. Hon. Friday Osanebi, in addition with other programs targeted at the youths, recently approved free JAMB registration for eligible constituents, which witnessed an unprecedented multitude today in Ozomuku Primary School in Ashaka, to get their funds.

It was gathered that the Friday Osanebi foundation reps hitherto prepared for a lesser number of students who had earlier applied, but was stunned with the large number of "JAMBITES" that came out.

In order to accommodate more candidates that would want refunds and to finalize the registration process for those that have not registered before, the facilitators  announced Tuesday, 25th April, 2017 as another ' pay day'.

It was gathered that the intent of the kind gesture of the Empowerment Master, was to consolidate on his human capital development drive, which has necessitated the investment of millions into scholarships and academic materials for indigent and brilliant Deltans, especially those from anioma extraction.

Governor Okowa's Endorsement: Before You Begin To Celebrate

As 2019 draws nearer, politicians across the country nursing ambition to contest for several political positions have begin consultations and doing everything possible to win the hearts of the electorates.

In recent times, we have seen political office holders who instead of working and ensuring the electorates in the streets they represent are pleased with their representation, prefer to work with the elites who derive pleasure in lying and deceiving them with a view to extorting money, lobbying huge contracts and claiming they can direct their subjects who to vote during elections.

In 2014, Kayode Fayemi who was then governor and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Ekiti state when he sort to be reelected believed that having the elites by his side was a sure way to return to government house. He was endorsed by the APC in the state and neglected the people in the streets but never knew the greater voting power lies in the street. At the end, what happened? He failed woefully to his major contender in the PDP who is present governor of the state, Ayodele Fayose.

We also saw what happened last year, 2016 in Kogi state where the then governor Idris Wada was abysmally swept out of office despite his endorsement by leaders of his political party in the state.

Need I remind you of the several endorsements that former President Jonathan enjoined from leaders of his party, the PDP? He was endorsed by the elites but the greater voting power of the commoners spoke at the end of the day.

In Delta state, it is believed that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is loved by the people that was why he won the 2015 governorship election in a landslide. However, it is pertinent for Governor Okowa to  re-assess his popularity with the people as he clocks two years in office.

Last month, former governor James Ibori endorsed the governor and declared that nobody from Urhobo tribe is permitted to contest with him in 2019. Just today, leaders of the Delta South Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, led by former governor Emmanuel Uduaghan came together and endorsed the governor as their sole candidate for 2019. But the questions to ask are; Did the endorsement reflect the wishes of workers in the state? Did it reflect the wish of the common man in the street? Did it reflect the wishes of indigenes and non-indigenes alike resident in the state? These and many more are questions to ask following the governor's endorsement.

Populism is sweeping across the globe - as it happened with Brexit, Trump and other similar events, Delta state is no exception!

In my opinion, if the governor wishes to continue in office beyond 2019, he must re-assess his popularity with the people.

Collins Agwam is a Political analyst and Public affairs commentator.
agwamcollins@gmail.com

CBN Suspends Cashless Policy in 30 States

The Central Bank of Nigeria on Friday announced the immediate suspension of the implementation of the Cashless Nigeria Policy in 30 states of the federation.

This came exactly 21 days after the CBN commenced the nationwide implementation of the cashless policy on April 1, 2017.

In a circular signed by the Director, Banking and Payment System, CBN, Mr. Dipo Fatokun, the regulatory agency ordered Deposit Money Banks to revert to the old charges and refund customers who had been debited for withdrawing and making cash deposits above the limits allowed under the policy.

The CBN had earlier announced new charges on deposits and withdrawals above a threshold of N500,000 for individuals and N3m for corporate organisations.

The bank had fixed 1.5 per cent and two per cent for deposits above N500,000 and N1m in the individual category.

Fatokun, however, said the implementation of the policy would remain in Lagos, Ogun, Kano, Abia, Anambra and Rivers states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory.

The circular read in part, “You will recall that a directive was issued on the nationwide implementation of the cashless policy vide our circulars with reference numbers BPS/DIR/GEN/CIR/04/001 dated February 21, and BPS/DIR/GEN/CIR/04/002 dated March 16.

“Please note that the new withdrawal and deposit processing fee charges above the threshold, as contained in the circulars referenced above, are hereby suspended until further notice. The position of the policy shall now revert to the status quo ante.

“The old charges to be reverted to three per cent processing fee for withdrawals above N500,000 in the individual category and five per cent for withdrawals above N3m.

“The new policy already applied effective April 1, 2017 as contained in the circulars in reference above should be reversed and the old charges be applied. All necessary refunds should be made accordingly.”
Source: Punch

Okowa expresses shock over death of football fans in Calabar

Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has sent condolences to the families of football fans who died while watching Thursday night’s UEFA Europa League

Governor Okowa who expressed shock and sadness over the death of the fans, described the incident as tragic.

Okowa in a statement on Friday in Asaba by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu, commiserated with the immediate families of the victims, the government and people of Cross River State and football enthusiasts across the country over the sad incident.

He called on viewing centre operators  to ensure that football viewing centers were made safe and conducive across the country.

Governor Okowa commended the prompt response of the Cross River state government and emergency management agencies to the sad occurrence while praying for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives, and quick recovery for the injured.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I commiserate with the Cross Rivers State government on the unfortunate and avoidable loss of football fans in Calabar on Thursday.

"As a government, our primary duty is to ensure that our citizens are safe and protected, whether during leisure hour or work period.

“I commend the government of Cross Rivers State for their prompt attention to the sad incident, and I urge governments at all levels to ensure that what is necessary to make our people secure in both public and private spaces is given the deserved priority at all times”, the statement added.

Buhari not interested in exchanging words with suspended SGF, Lawal – Presidency -

The Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu has said his principal is not eager to exchange words with the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal.

Shehu was reacting to Lawal’s claims on Thursday, that he was not aware of his suspension.

Speaking in an interview with Television Continental, Shehu explained the processes by which Buhari removes some of his appointees and insisted that nobody is fired on the radio or television.

“Our idea is not to engage in back and forth on this matter. Again, let me just give you this account, the tradition of President Muhammadu Buhari in dealing with all of the removals, including those of the military and so in, he has instituted a practice by which nobody hears of their own removal from office on the radio or television.

“He insists that each individual must be informed beforehand, so that they will let members of their family and staff know, and I am aware that the statement did not go out as early as it was issued because all of the parties needed to be contacted before it was issued, and it didn’t go out until exactly 1pm.

“What has happened has happened, we will not engage the SGF in any exchanges except to say that the president has set a very strong and a strict record since he came to office. Nobody will be fired on radio or changed from their position via the mass media, they must be informed, and I am aware that as early as 10 o’clock this statement was ready but it never was issued until 1pm but the idea was that all of them must be reached, informed that this had happened.

“On the contrary, it is a testimony to the president’s strict adherence to the due process of the law, to fairness and equity, because if the president was in a haste and he felt under pressure, he would have removed or sent the SGF on suspension on the basis of the interim report.

“But having seen that this report was an interim one, the Senate, they knew that they owed it to the president to prve it, to put before him a final report, which as I speak to you hasn’t come in as at now. I’m not blaming them for the delay in this action, but if the president had received that final report earlier than now he would have acted on it.

“However, it would seem to me that the president is now determined to get his own report and on the basis of which he now asked the Vice President to go and investigate and report back to him,” Shehu said.

APC National Navigator, Obasanjo weeps over corruption at the National Assembly

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has launched a fresh attack on the national assembly, describing it as a “den of corruption”, which is occupied by “unarmed robbers”..

“The national assembly cabal of today is worse than any cabal that anybody may find anywhere in our national governance system at any time. Members of the national assembly pay themselves allowances for staff and offices they do not have or maintain.

“Once you are a member, you are co-opted and your mouth is stuffed with rottenness and corruption that you cannot opt out as you go home with not less than N15 million a month for a senator and N10 million a month for a member of the house of representatives. The national assembly is a den of corruption by a gang of unarmed robbers.
.

“They claimed they had oversight responsibility for their corruption and misdemeanour and nothing can be done. It is like asking a thief to watch over himself. There must be full disclosure of all relevant fiscal information in a timely and systematic manner at all levels,” he said.

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Osanebi To Reimburse JAMB Applicants Tomorrow

The Friday Osanebi Foundation will tomorrow, Saturday, 22nd April, 2017 reimburse applicants who had already purchased their forms for this year's Joint Admissions and Matriculations Examination, JAMB.

According to the information as released by the Foundation, applicants who had already submitted their  credentials and evidence of purchase and registration of JAMB this year, are expected to be at Uzomuku Primary School, Ashaka by 10 am to get refunds.

Moreso, applicants that have submitted their details and credentials through their councilors and community youth leaders are expected to be in the same  venue on Tuesday morning (25th April, 2017), to finalize registration processes like thumb printing and others.

In line with his passion for human capital development and sound education of youths and teenagers, the Deputy Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly and chairman of the Friday Osanebi foundation, Rt. Hon. Friday Osanebi, in addition to other programs targeted at the youths, recently approved free JAMB registration for eligible constituents.

It was gathered that the intent of the kind gesture of the "Empowerment Master", was to consolidate on his human capital development drive, which has necessitated the investment of millions into scholarships and academic materials for indigent and brilliant Deltans, especially those from Anioma extraction.

The information further revealed that the Ndokwa East terrain before now, has discouraged young people from furthering their academic pursuit, so the Deputy Speaker is poised at cushioning such challenges.

"the Deputy Speaker is not happy at the number of our people that are able to access higher learning, because of the terrain and other factors that has discouraged a good number of our youths from pushing higher ", Agbanashi Obinne, foundation rep,  said.

He also noted that the gesture was to increase the number of Ndokwa East students that would gain admission into  higher institutions this year and to further ensure the foundation's undergraduate scholarship scheme admit more of the Deputy Speaker's  constituents.

We’ve Formidable platforms For Effective Information Dissemination –Ukah

THE Delta State Ministry of Information will continue to champion the process of informing and educating Deltans on the activities and government mode of operation in order to be better informed and keying into the SMART Agenda of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa administration.

 The Commissioner for information, Mr. Patrick Uka stated this yesterday in his office at Asaba while playing host to members of the Sub-Committee on Roadmap for the Co-ordination of Tax Activities in Delta State.

 The commissioner said that since the emergence of Governor Okowa administration, running the state has not been easy due to shortfall in the revenue accruable to the state, especially from the federal level; hence the need for all taxable persons and companies to co-operate with the state government by paying their tax as and when due.

 While congratulating the members of the sub-committee for their selection, which was based on merit, the commissioner stated that his ministry, apart from ensuring adequate publicity to the activities of the committee also have structures that can generate revenue for the state, noting however that some of them need to be restructured in order to be more effective to enhance the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state.

 Ukah informed the sub-committee that apart from giving adequate publicity to the activities of the committee members of the committee should avail themselves with the platform presented by the state-owned media outfits, Delta Broadcasting Service in Warri and Asaba, as well as The Pointer Newspapers by participating in talk shows and advert placements to get the people more oriented.

 Earlier, the chairman of the sub-committee, Barr. Frank Nwugo informed the commissioner that they were on advocacy visit to MDAs, especially revenue generating ones to inform and educate them on the need to synergise in order to achieve the common aim of enhancing internally generated revenue of the state.

 Nwugo, who is also the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Revenue Matters, said that the committee is also using the opportunity to inform the revenue generating agencies that there is a law which mandates all agencies to collect and pay all revenues into the appropriate government account, desist from collecting and spending revenues generated, as well as solicit the co-operation of the ministry and its agencies in informing and educating Deltans on the need to pay their tax appropriately.

 Meanwhile, the state Commissioner for Information, Hon. Patrick Ukah, has advised the members of Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF) to ensure that they always adopt the basic tenets of journalism, discipline, based on accurate reporting and determination to build lasting goodwill, cautioning that it is impossible for them to use bad news to attract government patronage, saying that other strategies could be preferable.
 The commissioner spoke during a courtesy visit to his office at Asaba by a delegation of the forum on Wednesday.

 He lauded the people for coming together as a united body, which he said, makes it easy for any aggrieved or offended person or group to seek redress, if it becomes necessary, using their corporate names as a platform, but emphasised that “my office would strictly deal, as we have been doing before, with some selected online publishers based on their proven antecedents, positive tract-records and roles as partners in progress with the state government.”

Ukah lamented the situation where some online publishers blatantly shun professional ethics of journalism in their writings, either because they are new on the job or just merely interested in online business to attract negative attention from the public, adding that it is very surprising that despite the numerous good works of the Governor Okowa administration within the past two years, despite the obvious economic recession, most online writers pretend not to

Ukah Enjoins Youths Not To Abandon Their Roots, Cultural Heritage

Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, has urged Nigerians, especially youths, not to forget or abandon their roots and cultural heritage stressing that it is the only way the incoming generations will continue to preserve culture as a society.

Mr. Ukah spoke with newsmen during the traditional marriage ceremony between Stefan Oma Nwandu-Vincent (a US Navy Lieutenant) of Elibujor Family, Asaba, Delta State, and Ogechi Onyiyechukwu Agim at Agim Family Compound, Umuduru-Ekwe, Isu Local Government Area of Imo State.

The Commissioner said that marriage is a sacred institution ordained by God and charged the newly married couple to continue to imbibe love for one another and stick strictly to the bond between them, while wising them the best of luck in their matrimonial life.

Mr. Ukah stated that despite the fact that the couple are based in far away USA, they should remember their roots as demanded by the culture and acceptable norms of the society.

An uncle of the bride who also spoke at the ceremony, Chief Donatus Ohiri Amaechi, expressed happiness over the colourful ceremony and advised young people to always indulge in long periods of courtship to enable them fully understand themselves, determine their compatibility, and commit their marriages to God for His guidance and protection.

The traditional marriage ceremony was attended by elders, friends, family members and well wishers from Imo and Delta States.

Osinbajo not qualified to probe SGF —NLC

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for suspending Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Mr. David Babachir Lawal and Director-General of National Intelligence Agency, NIA, Ambassador Ayo Oke.

This came as Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, yesterday, urged the President to purge his cabinet of corrupt elements, saying “a lot of them have one mess or the other.” Reacting to the suspension of the SGF and the D-G, NIA, General Secretary of the NLC, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, wondered why the Vice President should be the person to investigate criminal allegations against the SGF.

 He said: “Well, we think that it is something that is positive.  There are those who will say that it has taken long, particularly the issue of the SGF. Well, government has now decided to suspend them and investigation is going on, it is fine. “But what we don’t understand is how an administrative committee, chaired by the Vice President, will be investigating what is an alleged criminal offence.  However, whatever processes they have chosen to adopt, what is important is that they need to bring the facts before the nation. “We need to know that there are no sacred cows and at the end of the day, we hope that justice will be done and citizens will be able to attest that justice has been done.” On whether the president should extend the action to other political office holders having corruption allegations against them, Ozo-Eson said the normal practice was that people with established corruption cases against them should step aside. He said:  “Once there are allegations of corruption and there are prima facie cases established while such investigation is going on, the normal practice is that people step aside, or are suspended or they remove themselves from the process.” Also reacting to the suspension, National President of SSANU, Comrade Samson Chijioke Ugwoke, said:  “Should Buhari be serious with his anti-graft campaign, the Presidency should not be investigating the SGF and others. “If somebody in the Presidency is accused of corruption, the usual anti-corruption agencies that investigate other ones, should also investigate the SGF. The Presidency should not investigate Presidency, nobody should be a judge in his own case.

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FAYOSE: BUHARI MUST GOVERN PHYSICALLY, NOT THROUGH PROXIES

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has questioned President Muhammadu Buhari’s persistent absence from state functions, especially the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meetings, asking whether or not the president was now governing the country by proxy.

He said; “Every day, what we hear is President said this, President said that without seeing the President in any official function and one is prompted to ask; where is the president?”

In a release issued in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, by the governor’s Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, he said it was becoming obvious that a group of cabal is exercising the powers of the President.

“I saw the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Babachir Lawal on television responding to his suspension and what came to my mind was that there could actually be many presidents operating in the Buhari’s presidency.

“Perhaps, it is for this reason of possible existence of governments within the government of Buhari that confusion pervades the polity, with the President himself writing letter to the Senate to clear someone of wrongdoing and the same person being suspended three months after on the basis of the same allegation. It is also for this reason that the President nominated Ibrahim Magu to the Senate for confirmation as EFCC Chairman and the DSS, an agency under the Presidency wrote the Senate not to confirm him.

“Most importantly, the President did not attend the FEC meeting last week and the meeting did not hold this week under the flimsy excuse that Easter Break stalled it. How could Easter Break that ended on Monday be responsible for the inability to hold FEC meeting on Wednesday? Definitely, there is more to this than meets the eye.

“It has therefore become necessary that Nigerians hear the voice of their President and see him physically, not through surrogates or the cabal operating behind the scene,” the governor said.

Speaking further, Governor Fayose, who described a President as the face and image of a nation, urged President Buhari to hold regular media chat in which Nigerians can ask questions and offer suggestions on the running of the country.

“Since his first and only media chat was held in December 2015, Nigerians have not had opportunity of seeing their President address them directly and this is not the best approach to governance in a democracy,” he said.

2000 APC, APGA members defect to PDP in Ebonyi

▪ Vanguard Newspaper

OVER 2,000 men, women and youths have decamped to the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State yesterday during the flag-off of the Peoples Democratic Party rally in preparation for the forthcoming LGA elections in the state.

The decampees who came from All Progressives Congress, APC, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, were led officially by the former Commissioner for Lands and Survey in Ebonyi State,  Ambrose Okoro.

According to Okoro: “PDP is the only political party in Nigeria with the interest of everybody at heart. So, we have decided to come home because there is no place like home and we belong to where our people belong, which is the PDP. I served as Commissioner in Ebonyi State and on behalf of these men and women, I  hereby declare that we are fully back to PDP as born again PDP members, praying that we be accepted and we promise never to sin again.”

Welcoming the defectors, the State governor, Engr Dave Nweze Umahi noted that the PDP is still committed to rendering people-oriented programmes and policies for the development of the state.

Represented by the Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Hon Ogbonna Francis Nwifuru, the governor thanked them for their courage, spirit of appreciation and promised them that henceforth, they would be part and parcel of the PDP.

Among the dignitaries that received them were the National Vice Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, South East, Chief Austin Umahi; the State Chairman of People’s Democratic Party, Ebonyi State, amiong others.

DELTA GOVT GOES TOUGH ON SANITATION OFFENDERS, EMPOWERS TASKFORCE WITH MOTORCYCLES

As part of committed efforts to ensure strict compliance with extant sanitation laws and the dire need to ensure that all parts of the state are brought into the dragnet of the state sanitation enforcement initiative, the Delta State Ministry of Environment today handed over Motorcycles to the Delta State Environmental Sanitation Taskforce to facilitate compliance monitoring and sanitary inspections across the state.

Making the presentation of the enforcement equipments, the State commissioner for Environment, Barr. John Obukohwo Nani stated that the Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa led administration pays high premium to environmental concerns in the state as it an integral ingredient to healthy living. He stated further that government is deeply concerned that despite ongoing sensitization on both radio and television, some people still continue in the heinous and ungodly acts of  dumping waste indiscriminately in the state.

Our Partnership With Police Advancing Peace, Devt In Delta, Says Okowa

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has disclosed that the partnership between the Delta State Government and the Nigeria Police has helped in the advancement of peace and development in all sectors of the state.

Okowa disclosed this yesterday when he played host to the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of Training and Development, Mr. Emmanuel Inyang and other top ranking officers of the Nigeria Police Force, in Government House, Asaba.The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, said no meaningful development could be recorded in an atmosphere of rancour and acrimony, and pledged to sustain the robust relationship with the police in ensuring that the Prosperity for all Deltans mantra is achieved and sustained.

While describing the relationship between the Delta State Police Command and his administration as cordial, the governor said he will continue to provide the necessary support to enhance security of lives and property in the state.He outlined measures on ground by the state government to forestall a breakdown of law and order to include constitution of peace building and advocacy committee, Delta State anti-vandalism committee, anti-cultism law, waterways and land committee, as well as the establishment of the Directorate of Orientation to inculcate the right values in the youths of Delta State.

Senator Okowa, who lauded the DIG for proposing the creation of more police commands in the state, emphasised that it will among other things advance security development to the grassroots.
Earlier, DIG Emmanuel Inyang, in his address, said the visit was part of the tour of South -South states under his supervision, aimed at x-raying the level of performance of the force and ways to enhance surveillance in security.

Mr. Inyang, who said statistics at his disposal revealed that remarkable success has been recorded, resulting in the reduction in crime wave, promised to ensure that the South- South zone became the safest in the country.
He said professionalism, the rule of law and justice were germane to him in the task of crime control and solicited the support of all stakeholders in making the zone safe for economic activities to thrive. He noted that the force is anticipating the creation of more area commands to make policing more effective in the state.

On hand to receive the DIG, were the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Festus Agas, some civil commissioners, including the Commissioner for Information, Hon. Patrick Ukah, the Chairman of Oshimili South Local Government, Hon. Chuks Obusom, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Steve Eruotor, and other top government functionaries.