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PAD A GIRL FOUNDATION, DSYP MARK WORLD MENSTRUAL HYGIENE DAY IN DELTA

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Girl Child

By ESE OBOTE-OGWU

To commemorate the World Menstrual Hygiene Day, the Pad A Girl foundation in conjunction with the Delta State Youth Parliament (DSYP), organized a one day conference tagged: Disrupting Period Poverty in Rural Communities Across Delta State.

Held on Wednesday, the 25th of May 2022, at the Unity Hall in Government House, the event was power packed with guest speakers addressing school pupils on menstrual education.

In his keynote address, Barr. Eugene Azuka Uzum, Director General of Delta State Orientation Bureau, disclosed that menstrual hygiene was a critical part of development in the girl child.
Uzum noted that if neglected, menstrual hygiene could cause some form of low esteem and as well as being discriminated especially by the opposite sex, advocated that the girl child development should be paramount.
Also speaking at the conference on the topic: “Period Poverty An Emerging Pandemic Amongst Girl Child”, the immediate past Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Delta State Governor on Girl Child Empowerment (GCE)  Mrs Marilyn Okowa- Daramola, tasked the Nigeria government at all level to as a matter of urgency make policies that would make sanitary pad cheap and accessible to the girl child, especially those in schools.
Mrs. Daramola, who was represented by Mrs. Dorathy Isu, Consultant, Girl Child Empowerment Office, stated that “It was observed that period poverty has been an issue of great concern to the reproductive health and rights of women and girls globally, worse still, in developing countries like Nigeria.
She added that “Given the increasing evidence in low and middle income countries, about the challenges faced by girls and women in managing menstruation and inadequate guidance, it has become a neglected public health issue and emerging pandemic that needs to be prioritized and invested into.
Both speakers and other experts posited that, Poverty; inadequacies in water sanitation & hygiene (WASH); socio-economic, cultural, and poor educational integration of this essential reproductive rights of women and girls, has led to the deplorable state of menstrual hygiene management in Nigeria.
They opined that efforts need to be made to shed more light on the situation and proffer workable solutions to end period poverty and as well incorporate menstrual hygiene management into the learning curriculum.
Presenting his paper titled: “Menstrual Hygiene Management And The Boy Child”, Dr George Owhoekevwo, of Delta State Youth Parliament, stated that there was a need for more research, policies and implementable work plans on interventions that can best address the unique challenges experienced by women and girls on menstrual hygiene management.
Dr. Owhoekevwo advocated the need for the boy child to be in the know of what menstrual hygiene is all about stating that it could help them guide against stigmatization and wear out myths of old on what mensuration is all about.
Earlier in her opening remarks, The convener of Pad A Girl Foundation, Ms Udoka Anita Ikebuwa, stated that period poverty affects over 500 million women and girls worldwide making up approximately 25% of the world’s menstrual population.
Cross section of Delta State Youths Parliament (DSYP) at the World Menstrual Hygiene Day celebration
She stated that the issue of period poverty is an under recognized public health crisis characterized by inadequate access to sanitary products, privacy for hygiene management or education on menstruation.
Ikebuwa revealed that period poverty affects many menstruating people in all areas of their lives which include their mental health and well being, inability to work, inability to attend school and general reproductive health.
In her good will message, the Majority whip of DSYP, Miss Oghenekome Ajiri-Ugho, stated that the one day symposium serves as a wake up call to the line for MDAs, medical associations, female groups and students representatives to lend their voices to ending period poverty by adopting the 4A’s Approach of Acceptability, Availability, Accessibility and Accountability in advocating for a bill to make Menstrual Products free for every Girl Child”.
The  symposium had a panelist session where the Director of Orientation, State Orientation Bureau, Mrs Stella Macaulay, the Chairperson of FIDA, Delta State branch,  Mrs Stellamarice Mejulu, Ph:D and the Director of Public Health, State Ministry of Health, Dr Philomena Okeowo, enlightened participant on the theme.
Dignitaries present at the event includes the Commissioner for Youth Development Comrade Ifeanyi Egwunyenga, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Ms. Ngozi Mogbolu, the Director of Administration, Ministry of Youth Development, Mrs Christy Enuma, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Flora Atlanta represented by the  permanent secretary in the ministry, Mrs Kevwe Agas, the  Manager, Fidelity Bank Asaba branch, Mrs. Adora Chukwuma, Obi Josephine Nwannabuogwu, the Omu Ibuza.
Others are the Commissioner for Education, Mrs Rose Ezewu, represented by Chief Inspector of Education, Oshimili South Local Government, Mrs. Djoma Emiliana; the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Delta State Ministry of Justice, Mr Isaiah Bozimo Esq represented by Mrs Akamagwuna, Director Sexual Offenses
Girl Child

Sanitary items were also donated to the participating students and women.

We Will Conduct Free, Fair Credible Primaries-Sobotie

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State has assured all aspirants that bought the party’s expression of interest and nomination forms of free, fair and credible conduct of its primary elections.

The State Chairman of the APC, Engr. Omene Sobotie, gave this assurance today while addressing all Delta South  Senatorial District aspirants vying for elective positions at an enlarged meeting of Delta South APC held at the Emede, Isoko South Local Government Area residence of Hon Joel-Onowakpo Thomas.

He said that, “APC is positioned and ready to take over Delta State. We are not going to compromise. We will ensure that APC win all elective positions across the state, most especially the Delta South Senatorial District seat.”

“For those of us who are sensitive in the spirit,  you will know that God has given us Delta State.  From what is happening on the other side, we will reap more people into our fold most especially now that so many people have lost in the PDP primaries that have been conducted.”

On his part, the Delta South Senatorial District Chairman, Mr Austin Oribioye, said, “I am so elated to see everyone of you in this auspicious gathering of APC today. Delta State APC has come of age and I wish all of us fruitful deliberation.”

While responding, APC Delta South Senatorial District sole aspirant waiting to be declared candidate,  Hon Joe-Onowakpo Thomas,  said, “The APC we have today is more united and hungry for victory. If you loose primaries as an aspirant,  you are already a candidate for an appointment.

“Please let’s jettison the idea of voting for only one candidate. A total win will give us room to benefit for various appointments. We must commit ourselves to it.”

Others who spoke in the same vein were, Chief Lucky Esegie- APC leader from Isoko nation,  Chief Johnny Michael- APC leader, Ijaw ethic nationality, Chief Evans Omatsoguwa- APC leader Itsekiri ethic nationality and Chief Birinies Ojogri- APC leader Warri South.

They all commended the State Party Chairman,  Engr. Omene Sobotie, for the level playing ground and free, fair and transparent primaries which he has assured all aspirants, stressing that, they will work assiduously to give APC victory in the forthcoming election and take Dennis Osadebe House come 2023.

Responding on behalf of all the aspirants, Mr. Ekpoto Ekpoto Emmanuel, APC candidate,  Warri Federal Constituency, he expressed gratitude to the State Party executives led by the Chairman over the assurance to conduct a free, fair and transparent primaries, noting that,  they will maintain the highest degree of orderliness during the Primaries.

Uwede Highlights ACOMIN Success Stories Recorded In Delta

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As part of its activities to mark  the World Malaria Day (WMD) and efforts in addressing the challenges posed by Malaria in Nigeria, the Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunization and Nutrition (ACOMIN), a vendor under Catholic Relief Services (CRS), highlighted the success stories recorded in Delta State.
Addressing newsmen in Asaba, the Delta State Officer of the Programme, Sir Austin Uwede, said that ACOMIN was striving to develop a working relationships and linkages with media organizations and personalities for the increase funding in services.
Uwede said, “Malaria is one of Nigeria’s most important public health concerns because of the illness and death it causes to millions of people.
”This treatable and preventable disease is caused by a group of parasites called plasmodium and is transmitted through the bite of an infected female anopheles mosquito. Malaria is transmitted all over Nigeria”.
He said since 2019, Nigeria has recorded the highest number of global malaria cases which is 27 per cent of global malarial cases, adding that it accounted for the highest number of deaths.
”In rural populations, prevalence is 2.4 times that in urban populations (31% vs  13%). Pregnant women and children under the age 0 to 5 are the most vulnerable groups to malaria.
”Pregnant women infected with malaria usually have more severe symptoms and outcomes, with higher rates of miscarriage, intrauterine demise, premature delivery, low-birth-weight in new-born babies and neonatal death.
”They are also at a higher risk for severe anaemia and maternal death,” he said.
The state programme officer also said that Malaria is so important that 25 April every year has been set aside to mark the “World Malaria Day” (WMD).
Uwede also said to commemorate WMD this year,
the State Chapter of ACOMIN carried out some  activities which includes sensitization rally in conjunction with the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, sharing of this year’s theme by all members in our various social media handles.
He further stated that “The theme for 2022 WMD celebrations is “advance equity, build resilience, end malaria, while the slogan is “every effort counts”.
Uwede said: ”In advancing equity, given that health is a fundamental human right, the civil society sees the need and is working towards increasing equity as It pertains to health, particularly access to malaria services as well as service delivery.
”Every person irrespective of their socio-economic class, gender, ethnicity, demography and location should have equal rights and unrestricted access to malaria and other healthcare services.
”The civil society also encourages building resilience of the community health systems – which can be achieved by promoting community ownership and investment in health systems.
”When strong health systems are in place, it is almost certain that efforts put in to fight malaria will be Effective, trackable and sustainable, especially at the community level.
“Community investments in health have noticeably improved since the introduction of the community-led Monitoring (CLM) project being implemented by ACOMIN, witn support from the Global Fund (GF).
On this grant, ACOMIN and its member Community-based Organisations (CBOs) are working in eight LGAS within Delta state namely, Aniocha South, Oshimilli South, Sapele, Isoko North, NdoKwa West, Ughelli South, Ughelli South and Patani.
”The CB0s implementing the project were equipped with knowledge, skills and resources needed to empower community members to take ownership and invest in their own health.
”As à result, several successes are consistently being recorded. Some of the most recent achievements are the purchase and installation of electricity line from generator to water pumping machine at Oyede Primary Health Care in Isoko North LGA.
”The purchase and donation of Spygmomanometer at Ofuoma PHC in Ughelli North LGA, connection of electricity to Ogbe Ogume PHC in Ndokwa West LGA from pubiic power supply.
”Facilitating the distribution of LLIN to qualified clients at Ogbe-Ogume PHC in Ndokwa west LGA donation and installation of window nets at Umute PHC in Aniocha South LGA.”
He therefore solicited for  the support of the media and stakeholders, to advocate for government at all levels to increase their budgetary allocations for malaria in particular and health in general.
Uwede also stressed the need for the media to assist in educating the general public on the need to imbibe malaria prevention practices as a lifestyle.

ONGOING ILLEGALITY IN NDDC – PRESIDENT BUHARI AND THE APC NEED TO ACT NOW

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NDDC

By Tonye Ogbogbula

Amity between the President Muhammadu Buhari government and the people of Nigeria who he governs is based on trust which is earned from promises made and promises kept. One of such promises by President Buhari to the nation was made on June 24, 2021 when, receiving the leadership of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), he unequivocally committed to inaugurate the NDDC Board upon the receipt of the Commission’s Forensic Audit report, which report has been submitted to him since September 2, 2021.

The President said: ‘‘Based on the mismanagement that had previously bedeviled the NDDC, a forensic audit was set up and the result is expected by the end of July, 2021. I want to assure you that as soon as the forensic audit report is submitted and accepted, the NDDC Board will be inaugurated.”
Not only has the President not fulfilled his promise eight months after, which prompted the Ijaw National Congress (INC) to describe the delay in the inauguration of the NDDC Board as a “clear betrayal of trust and display of state insensitivity on Ijaw nation and Niger Delta region,” it further negates this government’s touted commitment to the rule of law.

 

Sadly, for a government that prides itself for adherence to rule of law, President Buhari’s Government conversely continues to administer the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in flagrant violation of the NDDC Act. As a Commission established in 2000 by an Act of Parliament, the ongoing national embarrassment at NDDC should be of grave concern to President Buhari about his legacy when he leaves office in 2023 and thereby persuade him to put an end to the illegality of further administering NDDC with a Sole Administrator that is not known to the law setting-up the Commission.

While receiving Governors of the constituent states that make-up NDDC in Aso Rock on October 17, 2019, President Buhari said that “I try to follow the Act setting up these institutions especially the NDDC.”

However the reverse has been the case. Since the inauguration of the Buhari Presidency on May 29, 2015, it has serially violated the law setting up NDDC by consistently choosing to administer the Commission through illegal interim managements and sole administrator contraptions that are alien to the law setting up NDDC. In the seven-year tenure of President Buhari, NDDC has only been administered by a substantive Board for two years, between November 2016 and January 2019 when Senator Victor Ndom-Egba was Chairman while Nsima Ekere was the Managing Director.

There is a pattern of illegalities instituted by the current administration to undermine accountability at the NDDC in a way that no other federal agency has been so treated in the last seven years of the Buhari Presidency. In the 15-year history of the NDDC, prior to President Buhari’s coming in 2015, an interim appointment had never been made outside of the law, even when the Governing Boards were dissolved.

Prior to Buhari’s coming to power in 2015, in the absence of a Board duly constituted in line with the NDDC Act, the  most senior Civil servant in the NDDC took over as Managing Director in acting capacity for a brief period until a  Board was constituted in line with the NDDC Act. The NDDC Act does not permit the appointment of any external persons from outside the Commission to act as Managing Director or Sole Administrator without compliance with the Act which requires nomination by the President and Confirmation by the Senate. This is the same requirement for Ministers of the Federal Republic. The Law does not permit for anyone to be appointed as Acting Minister in any Ministry. If there is no Minister in a Ministry, the most senior civil servant – i.e. the Permanent Secretary holds forth until a Minister is appointed by the President and duly confirmed by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The orderly succession in NDDC was only breached in 2015 by the Buhari Administration when it dissolved the Bassey Henshaw led Board with Dan Abia as Managing Director, and appointed Ibim Semenitari as Sole Administrator, a position she held illegally for over one year. The illegality in NDDC continued in January 2019 when President Buhari dissoved the two-year old Victor Ndoma-Egba led Board and replaced the Board with an Interim Management team led by Professor Nelson Brambaifa. It was not until August of 2019 that the Buhari Presidency ended  the illegal Brambaifa interim management  team and then, in accordance with the law establishing NDDC forwarded the list of nominees for a 16-member Board to the Senate for confirmation, and then dutifully appointed the most senior civil servant at that time in NDDC, Mrs. Akwaghagha Enyia, as Acting Managing Director pending the Senate confirmation of the President’s nominees as NDDC Board members, which list he forwarded to the Senate on October 18, 2019.

But unfortunately again President Buhari relapsed to its recourse to illegality in administering NDDC, because as the Senate dutifully screened and confirmed the nominees of President Buhari as Board and Management of NDDC on November 5, 2019, this same government has since embarked on another spree of interim managements/sole administrator contraptions, while the Board confirmed by the Senate has been on hold since November 2019.

Since October 2019 this government has appointed two illegal interim management teams led by Joi Nunieh and Professor Keme Pondei, respectively, and presently the Commission is illegally led by a Sole Administrator, Effiong Akwa.

Curiously, whereas the North East Development Commission (NEDC) has been allowed to function with its duly constituted Board in place in line with its NEDC Act thereby ensuring proper corporate governance, accountability, checks and balances and fair representation of its Constituent states, the NDDC on the other hand has been run arbitrarily in the last two and half years by Interim committees/sole administrator in breach of the NDDC Act even after President Buhari had appointed a Board for the NDDC which was duly confirmed by the Nigerian Senate on November 5, 2019, but was asked to be on standby for inauguration after the forensic audit.

Under the illegal interim managements/sole administrator contraptions, the combined two-year budgets for 2019 and 2020, as approved by the National Assembly was N799 Billion. Yet, as pointed out by Professor Benjamin Okaba, President of Ijaw National Congress (INC), under the interim management/sole administrator contraptions, “over N600bn payments have been made for emergency contracts; over 1,000 persons have been allegedly employed in the NDDC between January and July, 2020 without due process; the 2020 budget was passed in December and N400bn was voted for the NDDC but the commission had spent over N190bn before the budget was passed, thereby violating the Procurement Act.”

It is also important to recall the Senate probe of NDDC in June/July of 2020 which revealed how the NDDC Interim Management Committee (IMC) blew N81.5 billion in just a couple of months on fictitious contracts, frivolities, and in breach of extant financial and public procurement laws. The Senate therefore passed a resolution recommending that the IMC should refund the sum of N4.923 Billion to the Federation Account, and that the IMC should be disbanded, while the substantive board should be inaugurated to manage the Commission in accordance with the law.
At the November 2021 protest by the Association of Contractors of the Niger Delta Development Commission (ACNDDC) who picketed the NDDC Head office in Port Harcourt, Chairman of ACNDDC, Joe Adia stated that “presently huge monies come into the Commission every month and the next thing we hear is that the money is finished. Who are you paying? Give us a record of the people you are paying. How can you pay N800 million each for so-called desilting jobs and yet contractors being owed N5 million you have refused to pay?”

Also, earlier in the year, the media was awash with the doubly-restated scandal involving the illegal sole administrator contraption in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). According to some national newspapers, and many online platforms, in a story entitled “NDDC: IYC Alleges Illegal N20bn Payment To Ghost Contractors Over Phantom Job,” published on February 18, 2022, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) alleged that illegal N20bn payment was made to ghost contractors over phantom jobs.

In the reports, IYC alleged that the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, “in connivance with some persons, paid the sum of N20 billion to ghost contractors for phony distilling contracts purportedly awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).”

The council further alleged that “information at its disposal showed that the signatures of a former acting Managing Director of the NDDC, Professor Nelson Brambaifa, and the commission’s former executive director (projects), Samuel Ajogbe, were allegedly forged to carry out the sleazy process.”
A spokesman for the IYC, Ebilade Ekerefe, who spoke in Yenagoa alleged that the “phantom NDDC contractors were paid in tranches of between N300 million and N400 million in the last three months, amounting to N20 billion.” He urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to launch an investigation into the alleged huge payment to the ghost contractors.

He said, “They should investigate the financial transaction of the commission in the months under review. We have also discovered that out of the N20billion paid out illegally by the NDDC, 60 per cent is going to Abuja through the Bureau de Change while he (Akpabio) has failed to pay the genuine contractors that have finished the projects awarded by the commission.”

The Buhari administration, by its numerous illegal actions in the NDDC in the last two and half years has been de-marketing the APC in the Niger Delta region. In an article, “NDDC: Buhari’s Legacy of Illegality and Contempt,” by Godspower Tamunosusi, published in a national daily on December 13, 2021 and in many other national newspapers, he stated that “Niger Deltans are very upset with the disdainful manner the region has been treated.” He also noted that there is increasing anger against the APC in the Niger Delta region “as a result of the very poor, biased, illegal and provocative actions of the Federal Government in the handling of matters concerning the NDDC and the Niger Delta region.”

Also, earlier in the year, The Niger Delta Rescue Movement (NDRM) vowed not to back the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 elections following the delay of President Muhammadu Buhari to inaugurate a substantive board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The spokesman of NRDM, Jonathan Okwa, who disclosed this after its meeting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State said following the prolonged delay of President Buhari to give the Niger Delta people what is rightfully theirs, in accordance with the law, the NDDC Act, the group would ensure the mobilisation of the people of Niger Delta region to vote against the APC in the 2023 presidential and general elections if the board is not inaugurated.

Against the relentless legitimate demands of stakeholders, it is in President Buhari’s best interest to keep good legacy by abiding to the law establishing NDDC. An Ijaw group, the Ijaw Interest Advocates (IIA), also known as Izanzan Intellectual Camp, in a statement signed by its leader, Arerebo Salaco Yerinmene Snr had earlier advised that “The Presidency and the President’s family should remember to keep good legacies even after office. The government’s flagrant disobedience of the laws guiding the establishment of an agency created to develop an impoverished region is unacceptable. We are again appealing to President Buhari to save the Niger Delta Development Commission by inaugurating the substantive board.”

President Buhari can no longer pretend that the unholy alliances amongst some serving and recently disengaged principal officers of the Federal Government to ignite uncontrollable crisis is not known to it. President Buhari must now rise to the occasion to save the Niger Delta region from the sorry state of those who have deliberately decided to exacerbate the palpable tension in the region. He should therefore heed the call of Niger Delta leaders, governors, youths, women, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders, comply with the law setting up NDDC, and also fulfill his own promise of June 24, 2021, and inaugurate the board to manage the Commission for the benefit of the people of the nine Niger Delta states.

Chief Tonye Ogbogbula is National President, Niger Delta Elders’ Forum

2023 Elections: Onowakpo says APC is united to take over Delta, retain power at Federal level 

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Joel Onowakpo

By Ovedhe Hezekia

Delta South Senatorial District aspirant under the umbrella of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the forthcoming generalelections,  Hon Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, has said that APC is united more than ever before to take over Delta State and retain power at Federal level come 2023.

Hon Joe-Onowakpo stated when his Senatorial Campaign train belted in Warri, Warri South Local Government Area, to consolidate plans with Delta South Senatorial District Executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC), stressing that the party win all elective positions in the Delta’s State.

Joel Onowakpo

He said that, his decision to contest for the Delta South Senatorial District seat was as a result of the inspiration from the party leader at Federal level, coupled with the cooperation demonstrated by Delta South leaders of APC, oil by the APC in Isoko nation to harmonise all pending issues in the party, thereby positioning it for victory come 2023 General election.

In his words; “I am here today, to present myself to the Delta South Senatorial District executives by the mandate of our Leader, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, that I should contest for the Delta South Senatorial District seat come 2023 General Elections. ”

“And I also accepted his encouragement to contest for the Senate seat to represent the good people of Delta South Senatorial, because I also believe that we must join hands together to win all the elections in Delta state come 2023.”

“Haven been encouraged and motivated to do it and having accepted to do this, I want to say that all of you in Delta South Senatorial District are gate keepers. Please, support us in whatever way you can so that we can win this elections. We are closer to victory than ever.”

“APC is more united than ever. There should be no doubt in your minds, from what we have been able to do in the party in the last few weeks, you will see that, we did not allow people who will destroy us to hold or to contest this positions in the party.”

“We have placed people who will contest,  they are hungry to win and have the resources to make it happen.  So, as gate keepers I want to beg you that, there are no more divisions in the party. The best position the party could earn is where we are today. On that note, I rest my case.”

While responding,  the Delta South Senatorial District Chairman, Mr. Austin Oribioye, said that, his excos and all party faithful were ready to work to ensure that APC take over Delta State come 2023.

“I know you are well exposed and have the capacity to deliver and give the people of Delta South Senatorial District an effective representation come 2023. I will urge you to work diligently with the electorates and party faithful in order for our party to come out victorious in the forthcoming elections.”

DELTA 2023: Okowa No Show Love O! (Part 1)

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By Iteveh Ekpokpobe

It is better to have a thief for a child, than to beget a fool. – Urhobo Proverb

Left Turn! Right Turn! About Turn! Double up!

Of all the contemptuous songs Fela Kuti wrote and produced in his life time, Zombie is arguably the most memorable – and the one that turned everything around.

Fela Kuti, in this 12-minute-long Afrobeat maestro, pounced on the military junta that held sway in 1970s Nigeria. The misfortune that followed Fela after this track was of no small measure.

Decades after, everything remains the same, like the ‘weekly activities of a church’ in the recurring announcements made by Church Secretaries every Sunday from the altar.

While Nigeria suffered military juntas that have reduced the country to a skirmish radiance of its former glory, it is worse in Delta State.

“The Big Heart’ is under a Civilian Junta.

Between 2015 and 2022, the state purse has swelled with about two trillion Naira, a four billion dollars equivalent. This amount of money can make a heaven out of hell.

In Delta State, the money did not. A large chunk of it was embezzled; siphoned through over-bloated contracts, inconsequential consultancies, political patronages, and of course, romance.

The ‘Road Master’, could not complete the Ughelli/ Asaba express, and now elections are at our doors again.

The virtues of youth are courage and hope for the future. While courage is in abundance in Delta State, the latter is bleak. Young Deltans are groaning in pain, gnashing their teeth. The reality before them was never envisaged.

This future is in the hands of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and for his personal interest against the common good of the people, is about to throw it away to dogs, intellectual nobodies, men whose integrity are objects of the Devil’s envy.

If not, how are we going to explain a Sheriff F.O Oborevwori as Governor of Delta State, to the world? Why is so much money being expended on marketing a man who hasn’t won the primary elections of a party?

Until the emergence of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa as candidate of the People’s Democratic Party ahead of the 2015 elections, the media engagement was minimal. Reasons being that the man in question was a thoroughly read man, a medical doctor, an administrator with long acquaintance with the business of government. Garri needs no advertisement; No, not in Nigeria.

Okowa no show love O! Or rather, he takes the state and the people in it for a ride.

How do one explains that a state that produced the likes of Tony Elemelu and brothers of economic and political fame, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of the World Bank, Late Prof Alele Williams, Dafinones and Okumagbas, the Ibrus and Ubekus, the Opias and Jim Ovias, the Godwin Emefiele of Central Bank of Nigeria and many other economic giants, is to be run by a man who could not manage and arrange his own academic credentials.

What will the likes of media moguls like Nduka Obiagbena of Thisday newspaper and Arise TV fame, Sam Amuka Pemu of Vanguard, James Ibori of Daily Independent, Ibrus of the Guardian and a plethora of other online media ownership, tell the world about how they produced a governor who cannot sit in a Seun Okinbaloye’s Politics Today on Channels Television to answer to live questions.

Edo State the most blood-linked neighbor, bordering Delta to the North, has a renowned international business man and board room guru, Godwin Obaseki as Governor. Anambra State, the Eastern border, separated only by the Niger River, has a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof Charles Soludo as its Governor. So also is the second Eastern Border, River State which boasts of a seasoned administrator, and garrulous lawyer, Nyesom Wike.

Bayelsa State which borders Delta State to the South has Duoye Diri a cerebral political scientist and former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as Governor. To say the least, the coast line to the West, which houses the Bight of Benin, and all the terrestrial, metaphysical intelligences thereof.

Meanwhile, the Centre is about to produce a man has no confidence in and who cannot defend his education. And there are more questions Deltans should ask Sheriff Oborevwori.

Deltans should ask Sheriff why the autonomy for Delta State House of Assembly is not viable despite the law passed on the floor of the house. Deltans should ask him, why the law passed and recorded in the legislative Hansard is different from the copy given to the State Governor for assent.

Oborevwori sold Deltans out. Sold the state legislature to the executive for cash. Sold it for a plate of political porridge. Those who thought the 6th Assembly which began with Monday Igbuya was a rubber stamp house should see the 7th under Sheriff.

While Igbuya said, Okowa was always right, Sheriff believes Okowa is incapable of being wrong. This believe is diligently pursued with irrational legislative approvals of lootable loans, amendment and passage of detrimental Mephistophelestic and inhumane laws and many more.

And While Deltans slept, an inflated budget 1.6 billion naira was expended on purchase of cars for legislators without due procurement, sans remittance of Value Added Taxes, amid diversion of funds a case which led to the invitation of Mr Speaker by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abuja headquarters.

The same man who could dribble and dazzle tax remittance in Delta State, presided over a Delta State Internal Revenue Service amendment bill, without recourse to public hearing. Such level of legislative highhandedness.

The same Sheriff, whose watch as Speaker, could not account for funds amounting to N392 million. The funds which were declared missing in Queried Capital Vouchers contained in Annexure IV of the 2019 Audit Report of the Delta State Government, signed by the Auditor General of the State, Mr. Paul Aghanenu.

Apparently, as intelligent as Okowa is, or maybe he just too intelligent that he surrounds himself with and dish out leaders with questionable intellectual mettle on Deltans.

The Generals in Okowa’s political enclave reflect the crudeness beneath his refined and posh outlook. If not, how would he explain foisting an MC Oluomo equivalent, Sheriff Oborevwori on Deltans, a Micheal Diden a.k.a Ejele on Delta South and even an Askia Ogeh, whom although schooled, yet exhibits trappings of “Ojuelegba agberoness”, on Isoko Nation.

Okowa no show love o!

To be continued…

Iteveh Ekpokpobe, is an Investigative Journalist, Anti-corruption Activist and Fellow, Institute of Management Consultant.

IN BID TO ACHIEVE UNIVERSAL COVERAGE,PRESIDENT BUHARI SIGNS NATIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY BILL INTO LAW *83 Million Poor Nigerians to Enjoy Coverage.

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President Muhammadu Buhari has signed into law, the recently passed National Health Insurance Authority Bill 2022, repealing thereby, the National Health Insurance Scheme Act, Cap N42, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

President Buhari said at the signing of the new law that a Fund will be set up “to ensure coverage of 83 million poor Nigerians who cannot afford to pay premiums as recommended by the Lancet Nigeria Commission.”

He then went on to elaborate on how the Fund will be sourced: “For the large number of vulnerable individuals who are not able to pay health insurance premiums, a Vulnerable Group Fund will be set up to include a component of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund due to the Authority, Health Insurance Levy, Special Intervention Fund, and any investment proceeds, donations and gifts to the Authority.”

The President announced that the Authority will collaborate with state government Health Insurance Schemes to accredit primary and secondary health facilities and enroll Nigerians into the scheme in order to ensure the delivery of quality health care.

The new Act also enables the Authority and state governments to develop information management systems and digital records for better data collection, monitoring and quality assurance.

President Buhari tasked the Health Reform Committee to work with state governments, the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Health Insurance Authority to ensure the implementation of the articles in the new Act.

NGC handover equipped, inaugurated Healthcare Centres to communities in Delta.

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The Nigerian Gas Company (NGC) Limited, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), as parts of its Corporate Social Responsibility,  built, commissioned and handover a fully furnished Basic Primary Health Care Centres to Umu-Eziogoli community in Ukwuani Local Government Area and Umuseti-Ogbe community in Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State.

While handing over the edifices,  the Managing Director of Nigeria Gas Company Limited,  Engr. Seyi Omotowa, who was represented  by, Mrs Uche Ossai, Executive Director  Support Services, said that, the company is committed to developing a robust and sustainable relationship with its host communities.

According to Engr. Seyi; “The wellbeing of our host communities is paramount in our Corporate Social Responsibility thrust, and this is simply why we are here today. Therefore,  we present to you these Basic Health Centres as a token of our contribution to the development of both communities which we cherish Dearly as one of our peace-loving communities.

“On our part as a company,  we shall continue to solicit for your co-operation and assistance in the maintenance of peace in order to support our business growth aspirations for the benefit of our people in this communities and Nigerians generally.

“Let me reiterate,  that NGC will always encourage and appreciate communities that promote peace,  dialogue and understanding in the resolution of any issue. This, indeed,  is the hallmark of our community relations engagement process.  We would appreciate direct contact with NGC Management through our Public Affairs Department on any community issues and not through a third party. Problems are better solved where there is constant communication between entities with vested interest, for the mutual benefit of all.

“Finally,  let me appeal to you as communities, that this Health Centre is yours,  we therefore urge you to safeguard it by putting in place adequate security measures to protect it.”

Those who responded for both communities are, Mr Ogochukwu Nwose, Chairman Umu-Eziogoli community, Barr. Nelson Enumah, and Mr Kingsley Chukwutem Ndiom, Chairman CDC, Umuseti-Ogbe, Mr George Oliseh for Umu Odia/Achi family.

They all commended Nigeria Gas Company Limited for the kind gestures, promising to secure both facilities and ensuring that they both serve the essence of which it was provided, and also urge the Delta State Primary Health Care Board and both Local to work in synergy in order to put both facilities into use in no distant time.

In his remarks,  the Secretary to Delta State Government,  Chief Patrick Ukah and Delta State Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Prince Emmanuel Amgbaduba, who was represented by Mrs Gladys Priegere, commended NGC for establishing these Health Centres as parts of it Corporate Social Responsibility,  noting that,  both projects will complement the efforts of the State Governor,  Sen. Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, who is very passionate about the health and well-being of Deltans.

He added that, “In no doubt, the event of today testified to an existing cordial relationship between NGC and the host communities (Umu-Eziogoli and Umuseti-Ogbe). With peaceful  environment,  Corporate Social Responsibility can be attracted to a community.

“Therefore we want to appeal to both communities to sustain cordial relationships they have shown to the company. By so doing,  we know the company will put more developmental infrastructures in these communities. In the same vein, I enjoined all companies operating in the state to fulfil their Corporate Social Responsibility to their host communities.”

In their separate remarks,  the Chairman of Ukwuani Local Government Council,  Hon.  Barr. C.S.P Ajede, represented by Okpor Elias and the Chairman of Ndokwa West Local Government Council,  Hon Chief Goddey Obi Nzete, represented by Augustine Ogochukwu  Okom, Secretary to Ndokwa West Local Government Council.  They commended NGC over the establishment of the Health Care Center in both communities,  noting that,  they will work in synergy with the State Primary Health Care Board to ensure that both facilities are put into use in no distant time.

2023: Edevbie’s Masterplan Best for Development, Peace and Harmony in Delta

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David Edevbie

By Fred Edoreh

One major reason why our politics bears sectional colourations, either of zones or ethnic groups, is because we have evolved with the mind set that persons in political positions, especially of President or Governor, must take advantage to develop mostly their own areas over and above others.

This has drawn our regions, zones and ethnic nationalities into political suspicions, distrust and conflicts as we witness across the country, and constrained the sense of single state citizenship.

Many politicians in executive positions have been seen or suspected to concentrate development mostly in their communities. In some cases it is true, in other cases it isn’t quite so, but generally, that is the perception.

On the other hand, in the actual, the advantage may be to a particular few mostly by way of appointments and contract awards while the vast majority of the people from the same area remain as they have been before, during and after the tenure of their person.

As Olorogun David Edevbie has pointed out, the development of one area to the disregard of other areas is negative for all, in that development becomes disjointed, incoherent, uncoordinated and, therefore unproductive and unsustainable in the long run.

For Edevbie, development must be planned to explore the full potentials of the state to dispassionately address the present and future infrastructural, economic and social needs of all its component communities and peoples in an organised and interconnected manner, with all areas relating to and complementing one another.

In such a system, citizens access to government services will be irrespective and without bias to their ethnic origin, political leaning and personal connections but simply by defined criteria applicable to all citizens and residents.

This is what David Edevbie is introducing with the idea of providing a Development Masterplan for Delta State.

Largely with stakeholders inputs, the plan shall project, propose and segment critical development needs covering our various districts, zones, local government areas, federal and state constituencies, ethnic nationalities and communities in relation with one another.

For transparency and legitimacy, it shall be subject to public hearing for all citizens and sections of the state to see what is in it, what comes to their communities, how it affects their people, projected time frames for implementation, and for them to also make suggestions or requests, all of which shall be debated and agreed upon by consensus, and passed into law as the working plan of the state.

That way, and if the people see government as truly following the plan, there will be less apprehension across sections of the state as to whether any incumbent or incoming Chief Executive would deny or disregard other communities to concentrate development particularly in his or her area.

This will reduce socio-political tension on issues of development, boost inter ethnic relations and harmony, foster a sense of single citizenship and common purpose, and elevate Delta State unto higher pedestal of governance.

CSOs Supports Hon. Opuoru’s Second Term Aspiration …..Describe Him As Humanitarian Champion , Citizens Legislator

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A delegation of Civil Society leaders under the aiges of Civil Society Network for Citizens Engagement, Credible Elections and Good Governance (CSNCE2GG), have thrown their support for Hon. Matthew Poko Opuoru, Member Representing Warri South Constituency 2 at the Delta State House of Assembly in his bid to return to the House of Assembly for a Second term.

At an Aspirant Engagement Meeting, Activist Rex Emojite Anighoro leader of the delegation called Hon. Matthew Poko Opuoru an Humanitarian Champion and a Citizens legislator whom have shown great leadership and character and has lived a life of service to the people.

He stated that their support became necessary because, Hon. Opuoru has always identified with the Civil Society and has been a great friend to the Civil Society who has used his position at the Delta State House of Assembly to support the causes of the Civil Society, and foster citizens greater good in the State.

He noted that Hon. Opuoru has always been very accessible to the Civil Society and has played uncommon roles in the house, working with the Civil Society in their pursuit for critical legislations that are of relevance not only to the Civil Society but the citizens in general.

He commended Hon. Opuoru’s social assistance programme, amongst many other pro-people schemes as an uncommon social protection initiative that is worthy of emulation, adding that his consistency in ensuring that over 200 most vulnerable citizens in his constituency were given a monthly stipend of ₦5000 for over two years remains unparalleled and has further endeared him to the Civil Society.

Activist Anighoro made it known that the Civil Society cannot afford to stand behind the veil but will openly support those aspirants who have given Civil Society a listening ear, and place of significance in their Citizens Initiatives and Engagement, as these were people who were open to criticism and feedback to enable them tailor their output towards meeting the demands of the people.

He also made a case for fairness, inclusivity and the continuous strengthening of the existing peace currently being enjoyed in Warri urging all political players to always prioritise these considerations as very important in their political pursuits and engagements.

He made it clear that any Political ambition that is capable of igniting divisiveness, threatening Inter ethnic tensions and good neigbourliness in Warri South Constituency 2 is definitely not in the best interest of the people of Warri, as he called on all the aspirants to put the pursuit of peace, mutual ethnic coexistence and harmony above their personal ambitions.

Also speaking at the aspirant engagement meeting, Deacon Okezi Odugala a frontline Civil Society leader in the State, said that the Civil Society is looking forward earnestly to seeing a more friendly Civil Society House of Assembly and will support Civil Friendly aspirants such as Matthew Poko Opuoru who sees the Civil Society as their own constituency.

Environmental Activist, Green Activist Comrade Harrison Agboro in his own remarks stated that his organisation will always partner with Political leaders who will support his Green Delta Campaign even as he is sure of Hon. Opuoru is one of such political leaders who will support the Green Delta Campaign.

Furthermore Amb. Augusta Impact Keneboh stated that Civil Society will always open it’s doors for every political leader who will not see the Civil Society as enemies but as partners for the development and progress of Delta State. She stated that the Civil Society will always be available to join forces with the political class to implement programmes and projects that will be of great benefit to the people offering independent evaluations that will fill the gaps and make for greater efficiency.

Responding at the meeting, Honourable Matthew Poko Opuoru thanked the Civil Society leaders for their kind words on him, stating that the gesture coming from the civil society was a great motivation for him to do much more for the people. He stressed that he will continue to give hope for a better tomorrow to the downtrodden and work for the good of his constituents and all Deltans.

Speaking further Hon. Opuoru said that he will strengthen his partnership with the Civil Society ensuring that they play greater roles in his service delivery to his people.

He said that his manifesto is simply a document aimed at strengthening legislative power for the good of Delta Citizens and to bring greater progress to his constituents through the advancement of social welfare. He thanked the Civil Society Network and called on them to continue to demand from political aspirants and leaders their social contract with the people.

The delegation at the aspirant engagement meeting with Honourable Matthew Poko Opuoru was led by Activist Rex Emojite Anighoro the State Focal Person on Civil Society and Senior Special Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Civic Engagement and Civil Society and also included Deacon Okezi Odugala, Executive Director Eziodu Initiative of Sustainable Environmental Development, Ambassador Augusta Impact Keneboh, the Executive Director Afro Centre for Development, Peace and Justice, Green Activist Harrison Agboro, Executive Director Greenspere Initiative, Activist Ambrose Egbe, Director at the Defenders of the Citizens Initiative, Mrs Faith John a Director at the Advocates of the Global Goals and Citizens Greater Good Initiative, Comrade Churchill Ayovuata a member of the Delta State Steering Committee for Non State Actors on the Open Government Partnership (OGP).

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