The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Dr. Iyorchia Ayu has applauded the Minority leader of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu for his outstanding contributions towards human capital development of the people in his Aniocha/Oshimili Federal constituency, saying that Delta State was very lucky to have such an outstanding personality.

Speaking on Friday at the 2021 edition of the Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu’s empowerment programme for the people of his Federal Constituency, held at the Cenotaph, Asaba, Dr. Ayu acknowledged that Elumelu who represents Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives had done well, even as he affirmed that the PDP was very proud of him.

665 constituents were empowered with empowerment items that included; tricycles, motorcycles, high capacity power generating sets, deep freezers and high standard sewing machines, while 300 artisans were empowered with Cash grants of One Hundred Naira to support their vocation.

While urging other representatives to replicate what Elumelu had done in their respective constituencies, the PDP National chairman urged politicians to place high premium on the welfare of citizens, especially the ordinary Nigerians.

According to him, politicians should not forget the ordinary people because without them and the support of the people, they cannot be anything as far as politics is concerned.

“Delta State is very lucky to have such an outstanding personality. Elumelu has done very very well and the PDP is very proud of him.

“If all our representatives across the country do this in their respective constituencies, it will help the party a great deal.

“What Elumelu is doing will enormously support the efforts that our governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, is putting for his people.

“I congratulate him for the concern he has shown to our people. I urge all politicians not to forget the ordinary people because without them and the support of our people, we cannot be anything as far as politics is concerned.

“It is only their support that makes it possible for us to win elections as a party and for us to continue to be the big men that people say we are. You can’t be a big man without a small man.

“Therefore, l will be very happy to campaign for any candidate who show concern for the ordinary people because our party, the PDP, was formed for the people with umbrella as its symbol,” he said.

Ayu thanked the lawmaker for his contributions to PDP, adding ,”I thank you for looking after the ordinary people of the PDP family and l urge everybody who is elected whether as a member of the National Assembly, State House of Assembly or as a councillor; if you cannot help a 100 people, try to help at least one to five persons.”

In his remarks, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa noted that Rt. Hon. Elumelu was doing great wonders in his representation of his constituents, adding that the event was not the first time he was empowering the people in the constituency.

According to the governor, it is important that people continue to realise that when you find yourself in privileged position, you must honour people because it is through the votes of the people that we find ourselves in wherever we are as elected officials.

“I thank God for your life. Last year, l spoke glowingly of what you had done; today, it appears to me that you have even surpassed what you did last year; may God continue to empower you.

“There is no doubt that anything that is done to engage every youth, every man or every woman in Delta State and to support them to succeed in life, such a person that does that is helping the government of Delta State to reach out.

“You are aware that we have had several entrepreneurship programmes in Delta State, so anybody who complements that effort is high in our mind and l want to congratulate you with what we have seen here, today,” he said.

Congratulating Hon. Elumelu for his sterling contributions to the growth and development of humanity, Okowa urged the beneficiaries of the empowerment programme to make good use of the items given to them, stressing that they should continue to find a way to reach out to others.

“It does not take only the rich to bless others, in your own very little ways, you can also bless others and bless a fellow party member. It helps us to grow as a people.

“In our individual ways, whether you are a councillor, you are a supervisory councilor, you are a vice chairman, a local government council chairman, you are a member of House of Assembly, you in the National Assembly, you are a governor or deputy governor, wherever you find yourself as an elected official, help somebody and all of us in a privileged appointment should find somebody to help.

“By the time we find one, two, three or four persons to help individually, we would have had a multiplier effect and it will be good for our nation, Nigeria,” the governor added.

Also speaking, the PDP Chairman in the state, Olorogun Kingsley Esiso lauded Elumelu for his contributions to national development as well as his contributions to the socio-economic well-being of his constituents.

Earlier, Elumelu had said that the programme was part of measures to give sense of belonging to men, women and youths of his constituency.

He used the forum to give a score card of his representation in the area of wealth creation, security, health and physical infrastructure.

“You will recall that last year, under the 2020 constituency development and empowerment programme, I delivered across my constituency, very robust infrastructural and human capital development projects including strategic roads and drainage projects, vocational centers, ICT centers and town hall projects in Asaba, Agbor, Idumuje-unor, Onicha-uku, Ibusa, Onicha Olona, Ogwashi-uku, Ewulu, Ubulu Uku, Ubulu-unor, Obior, Ubulu-Okiti, Akukwu-Igbo, Obomkpa, Ugbodu among others.

“This is in addition to the provision of 820 stands of solar lights across the communities in the four Local Government Areas in Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, rehabilitation of Government Hospital, Onicha-olona, construction of 20 flats staff quarters as well as clinic for the Department of State Services (DSS), renovation of DSS office and premises in Issele-uku, renovation of Police stations across the four LGA’s in the Federal Constituency and construction of befitting palaces for our revered traditional rulers.

“Further to this is the empowerment of over 2,300 beneficiaries, including through direct employment of over 150 constituents as Personal Assistants (PAs) on youth and women matters, job placements for over 40 beneficiaries in Federal Government ministries, agencies and departments and over 1,375 beneficiaries empowered through various financial interventions.

“This is in addition to the training of 200 youths and women in cassava and rice production, after which starter packs were given to them as well as the 456 beneficiaries of 107 tricycles, 148 motorcycle, 111 electricity generating sets and 90 deep freezers worth over N300 million.

“Mr. Chairman, it may interest you to know that in line with your belief in the deepening of leadership capacity, which you demonstrated upon being sworn in, I sponsored a four-days capacity building workshop in Abuja, for Chairmen and Vice Chairmen as well as 80 Councilors in the four Local Government of Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency their election.

“In keeping with my commitment to our people, we are again gathered here today for the formal presentation and distribution of more empowerment items in addition to numerous constituency projects to more communities under the 2021 programme.

“Today, 665 beneficiaries from various wards in our Constituency, will be presented with assorted empowerment items including 211 more deep freezers, 211 more electricity generating sets, 91 more motorbikes, 81 more tricycles and 71 more sewing machines, waiting for formal presentation to beneficiaries.

“I am also delighted to inform you that under the 2021 intervention, various skill acquisition programmes were organized for which 300 beneficiaries will today receive N100,000 cash empowerment to finance their various vocations.

“I also attracted and executed various infrastructural projects for the wellbeing of our people. These include 400 more solar street lights for our communities, construction of more roads, drainages, boreholes, electricity projects and utilitarian townhalls, respectively in various communities including Ugbodu, Idumuje-Ugboko Issele-mkpitime, Nsukwa, Ukwu-nzu, Ezi as well as befitting palaces in Idumuje-unor and Obomkpa.

“This is in addition to the construction of another 28 flats (2 blocks of 14 one-bedroom apartments) for DSS officers, renovation of DSS office/quarters in Aniocha, renovation of Police stations and Police quarter including in Asaba, Isselu-uku, Ogwashi-uku, among others.

“Your Excellencies, you will observe that I deliberately left out the 2022 projects. However, work on most of the projects have reached advanced stages and will be unfolded at the appropriate time. Permit me to state that amongst them is the construction of Asaba Massacre Memorial Centre for which the Asagba of Asaba has graciously provided land as well as the Oko and Asaba Jetty for 8 numbers of 20 passengers boats respectively.

“May I with utmost respect thank our dear Governor Okowa, party leaders, my elders, the youths, women and all stakeholders for their support and encouragement towards my success story as the representative of our people in the National Assembly, particularly as the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

“I also thank all our leaders and entire people of Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency for the confidence you have over the years reposed in me. I am grateful for your outpouring of goodwill to me during my consultative tours and particularly your resolve to renew my mandate to continue to represent you in the House of Representatives, come 2023. I do not take this for granted and I will never let you down.

“Permit me to commend the four LGA Party Chairmen (Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Oshimili North and Oshimili South), Dame Nkem Okwuofu, Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza, Hon. Odinigwe Odigie, Hon. Austin Chikezie, Sir Tony Ayaegbunam, Bridget Modebe and a host of others for their commitment, tenacity and resilience in putting this program together.

“Mr. Chairman sir, in Delta under the leadership of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, PDP is alive and we are ready to follow you to rescue and rebuild Nigeria and If I may borrow your word sir ” PDP is back”, Elumelu stated in his speech.

Also at the event was the Former Governor of the State, Chief Onanefe Ibori, Some members of the National working Committee of the PDP, Some members of the National Assembly, Members of the State House of Assembly, Members of the State Executive Council and notable leaders of the party in Delta State.

National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyorchia Ayu, has urged Federal and States Governments to resuscitate technical colleges as panacea to rising unemployment in the country.

Ayu made the call in Asaba after joining Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on an inspecting visit to Government Model Technical College, Asaba built by Delta State Government, and urged governments at both levels to take a cue from Okowa.

According to him, Okowa did not only revamp six existing technical colleges in the state, but building additional 10 to boost technical education.

He lauded the governor for his outstanding accomplishments in the service of the state, adding that from his performances, Delta would continue to be a PDP state.

Ayu said “from my background, I have been a teacher from secondary school to the university before becoming a politician.

“So I am always excited when I walk into a school environment particularly a beautiful one like this that looks like a university.

“The quality is excellent, well conceived and well executed, the layout is fantastic and am very happy that Governor Okowa is paying attention to technical education.

“In those days we had effective technical colleges but have been wiped out over the years but am happy Governor Okowa is bringing them back in Delta.

“The skill level then was very high and i am happy he has built this school and I want every state government including the Federal Government to place lots of emphasis on skill acquisition.

“When you have skills even if you don’t have jobs you can create one for yourself and others in the society.”

He said Delta was lucky to have a governor who is thinking of qualitative human capital development.

“Even before I came to Delta I am aware that Governor Okowa is doing very well. I have watched his programmes on television.

“I talk to people from here because I have a lot of friends from Delta and they told me what he was doing and some of these things were shown on television.

“Delta is moving ahead and am happy it is moving ahead under a PDP-controlled government under an educated, socially committed governor.

“You are very lucky in Delta and I hope you will continue to be this lucky because from what I have seen here no one will work against the PDP in Delta because if you want development, you have to stick with what works.

“In football or any sport, you don’t change a winning team, PDP is a winning team and i am very sure Deltans are very wise people.

“I am certain that in the next election Deltans will continue to do what they have been doing in the past 24 years always voting the PDP,” Ayu stated.

Earlier Governor Okowa said his administration is determined to build additional nineteen technical colleges in the state.

He said that the state government was currently building ten technical colleges with some almost ready for inauguration.

The attention of the Office of the Deputy President of the Senate, His Excellency, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has been drawn to a document in circulation on social media with the heading: “RE: INTERIM REPORT ON INVESTIGATION INTO THE PERSONALITY AND LEGAL ELIGIBILITY STATUS OF FRONTLINE CONTESTANTS OF THE PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY FOR DELTA STATE GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION”. We hereby respond as follows:

1. That Senator Omo-Agege did not instruct anyone to investigate anybody in the PDP or any other political party who may be interested in the 2023 Governorship Election in Delta State. The so-called report is therefore predicated on a wholly childish and extremely devilish diversionary scheme designed to use the DSP’s good name to give unmerited advantage to one side in the now open ‘do or die’ fight within the Delta State PDP. This is a clear case of the ‘hand of Esau, but the voice of Jacob’. It will not work.

2. We note that the mischievous, desperate, and fraudulent authors of the document could not summon the courage to include their names on it. They simply inscribed what appears to be a signature on it under the bogus caption of a non-existent “Legal Committee on Gubernatorial Election”, without more. This is just so puerile and cowardly.

3. Further, whereas official written communications to the DSP’s Office are typically duly recorded in an official register and their acknowledgment copies duly stamped and signed by the staff of the Special Adviser (Admin) to the DSP, this is not the case with the so-called report designed to forcefully use the DSP’s positive image to give undue advantage to one side in the well-known present bitter struggle for supremacy in the Delta State PDP gubernatorial primaries.

4. It is also observed that the lily-livered authors of the document in circulation addressed the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State as “Chief Omeni Sobotie”. Everyone who works closely with the DSP knows that the Delta State APC Chairman prefers to be addressed as ‘Elder’ or ‘Engr’, not ‘Chief’. This is another pointer to the fakeness of the desperate authors and their sponsor(s).

5. In view of the foregoing, may we advise all desperate elements in the Delta State PDP to simply ‘calm down’. They should completely leave Senator Omo-Agege out of their internal affairs. The DSP is not one who runs away from good fights, but he has no dog in their fights. We are fully ready for the PDP in Delta, but this is neither the time nor our strategy. When we start, our faces will not be hidden because cowardice is alien to the DNA of our political operations.

6. As usual, the DSP, His Excellency, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege is calmly attending to serious matters of public governance in the Senate. His primary interest remains how best he can collaborate with other national leaders and patriots to bring more benefits of good governance to our people now and in the future, as God permits. For this, he is also diligently organizing our leaders and people on how to ‘BUILD A NEW DELTA’ on the great promises of his popular ‘EDGE Agenda’. We refuse to accept calculated distractions from people who are on a desperate journey to nowhere.

SIGNED:
Aruviere Martin Egharhevwa, Esq
Executive Assistant to the Deputy President of the Senate.

By Onos Agbamu

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has expressed his avowed desire to serve Nigeria selflessly and ensure that the country takes her pride of place in the comity of nations if elected as Nigeria’s president come 2023.

Osinbajo who is a presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC), said he has the requisite experience, having served as vice president in the past seven years, to salvage the country.

The vice president spoke at the palace of the Asagba of Asaba, Obi (Prof.) Chike Edozien, during a courtesy visit on the monarch.

He told the royal father that he was in the palace, to formally inform the Asagba, of his intention to contest for the highest office in the country.

Osinbajo explained that he took the decision to enter into the contest with all “sense of responsibility having served as vice president and occasionally as acting president in the past seven years”.

According to him, the position of Vice President has exposed him to every part of the country and their peculiar challenges, noting that he was offering himself for genuine service to the nation.

Receiving the august visitor, the Asagba of Asaba, Obi (Prof)Chike Edozien, reminded the nation’s Vice President of the need for the Federal Government to establish a federal university in Asaba, as part of measures to pacify ‘ndi Ahaba’ (Asaba people), following the massacre of it’s natives during the civil war, by federal troops.

Prof. Edozien informed the presidential hopeful that Asaba and indeed Delta State, was not insulated from the present challenges of insecurity, perverse poverty, epileptic power supply, poor economy, even as the monarch further urged him to address the issues, if elected.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who was in Asaba to meet with statutory delegates of Delta State APC for the presidential primaries, was received on arrival at the Asaba International Airport, by the Secretary to State Government, Mr. Patrick Ukah, before proceeding to the palace.

By Ovedhe Hezekiah.

Erudite Scholar, Prof. Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba, has assured Africans of a bright future ahead in the African continent, urging Africans not to be retard in their quest of acquiring education.

Prof. Patrick Lumumba gave the assurance on Friday April 29th, 2022, while delivering the 30th anniversary commemorative lecture, titled: “Whither Education in Africa “, of the Delta State University Abraka, held at the 1000 seating capacity lecture hall of the University.

According to Prof. Loch Otieno  Lumumba: “Talking about Education in Africa, one must go down in his history back to when Africa was not invaded by men of the outside world. They used their education to divide us Africans making us as tools in their hands. Because of Education,  we Africans misunderstand God.

“But if we continue to worry about Africa. We will continue to make mistakes of giving up. We must remember the efforts of our past heroes of Nigeria who fought for the independence of Nigeria to liberate us from the slave of the colonial masters. And change the continent of Africa through Education and we should not forget the sacrifices and voices of our past heroes who used their education to fight for the independence of some countries in Africa.

“Africa,  we should learn to consume what we cultivate than depending on consuming importation foods. It’s right time we Africans rely on Africa talents to solve some of the problems we have here in Africa.”

On the 30th anniversary of DELSU, Prof.  Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba said that, “Delta State University Abraka, has made enormous contributions to the development of Abraka, Delta than Nigeria and Africa.

“As Africans,  we should put off low esteem and be proud of the things that we do in Africa. We should be proud of the talents we have produced in Delta State University Abraka and use them in solving some of our problems in Abraka, Delta State, and Nigeria at large.

“As we celebrate Delta State University Abraka 30years of existence and some of the notable achievements of the University over the past years. Its time we re-energize and put on more efforts to contribute your quota to the development of Africa.”

In his response,  the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Andy Ogochukwu Egwunyenga commended Prof. Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba for honouring the University invitation to deliver the lecture.

A vibrant community leader in Okere Urhobo Warri, Mr. Igho Egheba Okumagba has said that Warri South Constituency 11 created by INEC which comprises of Okere Urhobo Kingdom and Agbarha Warri Kingdom in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State belongs to the Urhobos of Warri.

Okumagba who spoke to newsmen in Warri said it become very important for an indigene of the constituency to contest for the Delta State House of Assembly seat and not indigene of a neighbouring tribe, stressing that the current Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Dr. Michael Tidi declaring his interest to contest election under Constituency 11 for the 2023 Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA) remains unacceptable to the indigenous Urhobos of Warri.

He noted that Tidi’s declaring to contest for DTHA under Constituency 11 is a call for anarchy and crisis in Warri and environs.

According to him “Tidi’s declaration to contest under Constituency 2 remains condemnable and unacceptable to the people of Okere Urhobo Kingdom and Agbarha Warri Kingdom. It should be made clear to the general public that Urhobos of Warri was at loggerhead with the Itsekiris over the ownership of Warri metropolis until the Supreme Court judgment that put an end to the controversy in favour of the Urhobos”.

Okumagba who is also one of the leaders of South -South Zone said that the action of Dr. Michael Tidi is capable of igniting crisis in Warri metropolis as such the Itsekiri nation should call their son to order, urging them to stop him from nurturing the ambition to contest in Urhobo territory now and in future.

He also called on the Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, the Delta State Commissioner of Police and other security agencies to call Dr. Tidi to order to avoid imminent crisis that may erupt from his ambition to contest under Warri Constituency 11 of DTHA