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Exposing the Truth Behind Oborevwori’s Government Lies

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Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori

By Ovasa Ogaga,

There is no doubt that the Delta State Government led by Elder Sheriff Oborevwori boasts of an assemblage of intellectuals and highly educated individuals, including his communication team led by the Commissioner for Information, Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza. However, their recent reaction to my previous article clearly shows a lack of basic communication and strategic communication management skills. They hastily churned out three different, verbose, and deflective articles in a failed attempt to discredit my assertions.

Ordinarily, I would have let them continue in their self-imposed delusions, which have become the hallmark of this administration. However, to address their intellectual laziness and collective dissociative amnesia, and to remind them that many Deltans are discerning and will not swallow any garbage thrown at them, no matter how colourfully wrapped. Thus, I will dignify them with a reply.

What Oborevwori’s media bullies fail to realise is that truth is constant. No matter how fast lies travel, they will eventually be caught by the truth. Today, the truth stares them in the face. Rather than addressing the issues raised in my article to invalidate my assertions, that Governor Oborevwori is acting as if he is a placeholder for Dr. Okowa, they chose to deflect the issues by dragging their only known political opponent, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege into the discussion.
One wonders why they dodged the questions raised in the article and instead dragged Omo-Agege into a simple statement of facts. The issue is that only two ministries, where former Governor Okowa and current Governor Oborevwori have vested interests are being funded by the current state government.

Despite Delta PDP’s victory at the Supreme Court, where the party defeated Omo-Agege, his shadow still seems to haunt this government. Each time a Deltan raises an issue, it’s always linked to Omo-Agege. Is the governor’s media team suggesting that Deltans have no right to independent opinions or are incapable of forming and holding opinions? How low do Governor Oborevwori and his aides think of Deltans? It’s sad.

To clear any doubt, I, Ovasa Ogaga, was never an aide to the former Deputy President of the Senate, Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege, nor am I indebted to him to warrant being described as his loyalist. The issues raised in my article were not personal, but are in the interest of Deltans. Equally, I have no personal issues with Governor Oborevwori. Therefore, the media team should address me directly and answer the questions posed instead of hiding behind Omo-Agege to score cheap political points.

It appears the Commissioner for Information and his team have not realised that the campaign period where propaganda and lies, could go unchallenged is over. Deltans are now more than ever ready to question every action of the PDP-led government and how they have appropriated and spent our commonwealth in over one year. The sooner they understand this, the better.

The Delta Ministry for Information, like an onion that smells nice on the outside but is rotten inside, should explain why this government prefers to spend millions of Naira monthly and quarterly on national televisions and newspapers while allowing our state television houses Edjeba in Warri and Asaba to rot away due to poor funding. If things are truly working well as they want Deltans to believe, why are DBS Asaba and DRTV Warri off the air for most of the year?

These stations, which used to be the pride of Deltans, have been reduced to Facebook TV under their watch. For DBS Edjeba-Warri, the state government has not funded it since the Okowa era. Both the radio and television arms of DBS Warri are dead. The state government needs to acquire modern, energy-efficient television and radio transmitters powered by solar power systems. For the few days, the station would be on, it would go off and on for over ten times when small radio stations in Uvwie, Warri and Ughelli were running uninterrupted. Is that not shameful?

As the saying goes, charity begins at home. For any serious government, instruments or agency of the “mouthpiece” or information of the state government such as DBS Warri, DBS Asaba, The Pointer Newspaper and Delta State Orientation Bureau should be at their optima.

I challenge the Delta State Commissioner for Information to an open debate to present figures on how much has been released to him from his ministry’s capital budget in the past six months and what the money was used for.
The Okowa-led government made attempts to kill and relocate DBS/DRTV Warri to Asaba through the then Commissioner for Information, but this was opposed by some Urhobos and Delta South stakeholders. This led to the station being starved of much-needed capital funding for years, resulting in the breakdown of the television and radio transmitters. As we speak, DRTV Warri cannot boast of four functional cameras. Today, the station resorts to renting low-grade cameras for coverage, leading to poor visual quality. The studio microphones are in a bad state. You hear distasteful noise from the studio due to poor and bad studio mics. Two weeks ago, I was listening to the “State of the Nation” weekly radio program, callers upon callers were demanding that Governor Oborevwori pay special attention to DBS Warri after the program went off air three times for a less than two hours call-in program.

The fact that DBS/DRTV Warri still occasionally hits the airwaves is thanks to the creative ingenuity of the management and staff who collectively work to keep the station alive. The plan was to frustrate the station until it dies naturally, and the current Commissioner of Information is following that path by starving it of funds, fueling speculation that it is part of the ‘Anioma Agenda’ to cripple the station. How else do you explain to outsiders that radio and television stations of an oil-rich state such as Delta will be out of airwaves for two-to-three months?
A proactive and forward-looking government would prioritize fixing our state-owned radio and television stations rather than diverting funds to service other stations that pay taxes to other state governments. It does not take rocket science to provide the station with modern, energy-efficient transmitters powered by solar systems, like other privately owned stations in Delta. Both stations should be on air 24/7.

It is a shame that under Oborevwori’s watch, DBS/DRTV Warri, which is probably the first state-owned television he watched as a youth, is decaying under his nose. For over a year as a governor, he has not deemed it necessary to visit the Edjeba Warri station which is now in comatose. The state tabloid, The Pointer, is also suffering the same fate. Deltans across communities in the past wake to see The Pointer in newsstands. Today, nobody hears of the once-popular paper. The rot in the Ministry of Information is unimaginable.
Other states’ television stations like Lagos Television and OGtv are on GOTV. Why can’t the Delta State government harmonise the programs of DBS Asaba and DRTV Warri and link them to GOTV if they can’t afford DSTV? This would ensure that a greater number of Deltans are well-informed about government policies and programs. No, they prefer bigger budgets with 30% kickbacks and cronies masquerading as media consultants siphoning state resources to service national media houses, while their targeted audiences are Deltans in remote riverine communities.

From all indications, Oborevwori’s administration has a phobia of the local media. How else can one explain that in a year and two months since he assumed office, he has not organized any media briefings for journalists in the state? A government that claims to have done well should be bold enough to face the media and tell its success stories. His counterparts in Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River engage the media monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly. Why is this not the case in Delta? What is Governor Oborevwori afraid of?

If Governor Oborevwori cannot sustain the quarterly media briefings that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa maintained for eight years, he could borrow a leaf from former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, who held monthly Pidgin English live media chat on DBS Asaba and DRTV Warri, which were robust and engagingly impactful. Sadly, if he were to do this today, Deltans would not be able to tune in because both state-owned stations are in the Intensive Care Unit.
I am not surprised that those managing the governor’s media are unaware that no modern political leader can succeed by running and hiding from the media. Rather than engaging the media, the Commissioner for Information announced the cancellation of the institutionalised governor’s quarterly media briefing during his first meeting with the leadership of the State Council of NUJ. This enables them to churn out and dish out propaganda and cooked-up information as press releases without being questioned.

Today, their lies have caught up with them. If the state media organisations under the Ministry of Information are not working, how can we believe statements from the ministry claiming that all sectors of the government are working? Or the “Ukodo” Has Not Reached the Ministry of Information? Every lie has an expiration date.

Ovasa Ogaga, a journalist and public analyst, writes from Ughelli.

Edo 2024: Ighodalo shakes Benin as thousands grace solidarity rally

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By Abel Johngold

Benin City, capital of Edo State shuffled and bubbled on Tuesday morning with huge excitement as thousands of organic supporters mesmerized the town in an electrifying display of love for Dr Asue Ighodalo, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in September 21 governorship election in the state.

Mammoth crowd

As early as 7:30 am, Ring Road, the city center started receiving the supporters for AiO2 rally tagged “COME AND SHOW YOUR LOVE FOR AI02”.

Ring Road, was filled to overflowing with supporters of Asue/Ogie candidacy spilling to the adjourning streets.

The supporters, who completely took over the road, were in their thousands, singing, chanting and screaming “Man Wey Sabi” .

The atmosphere was carnival-like as man of the moment, Ighodalo and his running mate acknowledged cheers from an open truck in which they rode.

The huge crowd then poured into the Airport Road leading to the PDP Secretariat. It was celebration galore at the secretariat as Ighodalo assured the people that he would work for them. And would not disappoint them. He charged them not to be deceived but to vote for PDP and ensure that they protect their votes.

The rally featured hundreds of support groups that were dressed in different picturesque attires with the pictures of Asue/Ogie boldly printed on their T-shirts and flowing dresses of different colours.

The rally was a sea of thousands of colourful baseball caps which adds to the electrifying atmosphere. Many supporters mounted speakers on their vehicles fitted with sound systems blaring danceable sound to the delight of the people.

The Ring Road rally will for the next few weeks remain the talking point of the campaign ahead of the election in September.

2024 Aniocha South Council Election: Vote PDP All Through; Igbadi Appeals to the People of Aniocha South

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The Director General of Aniocha South Local Government Area Campaign Council and Special Adviser to Delta State Governor on Infrastructure, Chief (Barr) Nat Igbadi, has called on the good people of Aniocha South Local Government in Delta State to vote for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the July 13th Local Government Election to be held in Delta State.

Chief Igbadi made this clarion call while responding to the Press at the venue of the official flag-off of Local Government Campaign for the second tenure of the Executive Chairman of the LGA Hon. Pastor Jude Chukwunwike by the Executive Governor of Delta State, His Excellency Rt. Hon (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori ably represented by the Delta State PDP Chairman Olorogun Barrister Kingsley Esiso at Anishi Primary School, Ogwashi-uku.

Speaking to Journalists at the event, the S.A. to the Governor on Infrastructure affirmed that Hon. Pastor Jude Chukwunwike recorded monumental achievements in his first tenure as Chairman of the LGA which entreats a second tenure to enable him consolidate on his good works as the Council Chairman.

Speaking further, the PDP Campaign Director-General of Aniocha South LGA highlighted some of the achievements of Hon. Pastor Jude Chukwunwike during his first tenure to include but not limited to the prioritization of the welfare of local government staff, building of the Aniocha South Legislative Arm with state of the art facilities, the building of the Traditional Rulers’ Secretariat, constantly grading the community earth roads to various communities, payment of stipends to the local vigilante across the communities in Aniocha South LGA.

Chief Igbadi further noted that Hon. Chukwunwike’s first tenure witnessed a drastic reduction in crime rate in the local government area, noting that his administration maintained strong synergy with the security agencies in the local government leading to an improvement in peace and security in Aniocha South in line with one of the policy trust of the M.O.R.E. Agenda of Oborevwori’s administration which is Enhanced Peace and Security.

Chief Igbadi therefore appealed to the people of Aniocha South to vote PDP all through from the Chairmanship to the Councillorship at the ward level, noting that PDP under the capacity Governor Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori has attracted dividends of democracy to the good people of Aniocha South in terms of hu toman capital development.

Aniocha South Council Election: Maintain Peace and Vote PDP Candidates in the Forthcoming Local Government Elections; Anukwu Appeals

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By: Celestine Afokobah

The Director of Security for Aniocha South Local Government Area Campaign council and Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Delta State Governor on Political Matters, Hon. Tony Anukwu, has called on the good people of Aniocha South Local Government, Delta State to maintain peace and absolute decorum before, during and after the July 13th Local Government Elections in Delta State.

This appeal was made by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor and all PDP Councillorship Aspirants of the LGA during the official flag-off of Local Government Campaign for the second tenure of the Executive Chairman of the LGA Hon. Pastor Jude Chukwunwike by the Executive Governor of Delta State, His Excellency Governor Sheriff Oborevwori ably represented by the Delta State PDD Chairman Olorogun Barrister Kingsley Esiso at Government Primary School, Ogwashi-uku.

The Campaign Security Director, Hon. Anukwu noted that peace is indispensable in any election, and appealed to the good people of Aniocha South to come out on the election day en masse to vote for the PDP Chairmanship candidate Pastor Jude Chukwunwike and all the PDP Councillorship Aspirants for the Wards in the LGA.

Speaking further, Hon. Anukwu noted that one of the policy thrust of Governor Oborevwori M.O.R.E. Agenda is Enhanced Peace and Security, adding that this is a priory of the PDP Chairmanship candidate which will help in promoting human capital development in Aniocha South LGA in particular and Delta State in general.

The SSA on Political Matters further urged the people of Aniocha South to come out in their numbers and vote for Hon. Pastor Jude Chukwunwike for his second tenure in office, adding that his first tenure as the Chairman of Aniocha South LGA witnessed tremendous peace and security amongst the various clans that makes up Aniocha South LGA, namely Ogwashi-uku, Ubulu-uku and Nsukwa clans.

Thinking Aloud: Is Governor Sheriff Oborevwori a Placeholder For Okowa? (Opinion)

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Sheriff Oborevwori and Ifeanyi Okowa

By Ovasa Ogaga,

Delta State is arguably among the richest states in Nigeria in terms of human and natural resources. Blessed with huge oil and gas deposits, it is the highest oil revenue earner in Nigeria. However, this wealth has not translated into development or a better quality of life for its citizens. Since the dawn of the current democratic governance in 1999, Delta State has been plagued by bad leadership, with each succeeding government worse than its predecessor.

Many consider the current Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, to be a man destined to lead Delta State at a critical juncture in its history. He overcame numerous challenges within and outside his party to be sworn in as the 5th elected governor of the state. However, like many kings who were ordained by God but failed according to Biblical accounts, Governor Oborevwori’s first year in office has left much to be desired.

During his campaign, the governor did not promise Deltans anything specific, only stating that he would “Do More” of whatever the immediate past governor did. There were no clear-cut visions or policies regarding infrastructure development, education, healthcare, security, or the welfare of Deltans. The only visible campaign mantra was “Ukodo Go Reach Everybody.” Under his leadership, Deltans are still unclear about the government’s policy thrust, with the “More Agenda” being the only notable slogan.

A critical analysis of the government’s performance suggests that Governor Oborevwori is either yet to fully take over the reins of governance and is currently acting as a placeholder for former Governor Okowa, who bankrolled his election, or he has yet to fully comprehend his functions and powers as the Executive Governor of Delta State. Some speculate that he is overwhelmed by the glamour of his office and is still enjoying his new status while true governance suffers.

During the 2023 governorship election campaign, the APC governorship candidate, Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege, warned Deltans that electing Oborevwori would essentially be a third term for Okowa. Many believe that while Dr. Okowa has handed the governorship to Oborevwori, he still controls the strings, determining how resources are allocated. This dynamic is seen as slowing governance activities in the state, with Governor Oborevwori perceived as deferring to Okowa to avoid being labeled disloyal.

Close observers agree that apart from the overhyped and over-inflated N78 billion Julius Berger flyover project in Effurun, the completion of a few rural and urban roads initiated by the Okowa’s administration, and continued work on sections A and C of the Ughelli-Ozoro-Kwale-Asaba road, Governor Oborevwori has engaged in selective governance.

The previous administration’s initiative to equip young school leavers with technical skills through the revamping of technical colleges has stalled under Governor Oborewori’s watch. The Ministry of Technical Education has not had any memos approved in the past eight months, slowing this noble initiative.

The gains in the infrastructural facelift of Asaba, Delta State’s capital, have also nosedived. The agency responsible for improving Asaba, like its counterpart in Warri/Uvwie and environs, has become comatose. The governor has not approved any meaningful resources for these agencies to carry out their responsibilities.

The only two functioning ministries in the state in the last one year are the Ministry of Works (Higher and Urban Roads) with Comrade Reuben Izeze as the Honorable Commissioner and the Ministry of Works (Rural and Riverine Roads) led by Mr. Charles Aniagwu. Izeze, a close ally of the governor, represents Oborevwori’s interests, while Aniagwu, a trusted loyalist of Dr. Okowa was planted by the former governor to ensure the completion and full payment of road projects hurriedly awarded before the 2023 governorship election.

Other ministries in the state have been reduced to just paying staff salaries and handling minor administrative issues, with the capital components of their budgets left unattended. An insider familiar with the workings in Governor Oborevwori’s office revealed that the greatest impediment to effective governance is the governor’s inability to process and act on files sent to his office. Many critical files have gathered dust, some for over ten months, due to a lack of attention from the governor unless they hold special interest.

In the past one year, Governor Oborevwori in a bid to prove his ‘street credibility,’ has seemingly abandoned governance. He has devoted more time to attending social events like birthdays, housewarmings, marriages, and burials than attending to state business. Compounding the woes of Deltans, he is not known to easily listen to or take advice from his numerous aides, including his Senior Special Advisers and Executive Assistants, leaving many of his appointees disillusioned.

Can Deltans in good conscience hold Governor Oborevwori accountable for promises he never made? How many Deltans took the time to read through his hurriedly put-together campaign manifesto, encapsulated as the MORE Agenda, to understand what it offered before casting their votes? A man who remained mostly silent throughout the campaign, with former Governor Okowa speaking for him at all PDP local governments and ward-to-ward campaigns, and who only said “I Will Do More” is certainly doing more—the Ukodo don reach everybody!

Ovasa Ogaga, a journalist and public affairs analyst writes from Ughelli, Delta State.

Media Briefing: ACOMIN Partners NGOs/CSOs/CBOs and Media; Harps on Community-Based Monitoring and Implementation of the Global Fund Malaria Project in Delta State

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By: Wilbet Ijeoma

Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunization and Nutrition (ACOMIN) saddled with the implementation projects on malaria, immunization and nutrition in Nigeria since 2010, organized a media meeting with its partners, the Delta State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (SACA) and Society for Family Health (SFH) as Technical Service Organizations (TSOs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and the Press, in a renewed bid and collaboration to promoting and achieving improved malaria and health outcomes while eliminating malaria owing to its severity in Nigeria, as Nigeria reportedly accounts for approximately 27% of the global malaria burden in 2021 and 31% of the estimated malaria deaths worldwide.

The event which took place at Bellwood Hotel Asaba Delta State on Friday 28th June 2024 was mediated by the Press, bringing together critical stakeholders such as Delta SACA, Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency (DSPCDA ), Society for Family Health (SFH) and other Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) at community level, graciously attended by some opinion leaders in the State, to chart a way forward in addressing issues bordering on effective prevention, diagnosis, treatment and support services for infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Tuberculosis (TB) and other epidemic diseases bedevilling vulnerable population and those in remote or underserved areas.

The renewed bid for collaboration is on the heel of the successful completion of the NFM 3 Malaria Grant which made Global Fund to approve another three-year Malaria Grant for Nigeria to be implemented by the community-based components of ACONIM, with the objectives of improving the availability accessibility, affordability, acceptability and quality of healthcare services, educating community leaders and members on identifying gaps, utilizing data for advocacy at various levels while promoting community participation and ownership of the healthcare programme.

 

The media briefing organized by ACONIM was anchored by its State Program Officer (SPO), Sir Austin Uwede, against the backdrop of the high incidence of malaria cases in Nigeria, and Delta State in particular, attributed to plethora of challenges such as inadequate funding, inadequate staffing, poor record keeping and documentation, equipment shortages, regular stockouts of medical supplies and high treatment costs, which calls for sustained engagement with relevant stakeholders.

In a media brief, State Program Officer (SPO) and convener of the event, Sir Uwede underscored the need for sustained malaria healthcare interventions especially in underserved areas of Delta communities. Speaking further, the SPO stated that the project is presently ongoing in 10 Local Government Areas of Delta State which is one of the 13 states presently benefiting from the grant, amongst Ogun, Osun, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Gombe, Yobe, Katsina, Adamawa, Taraba, Niger and Jigawa States.

Responding to Journalists on the limited number of states and LGAs in Delta State selected for the exercise, Sir Uwede explained that the GF selects and supports facilities for interventions in the selected States and LGAs.

“In order to achieve progress in the journey towards the elimination of malaria, we as a people under the leadership of our government at national, state and local levels should implement a combination of measures that include prevention strategies, improved access to diagnostics and treatment, health education and promotion, as well as community partnership”; Sir Uwede remarked as he reeled out successes recorded this year in Delta State which include but not limited to; procurement and donation of 10 plastic chairs to Uwheru Primary Health Centre in Ughelli North LGA by a philanthropist, purchase and donation of 50 electric bulbs to Ugborhen Primary Health Centre by the ED of Community Empowerment and Development Initiative, fumigation of Ukwu-Oba Primary Health Centre in Aniocha South LGA by a community philanthropist, and rehabilitation of sign post at Uwheru Primary Health Centre by the community. The State Program Officer however called on the government, the private sector and community stakeholders to commit to improving the funding and resources for primary healthcare delivery, increasing awareness creation and active advocacy, volunteer, support and participation in community-based health projects.

In earlier remarks, the State Coordinator of ACONIM, Pastor Greg Sifo discussed issues bordering on sexual exploitation as a bait to contracting diseases under the thematic areas of the project such as HIV/AIDs and Tuberculosis, attributing such susceptibility to poverty and lack of moral will to resist sexual advances. Giving credence to this, Mrs. Mercy Momoh of the Society for Family Health (SFH) affirmed that poverty sometimes leads to sexual concession and exploitation.

On the issue of eradicating malaria, Mrs. Momoh emphasized the need for concerted effort by critical stakeholders like community-based CSOs and the Media in ensuring that malaria awareness is taken to the people at the grassroots and the pandemic is kicked out of our society. Speaking further, she confirmed that the Society for Family health works with IPC at local government level to ensure the campaign gets to the people, especially on issues bordering on clearing of overgrown grasses around the surroundings, controlling of water pools and the use of mosquito treated net when sleeping.


Prominent in the discussion was a Director of Delta State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (SACA), Mrs. Grace Sifo, who mentioned an ongoing integration programme of all diseases in the state including HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (ATM), and underscored that reporting is key while charging the implementing community-based organizations CBOs to report the progress of healthcare service deliveries, state of Primary Health Centres facilities and talk about all diseases in their community mobilization for health programmes.

The interactive session involved participants fielding questions from Journalists at the event which covered myriads of public issues and concerns such as inadequate funding, staffing, recruitment of workforce considering the human capital fight arising from the “Japa Syndrome” typical of health workers in Nigeria, influence of religious and cultural beliefs, the preference of black man therapy (herbs) in the treatment of malaria, vandalization of primary healthcare facilities and infrastructure amongst others.

Reacting to questions on staffing, funding and recruitment, Sir Uwede confirmed that efforts are being made by the government to recruit workforce against the backdrop of depleted workforce in the health sector, while canvassing for healthcare volunteers in the local communities. He however decried the misuse of mosquito nets as well as hoarding of it for retailing which has made the nets inaccessible to the people needing it, stressing that the lifespan of the treatment on the net is 3 years. .

Speaking further on the preference of the black man therapy (herbs), the Delta SPO of ACONIM stressed that the difference between black and white man therapy is the dosage, and when the dosage cannot be measured or ascertained, it becomes harmful. Mrs. Sifo of Delta SACA agrees to this by condemning herbs as a therapy for treating malaria while advocating that people should be predisposed to accessing free drugs for malaria at PHC and procure treated nets for use at home, assuring that the State Government is getting ready for another round of distribution of treated nets. Lending her voice to the need of taking certified malaria drugs, the representative of Society for Family Health, Mrs. Mercy Momoh emphasized that ACT is the only proven malaria therapy by WHO and stressed the need of taking and completing the dosage.

Responding to Journalists on the influence of religion and culture on people’s disposition to accessing healthcare for malaria, Sir Uwede explained that ignorance and religiosity is a bane to treatment of malaria as some person belief in prayer and religion too much that they don’t take drugs which has led some persons to their untimely death.

On vandalization of healthcare facilities and infrastructure, Pastor Sifo decried the level of wickedness exuded by miscreants in affected communities who are supposed to protect and benefit from these infrastructures and charged stakeholders to reach out to the community leadership in view of finding a lasting solution to this challenge.

Eminently present at the event were the Delta State Program Officer of ACONIM, Sir Austin Uwede, Delta State Coordinator of ACOMIN, Pastor Greg Sifo, State Project Coordinator ATM, Ms. Juliet Obiajulu, Director Delta State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (SACA), Mrs. Grace Sifo, Representative of Society for Family Health, Mrs. Mercy Momoh , some stakeholders in the local communities, and CSO/CBO partners.

Highpoints of the event were goodwill messages by participating partners, press briefing by the coordinator and convener, interactive question and answer session moderated by the Press, vote of thanks and group photograph.

Quarter 2 Media Briefing: ATM Network/ACOMIN Partners with Delta SACA, CSOs, CBOs; Harps on Community-Based Approach in the Prevention and Cure of AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (ATM)

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By: Wilbet Ijeoma

A partnership of Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunization and Nutrition (ACOMIN), Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), and Tuberculosis Network (TB Network) with its implementing ATM Network, in a media round-table meeting with Delta State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (SACA), Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Community Based Organizations (CBOs), religious leaders and gentlemen of the Press, expressed its renewed bid and collaboration in implementing the community component of the COVID-19 Response Mechanism (C19RM) Grant in Delta State in response to emerging diseases and epidemics.

The event which took place at Bellwood Hotel Asaba Delta State on Friday 28th June 2024 was mediated by the Press, bringing together critical stakeholders in Delta State Primary Health Development Agency, Delta State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (SACA), State Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) at community level, and graciously attended by religious and other opinion leaders in the State, to chart a way forward in addressing the prevalence of AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (ATM) and reaching out to target audience with healthcare support in Delta communities.

The media briefing organized by AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (ATM) Network was anchored by its State Program Officer Ms Juliet Obiajulu against the backdrop of the prevalence of AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (ATM) infections in Nigeria, and Delta State in particular, attributed to plethora of factors amongst which are poverty, inadequate health facilities, lack of access to information and quality education.

In a media brief, the State Program Officer and convener of the event highlighted the primary objective of the Global Fund-approved COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness (C19EP) grant which is to bring healthcare interventions to people at the community. Speaking further, Ms Juliet Obiajulu stated that a pilot exercise of this project is presently ongoing in 21 selected states across the country and will run for the years 2024- 2025, with 5 Local Government Areas already captured in Delta State which are Oshimili North, Oshimili South, Udu, Uvwie and Warri South.

Responding to Journalists on how the 21 states were selected for the exercise, the State Program Officer explained that critical stakeholders in the health sector were carefully selected and engaged by the donors/sponsors of the project to determined states with higher susceptibility to diseases and healthcare needs, as well as states that already have healthcare interventions to avoid wasteful duplication of resources.

“C19EP grant will continue to address issues/gaps in the health systems and infrastructures through strategic interventions to ensure their efficient and effective outcomes are achieved. The C19EP will also integrate the responses of health systems, community systems, and CSOs to any emerging epidemics”; Ms Juliet confirmed as she reeled out successes recorded this year in Delta State to include but not limited to; procurement of herbicide at a cost of ₦7,500 for elimination of weeds by one of the engaged CBO; KRUDI intervention in Cable PHC, Oshimili South LGA, and support of clearing of overgrown weed by Mr. Uzor Amaechi, the Ogbe-Ofu Community Leader through KRUDI CLMT members intervention. The State program Officer however called on the government, private and philanthropic foundations to increase funding of Primary Health Centres, as well as collaboration and support from religious organizations and community stakeholders.

Speaking further, while commending the effort of the government so far, the State Program Officer harped on government prioritizing and increasing the funding for Secondary and Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs). “Adequate financial support is crucial for these centres to deliver quality healthcare services, including prevention and treatment of infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and others to the community. By allocating more resources to healthcare, governments can strengthen infrastructure, enhance workforce capacity, and ensure that essential services are accessible to all.”; Juliet remarked, as she underscored that similar funding and support is expected from philanthropic individuals and organizations to supplement government’s effort.

On support from religious organizations and community stakeholders, the State Program Officer tasked the religious leaders to deploy their influential role on their members in mobilizing them to respond positively to healthcare subscription and avoid resorting to religiosity in healthcare remedy, while indulging community stakeholders to actively support and advocate for their local Secondary and Primary Healthcare Centers and ensuring the sustainability and effectiveness of these centres, as well as volunteer, support and participate in community healthcare interventions.

Eminently present at the event were the ATM State Chairpersons and convener, Ms. Juliet Obiajulu, State Chairman of ACOMIN, Mr. Greg Sifo, Director Delta State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (SACA), Mrs. Grace Sifo, Director Planning, Research and Statistics of Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Eboka Charles, State Chairperson of Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), Mr. Christopher Ogberetitinor, Delta State Epidemiologist, Mrs Nneka Chuka Imarhia. State Chairperson of Tuberculosis Network, Mr. Onyeukwu Chiedozie Miracle, representative of the Christian faith and Pastor Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Oluremi Adeniyi, representative of the Muslim faith and Chief Imam of Asaba Islamic Prayer Group, Dr. Adekola Adekunle, and other CSO/CBO partners.

The State Chairperson of ACOMIN, Mr. Greg Sifo as well as representatives of the partnering agencies took turn to give their goodwill messages as they expressed appreciation to ACOMIN/ATM Network for these community-based healthcare interventions, and charged local government and community-based CSOs/CBOs present to intensify effort in healthcare service delivery.

Prominent in the discussion was the Director of Delta State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (SACA), Mrs. Grace Sifo, who assured ACOMIN of their support at the local government level through their LGA representatives called Local Agency for Control of AIDS (LACAs). She pointed out that there is an ongoing integration of all disease programme in the state, and charged the implementing community-based CBOs to create demands for healthcare service deliveries and talk about all disease including HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, in their community mobilization for health programmes.

The interactive session involved participants fielding questions from Journalists at the event which covered myriads of public concerns such as the role of religious leaders in sensitizing their faithful against sexual immorality, level of collaboration of religious organizations with ACOMIN, issues of stigmatization of people living with HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis patients, use of local herbs for treatment of malaria, location, social media presence, spread and staff strength of ACOMIN, State partners and community-based CBOs.

Reacting on some of the questions relating to religious organizations, Dr. Adekola who is the Chief Imam of Asaba Central Mosque and Senior Lecturer/Director of Academic Planning, Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba, acknowledged that HIV/AIDS are all issues of morality and subjects of sermon for both Christian and Muslim, and therefore everybody wants to live a good life by adhering to the doctrine of morality in the Quran and the Bible as well. He admitted that it is very difficult to completely eradicate immorality but through sustained sensitizations and sermons, immorality can be reduced. On collaborating with institutions that are stepping down HIV/AID programmes, Dr. Adekoya stated that the Mosque has always mobilized Muslim community across Asaba, and allowed individuals, CSOs, State and Federal Government Agencies to come to Mosque and sensitize Muslim adherents on a wide range of issues beneficial to the people, while assuring ACOMIN that he will use the pulpit to ventilate the message to Muslim faithfuls and they will be happy to hear and receive the message from their leader. Giving credence to this, Mrs Grace Sifo of Delta SACA, confirmed that her Agency has been to virtually all the Mosque in Asaba including Cable Mosque and that of Delta State Police Command Headquarters.

Speaking further, the Delta SACA Director advocated that the spread of Malaria should be an issue at the front burner now that the rains has come which creates enabling environment for mosquitoes to multiply and thrive. While condemning local herbs for treatment of Malaria, Mrs. Sifo advocated that people should be predisposed to accessing free drugs for malaria at PHC and procure treated nets for use at home, assuring that the State Government is getting ready for another round of distribution of treated nets.

The event also featured Tuberculosis presentation by the State Coordinator of Tuberculosis Network, Mr. Onyeukwu Chiedozie Miracle, who underscored that the TB Network carry out interventions at local community in terms of contact tracing, sample collections and treatment monitoring. He however highlighted some challenges faced by TB Network in Delta State which include nomadic nature of some TB patients especially the Northerners, inadequate and expensive equipment for clinical tests, amongst others.

Responding to Journalists on the visibility and accessibility of the TB Network in Delta State, Mr. Onyeukwu confirmed that there are all together 12 TB Testing Centres in Delta State which include Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Warri and Ogwashi-uku Testing Centres, and charged the Media to work with Civil Society Networks to enable our people access free TB services already paid for by donors.

Highpoints of the event were goodwill messages by participating partners, press briefing by the coordinator and convener, interactive question and answer session moderated by the Press, vote of thanks and group photograph.

Edo 2024: Large commendation, endorsement mark Ighodalo’s Diaspora engagement in Manchester

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The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, Dr Asue Ighodalo, on Wednesday arrived Manchester, England, to a carnival-like reception featuring cultural dances in continuation of his engagement with Edo Diaspora in Europe.

The tour which kicked off on Monday, June 24 with his appearance in Reggio Emilia, Italy, is scheduled to take him to three more cities of London, Hamburg and Nuremberg.

The Manchester, engagement which held at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre was packed full to the brim in an unprecedented attendance.

Accompanied by his wife Mrs Ifeyinwa Ighodalo, his running mate, Barr Osarodion Ogie, the Edo State PDP Campaign Council Director -General, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, and other aides of his, Ighodalo’s every presentation saw the packed hall reverberate with loud applause and approvals by the attendees.

Ighodalo dwelt extensively on his “Pathway to Prosperity for All” Manifesto which he released on Monday. He expressed confidence that with the support of the good people of Edo State, he was ready to lead the charge in transforming the state into a first world sub-national in Nigeria. He assured his audience it was doable.

“I see a pathway to prosperity for all in Edo State and it’s doable. We will transform Edo State to a first world sub-national in Nigeria. We have the people, the God given natural resources and the wherewithal to make it possible. It’s doable,” he impressed on his hearers who responded with intermittent applause and shouts of approval.

During the question and answer time, his running mate, Ogie, who is the current Secretary to the State Government (SSG), joined him on the podium to do justice to every question by the enthusiastic attendees. Almost all questions were preceded by words of approval and endorsement of Ighodalo’s ambition and vision for the state.

Answering a question about his position and views on traditional institutions in the state, Ighodalo emphasised that his administration, if elected, will treat traditional rulers and institutions with the utmost reverence due to them. He assured that under his watch, nothing would be allowed to negatively impact or bring the revered traditional institutions into disrepute. The response triggered a rapturous applause across the huge hall.

Earlier, Dr Alfred Ajayi Ejiya, President of Esan Community in Manchester (ECM) and Chairman of the Manchester Town Hall Meeting with Dr Asue Ighodalo, had assured that the night’s engagement promises to be a very successful one, which it exactly turned out to be in all respects.

Ighodalo’s train moves to London, England for yet another engagement today, Thursday, June 27.

Tension In Delta As Ijaw Youths Protest Cancellation Of Akugbene-Mein Technical College Project

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Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori

Youths of Akugbene Community in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, Monday, embarked on a peaceful protest over the purported cancellation of the contract for the State-owned Model Technical College project at Akugbene Community.

In a news report circulating in the social media space, yesterday, with the headline: “Delta State Governor Sheriff Cancelled Akugbene Technical College, queries the award”, the protesters kicked against the purported decision of the governor, asserting that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori should rather work for the completion of the project.

Speaking on behalf of the youths, a youth leader, Eparukumoh Edward Ebi, called on Governor Oborevwori to mobilize the contracting firm, Wana Enterprises Nigeria, who had long disappeared from site, to return to complete the job.

He said: “We understand that former governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa awarded eight Technical Colleges across the state during his tenure. To fulfill his campaign promises to the people of Akugbene Community, the then governor sited one of the eight approved Technical Colleges in Akugbene Community.

“The job was actually ongoing but after sometime nobody understood what was happening, as the contractor was no longer seen on site. As I speak with you, the site is covered with weeds.

“So, we tried to find out the situation of the project and from the information we gathered, the governor is not interested in funding the project anymore, or rather the governor has cancelled the project and which has infuriated the youths, hence, this protest.

“We are appalled that despite the love and support the leaders of Akugbene Community gave to the Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori-led government, it’s unfortunate to hear that the governor is not willing to continue with the project in our Community.

“We once again appeal to His Excellency the governor to mobilize the contractor to site to complete the project if the rumours are fake. You know, the aim of this school is to equip the rural populace with practical skills through technical trainings to boost the local industry”.

Another youth leader, Comrade Kelly Gilor, in his remark said the project had become a nightmare to the entire Community for long with its seeming abandonment by the contractor.

He said: “This project has become a nightmare to the entire Community. We appeal to the governor to complete it as there is no single higher institution in Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency.

“Bomadi Local Government Area is a strategic and significant place that connects Burutu, Patani and Ughelli South Local Government Areas, and which also connects Bayelsa State”. Let me also use this medium to passionately appeal to our dear listening governor, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sherrif Oborevwori to complete the Gbarogolo/Esanma bridge and Esanma/Akugbene road these projects are very important to us.

Ovie Omo-Agege: Like the Chichidodo (Opinion)

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Ovie Omo-Agege

By Fred Edoreh

In Ayi Kwei Armah’s “The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born”, we come across a bird called Chichidodo. The interesting thing about it is that it hates excrement so much but it’s best food is the maggot which grows best in excreta.

Even when Chichidodo pollutes the air, it runs as if something else is pursuing it, forgetting that it cannot run away from itself.

The contradiction of the Chichidodo best describes the latest outburst of former Deputy Senate President and failed candidate of the APC in the Delta State Governorship election, Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege.

Last week, his office issued a statement through one M.A. Egharhevwa, Esq, as published in Omo-Agege’s verified Facebook account, abusing the media aides of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. Their offence: That some Deltans dared ask about the N80 billion which he reportedly claimed to have secured approval of, for the reconstruction of the Benin-Warri and Sapele-Abraka-Agbor highways.

Omo-Agege argued that it was wrong to query him about the money and the roads, especially the Sapele-Abraka-Agbor section, since the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, had explained, during an inspection visit, that the problem was that since 2014, when the FG awarded the contract, only N13 billion had been paid to the contractor, that the initial design by the FG was faulty, which accounted for the failure of the earlier construction, that the road needs to be redesigned with better features and that the cost of reconstruction is now very heavy for the FG to easily mobilise.

Agege therefore submitted that he has no questions to answer on the road, and those calling him out are unintelligent. However, that is only spinning the narrative to confuse the subject for which he is being called out.

First, he is of no concern to Governor Oborevwori’s media aides who are well aware that Deltans know him for who he is. Secondly, no one is after him. He is only being chased by his own shadow, his words coming back to find him, for as we know, the evil that men do lives after them.

How can Agege be agitated or angry that Deltans are calling him back to explain more about the N80 billion?
How could he have forgotten so soon how he claimed during the electioneering campaigns to have secured that approval of N80 billion for the reconstruction of the roads?

As widely reported by major national newspapers and online publications between 28 to 30 November, 2022, Agege made the claim at a campaign meeting with the Christian Council of Nigeria in Sapele.

The reports read: “This was disclosed by the Deputy President of the Senate and APC governorship candidate in Delta, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, during a meeting with members of the Christian Council of Nigeria which held in Sapele.”

The report quoted him as having explained that “…With the reconstitution of the NDDC board, Buhari ordered that N500 billion of the commission that was frozen be released for development projects and the sum of N80 billion was approved when he pleaded with the President to consider the Sapele-Benin road and the Amukpe-Agbor road.”

In fact, part of the report further quoted him as saying he hid the approval from the former Governor, Sen Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, ostensibly so that he would not take credit for the expected reconstruction of the road with the said approved fund.

Following Omo-Agege’s declarations, Deltans looked forward to action on the reconstruction of the roads, but it was not to be.

Rather the roads deteriorated the more and road users suffered greater hardship especially during that Yuletide season.

So far, the particularly difficult Ologbo section of the Benin-Warri road has been touched by the FG, while Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has almost completed the reconstruction of the Old Umutu-Abraka-Eku road to provide alternative route for Deltans and travellers on that axis, pending when the FG will conclude its planned redesign and mobilisation of funds for the reconstruction.

Given this situation, it is reasonable and justified for Deltans to re-interrogate Agege. It is valid now, as yesterday, and will still be valid tomorrow, to ask him what has happened to the N80 billion approval he claimed, why the fund was not and has not been applied to the road and where now is the money?

He has a responsibility of honour to answer these questions. No matter how he spins the narrative, he cannot discharge the onus by hiding behind the Minister of Works. That is like hiding one’s face behind one finger.

He cannot also keep pretending to be angry when his earlier claim about having secured N80 billion approval is played back to him. That will be acting like the Chichidodo.

The need for him to answer is even more now, especially with the revelation by the Minister about the difficulty in mobilizing the required fund to embark on proper reconstruction of the road, whereas Omo-Agege had reportedly told us about a certain N80 billion approval he secured from the then President.

On the other hand, if he only told empty lies then, merely to deceive the people to vote for him, he can as well still simply redeem himself by owning up to his lies, by coming plain to confess that he lied.

Deltans would not be surprised that he lied, just as they are not surprised that, as Deputy Senate President, he could not muster the political influence to get the major highway to his constituency done but only returned home to campaign with lies.

The only remaining thing is just also to unlearn certain habits of conduct and style because, for instance, as he should know by now, lies don’t last, no matter how deceptively postured.

●Fred Edoreh is Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Governor of Delta State.

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