By ENITAN ABEL JOHNGOLD

Hope is rising for women and youth in Delta State as Senator Ned Nwoko throws his weight behind a bold agricultural initiative set to expand rice farming, boost food production, and open new opportunities across communities.

Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North Senatorial District, has pledged his full support for the Positive Impact for Women and Youth Development Initiative (PIWYODI), describing the group’s agricultural empowerment vision as a model for job creation and food security.

The lawmaker made the commitment when executives of the organization, led by its National President, Mrs. Martha Onadeko, paid him a courtesy visit at his country home in Idumuje-Ugboko.

Commending the group’s initiative, Senator Nwoko lauded their focus on farming as a sustainable means of creating opportunities for women and young people. He noted that PIWYODI’s approach of seeking partnership and support rather than soliciting handouts was both strategic and commendable.

“This is the kind of effort we must encourage,” Nwoko said. “Your work not only promotes self-reliance but also strengthens our agricultural base. I will ensure this initiative reaches every local government and community in Delta North.”

Mrs. Onadeko, in her remarks, applauded Senator Nwoko’s developmental strides and reaffirmed the group’s commitment to agricultural expansion, particularly rice farming. She revealed that PIWYODI currently operates farms in Ogume, Ndokwa West Local Government Area, and Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State, with plans to extend operations across all LGAs.

“Our vision is to drive large-scale rice production that will stimulate economic growth and empower women and youth across the state and Nigeria,” she said.

Also present at the visit were the group’s Delta State Coordinator, Hon. Mary Samuel, and other national executives.

There was drama at the Magistrate Court in Asaba, Delta State, on Monday as self-acclaimed activist, Victor Ojei, popularly known as “Wong Box”, was arraigned on a three-count charge and ordered to be remanded in prison custody pending the perfection of his bail conditions.

Ojei, known for his fiery activism on social and political issues in Delta State, is facing charges of threat to life, assault occasioning harm, and threatening violence—offences said to contravene Sections 355, 86, and 249 of the Criminal Code.

The charges stem from a recent incident captured in a video shared by the Delta State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, on his Facebook page. In the footage, Ojei was seen brandishing a cutlass and allegedly threatening officials of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), who had visited his residence to disconnect power supply over unpaid electricity bills.

During court proceedings, the prosecution argued that the activist’s conduct endangered individuals and threatened public peace. The presiding magistrate, after hearing submissions, granted bail but ordered that Ojei be remanded until the bail conditions are satisfied.

Confirming the development, SP Bright Edafe said in a telephone interview that the police would ensure justice is served.

“The matter is before the court, and he has been remanded pending when he meets his bail conditions. The position of the law is clear: nobody is above the law,” Edafe stated.

The arraignment has generated mixed reactions across Delta communities. While some residents insist that Ojei’s confrontational style had long courted controversy, others suggest that the charges may carry political undertones, given his frequent criticism of local authorities.

Meanwhile, the Young Nigerian Rights Organization (YNGR), with which Ojei is affiliated, issued a statement on his official Facebook page on Monday evening, thanking supporters for standing by him during the arraignment.

The statement, signed by YNGR Media Handler Valentine Ozegbe, read in part:

“On behalf of the Young Nigerian Rights Organization (YNGR), we extend our sincere gratitude to all who came out today to show their support for Mr. Wong Box. While bail has not yet been perfected, we wish to reassure you that the legal team, alongside other stakeholders, is diligently working on the matter.”

The organization further cautioned its members and supporters against making derogatory or inflammatory comments on the case, warning that such remarks could misrepresent the group’s official position.

“We urge everyone to remain calm, keep emotions in check, and continue to support us through lawful and peaceful means as we work tirelessly towards a positive resolution,” the statement added.

Court watchers note that the case has been adjourned, and the coming days will determine whether Ojei secures his freedom on bail or continues to face detention while trial proceeds.

By ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA, mnipr

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has launched a nationwide enlightenment campaign to deepen citizens’ understanding of government programmes, promote national values, and boost security consciousness across the country. The Director-General of NOA, Mallam Issa Lanre-Onilu, represented by Mrs. Nasamu Rebecca, Director of General Services at the Agency’s headquarters, unveiled the initiative during a press conference in Abuja.

The sensitisation drive will run across the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and 774 local government areas, focusing on five thematic areas: government policies and programmes, values re-orientation for students, flood mitigation, national security awareness, and the Nigerian identity and symbols.

Issa-Onilu highlighted key programmes including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which has disbursed over ₦59 billion to more than 600,000 students, social safety nets such as Conditional Cash Transfers and Trader/ Farmer Moni, the renovation of 700 rural schools, and the National Youth Investment Fund (NYIF). On security, he noted the deployment of drones, armoured vehicles, surveillance technologies, and over 15,000 new security personnel nationwide, with NOA aiming to reach at least 3 million Nigerians per state through town halls, rallies, and community engagements.

Delta State Director of NOA, Mrs. Tracy Omamode Ikolomi, assured that the Agency will continue to bridge the gap between government and citizens by relaying community feedback directly to Abuja. Civil society leaders present commended NOA’s efforts, urging Nigerians to embrace accountability and collective responsibility in nation-building.

By ENITAN ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA, mnipr 

A fresh dispute is brewing in Asaba, Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State, as indigenes of Ojeada, Umuda, Afadia, and other villages in Umuaji Quarters have raised alarm over alleged irregularities in the payment of compensation linked to the Phase 2A internal road network of the 2nd Niger Bridge construction.

Speaking to journalists in Asaba, a community leader, Obi Nduka Ogochukwu of Umuda village, accused the consulting firm, Odum O. Partners, of complicating the process. He alleged that the consultant, Mr. Okwchukwu Odum, claimed that the Asagba of Asaba, HRM Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN), had directed that payments for Asaba claimants be channeled through him.

Describing the arrangement as unacceptable, Ogochukwu stressed that rightful property owners had met all requirements and deserved direct payments without any third-party involvement. He pointed out that in other affected communities such as Okwe, Okpanam, and Ibusa, compensation was paid directly to beneficiaries without similar controversy.

However, the palace of the Asagba of Asaba has strongly denied the allegation, dismissing it as “false and malicious.” Representatives of the monarch insisted that the Asagba had no hand in the compensation disbursement process.

The situation has been further complicated by what residents termed “contradictory statements” from the consultant. According to them, while Mr. Odum earlier promised that payments would be made directly to individuals, recent developments suggest otherwise.

Frustrated by over seven years of waiting, the Umuaji community commended Governor Sheriff Francis Oborevwori for prioritizing the road project but vowed not to allow confusion to derail the process.

In an earlier protest to the consultant’s office, the aggrieved residents accused Odum O. Partners of attempting to subvert due process. They have now called on the Delta State Command of the Department of State Services (DSS)—which has supervised previous rounds of compensation—to urgently wade in and ensure transparency.

The indigenes maintained that compensation must be paid directly to property owners, insisting that this is the only way to guarantee fairness, accountability, and peace in the community.

The South-South Professional & Transparency Initiatives (SSPTI) has faulted a petition submitted to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, by the Young Nigerian Rights Organization (YNRO) over the lingering traditional dispute in Ubulu-Uku, Delta State, describing it as premature, misleading, and without substance.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Dr. Ugochukwu Alozie, and made available to journalists in Warri on Thursday, SSPTI condemned what it termed “a deliberate attempt to smear the image of the Delta State Police Command” by the petitioner, Mr. Victor Ojei, popularly known as Wong Box, who also doubles as the YNRO Coordinator.

According to the group, it was improper for Ojei, who hails from Ubulu-Uku and is reportedly aligned with one of the factions in the communal crisis—to file a petition under the guise of human rights advocacy, while being an interested party in the dispute.

“We find it very disturbing that Mr. Ojei is using the cover of a civil society platform to unduly pressure the police into tilting their neutrality in favour of one camp in the Ubulu-Uku crisis,” the statement noted.

The body expressed surprise at the attempt to drag the Delta State Police Command into the internal traditional affairs of Ubulu-Uku. According to the body, it was “shocking” that Victor Ojei’s group tried to link the suspension of the Onishe (traditional Prime Minister) of Ubulu-Uku to the police.

“The question is: was it the police that removed him, or did we in any way influence that decision?” the body queried, stressing that matters of succession and discipline within the traditional council remain the exclusive prerogative of the Ubulu-Uku traditional authorities.

SSPTI also faulted the claim that the Delta Police Command deliberately kept the petition “in view,” stressing that routine procedures must be observed before investigations into such sensitive matters can commence.

“Our findings show that the interval between when the petition was submitted and when YNRO rushed to the IGP was extremely short. The allegation of deliberate frustration by the police does not hold water because petitions go through well-established processes before action can be taken,” Alozie stated.

The group further warned against attempts to politicize or hijack traditional issues under the guise of human rights advocacy, urging stakeholders to allow security agencies to carry out their duties without intimidation or bias.

“Matters of traditional authority and communal disputes are often complex and sensitive. What the Ubulu-Uku community needs now is peace-building, not unnecessary distractions or media campaigns to blackmail the police,” the statement concluded.

By ENITAN ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA, mnipr

The Niger Delta Peace Awareness Movement (NDPAM) has criticized the recent protest by the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) headquarters in Abuja, describing it as baseless and driven by ethnic sentiment.

The protesters had demanded the removal of NNPCL Group Managing Director, Bayo Ojulari, alleging bias against the Niger Delta.

But in a statement signed by its National Leader, Alhaji Awo H.D. Amir, NDPAM dismissed the call as unfair and divisive.

“The NNPCL is a federal government-owned corporation, not the property of the Niger Delta. Demanding Ojulari’s sack simply because he is not from the region is laughable and unpatriotic,” Amir said.

He argued that Ojulari has been working to revamp the refineries, which had remained comatose for years before his appointment.

NDPAM also urged Niger Delta youths to channel their energy into productive ventures and community development rather than staging protests for political or financial gain.

“We must stop this selective clamping down on NNPCL and look at the bigger picture. Development will not come from constant protests but from taking responsibility for our region’s growth,” Amir added.

The group further questioned the sincerity of the protesters, suggesting that their motives may be self-serving.

By ENITAN ABEL JOHNGOLD

The Media Office of Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, Immediate Past Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, has raised alarm over alleged plots by desperate politicians to launch a smear campaign against him.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the office said the plotters, worried about Elumelu’s growing popularity, have resorted to fake news platforms and deliberate misrepresentations in a bid to mislead the public.

One recent example, the office explained, was a fake Facebook post mischievously attributed to a news portal, Dailyreport.ng, which falsely claimed that Elumelu made comments about political parties during a rally in Asaba, Delta State, on August 9, 2025. The office clarified that Elumelu neither attended such a rally nor made any remarks as alleged, noting that no such political event took place in Asaba on the said date.

Investigations by the office alleged that the fake post was the handiwork of “cowardly political elements” who recruited individuals to spread fabrications and misrepresentations. It added that further findings revealed ongoing plans to sponsor hack writers and malicious publications aimed at tarnishing Elumelu’s image.

While stating that Elumelu has forgiven those behind the campaign of falsehood, his Media Office warned that it would not hesitate to pursue strong legal and professional action if the perpetrators fail to desist.

The office emphasized that this was not the first time it had to debunk false reports, stressing that Nigerians can easily see through such “cheap lies and political mischief.”