Director-General of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission, Dr Ben Nkechika has said that the state government was providing health insurance to internally displaced persons in the state because their means of livelihood have been eroded by the ravaging flood.

Nkechika stated this at a joint press conference in Asaba with the Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, and explained that the state government was determined to provide access to quality health services to all residents of the state irrespective of their socio-economic status and geographical location.

He noted that with the enrollment of the internally displaced persons into the Contributory Health Insurance, they would have access to free quality health care for one year even after leaving the camps.

According to him, the Commission is an agency of government established to implement the mandatory Delta State Contributory Health Scheme which is a health care financing programme geared towards ensuring access to quality health care services for all residents of Delta state.

“The programme started in January 2017 and till date we have over 1.2 million enrollees which is the highest in the country.

“The scheme is powered by 500 health facilities both government and private health care facilities accredited to provide health services under the scheme.

“Part of our mandate is meeting the health needs of people and we are currently faced with a situation where some people have been displaced as a result of the flood and they are largely going to have economic challenges which has affected their ability to have quality health care.

“They have lived in very rural communities and we are registering them into the scheme through an electronic process for the family three, father mother and children.

“We issue them with an identity card and with that they are able to refer them from an IDP camp to any of the public or private health care facilities for more care beyond what the camp can provide.

“All of these service is going to be done through the Delta State Contributory Health Commission and the premium would be paid for by the state government and it means they would be attended to free of charge for one year at any of the hospitals they are referred to even when they go back to their homes,” he said.

He further said “the biggest challenge to accessibility of health care for most poor people is affordability because we have seen situations where one medical challenge can wipe out a family’s earnings before the health condition is beyond what they can pay for.

“So this programme is designed to ensure that access is available to all people. Our strategy is to ensure that wherever you are in Delta you should be able to have access to quality health services.

“The premium is just N7,000 per annum which is subsidised by the state government for those who can afford to pay but for those who cannot, the government pays for them under the equity health plan.

“We also have funding from the federal government under the basic health care provision fund which we add to our equity health plan to provide free health care services to all vulnerable people in Delta State,” he stated.

A pan-Anioma pressure group, Concerned Anioma Patriots has called upon the attorney-general and chief law officer of the federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to disclose the whereabouts of senator Peter Nwaoboshi, who represents Delta North at the upper chamber of the national assembly.

In a statement by Iwebelua Fred Nwaokolo, the group said this call has become expedient in view of the fact that “Of the three Senatorial districts in Delta State, it is only Delta North(Anioma) electorate is presently devoid of a functional incumbent representation quotient at the upper chamber of the national assembly”.

He posited that though this blankness is the manifest impact of the Lagos appeal court’s ruling on the first of July 2022, whereby Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, was handed a seven year jail term.

He further asserted that the senator was neither the first nor will be the last to walk this torturous path as the exact abode of his contemporaries, such as the Senate Chief whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and of course Senator Joshua Dariye were not hidden.

Nwaokolo also submitted that “the eerie silence on senator Nwaoboshi’s exact abode will invariably engender a plethora of speculative versions”.

The coordinator
averred that various suppositional versions making the rounds opine that the senator is either at a custodial centre, or at a secret health facility, while yet others say he currently enjoys convoy backed unfettered movement.

“It is a curious paradox that a Senatorial zone with highest number of local government areas in the state and endowed with eminently accomplished personalities has been without a representative for upward of ninety-two days”.

He admonished Malami to reveal senator Nwaoboshi’s dwelling place, as it will avail Delta North the deserved representation at the senate, while equally dispelling the notion that he (Malami) believes in the Orwellian assertion “That all animals are equal, but some are more equal than others”

The crisis rocking the Delta State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP is far from over as the party’s National Leader, Chief James Ibori, the immediate past governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, the Senator representing Delta South, Senator James Manager and other party’s bigwigs today shunned the inauguration of Delta State PDP Campaign Management Committee.

Other notable party chieftains that snubbed the inauguration of the campaign council to support the governorship aspiration of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori were the lawmaker representing Delta South Senatorial District and the only PDP senator in the upper legislative chamber, Sen. James Manager; the party’s governorship aspirant, Chief David Edevbie.

Other absentee political bigwigs include a former Secretary to the Delta State Government, SSG, Comrade Ovuozourie Macaulay, the party’s candidate for Delta North Senatorial District, Prince Ned Nwoko, members of the House of Representatives, commissioners, special advisers among others.

FULL LIST OF ABSENTEES:

1. H.E Chief James Onanefe IBORI
2. H.E. Emmanuel UDUAGHAN,
3. Benjamin ELUE
4. Amos UTUAMA
5. Olorogun David Edevbie
6. Peter Mrakpor
7. James Ebiowou Manager
8. Chief Patrick Egone
9. Ovuozourie MACAULAY
10. Hon. Peter Onwusanya
11. Evance Ivwurhie
12. Comrade Ingo Isaiah Tam
13. Robinson Ariyo
14. Erhiateke Ibori
15. Comrade Michael Akpobire
16. Rt. Hon Leo Ogor
17. Rt. Hon. Ossai N. Ossai
18. Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu
19. Rt Hon Monday Igbuya
20. Hon Chiedu Ebie
21. Sir Itiako Ikpokpo
22. Chief Morrison Olori
23. Chief Henry Nzekwe
24 Hon Larry Ezechi
25. Hon Daniel Reyenieju
26. Dr Isaac Akpoveta
27. Timi Brisibe
28. Chief Vincent Uduaghan
29. Chief Godwin Abigor
30. Chief Frank Omare
31. Hon John Greatman Chukwuka
32 Odio Berkely Asiafa
33. Chief Bright Oweikeyi
34. Mr. Stanley Odali
35. Chief Alade Odiri
36. Hon Fred Ofume
37. Hon Christopher Izu
38. Chief Felix Ndukwe
39. Hon John Aleh
40. Sunny Areh
41. Godwin Ejinyere
42. Olorogun Esere Ejifoma
43. Isaiah Ingo
44. Florence Ayomanor
45. Judith Enamuotor
46. Amu Theodora
47. Clement Ofuani
48. Joe Iroro
49. Mercy Almona Use
50. Pastor Champion Kpateghe
51. Hon Eloka Nwanze
52. Uche Osadebe
53. Ms Orode Uduaghan
54. Engr Ologe Elijah
55. Prince Walter Boyo

Presidential candidate of All Progressive Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the party’s governorship candidate in Delta State, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege have donated N200 million to displaced flood victims in Delta State.

While Tinubu announced a donation of N50 million cash, Omo-Agege gave out N150 million worth of relief materials.

Addressing a mammoth crowd on behalf of Tinubu and himself in Effurun, Delta State on Tuesday, Senator Omo-Agege pointed out that the aviation strike halted the movement of the APC Presidential Candidate.

His words: “Today, I am here wearing two caps. The first cap I am wearing is the cap of the governorship candidate of APC in the 2023 general election. The second cap is that of the coordinator of Bola Ahmed Tinubu Campaign Organisation in Delta State. The essence of this gathering today is to welcome our incoming president by God’s grace, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. The reason for the visit is to show solidarity, empathy and sympathy with our people as a result of the devastating flood in most of our communities here in Delta State. And also to provide leadership in our fight to uproot bad governance imposed in Delta State in the past seven and half years.

“But today as you all know, because of the strike in the aviation industry, and his reason for coming here is to visit IDP camps. And you know, to get to the IDP camps today, you cannot get there by road. So we made arrangements to use helicopters to move our president-in-waiting and entourage from here to IDP camps in Kwale in Delta North, Patani in Delta South and Okwagbe in Delta Central. But we have received a message that because of the strike in the aviation sector, we are not able to get any of those helicopters to move him from here to those IDP camps. So we have decided to reschedule this visit. He has promised that he’s coming back. Within the next couple of days, he will let us know; at which time the aviation strike would have been called off and we will have access to the helicopters that will take him to those locations.

“But he has also told me to make an announcement on his behalf. That because of the empathy he feels for our people, that I should announce the donation of N50million to Deltans who have lost their homes and source of livelihood and who are currently in IDP camps. This will be made available to them through the DG of this campaign, Elder Godsdey Orubebe. We are going to sit down and work out the modality on how this N50 million will be shared to each of the IDP camps to ameliorate the conditions of our people. We know that no one man can restore the losses suffered by our people. So this is Tinubu’s own way of showing love to the people of Delta State.

“In addition to that, in my capacity as the governorship candidate of APC in Delta State and as Deputy Senate President and Senator representing Delta Central, I have also made arrangements and we have acquired relief materials worth N150 million. We have made all of the procurements, food items, cement, mattresses, rice, roofing sheets and more. And beginning on Friday, we are going to set up a committee that will move from IDP camp to IDP camp to distribute all of these materials to our people who have been displaced as a result of this flood”.

At Okwagbe, where he led the APC train to visit the IDP camps, Omo-Agege expressed sympathy on behalf of Tinubu and himself, and said the N200million donation was a heartfelt contribution by both of them to cushion the plight of the victims of the flood.

He said that the people of Delta were prepared to vote out the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, and asked the Okwagbe people to join the APC winning team

Omo-Agege’s running mate, Rt. Hon. Friday Osanebi led the mission to Kwale IDP camp, while DG of the campaign, Elder Godsday Orubebe led another team to Patani IDP camp.

The Urhobo apex socio-cultural umbrella body, Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) Worldwide, has commended the Deputy Senate President and Delta APC Governorship Candidate, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege for attracting projects across the nooks and crannies of Delta Central Senatorial District.

UPU leadership while lauding Omo-Agege for being the shining light of the Urhobo nation, noted that he is eminently qualified to lead the state in 2023.
President-General, UPU Worldwide, Olorogun (Dr) Moses Taiga, who stated this on Tuesday when Omo-Agege paid a consultation visit to the National Executive of the UPU at his country home in Okpare-Olomu urged the senator to go round and sell his manifesto to Deltans.
UPU also praised Omo-Agege for helping to strengthen the relationship between the Urhobo Nation and her neigbours in Delta State, the South-South, and across the country through his synergic and cordial relationship with groups and personalities.

According to the UPU PG, “I wish to commend Your Excellency, Senator Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege, CFR, on your enviable services to the Urhobo Nation, and Nigeria as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“I must commend you for your great work and achievements in your over seven years in the Senate. You have distinguished yourself as a worthy Urhobo Son.

“We thank you for the success in attracting the Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, the Nigeria Law School, and other projects to our dear Urhobo Nation. Posterity will accord you your rightful place in the history of our dear Nation.

“We admire your eloquence and boldness in presenting issues and Bills at the National Assembly.

“We are proud of your role in the past Constitutional Review exercise, and impressed with your efforts in the Nigerian Electoral Act of 2022, which has brought renewed hope to the country’s Electoral Process.

“The UPU wishes to particularly thank Your Excellency for powering the Urhobo Nation with solar-powered streetlights, installing new transformers, and replacing obsolete ones across Urhoboland. I wish to use this opportunity to plead with you to help the UPU with a Transformer, Generating Plant, and solar-powered streetlights at the Urhobo House, Uvwiamuge, and the Urhobo Cultural Centre, 18 Okere Road, Warri.

The UPU also thanks you for empowering Urhobo people, particularly the youths and our worthy professionals with jobs in Federal establishments. We also thank you for intervening and ensuring justice in instances when the rights of an Urhobo man are denied and brought to your notice.

We are grateful for your renovation and construction of new classroom blocks, including furnishing in many secondary and primary schools across Urhoboland.

Your Excellency, having listened to you, I must say that you are eminently qualified for the Office you seek. You remain the First Urhobo to occupy the exalted office of the Deputy President of the Senate and you have distinguished yourself in that position. As you aspire to be Governor of Delta State, I advise you to go round the nook and crannies of the Urhobo Nation and the entire State, marketing yourself to the people and convincing them to vote for you,” he added.

Earlier Omo-Agege accused the Okowa-led administration is amassing of loans every day and squandering over #2.8 trillion in seven and half years of his administration.

According to him, “the Okowa-led administration is amassing loans every day. When Governor Uduaghan left office, he left N80 billion in debt obligation and people were shouting that he almost destroyed the state. Today, it’s about N400 billion. And these loans are used for something you cannot see, nobody will quarrel with that. It is not a crime to take loans. America is indebted. It is one of the biggest indebted nations in the world.

“Some people have also alluded that ‘You are the Deputy Senate President, Buhari has been taking loans. Yes, I can tell you what those loans are being used for. Those loans are tied to projects. They are tied to the completion of rail projects, Lagos-Ibadan Express Road, Abuja-Kaduna Road, Second Niger Bridge and so on. Which projects here are these loans tied to? The only project we now know that the loans are tied to is the execution of the 2023 presidential election.

“After eight years, the President comes to the North, the VP goes to the South. After another eight years, the President comes to the South, the VP goes to the North. It is established. Though not written in the Constitution it has become a convention like we have power rotation here among the three senatorial zones.

“Now, after Buhari’s eight years as President, some of us went to him to know his thoughts about where the Presidency would come from. And the President made it very clear that after his eight years, the next President must come from the South.

“It didn’t end there. All the Northern governors of APC extraction (16 out of 19 Governors) all agreed that it is the turn of the South. Before this decision was taken, our governors in Southern Nigeria convened in Asaba. These are governors of different political parties. Okowa was the host, he gave them food, and drinks, and they signed an agreement. He read the communique. As he was doing so, he didn’t even allow the ink to dry before he betrayed them.

Some other members of the UPU present who are ground to receive Omo-Agege; Chief (Capt.) Anthony Onoharigho, Ist Dep PG; Chief (Sir) Francis Ifie, 2nd Dep PG; , Chief Kenneth Iwhewhe, National Secretary; Chief Osiobe Okotie, ex-1st Deputy PG; Chief Isaacs Itebu, National Legal Adviser; Chief Abel Opuidi, National Treasurer; Hon. Abel Oshevire, National Publicity Secretary; Chief Mrs Meg Atano, Asst National Pub Secretary; Chief (Dame) Christy Siakpere, President, Ewheya R:Urhobo (UPU Women Wing), Chief Mrs Grace Akpodiete, Asst. National Fin. Sec.; Chief (Mrs.) Beatrice Olori, 2nd Deputy President, Ewheya (UPU Women Wing); Chief (Mrs. ) Elizabeth Odjugo, 3rd Deputy President, Ewheya Urhobo (UPU Women Wing); Chief Wilson Ovuoyarevbie, Member, Council of Reps, UPU; Chief Barack Uzor, Member, Council of Reps, UPU; Ms Excellence Miller, Member, Council of Reps, UPU, and others.

The Delta South Senatorial Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 general elections, Hon. Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, has sympathized with the good people of Delta State, especially those from Delta South Senatorial District, who are affected by the flood that has ravaged most states of the country.

Joel-Onowakpo said the destruction caused by the flood in terms of lives and properties cannot be quantified. He stressed that he is pained and rattled to behold the wanton loss of properties being experienced by citizens for no fault of theirs.

The refined technocrat, who is known for his humanitarian gestures to humanity, stated this on Monday while presenting relief materials to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Isoko Central School (ICS), Oleh, Isoko South and Alaka Grammar School, Ozoro, Isoko North.

Hon. Joel-Onowakpo was represented by the Assistant Director General (ADG, Isoko nation) of the JOT Senatorial Campaign Organisation, Surv Peter Akarogbe, who prayed God to make it easy for all victims of the flood while noting that the relief materials provided were meant to alleviate the effects of the flood on the victims.

Some of the items provided include bags of rice, bags of beans, bags of garri, gallons of palm oil, indomie noodles among others.

Hon. Joel-Onowakpo, who also is a victim of the flood as his residence in Isoko were also submerged, called on the government across board to double their efforts in providing relief materials, effective healthcare system and proper environmental fumigation as the flood recedes to enable those displaced to return and settle down properly.

According to him, “millions of fortunes, years of hard labour, people’s means of livelihood, homes and most regrettably, lives have been lost. This is most devastating.

“I encourage everyone to show love and do whatever they can to help one another. Most importantly, the government must live up to expectations in times like this by putting politics aside for the sake of humanity.

“These relief materials are provided to reduce the effects of the flood and assist victims who have been completely sacked and displaced from their homes.”

Representatives of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), who received the items at both camps, appreciated the APC Candidate and promised that the relief materials shall be used judiciously amid chants, songs and jubilation by the victims in both camps.

Some dignitaries present during the visit include Hon Benjamin Okiemute, Deputy Director General; Hon Andy Egunoma, Director of Administration; Dr Ogaga Ifowodo, Assistant HOD, Media & Publicity; Mrs Hoplyn Ayu, State Welfare officer; Hon Blessing Ese, House of Assembly Candidate, Isoko South Constituency I; Comr Vincent Egbogbo, LGA Chairman Isoko South and Barr Daniel Emebuno, LGA Chairman Isoko North.

Others are Hon Godday Eworede, Director Mobilization Isoko North; Vincentino Oberebe, Director Mobilization Isoko South; Mrs Alu Ikpawore, Mr Edward Obobolo, Mr Usuemerai Okiroro, Hon Happy Ojomaikre, Mr Ejeke Lucky, Sagacious Lious, Mr Kelvin Oviri, Mr Kelvin Ahomafo, Mr Lionson Isike, Comr Pius Egedovo, Mr Goodluck Ukane, Mr Festus Inana and many others.

By Celestine Ukah

Delta Born Televangelist and Billionaire Prophet/President Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministries Worldwide, CMDM, Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin has splashed Five Million Naira cash on the Internally Displaced Persons , IDPs currently camped in his Church in Effurun- Warri, Delta State.

The cash gift presentation was made Thursday October 27, 2022 by Senior Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin Rescue Team led by the Man of God under Prophet Omoto Fufeyin Foundation, JOFF, to rescue victims of the ravaging floods across States in Nigeria in order to cushion their sufferings.

Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin Rescue Team and Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin Foundation is also providing food materials, medicals and other domestic supports to the flood victims in the facility.

According to Prophet Fufeyin, JOFF is taking care of over Ten Thousand Flood displaced persons in the established IDPs Camp by the Church, accommodating those whose homes were submerged from Anambra, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Kogi IMO and affected people across Nigeria, he noted that the rescue mission embarked upon is as a result of the instruction of the Holy spirit and not by his power.

It should be noted that Prophet Fufeyin who swam through the flood to rescue affected victims in Delta State, also with his team had earlier arranged speed boats and palliatives as well as provision of over 4.5 millions Naira cash to the victim’s at the spot.

Prophet Fufeyin also donated different items to the affected communities while visiting the affected flooded ravaged communities in the country.

The Billionaire Prophet and Founder Christ Mercy land Deliverance Ministries, Papa J Fufeyin assured the rescued flood impacted communities victims that the Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin Foundation will continue to carter for them till the flood rescinds, he promised them that they will never experience suffering again in their lives with God intervention in their affairs.

He called on churches other clergies to come to the rescue of those suffering in their midst in order to alleviate their pains especially in situation like the flood and other natural future happenings beyond human control.

In a chat with newsmen, Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin said he decided to rescue the flood victims because of the promise he made to God Almighty.

He stated thus: “I promise God that if He blesses me, I will also remember the children of God. Those who are in need. So, what make me to now go for this rescue is because of love. Because the bible says, you have to love one another. Love your neighbor as yourself. So, when they’re I. trouble, we have to. The bible says, when he’s in prison, nobody visited. When they’re in sick bed, nobody visited them. So, today, I am here to try my best to come to their aid.”

Prophet Fufeyin noted that the flood victims are being fed three times daily courtesy of the Jeremiah Omoto Funfeyin Rescue Team an arm under Jeremaiah Omoto Funfeyin Foundation.

“We don’t ask for help from anywhere here. But the foundation is ready. That’s what God sent me to do. So, am ready to now take care of them until the flood dry up.”

While noting that it is the government that ensures the protection of lives and properties, Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin also called on Christian Clerics in the Country to assist the Federal and State Governments in critical times such as this.

He stressed that the governments have tried their best possible for its citizens. “So, we also need need to now come to their aid. That’s what we are doing right now.”

Our Correspondent who was at the event reports that there was jubilation amongst the flood victims when the cleric arrived the IDP Camp to have fellowship and dinner with them yesterday evening. The flood victims danced and entertained Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin with a local wrestling competition among other games.

Josephine Jos, preye Faith both mothers of twins rescued by the team from Ayakoromo in Burutu LGA commended Prophet Fufeyin for his fatherly love and care given them to alive and escape from the ravaging flood across their homes.

Other beneficiaries Joy Reuben from Kogi State, Michael Glory, from Oleh in Delta State, Enegarenbenabo Tei Aperebo from Peretorogbene , Bayelsa as well as those from Gbekebor, Obotebe, Rivers and Anambra States hailed Prophet Fufeyin for his support and identification with the internally displaced persons especially in their time of need , they expressed delight that the Man of God has demonstrated the biblical injunctions of showing compassion to people just as Jesus Christ did while on earth ministering God word, they prayed for him for more anointing to continue soaring in his ministry.

The chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Delta State Council, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu has commended Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for successfully completing the council’s Press Centre which started since 2014.

Ikeogwu gave this commendation at the inauguration of the well furnished journalists’ house on Friday, October 28, 2022 by Governor Okowa.

The highly elated NUJ Chairman noted thay “this day will forever remain indelible in the minds of practicing journalists here in Delta State and beyond.”

“Let me first appreciate God Almighty, the maker of heaven and earth for making this day a reality after 31 years of creation of Delta State.

“That this is happening in our time, means so much to us as a union and to me as an individual, it gives me immense joy that this magnificent edifice is being commissioned under my watch as the Council Chairman.

“Your Excellency, you may not know exactly what you have done for media practitioners in Delta State. For your information, this singular act of putting a roof over our heads and taking us out of the street to become landlords, has etched your name on the sand of times.

“You have given us a name and identity, you have taken us out of Egypt to our promised land. You have put unquenchable smile on the faces of members and defeated the imagination of naysayers praying that we continue to wonder about as normads.

“Your Excellency, that you completed the building project would have given us enough reason to celebrate, but going ahead to tastefully furnish the centre is another monumental achievement that must be counted for your administration.

“I hereby on behalf of the members of our great union express our profound appreciation to you and the government of Delta State for this gift of a press centre. We also commend you for your infrastructural development and other dividends of democracy that you have delivered across the state and urge you not to relent even as you pursue your ambition as the Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections.” He stated.

Comrade Ikeogwu appreciated the efforts of the State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu who he said committed alot in seeing that the project became a reality.

He equally commended the individual and collective efforts of the immediate past Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, the secretary to State Government, Chief Patrick Ukah, pioneer chairman of state NUJ, Comrade Ovuozorie Macaulay and his predecessor, Comrade Norbert Chiazor in the actualization of the Press Centre.

Ikeogwu further noted the effort of the Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Olise Ifeajika in ensuring the welfare of journalists in the state.

He appealed to Governor Okowa to consider the provision of operational vehicles for the Union and linking the edifice “to the Independent Power Plant that is serving the State Secretariat for constant power supply. This will enable practitioners who are on duty 24 hours of the day, discharge their duties without hindrance”.

While assuring the governor who is also the vice presidential candidate of the PDP for 2023 general elections of proper media reportage of his administration’s successes to Deltans and Nigerians, Comrade Ikeogwu commended journalists in the state for remaining committed to the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities as watchdogs and thanked them for their continued support to his administration. He promised to continually seek opportunities to upscale their welfare.

In his address, NUJ National President, Comrade Chris Isiguzo, lauded Governor Okowa for encouraging Press Freedom by improving the working condition of journalists in the state.

He said that a free press, independent, vibrant, objective and nationalistic was critical pre-condition for good governance in a democracy.

“In most countries of Africa, especially in Nigeria, in the past years, the greatest advertisement for the democratic dispensation is the free climate of dialogue and debate (free expression) that has been initiated and sustained by the media.

“The existence of an unfettered and independent press is necessary for democracy to flourish. The right to freedom of expression, thought and association will strengthen and encourage accountability of governments to all citizens,”
Isiguzo said.

He said government officials were expected to be honest, responsible, transparent, accountable and efficient in administration and service delivery.

“Where any of these is lacking or is deliberately subverted, it is the responsibility of the media to raise alarm,” Isiguzo stated.

A Frontline pressure group, the Niger Delta Puritans (NDP), says that Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Umana Umana’s appointment of Engineer Emmanuel Audu- Owhavborua as the acting managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC), connotes a blatant violation of the NDDC Act 2020, and obvious affront to President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive.

In a release signed by the group’s coordinator Timipre Ebiuwe, “President Buhari, an avowed stickler for due process had consented to the disengagement of the Interim Administrator of the NDDC, and subsequently approved the appointment of the most senior director to oversee the affairs of the commission pending the appointment of a substantive Managing Director and members of the Gorvening Board in accordance with the Federal Government Circular dated 4th December 2017, with Ref.No.50/S./C.2/268”.

The statement further opined that, for unkown reasons at variance with President Buhari’s directive based on the extant circular, the minister, Okon Umana discarded the commission’s regulations and catapulted Engineer Audu- Owhavborua, the most junior of the three ranking directors, ahead of two superiors; Ms Racheal Oddiri, who was appointed substantive director in 2013 and presently, the most senior director having been with the commission since the days of OMPADEC. There is also Mr Serigha Glasgow, who joined the commission through a former MD, Timi Alaibe as a deputy director. Let it be established that Audu-Ohwavborua who is perceived to be “highly connected is being peddled to mislead Mr President to approve the appointment.

It queried the rationale for appointing another acting Managing Director ,when an interim administrator has just been disengaged.
“We, the Niger Delta Puritans have been impeccably informed that this endless one step forward, two steps backwards movement is being orchestrated to elongate Audu-Owhavborua’s tenure till June 2023 and if encouraged, it will portend grave danger to President Buhari’s unalloyed commitment to the development of the Niger-Delta region”.