By Kenneth Obieh

The official of the World Bank and Federal CARES Support Unit have declared Delta CARES programme to be outstanding in impacting on numerous beneficiaries across the state.

The team, lead from the Federal CARES Support Unit, a Senior Environmental Safeguard Specialists, Mr Edebeatu Chetachi, disclosed this during their debriefing at the end of the two days Pre Mid Term Review visit to the state.

Mr. Edebeatu disclosed that the personnel in-charged of the various delivery platforms in the state were very much experienced in effectively implementing the programme in the state according to the designs of the World Bank for the overall interest of bringing succour to the less privileged in the society.

The World Bank official revealed that the outstanding performance of the state in the implementation CARES programme should prompt the State government to release more funds to consolidate on the program’s gains so as to reachout out to more numbers of poor and vulnerable Deltans.

The Commissioner for Economic Planning and Chairman of the State CARES Steering Committee, Mr. Sonny Ekedayen, appreciated project staff for their professionalism, effectiveness and efficiency which earned the State accolades from the program’s implementors.

He said, ” first, I will like to thank you all for sacrificing your weekends. I know what this mean for a typical civil servant . I must say that is not taken for granted and it is noticed. It shows the level of commitment that was put into this. If we are going to care for the vulnerable in our midst, we must make sacrifices at the expense of our convenience…”

While urging them to continue along that line of rendering quality service to the state, Mr Ekedayen promised that Governor Oborevwori would continue to provide the needed resources at the appropriate time to meet the needs of the underprivileged in the communities so as to ensure sustainability of the CARES initiative.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Perez Omoun, alongside Commissioner for Humanitarian Support Services and the Girl Child Enterprenuership, Hon. Orode Uduaghan, reiterated the willingness of the new administration to reduce poverty to a reasonable minimum level even as encouraged the project staff to continue to put in their best for the good of the state.

The Secretary of the State CARES Steering Committee and Delta CARES Coordinator, Lady (Dr.) Patience Ogbewe, while thanking the team for a thorough assessment also reassured them that the delivery platforms will always on the fields to bring the benefits of the CARES Program to the target beneficiaries.

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