By Oghenero Orovwuje

Primary healthcare items, donated by the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), have been commissioned for distribution in Delta State.

The state governor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, commissioned the equipment in the premises of the Ministry of Works in Asaba, the state capital.

Governor Okowa, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief Patrick Ukah, said primary healthcare strengthening was a government strategy to achieve Universal Health Coverage, adding that it was a tool to tackle health challenges in communities in the state.

He noted that the equipment would enhance healthcare delivery at the primary healthcare level.

The Managing Director of DESOPADEC, Bashorun Askia Ogieh, said the donation was in line with  Governor Okowa’s vision of a good health delivery for the residents of the state.

He said the items provided would cover various needs of the primary healthcare centres, including pharmacies, laboratories, consulting room and wards, among others.

In an address, the Head of Health Department in DESOPADEC, Mr. Micheal Ekotogbo, commended the state government for its support in enhancing healthcare delivery, including furnishing and equipping cottage hospitals in communities in their mandate areas.

In their good will messages, local government councils, National Healthcare Development Agency, Abuja, and Primary Health Care Authorities, all commended DESOPADEC for the gesture.

The items donated were beds, medical instruments, administrative cupboards, clinical beds, special medical lights and wheel chairs, among others.

Written by: Justice Ogwah

The Sheriffication Movement (TSM) a group of young men and women who are committed to the actualization of the gubernatorial ambition of the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori JP FICMC, has commiserated with her Grand Patron and immediate past governor of the state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan CON, on the passage of his father-in-law, Retired Brigadier General Sunny Esijolomi Tuoyo.

The group in a condolence letter addressed to the former Governor and signed by its Director General Comr. Palmer Ogheneyole Nathaniel, prayed God to grant the bereaved family the fortitude to bear the loss, while also praying for the repose of the soul of the departed, whom they described as a gallant soldier, patriot and a father to all, who gave his all to the service to this country and it’s people.

“Your Excellency, we are deeply saddened by the news of the demise of your father-in-law, Retired Brigadier General Sunny Esijolomi Tuoyo, a gallant officer, renowned disciplinarian and soldier who gave the better part of his life to serving this country and it’s people.

“Our father, through hard work, dedication to duty as well as divine providence rose through the rank in the Nigerian Army to become the military administrator of the old Ondo State between 1978 and O1979) during the military regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo, a no mean feat by every standard”, the letter read in part.

Continuing; Our father during his life time saw his beloved daughter our lovely mother, Dcns Roli Uduaghan becoming the First Lady of the State for 8years. By every standard, papa lived a fulfilled life full of glory and honour, and this should remain our biggest consolation at a time like this.

” Your Excellency, please note that we are with you and our mummy in prayers and that we are certain that God Almighty will grant the entire family the fortitude to bear this irreparable lost even as he repose the soul of our departed patriarch”, the statement concluded.

PAST and Present Student Union Leaders, (PPSUL), Delta state have accused Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of diverting state resources to fund the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) presidential campaigns.

The group arising from their meeting yesterday, in a signed resolution noted that the action of the Governor was a slight on them and outright broad day robbery on the good people of the state.

The resolution was signed by Comrades Kennedy Tabuko, (Delta Central), Imalah Ugoachanum, (Delta North) and Sabastine Agbefe, (Delta South) respectively.

According to them, “This resolution bothers on our true position on the state of affairs of our dear state and the need to put things in the right perspective in the face of the obvious maladministration of the Okowa led regime as we approach yet another electioneering year.

“We frown at the image of the state presented before the entire nation by the state government on their inability to account for the payment received on the backlog of the 13 percent derivation remitted to the state government by the President Muhammadu Buhari led federal government”

While demanding from Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to offset the pension backlog incurred by his administration and his predecessors, they said a labourer is desirous of his wages, service of our civil servants should not be neglected and their service to the state of several decades should be rewarded accordingly with the right entitlements.

The Governor has equally been called upon to ensure he completes the Asaba-Ughelli dual carriageway that has been under construction amongst other stalling projects in the state.

“As Deltans embark on this mission to the promise land of a new Delta driven by the zest of a purposeful leadership, as comrades, we do not wish that our people remain captive and can’t gamble with the state’s fortune on a man who can not guarantee the needed development of our dear state.

“Hence, we have decided to chat a new course for our comrades and ensure we secure a better deal for our people in the next administrative dispensation by aligning ourselves fully with the EDGE to BAND Agenda of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Delta State.

“Governor Okowa and his cronies should redirect the state resources pegged for sponsoring and executing his Vice Presidential bid to the development of the state which the monies were statutorily meant for.

“Hence, we unequivocally demand the refund of all resources that has been redirected to execute their personal political interest to the development of the state, they posited.” The statement added.

Amid ongoing internal squabble rocking the Labour Party (LP) ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Chairman of the Ogun chapter of the party, Michael Ashade has come out to shed more light on the reason why he and other executives in the state chose to expel the party’s Campaign Director-General, Dr. Doyin Okupe.

Speaking during an interview on ARISE TV’s ‘The Morning Show’ on Saturday, Ashade alleged that apart from violating the party’s constitution by failing to pay his dues for six months, Dr. Okupe is being suspected of some financial inconsistencies, especially on the runup to the Labour Party’s campaign rally in Ibadan, Oyo State a fortnight ago.

According to Ashade, although the sum of N20 million was approved by the Campaign Council for the mobilization of members from Ogun State, Dr. Okupe only sent four million to that effect, claiming that he was personally funding the mobilization from his pockets.

He said; “Our grouse is not just the fact that he has been found wanting on his financial obligation as a member, we also highlighted certain deeds that occurred during the rally at Ibadan in which members in Ogun State were expected to be mobilized for that rally. And certain financial anomalies occurred which we highlighted there. And we have discovered that certain amounts of money were approved for the states by the campaign council and we are asking where are the funds.

Maybe he didn’t know it will get to this, but I have a chat he sent me saying that he is personally paying to mobilize members from Ogun, Ekiti, Ondo, and Osun states for the Oyo state rally saying that no official amount was approved. But, 20 million Naira was approved specifically for Ogun State to mobilize members. We estimated 200 buses for the members and it was turned down. It was reduced to 100 buses and forwarded to him but he still rejected it saying no, that there are no funds that he was personally funding it. He came up with an estimation of 5,195,000, saying that was what he could personally afford. But it was less than that. About four million was what was gathered as what he gave.”

By ABEL JOHNGOLD

The University of Ibadan Alumni Association (UIAA), has congratulated Chief (Dr.) Kemi Emina, over his emergence as Vice-chairman of Conference of Alumni Associations of Nigeria Universities (CAANU), South-West zone.

The felicitation was contained in a congratulatory message signed by Prof. Saawua Nyityo, President, UIAA Worldwide and made available to newsmen on Saturday, December 3, 2022.

Prof. Nyityo said Dr. Emina’s epochal emergence has already engendered fond memories that would not only linger in the hearts of many, but would serve as a bold statement of the commitment and determination by CAANU, to consolidate on the uncommon transformation and unity of purpose, which will define the Association, going forward.

Nyityo equally declared that UIAA had no doubt that Dr. Emina, a former president of UIAA worldwide, would make CAANU proud, due to his outstanding successes when he held sway at the helm of the Association’s affairs.

While noting that the Odi-Ega 1 of Ebu Kingdom in Delta State is a mercurial leader who has accomplished so much in UIAA, Nyityo advised Dr. Emina thus: “Please let your experiences at UIAA be your key to success in your services at CAANU.

“UIAA prepared you to meet new challenges with flexibility and confidence and Alumni services, as you already know, exist to help us fraternize and learn from each other”.

The new UIAA worldwide President then prayed for and wished Dr. Kemi Emina well in his new position, as he strives for excellent delivery of transformational leadership.

The former two tenure President of UIAA worldwide was elected on Saturday, December 3rd, 2022, at the CAANU Quarterly Meeting held in Kano, Kano State.

A group, Niger Delta Development Agenda (NDDA), has called on a group of legal practitioners, Lawyers For Justice Reform and others to properly verify their facts and provisions of the law and desist from maligning the good image of Hon. Stella Okotete, the Executive Director, Nigeria Export Import Bank (NEXIM).

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Mr Iteveh Nur’ Ekpokpobe and Secretary, Comr. Karo Edor, issued in Port-Harcourt, the group stated that the Lawyers For Justice Reform petition was baseless, and laced with deliberate maliciousness to bring an illustrious daughter of Niger Delta to disrepute before the public.

According to NDDA, judging by the names of those who signed the petition; the CSO was playing an ethnic card and in accordance with the dictates of a faceless party which would soon be exposed.

“As a pan Niger Delta Group we shall not fold arms and watch traducers pull down one of our very best who has performed impeccably well in her capacity as the Executive Director, Business Development.

The group restated that there was no provision in the NEXIM act that lays out the qualifications for appointment of Executive Directors or any Director or the bank as appointments are purely at the prerogative of the President.

The NDDA stressed that Hon Stella Okotete has performed well in her capacity as an Executive Director which has in turn led to the growth of the bank.

“According to section 14 (1) a, b and c of Nexim act stated that the bank shall be exempted from provisions of banks and other financial institutions act (BOFIA), among others particularly section 47 of BOFIA.

“We hereby urge the public to disregard the publication forthwith as it was done with malicious intents. We also sound a note of warning to the Lawyers For Justice Reform and any other group who may pop their heads in future to turn their face away from our illustrious daughter or face the tune.” The group stressed.

By Oniobo Ofegor Collins (mnim)

It is in public domain, the way and manner the Judiciary arm of government which is the beacon of hope, has been reduced to it’s lowest ebb by the Executive. This is a system that has been in place over the years but was, however, worsened by the current administration of President Mohammadu Buhari (GCFR) since inception in 2015.

During the 2018 Presidential primary of the PDP, Alh. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, an aspirant in the Party then, publicly apologized to former President Goodluck Jonathan (GCFR) for leaving the PDP and helping to enthrone a tyrant and clueless man to become President of Nigeria. He said he thought Jonathan’s government was the worst in Nigeria’s recent history, he never knew or believed there would be a government worse than that of Jonathan.

This is a scenario that is about to repeat itself here in Delta state, if we are not all careful.

Following the overturn of the victory of former Governor Emeka Ihedioha of Imo state, by the Supreme Court, there were public outcry that encompassed the entirety of the state demanding ‘justice’ from the same arm of government that was pressured into giving a judgement that didn’t go down well with most Nigerians of goodwill.

One begins to wonder how a Party Which didn’t come second was made winner of an election by the Supreme Court, that was publicly adjudged to be fair and credible by INEC. Now, there’s no meaningful progress in Imo state since Gov. Hope Uzodinma held sway in that capacity.

Through the ballots, the APC in Delta state will record little votes across the state. It’s a fact. However, due to the nature of it’s candidate Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, the current Deputy President of the Senate, to dubiously use instruments of State and other ill-means to snatch the will and hope of the majority of the people, then Deltans need to wear the highest cover of alacrity because it’s obvious this will be the case in few months time.

APC have lost more elections on ballot to the PDP. It is due to the pressure of the federal Executive arm of State, that it secures funny Judicial verdicts across Nigeria. Such victory is no victory at all.

Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori is the popular choice of majority of Deltans and as they say, Greatest happiness of the greatest number is a good and just verdict.

The judiciary, is therefore, urged to be resolute and firm in it’s quest to be independent and to redeem it’s image. In few African Countries, their apex Courts have given verdicts against either the ruling Party or their Presidents so Nigeria shouldn’t and won’t be an exception.

I, therefore, urge the PDP and indeed Deltans, to vote Sheriff as Governor and also stand by their votes during the impending legal tussle that is most likely to emerge after the gubernatorial election next year.

PDP is the way.
PDP is the only way.
PDP is the right way.

End.

Oniobo Ofegor Collins (mnim)
National Coordinator, Movement for Nigerian Greatness (MNG)