The Niger Delta Stakeholders Assembly (NDSA), on Saturday called on the Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun to interrogate Anabs Sara-Igbe over threat to cause crisis in the oil rich Niger Delta Region, just as they said that he was being used by the Executive Vice President, Upstream, NNPCL, Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Mr Umar Ajiya to wage media war against the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Engineer Mele Kyari.

The group in a Press Release signed by Akpoebi Awoalaye-Ofori (President) and Anetorufa Gabriel (Secretary) linked the vituperations of Sara-Igbe against Kyari Mele to Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan and Umar Ajiya.

According to the group; “We read the recent misadventure by a meddlesome interloper, rabble-rouser and notorious gold digger in the Niger Delta, one Anabs Sara-Igbe, in the media. The serial paid destabilisation agent is a self-acclaimed national coordinator of an amorphous group, South/South Elder’s Forum. Findings by us have revealed that he is the founder and only member of the group, purely put together by him to extort and blackmail the gullible public”.

“With no visible means of livelihood, Sara-Igbe transversed the political landscape as a ready tool and machinery for any hatchet job. A discredited individual and political turncoat who can be railroaded for any mischief with a plate of porridge. It’s of public knowledge in the Niger Delta that Sara-Igbe can take up any assignment to discredit anyone so far the price is right. That is how he survives. A legendary blackmailer. His latest victim is the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Engineer Mele Kyari”, the group added.

They said that; “In his latest sponsored media outreach, Sara-Igbe in usual uncouth manners, poured venom on and unjustiably maligned the hard-earned reputation of Mele Kyari, in desperation to satisfy the interests of his paymasters. In dabbling into an unfamiliar terrain, Sara-Igbe in his media appearances, displayed crass ignorance and dished out arrant nonsense. He was not properly tutored by his sponsors before he was hurriedly packaged into television studios. Otherwise, how does any rationale being explain the accusation he levelled against Mele Kyari that Warri and Port Harcourt Refineries were operating optimally before they were shut down for routine maintenance by Mele Kyari ? Well-informed industry operators are familiar with the agelong mandatory norms of three-to-five years turn around cycle for a refinery”.

They also wrote that; “This means that in every three, four or five years, a facility will undergo extensive routine maintenance. Even before Mele Kyari well thought out action, Warri and Port Harcourt refineries were long overdue for the periodical overhauling of their component units, a development which paved the way for perennial breakdown and attendant epileptic operations. Moreso, Sara-Igbe and his co-travellers ought to know that the typical period for a turn-around is one or two years or more.
The question is: What crime has Mele Kyari committed for adhering to this mandatory practice? Is it that Sara-Igbe and his cohorts expected the refineries to knock down completely before the Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) is ordered”.

Describing Sara-Igbe as a dishonest individual and a pathological liar, the group said; “These character traits enabled him to become an easy tool for any dirty job. To further destroy Mele Kyari in the public psyche, Sara-Igbe accused the NNPCL’s GCEO of misleading President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on the removal of subsidy on petroleum products. This is terrible. It shows that Sara-Igbe requires urgent medical attention. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu left no one in doubt during his election campaigns and electioneering exercises over his position on subsidy on petroleum products. President Tinubu and indeed all other presidential candidates, were unequivocal ahead of the 2023 elections, over their readiness and preparedness to remove subsidy on Petroleum products, if elected president. President Tinubu, apparently to drive home this conviction, announced the removal of the subsidy in his inaugural speech on May 29th, 2023. From the foregoing, does it appear that Mr. President requires an advice from Mele Kyari on the issue of subsidy? It’s only an insane that would, therefore, accuse Mele Kyari of not properly advising President Tinubu on the way to go on the contentious issue”.

“To Sara-Igbe, Mele Kyari is solely responsible for and be held accountable for every problem hampering optimal performance and service delivery by NNPCL. One would have expected him to muster courage by calling on his principals and sponsors in the like of the Executive Vice President, Upstream, NNPCL, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Mr. Umar Ajiya, to quit since they have lost the momentum to function as senior members of the company’s management team”, they stated.

The group disclosed that; “Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan and Umar Ajiya are behind the tension and panic in NNPCL. They are the one sponsoring Sara-Igbe and other notorious elements to pull down the roof because of their inordinate ambition to unseat Mele Kyari as NNPCL’s GCEO.They are deliberately creating crisis valves within the system in order to pull down the roof.Who is the most senior Niger Deltan in the management cadre of NNPCL Sara-Igbe chorused copiously in his media interviews? Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan is the person”.

The group added that those behind the moves to get rid of Mele Kyari because they are hunted by his patriotic zeal and commitment to deliver on the RENEWED HOPE AGENDA of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, are working on two permutations, saying; “They are favouring Umar Ajiya from the North and Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan from the Niger Delta, to unseat Mele Kyari. Who appointed Sara-Igbe as
spokesman of the Niger Delta? At what forum was a decision reached in the entire Niger Delta that Mele Kyari must be eased out by January, 2025 or hell would be let loose in the region. The decision must have been reached way back at the forum of the so-called South/South Elder’s Forum, where Sara-Igbe is the sole administrator. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan and Umar Ajiya must have sponsored his meeting to come up with a one- man squad communique threatening mayhem in the Niger Delta in the event that President Tinubu preserved Mele Kyari in office beyond January, 2025”.

They wrote; “The Niger Delta Stakeholders Assembly (NDSA) make bold to state unequivocally here that no forum was held in any part of the region where a threat was issued to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sack Mele Kyari or face mayhem in the Niger Delta. The purported meeting of South/South Elder’s Forum and its outcome only existed in the heads of Sara-Igbe and his co-travellers in the person of Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan and Umar Ajiya, who are desperate to succeed their boss”.

The group seized the medium to pass a vote of implicit confidence on Engineer Mele Kyari as Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited; “And we make bold to assert here that his transformative initiatives and reforms have restored sanity in the handling of affairs in the business conglomerate. It’s no longer business as usual with Mele Kyari at the helm of affairs. Mele Kyari has turned the heat on the corrupt and inept in the system and they are fighting back by deploying Sara-Igbe and other charlatans on senseless mission to discredit Mele Kyari in the public space. The agenda is dead on arrival. Right thinking Niger Deltans and indeed Nigerians, cannot be fooled”.

While concluding, they called on the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, to summon Sara-Igbe for interrogation over his threat to instigate crisis of unprecedented dimension in the Niger Delta in the event that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu preserved Mele Kyari in office beyond January, 2025.

“This threat is weighty. It cannot be ignored in view of the prevailing palpable insecurity in the country. We should avoid any action capable of truncating the prevail fragile peace in the Niger Delta”, they added.

Lucky Tubotu,an indigene of Bilabiri 1&2 communities in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State has clarified the statements he made regarding armed youths recruited into the communities following heightened insecurity in the communities occasioned by the activities of Ebimene Abaka,Tekena Abaka and others.

Tubotu in a statement in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State Capital titled “Setting the Record Straight,Clarifying Misunderstood Statement” said he only re-echoed what Ebimene Akaba and the Chairman of Bilabiri 1 community Tekena Abaka told the people that the armed youths in the communities were employed by an erstwhile Governor Elect of Bayelsa State to carry out a contract awarded to his company.

Tubotu in a reaction to an online report by Mangrovepen titled “Darlon absolves Lyon from Bilabiri 1 & 2 Communities Crisis”,said he was misquoted and it is highly regrettable.

He said his statement was very clear and did not allude to David Lyon’s company as responsible for the armed youths in Bilabiri 1 & 2 communities but only re-echoed what Ebimene Abaka and Tekena Abaka told the communities when he enquired about the presence of armed youths in their communities.

He said his statement was very clear…… “Ebimene Abaka (Small Fire) claimed that David Lyon, the erstwhile Governor elect of Bayelsa State, gave him a contract in the oil and gas sector, hence the armed youths were invited to the community for the job.We wonder if armed criminal gang work for David Lyon?.

“These people, Ebimene Abaka (Small Fire), Tekena Abaka and Bright Wilson Isopi are known killers.I call on the federal government to use its military might to dismantle this gang, protect our people and communities, prosecute and bring them to justice”.

He distanced himself from any false statements designed to tarnish his hard earned reputation adding that he never accused David Lyon or his company of arming youths to carry out a contract awarded to him in the oil and gas industry.

According to him,the youths were recruited from Bilabiri 1 & 2, Letugbene, Amatu 1 & 2, Bisangbene and Ogbotobo communities in the guise of giving them slots to work in a contract awarded to an oil and gas company only for them to be armed by Ebimene Abaka (Small Fire) and Tekena Abaka.

Tubotu affirmed that the people of Bilabiri 1&2 communities are leaving in fear. I appeal to the military and other security agencies to come to our rescue and save the communities from being taken over by the armed youths,because the community general election is coming up in December 2024 and Tekena Abaka does not want to handover hence causing tension in the community.

” I have received several threat messages directly which he posted on our community WhatsApp platform and indirectly from Tekena Abaka threatening to deal decisively with me. President Bola Tinubu, Governor Duoye Diri, security agencies, and the world at large should know, if anything happens to me they should be held responsible “.

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Tuesday, provided agricultural inputs to 6,020 farmers to boost agricultural production and food security in the state.

Speaking during the flag-off of the disbursement of agricultural inputs to beneficiaries under the Result Area 2 – FADAMA (Food Security) of the Delta Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus, D-CARES, at the Events Centre, Asaba, Oborevwori announced the release of N1billion counterpart funding for the Africa Union Development Agency, New Partnership for African Development (AUDA NEPAD), to empower 2,000 farmers for food production, livestock and aquaculture.

He said the state government took the steps to boost agricultural production and ensure sustainable food security in the state and the country at large.

He urged the beneficiaries to make use of the opportunity by utilizing the inputs efficiently so as to improve their productivity and harvest and contribute to the growth of the agricultural sector in the state.

Oborevwori said, “Today’s disbursement is part of that broader initiative, with particular focus on providing over 6,000 of our hardworking farmers with the essential inputs needed to boost agricultural productivity and strengthen food security across the state.

“To meet the Sustainable Agricultural Sector Reforms component of Realistic Reforms of the M.O.R.E Agenda, we are committed to ensuring that the goals of this programme are achieved.

“Our farmers must receive the necessary support to continue their vital contributions to our economy.

“Agriculture remains a key pillar of our development strategy, and, through this disbursement, we aim to enhance food production, increase household incomes, and ultimately improve the livelihood of thousands of Deltans.

“Let me also note here that, in collaboration with the Africa Union Development Agency, New Partnership for African Development (AUDA NEPAD) to further strengthen M.O.R.E smallholder farmers in Delta State, N1Billion has been approved as counterpart fund to empower 2,000 farmers for food production, livestock and aquaculture.”

While commending the Delta CARES team and all stakeholders for their dedication in making the programme a success, Governor Oborevwori said: “Together, we are building a more resilient Delta, one that is prepared to overcome challenges and seize opportunities”.

The Commissioner for Economic Planning and Chairman State CARES Steering Committee, Mr. Sonny Ekedayen in his remarks, said 6,020 farmers were being empowered under the Result Area 2, which is the food security component of the Delta Cares Programme.

He said the agricultural sector remained an important pillar of the state’s economy, hence the state government was empowering 6,020 farmers to increase productivity in food production under poultry; fish farming, cassava cultivation, maize crop, pepper production and vegetable farming.

He urged Deltans to embrace urban farming in wherever space they could find to enhance productivity and, thus, combat the huge rise in food prices.

Some of the beneficiaries; Friday Imonikebe, Paul Ejuone and Ifeoma Akinjare, appreciated Governor Oborevwori for the empowerment and lauded him for the many road infrastructural development projects across the state, including the construction of Emevor-Orogun Road phases 1 and 2.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Ken Ohanenye, is again in the eyes of the storm as she was accused of siphoning N2billion meant for the empowerment of the women in the country.

Already, a group, identified as Concerned Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has dragged Ohanenye and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to an Enugu High Court, seeking an order of the court compelling the minister to account for the whooping N2billion.

The plaintiffs in the case- Ambassador Onyinye Joy Mamah, suing for herself and on behalf of Heroine Women Foundation and Other Affected Nigerian Women and Amaka-Ajuzie Ogbu, for herself and on behalf of Net Bridge Empowerment Foundation, are asking Ohanenye to also account for $100M intervention funds granted to the ministry by the World Bank in aid of distressed Nigerian women.

The petitioners on behalf of themselves and Nigerian women expressed disappointment at the minister for siphoning intervention funds meant for the emancipation of the Nigerian women.

The petitioners said various actions of the Women Affairs ministry by Ohanenye raised serious questions about the management of funds meant for vulnerable Nigerian women and and children.

They described the minister’s application of the various intervention funds available to the ministry as not only flawed but exploitative.

They demanded that Ohanenye provide a full and transparent account of how N2billion was utilised.

Similarly, they requested the anti-graft agency to investigate and hold Ohanenye accountable for the misuse of public funds under her custody.

The petitioners said, “Over the years, the minister has diverted an estimated N2billion from various critical projects within her ministry under the guise of empowerment into questionable initiatives. The minister allegedly appoints the contractors for these initiatives, raising further concerns about transparency and accountability.”

“We highlight the following examples of these so called empowerment projects: Purchase of Keke tricycles: The minister has proudly touted the purchase of just seven tricycles for women, from she now demands daily payments.”

“Purchase of Iron dubbed Steaming Machines and scissors dubbed cutting machines at exorbitant rates of N680,000 per iron and N160,000 naira per scissors.”

“Faceless Benefiaries: A significant number of beneficiaries of these initiatives remain unidentified, leading us to question whether these individuals even exist or if the funds have been misappropriated.”

“Furthermore, we are in possession of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the minister with organizers of an event which she recently disrupted claiming ignorance of the event.”

“The organisers alleged that the minister reneged on the alleged revenue sharing formula few days to the event after they have had committed substantial funds to the event. They were then threatened with disruption unless they complied with her new terms. This type of extortionate behavior is unacceptable and undermines the credibility of the ministry.”

“We demand that the Minister of Women Affairs provide a full and transparent account of how the N2billion was utilised. It’s imperative that the funds allocated for the empowerment of women are used for their purpose and not as a tool for personal enrichment.”

“We call on relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the minister’s activities and hold her accountable for any misuse of public funds. The time has come to put an end to the exploitation of women and children under the guise of empowerment.”

Meanwhile, in the affidavit sworn to by Mamah and Ogbu, at Enugu High Court, they deposed that, “Not long ago during the regime of former President Muhammadu Buhari, a loan facility amounting to N100billion had been made available to this country by World Bank for use to better the lives of women.”

“The fund was wholly dissipated and none had gotten to the end users, i.e. the impoverished women of Nigeria, all that they heard was that the whole of N100M had been spent on consultancies, seminars and such other inanities.”

By Godslove Preye

The attention of the MORE Reality Group, MRG, has been drawn to a couple of articles which recently circulated on several online platforms. The first was a self explanatory epistle titled: “Assessing the Governor’s Response to Deltans’ Suffering: A critical Look at The MORE Agenda of Governor Oborevwori” which concluded that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has not done much to alleviate the “sufferings” of Deltans, while the second was an OPEN LETTER to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori written by one Otiti Akpovoke in which he, apparently assuming the role of public commentator, noted thus: “…..the people of Delta State, have been disappointed by past leaders since 1999 due to poor governance and selfish management of resources. We urge you to change this narrative and prioritize our pressing needs.

“Instead of focusing on flyovers, bridges, and stadiums, we implore you to address the following: 1. Provide electricity to power our homes and businesses. 2. Introduce transport buses to facilitate easy movement. 3. Construct low-cost housing schemes to shelter our people,” the letter advised.

Interestingly, both articles bear the imprimatur of Akpovoke Otiti, an incorrigible, unrepentantly pugnacious writer, mendacious coward and administrator of a copycat online news portal and whose stock in trade is to regularly and surreptitiously provoke unnecessary traction and attention by dredging up wild, amateurish, puerile and of course kindergarten criticism of the Oborevwori administration.

We have noted unfortunately that in his warped attempt, as it would seem this time, to evoke populist sympathy especially viewed against the strangulating economic bondage and hapless condition that Nigerians across board are currently going through, he and his sponsors have irrationally suggested that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is the reason for the hardship and suffering presently ravaging the land, while at the same time lacking the courage to apportion blame to the place where the accusing finger rightly should be pointing to: the APC-led Federal Government.

This is indeed the point of departure for us in the M.O.R.E. Reality Group and on this score, we are compelled to take a stand against the uncharitable and manipulative façade which initially attempted to genuinely make a case for Deltans, whereas behind the veil is the devious intent to latch on to the critical times that Nigerians are going through and launch a premeditated attack on the person of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his M.O.R.E. Agenda. This is totally unacceptable.

Indeed, only a devious and diversionary propaganda stunt would lament the bitter reality that Nigerians suddenly found themselves reeling under an asphyxiating economic condition deployed by a clueless Federal Government, only for the purveyors to then seek shamelessly, to put the blame on a Governor who neither has the authority to determine the devaluation or floating of Nigeria’s national currency, the Naira, nor controls the removal of subsidy dynamics and the fixing of the price of fuel/petroleum products in the country.

It’s curious for us in the M.O.R.E. Reality Group how this writer, exposing his apparent lack of depth and understanding of governance and administration, failed to acknowledge that the M.O.R.E. Agenda has got nothing to do with the national economic policies of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led Federal Government of President Bola Tinubu, that is almost driving Nigerians to physical and psychological peril across all strata.

With his alarmist bent, the writer stated: “The people of Delta State are facing numerous challenges, and it is essential to evaluate the Governor’s efforts to alleviate their suffering. Unfortunately, it appears that the Governor’s MORE Agenda has not yielded tangible benefits for the citizens.

“Despite the promises and fanfare surrounding the MORE Agenda, many Deltans are yet to experience any positive impact. The Governor’s initiatives seem to be disconnected from the everyday struggles of the people, leaving them feeling neglected and disenfranchised.

“The question on everyone’s mind is: what has the Governor done to address the pressing issues affecting Deltans? The answer, sadly, is not much. The Governor’s policies and programmes have failed to provide meaningful relief, and the MORE Agenda has become a distant memory, with no tangible results to show for it.

“It is time for the Governor to reassess his priorities and develop a more effective strategy to address the suffering of Deltans. The people deserve better, and it is the Governor’s responsibility to ensure that his policies and programs meet their needs and improve their lives.”

It’s clear from the above, that the writer, for reasons best known to him and his cohort of arm chair critics, has decided to champion an unnecessary advocacy and cry wolf where there is none. A clue to this is that he failed to specify the “numerous challenges” he claims that people of Delta State are facing, which are not faced by citizens and indigenes of other states in the country.

He lied when he wrote: “Despite the promises and fanfare surrounding the MORE Agenda, many Deltans are yet to experience any positive impact” and the questions to ask him are these: Is the challenge of the high cost of food, drugs and other consumables the making of Delta state Government? Is the high cost of fuel that has made transportation cost to climb to the roof top, which has set off a terrible chain of suffering, hardship and suffocation on the people, the making of Delta state government and the M.O.R.E Agenda?

To even possess the audacity to mouth the uncouth and misleading claim that “many Deltans are yet to experience any positive impact of the MORE Agenda”…and “The governor’s initiatives seem to be disconnected from the everyday struggles of the people, leaving them feeling neglected and disenfranchised”, reveals that this fellow is completely out of touch and tune with the reality on ground and especially the consistent and concerted efforts of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to consolidate his connection with Deltans.

We will not glorify Akpovoke Otiti by joining issues with him on his delusional crusade, particularly on the silly, off handed dismissal of ongoing and completed legacy and life impacting infrastructural projects across the three Senatorial zones in the state, but we would like to inform him that over 5,000 Deltans have been empowered by the MORE Grant Scheme for petty traders, artisans, female entrepreneurs, as well as persons from poor and vulnerable households in the state; that the direct beneficiaries of Delta COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (D-CARES) Programme was upscaled from from 36,353 to 110,841, which depicts an increase of approximately 205 per cent on the initial figure of 36,353 beneficiaries; or even that the 4th Tranche of the D-CARES Programme which is expected to empower several thousands of Deltans wil soon be flagged off.

He should equally be reminded that the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori administration has not only successfully concluded the payment of the 2022/2023 bursary to 30,116 students of the state origin in Higher institutions across the country, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has also approved the year 2022/2023 Financial Assistance for Delta State indigenes in the seven Nigeria Law Schools across the country running into thousands.

There is no doubt that Governor Oborevwori is not only committed to the delivery of quality governance to Deltans, but has also matched his words with actions by advancing Delta, through providing human capital development that has direct impact on the lives of Deltans.

Let us further inform Akpovoke Otiti that even the Federal Government, recognizing the hardship it has inflicted on Nigerians, not only embarked on a palliatives distribution agenda, which Delta State has implemented judiciously with Governor Oborevwori himself flagging of the third phase of the distribution of food palliatives to the Poor and Vulnerable House Holds (PVHH), as well as widows and Persons with Disabilities (PWD) across the 25 Local Government Areas of the State.

This is in addition to the visit of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu to perform the official flag off of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Economic Empowerment Programme and activate the recapitalisation grants for 1,000 women petty traders in Delta State. And just recently, a total of forty female farmers across Delta State received grants worth N10 Million to boost their agro businesses, while 1,200 indigent households received food items from the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and the Governor’s wife, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori.

While Otiti deviously attempts to downplay Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s positive impact on the civil servants in the state, let us however place it on record that Delta State was arguably the first and amongst a handful of states in the country that paid the old minimum wage promptly and dutifully as and at when due and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, in his usual meticulous and astute administrative leadership style, has given full assurance of the implementation of the new #70,000 minimum wage, once the enabling chart has been released by the Federal Government so that mistakes in implementation will be avoided.

Recall also that in the wake of fuel subsidy removal, the Delta State government approved a three-day working week for civil servants in a bid to cushion the effect of the draconian policy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and followed it up with the approval of the payment of N10,000 monthly support to each worker for three months, from August 2023, to ameliorate the hardship on Deltans, which ran into millions of naira. Need we also mention that over 3,000 persons were taken off the unemployment market and employed as Teachers by the state government, yet some clowns will come to the public space and claim that Deltans are not feeling the positive impact of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration.

These of course are the official and formal programmes, but it is also germane to note that several empowerment programmes are being delivered by proxies of the Delta State Governor, including political office holders, top political leaders and statesmen, as well as major stakeholders across the state, to cushion the effects of the hardship and suffering which has no political party affiliation, but has affected both the high and mighty, the low, downtrodden, underprivileged and vulnerable.

MRG therefore calls on the author of the despicable attack on the Oborevwori administration not to be chicken hearted in attacking the Governor who Deltans acknowledge for his good deeds. Rather he should show guts in putting the blame for the suffering of Nigerians squarely on the door post of the APC-led Federal Government of President Tinubu who the generality of Nigerians have identified as running a bad government that is choking Nigerians today.

Journalists, online news platforms and bloggers have also times without number, called attention to what the Government is doing to ensure that health facilities in the state are top notch and it is in record that the Delta State Contributory Health Programme has already enrolled over 2 million Deltans with the prospects of more enrolees coming on board in the years ahead, thus guaranteeing comprehensive health coverage for millions of Deltans.

In the area of sports development, the National Youth Games hosted back to back by Delta State has already commenced with no fewer than 5,776 athletes and several thousands of accompanying officials converging in Asaba for the event. There’s no gainsaying the fact that Asaba will be a thriving, bubbling hub of human and commercial activities, with traders already expressing great optimism and excitement about the huge potentials which the #NYGAsaba2024 will unleash both as a sporting spectacle and as an extravaganza of the celebration of humanity and bonding.

Governor Oborevwori clearly underscored that sponsorship of sporting events, which has not only unearthed star athletes like the globally renowned Favour Ofili, but was a worthwhile investment in keeping youths with sporting talents together and focused in their endeavours to become stars.

As for his admonition to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori that: “Instead of focusing on flyovers, bridges, and stadiums, we implore you to address the following: 1. Provide electricity to power our homes and businesses. 2. Introduce transport buses to facilitate easy movement. 3. Construct low-cost housing schemes to shelter our people,” we wish to just inform Mr. Otiti that the Governor has only just completed one year in office and we in the MRG are fully confident that the Sheriff Oborevwori we know will not only take this suggestion on advisement, but will surely act in good faith with the interest of Deltans at heart as the administration’s MORE Agenda unfolds, especially with the exciting prospects of the introduction of CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) and EV (Electric Vehicles), which is top in the consideration of the state government; the commencement in July this year, of the construction of 250 housing Units by the Federal Govt in Ekpan Community, Uvwie LGA in fulfilment of the Renewed Hope Housing Estate Project, to be completed in three months, for which the state government provided 25 hectares of land with Certificate of Occupancy, in favour of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, to support the project; as well as leveraging on the new legislation on power generation, to enhance the development of sustainable energy through mini-power projects like the already commenced Ceesolar $395,000 Niger Delta Power Project, and the anticipated collaborations with private investors for more solar powered mini-grids to add to the already inaugurated 91kWp solar powered mini-grid in Okpokunou community in Burutu Local Government area of Delta State, in the collective effort to address the pressing challenges of power and electricity, going forward. These are just a few of the very robust initiatives which the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration is vigorously but strategically implementing in the three sectors of Transportation, Housing and Power.

M.O.R.E. Reality Group therefore condemns in strong terms, the claims that the Oborevwori administration has not done much to address pressing issues, because from all the facts already stated above, the Governor has painstakingly, steadily, strategically and systematically addressed the issues of meaningful development, opportunities for all, realistic reforms or enhanced peace and security, all encapsulated in the MORE Agenda.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is indeed working, and Deltans are seeing it.

■ Mr. Godslove Preye, is National Coordinator, M.O.R.E Reality Group.

The administration of Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori has continued to show unwavering commitment to advancing the tourism sector to diversify the economy of Delta State through his MORE Agenda.

Speaking with journalists at a media parley held in Asaba, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Culture and Tourism, Dr Josephine Odunze disclosed that the State government is intensifying efforts to promote tourism by creating an enabling environment for tourism investors.

Dr Josephine, who embarked on a two-day trip to various tourist sites with her team of other political appointees and civil servants in the culture and tourism sector, said the purpose of the tour was to identify, inspect and assess the potentials of the various sites.

“Looking at all these tourist sites located in different parts of the state, we needed to embark not just on an inspection tour but also to see the potential in these sites. Potential in the area of trade and investment, employment opportunities, and potentials in the area of cultural exchange between states and nations.”

Flanked by the General Manager of the Delta State Tourism Board, Josephine Anyameluhor-Ogbolu, Dr Josephine, gave a sequential account of the trip. She evaluated the eco-tourism potentials of the River Ethiope, which has its source at Umuaja in Ukwani Local Government Area of Delta State and sourced from the root of a silk cotton tree that penetrated the water. Dr Josephine said eco-tourists can take advantage of the river as it is the deepest inland waterway in Africa. The Umuaja River flows through different communities to Sapele.

“This River Ethiope is navigable. It flows into the Turf Club, McCarthy Beach, Shiloh Beach, and other beaches. If properly managed, it can be used for boat regattas and other recreational activities. River Ethiope is very clean; we can have a botanical garden situated there, which will aid research for students.”

Speaking, she described McCarthy Beach as a serene environment, where tourists and poets who want to take recess from the hustle and bustle of life can go for relaxation and inspiration. McCarthy plays host to different events, thereby beefing up businesses in the area.

On the Warri Gardens, which is owned by the Delta State Government, Dr Josephine disclosed that the site needs more government attention and upgrade and should be managed effectively for it to compete with other private-owned tourist sites.

The Ibru International Ecumenical Center located in Agbarha-Otor in Ughelli North Local Government Area is another tourist attraction in the state for religious tourists who want to engage in some spiritual exercise, and the more such tourist sites are patronised, the more it contributes to the overall economic development of the community and State.

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She revealed that the Ganagana Island in Okwagbe in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state is a beautiful place where tourism businesses would thrive. Dr Josephine encouraged tourism associations, managers and planners to visit Ganagana Island as history has it that it was the first place that Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther visited when he arrived in Nigeria but he was rejected and he did the biblical injunction of dusting his feet against them before setting off to Onitsha.
‘’The community is surrounded by water, but it is said that the water never overflows its banks. So it can serve as a seaport where a lot and even our popular locally brewed gin (ogogoro) can be marketed.

This place needs recognition and support to give it an international platform for exports of some of our indigenous arts, crafts, and cuisines’’.

Dr Josephine relayed their experience at the Mount Ned Resort at Idumuje Ugboko as her team continued their tour on the second day. They witnessed the rich historical artefacts displayed at the environmental and cultural tourism site. For her, the site is underpublicized, and lots of people need to come there not only for sightseeing but for cultural and educational exposure.

While taking the team around, the curator at the site, Pastor Lauretta Onuma, appreciated the team for including the site on their list for the tour. She encouraged individuals and organisations to take a trip to Mount Ned Resort to have a first-hand experience of the rich eco-cultural site in Idumuje Ugboko.

Another site visited on the second day of the tour was the Nelson Mandela Gardens and Resort, established by Dr Newton Jibunoh, also known as the Desert Warrior. At the Garden, Miss Oluebube Okafor took the team to see various facilities such as the zoo, an Olympic-size swimming pool, hotel accommodations, and artwork that represents the confluence of the River Niger and River Benue Dr Josephine appreciated Dr. Jibunoh, for the insight on how to manage and leverage the tourist sites in Delta State, that would eventually boost the revenue in the state. According to her, Dr Jibunoh stressed the need for the security infrastructure of the state to be strengthened as this would encourage global and local tourism investors to Delta State.

She added that the historic Mungo Park House in Asaba should be revamped as there are places that are already caving in. ‘’The place should not be left to go into extinction as it reminds us about the story of the colonial rule, the interface between the western influences and African culture.

It also was the first Government House in Nigeria as Asaba was the administrative head of the Southern protectorate’’. She thanked the government of Delta State for creating an enabling environment for investors but added that more needs to be done by collaborating with the National Museum to give the facility a facelift.

She said they also made a quick stop at the Lander Brothers Anchorage where she called on the state government, through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, to look into the remodelling of the Lander Brothers Anchorage to boost the tourism sector of the state. The anchorage is a museum built in memory of the British explorers, Richard and John Lander, who were taken captive in 1830.

The General Manager of the Delta State Tourism Board, Mrs Josephine Anyameluhor-Ogbolu, who is a stakeholder in the tourism industry both at the state level and beyond, said that tourism is multifaceted as it cuts across our daily lives such as religious tourism, medical tourism, conferencing, hospitality, accommodation, culture, gastronomy, that the state can explore to grow its GDP. ‘’But the state needs investors who will partner with the government to make Delta State a tourist destinati

She, however, revealed that the tourism board promotes both state and privately-owned tourism sites using the official tourism brochure and via online marketing. “We need investors as the government can not do it alone. The government has created the enabling environment such as road infrastructure, water, and light but we need investors who will partner with the government to ensure that we truly make Delta State the preferred tourist destination of pride. We have some comparative areas of advantage because of the biodiversity and eco-system of the state. You will find that one area that is most prominent for private investment is the beach and resort development. You will find that the whole corridor from Umuaja, Umutu, and Abraka, going all the way down to Sapele, is so beautiful because of the beach, sand banks, and the green river. It is an area where investors can come in and do five – to seven-star resorts along those corridors. Aboh is another beautiful beach, Aboh Palace, and Aboh Slave Relics; all of these put together are waiting for the private sector to harness. We also have Asaba Beach, although it is a seasonal beach because, during the rains, the water is full.
Dr Josephine said the Asaba Film Village and Leisure Park has not only attracted tourists and those in the entertainment industry to the state but has attracted road projects to the location and neighboring communities
“The film Village and Leisure Park is now a tourist delight as the facility houses so much in leisure including a zoo, a music recording studio and everything needed for film-making, acting, production and post-production stages are all there. The hotels,apartments, and hostels are well equipped for visitors to lodge during their stay in Asaba”. We also appreciate our working Governor, Rt Hon Oborevwori, for sustaining the need for collaboration with the private sector in managing the film village, as that has brought some level of professionalism, dedication and credibility to the activities of the film village and leisure park.
Dr Josephine Odunze appreciated the state governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori for the enabling environment for tourists and investors, especially during the maiden edition of the 2023 Christmas in Delta, tagged ‘’45 Days of Christmas in Delta’’. 45 days of fond memories, synchronized fireworks in the 25 Local Government Areas of the state, hoisting of the tallest Christmas tree in Africa right in the heart of Asaba, carnival parade and other activities held at the film village, Leisure Park and other parts of Delta State in December 2023.
Members of the team were the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Culture, Hon Huxley Unumadu; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Tourism, Hon Gloria Oborevwori, and Special Assistant to the Governor on Tourism, Onosakponome Donaldson
Others include Mrs Kate Uwabor, who was the Tour Guide from the Tourism Board and other assistant directors, and tourism and cultural officers from the Directorate of Culture and Tourism.