b Wale Adedayo

The Chagoury brothers, the brain behind the construction of the EKO ATLANTIC CITY will be handling arguably Africa’s biggest infrastructural project ever in the LAGOS-CALABAR HIGHWAY through their construction company HITECH.

The project, with an initial design length of approximately 650 to 700 kilometres, will also feature RAIL LINES running in the middle of the main carriage-ways.

It will be executed as a Public Private Partnership and will be tolled upon completion, with the contractor already securing the necessary funding.

The proposed route will link the Lagos-Badagry Expressway superhighway, the Fourth Mainland Bridge, Lekki Deep Sea Port Road, and connect various points in Northern Nigeria via Ogoja-Ikom.

The Minister of Niger Delta Development, Hon. Engr. Abubakar Momoh, has expressed his determination and insistence on demanding quality project delivery from the ministry and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), stating, “I won’t sit in the comfort of my office to achieve quality jobs; I will be in the field to follow up on projects.”

The minister, who expressed satisfaction with the quality of projects executed by the Ministry and the Niger Delta Development Commission in Calabar, said, “The administration of President Bola Tinubu believes in quality jobs. Being at the helm of the ministry, I will ensure and insist that the right thing is done.”

Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, and Directors from the ministry, the minister inspected internal roads in Akim Oqua community in Calabar municipality, the State office of the ministry in Calabar, and Town Hall amd road projects at the University of Calabar on Friday.

Speaking to reporters after the project inspection, the minister remarked, “We have inspected roads inside the city, and we are here at the University of Calabar to examine networks of roads initiated by the NDDC. Many of them have already been constructed, and the pending ones will be completed. I can see that side drains have also been constructed, indicating that these roads will be completed shortly after the rainy season.

“I want to take this opportunity to call on the Managing Director of NDDC to urgently complete these roads at the University as soon as the rains subside.

“I am also very impressed with what I am seeing here—a spacious town hall constructed by the Ministry of Niger Delta Development. These are the kinds of projects we need across the Niger Delta region.

“When I assumed office as Minister, my first statement was that the administration of President Bola Tinubu believes in quality projects. Whether it’s a two-kilometer road or more, it should be of top-notch quality, not just constructing several kilometers of roads that deteriorate quickly.

“From what we have seen here, particularly the University roads and adjoining city roads, they are well-constructed and in excellent condition. I am very impressed, and this is the standard I expect to continue. With us overseeing the ministry, we will ensure that the right thing is done, and quality projects are delivered. We now understand that we cannot merely sit in the comfort of our offices and expect quality work; we must inspect projects ourselves – at least, that’s what this journey has afforded us.

“I have seen many projects in the past during inspections in other states, and we often condemn them. However, we are genuinely impressed with what we’re witnessing here”, the minister said.

In her response, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Professor Florence Bisong, expressed her gratitude to the minister for taking the time to visit the university and inspect the projects. She stated, “I feel deeply honored today to host the Honourable Minister at the University.”

Continuing, Professor Bisong conveyed her congratulations on the minister’s appointment and extended appreciation to the ministry for its consistent support to the institution. She highlighted the significant improvement in the condition of their major road, previously impassable, thanks to the ministry’s intervention. She added, “We eagerly anticipate further developments at the University of Calabar, like Oliver Twist.”

Regarding the quality of the projects, Professor Bisong commended the ministry, stating, “The projects delivered exhibit a high standard, and everyone praises the ministry for this achievement. Even the projects they are currently undertaking are of exceptional quality. The drainage work is up to standard, the road size is perfect, and the town hall meets high-quality standards. We are exceptionally pleased with the results.”

Chicago State University (CSU), yesterday, confirmed that President Bola Tinubu attended the university and graduated in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree.The university disclosed this in a statement issued to CBS Broadcasting Inc. generally referred to as CBS News, one of America’s biggest and most influential news network.

In the statement CSU issued to CBS yesterday, the university explained: “As an educational institution, we are sometimes asked to provide information related to student records. Federal law known as FERPA (the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) protects the privacy of student records and limits what an institution can release.

“In August 2023, a request was made to the U.S. federal court for the university to provide information related to educational records concerning Bola Tinubu, the President of Nigeria, and a former CSU student.

“The university has confirmed Tinubu attended CSU and graduated in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree. Federal law, however, prevents us from providing any further information without consent or unless allowed to do so via court order.

“CSU is confident in the veracity and integrity of our records regarding Tinubu’s completion of graduation requirements and degree certificate. The university is not a party to the Nigerian legal proceedings that spurred this request, and a U.S.
federal judge will determine whether the university will provide further requested information.

“Our response to the request for Tinubu’s academic records has been entirely consistent with our practices, policies and federal law. We would respond in exactly the same manner for any request for any student information by a third party.”Chicago State University Statement to CBS

By Fred Latimore Esq

There are multiple reports in both new and conventional media about some communities in Delta State, where thousands of people are already displaced by flooding, occasioned by this season of heavy downpour of rain.

The governor, is no doubt, a man with street credibility and who understands the plights of displaced and homeless persons affected by natural causes of this magnitude.

It is therefore, a compelling factor under the prevailing circumstances for Delta State Government to make huge sums of money available for the relocation of affected communities, provide sufficient materials and food for the survival of our people.

The social contract between governor Sheriff Francis Oborevwori and the electorate include this all important responsibility, and he should of a necessity wake up and go to bed everyday with this responsibility in mind.

I trust that the governor will use his good office to provide adequately for affected citizens and communities under his M.O.R.E socioeconomic agenda at this time of immeasurable needs.

Delta State is still number one in oil production and in revenue allocation from the federal government. The state economic boom is divine and should now reflect in social welfare services.

The state emergency management agency and MDAs saddled with such responsibilities must of a necessity swing into action now.

God is interested in the wellbeing of his people.

#fredlatimore

As Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori led administration in Delta State celebrates 100 Days in office with massive commissioning of projects, commuters plying the Obiaruku/Abraka Road in Ukwani and Ethiope East Local Government areas of the State have decried the deplorable condition of the road.

A visit to Obiaruku by our correspondent reviewed that the road, which is the major link road to Abraka, a renowned community where the first State University, Delta State University (DELSU) is located, was an ugly sight.

The road technically has been closed to vehicular movement, with a good number of broken or stocked up vehicles seen through the length of the road from the Obiaruku end.

In a chat, some of the commuters, mostly Parents and Students of the State University, they said it is disheartening for the Delta State Government to allow such an important road to degenerate terribly to an ugly condition where citizens are subjected to untold hardship.

“Honestly, I find it difficult to believe that our State Government, be it former or present, would pretend not to know the importance of this road to the generality of the People of this State. A link road that leads to a well-known University owned, by the State and admits over two thousand Students every year. This is the only road we know, this is the road we used often, to take our children to school, come and pick them back to our base, as we are doing now.

“It is very unfortunate that the government does not know how to prioritize, they are celebrating 100 days in office and yet they couldn’t fix an important road such as this in 100 days. That is insensitive and more of Man’s inhumanity to Man,” Dr. Ufuoma Oghenekevwe, a parent lamented.

On the ownership of the road by the Federal Government being the reason the Delta State Government has refused to take responsibility of fixing the road, the commuters said it would be gross irresponsibility for any Government to abrogate an urgent responsibility geared towards alleviating the sufferings of its citizens to another, more so when the State Government has the capacity to effect repairs, not even palliative repairs, just for the interest of the people of the state and for the very importance of the road to the people.

“Tinubu, Buhari or those in Abuja do not ply this road; it is me, our children and you that are in Delta State that ply this road every day. The Governor and those that he sits with in Council knows.

“The reason that it is the Federal Government’s responsibility to repair the road, is not tenable. Who are we calling now, is it not the State Government. Over 90% of commuters on this road do not know that it is the responsibility of the Federal Government to repair it and they don’t want to know. All they know is that this is Obiaruku and Abraka link road in Delta State and that the State Governor has the responsibility of alleviating their sufferings occasioned by the deplorable condition of the road,” Dr. Oghenekevwe said.

“We are grateful to the State Government and the Vice Chancellor for the infrastructure development in DELSU and the premium academic standard, but we are at a loss as to the reason the Government should allow us and our parents to suffer serious hardship as a result of this road. Please help us to reach out to them,” Nkechi Okolie, a year three Student of DELSU pleaded.

The commuters therefore, urged the State Governor, Rt Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, as a matter of urgency, direct for the immediate rehabilitation of the Obiaruku/Abraka road for the interest of the people of Delta State.

The Senator representing Delta South Senatorial District, Sen. Joel-Onowakpo Thomas has appealed to the President of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria to prevail on the Chairman of the National and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal Panel 3 sitting in Asaba, Delta State, to release the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Judgement on petition number EPT/DL/SEN/01/2023-Diden Michael & ANOR v INEC & ORS.

Sen. Joel-Onowakpo’s appeal is contained in a petition to the President of the Court of Appeal, Nigeria, signed by his Counsel, Robert Emukpoeruo SAN, of Summit Law Chambers, Solicitors & Advocates, titled, “Non-release of Judgement Delivered on 6th September, 2023 is in Petition No: EPT/DL/SEN/01/2023 – Diden Michael & ANOR v INEC & ORS.”

It would be recalled that the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba had ordered a rerun election in Warri South Local Government Area, which according to the judgement should within 90 days.

Sen. Joel-Onowakpo, said that the non release of the Certified True Copy of the judgement is impeding on his determination to challenge the ruling in an appeal, as he was not satisfied with the outcout of the tribunal, adding that he has not come to terms why the Chairman of the tribunal is not forthcoming with the CTC.

According to the petition, “We act as Counsel to Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas Ewomazino, the 2nd Respondent in the above petition and we have his instructions to bring to your Lordship’s attention the failure to release upon application the judgement of the National and State Houses of Assembly Election Tribunal Panel 3 sitting in Asaba in the aforesaid matter.

“On the 6th of September 2023, the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly Election Tribunal,Holden in Asaba (Panel 3) delivered judgement in the above petition in which it ordered a rerun of the Delta South Senatorial District Election.

“We immediately applied for the Certified True Copy of the said judgement with a view to our client preparing and filing his notice and grounds appeal against the judgement. A copy of the duly acknowledged letter is herewith attached showing that our application was received on the 7th of September 2023.”

“Since the day of delivery of the judgement we have embarked on a daily pilgrimage to the Registrar of the Tribunal for the Certified True Copy of the judgement only to be met by the blunt statement of the Tribunal’s Secretary that the Chairman of the Tribunal has not yet released the judgement!

“Today the 11th day of September 2023 makes it the sixth(6th) day out of the constitutionally limited period of the sixty (60) days from the delivery of the judgement for the Court of Appeal to hear and determine our client’s appeal pursuant to the provisions of Section 285(7) of the 1999 Constitution and our client still does not have the judgement!

“In other that our client’s constitutionally guaranteed right of appeal is not truncated entirely and the Court of Appeal itself is not placed under an intolerable time constrain to hear and determine our proposed appeal we most humbly appeal to your noble Lord to prevail on or and direct the Chairman of the Tribunal aforesaid to immediately release the judgement delivered in the aforesaid matter.