Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, his wife, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, and immediate past Governor of the state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, on Friday joined other dignitaries at the funeral service of late Mrs. Felicia Oritseolumewo Arenyeka, mother of the Delta State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Solomon Arenyeka.

The funeral service was held at the First Baptist Church, Warri, and attracted political leaders, government officials, traditional rulers, community leaders, family members and sympathisers who gathered to pay their last respect to the deceased and console the Arenyeka family.

Also in attendance were wife of the Deputy Governor, Lady Catherine Onyeme, Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor; Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas; Senator Ede Dafinone; Hon. Nicholas Mutu; Hon. Francis Waive and other prominent political and public figures.

In his exhortation titled, “Life’s Practical Challenges to Christians and Office Holders,” the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church, Warri, Rev. Jesse Okoroji Jnr., described the funeral as an occasion not only to mourn the deceased but also to celebrate a life that had positively impacted those around her.

The cleric described the late Mrs. Arenyeka as “a woman of songs,” noting that her life represented beauty, inspiration and positive influence to her family and community.

He urged Christians and those entrusted with leadership positions to understand the practical challenges associated with life, leadership and service, stressing the need for humility, steadfastness and faithfulness in the discharge of responsibilities.

Rev. Okoroji commended Governor Oborevwori for what he described as remarkable development strides across Delta State, particularly the transformation of Warri through ongoing urban renewal and infrastructure projects.

He specifically lauded the governor for the Warri Urban Transformation programme, citing the construction of massive flyovers, bridges and other urban infrastructure.

According to him, the transformation taking place in Warri was beginning to give the city a new outlook, likening the emerging landscape to Dubai.

He urged Governor Oborevwori not to relent in his efforts to reposition Warri and the state for sustainable development and prosperity.

The pastor also expressed appreciation to the governor for his intervention on the Warri-Sapele-Benin Highway, while appealing to the contractor handling the project to accelerate the pace of work.

He said expediting the project would bring much-needed relief to motorists, commuters and residents who depend on the highway as a major transportation corridor.

Rev. Okoroji also commended the Governor for the prevailing peace in Delta State, praying that the atmosphere of peace, unity and security would continue to prevail across the state.

He stressed that sustainable development could only thrive in an environment where peace and security were guaranteed.

The service provided an opportunity for the gathering to reflect on the inevitability of death, the responsibilities of leadership and the enduring impact of a life well lived, even as the Arenyeka family received condolences from dignitaries and sympathisers.

The late Mrs. Arenyeka was remembered as a woman whose life and values left lasting impressions on her family and those who encountered her.

The President-General of the Ndokwa Neku Union (NNU), Chief Amechi Asugwuni, has reaffirmed the commitment of the apex socio-cultural body of the Ndokwa Nation to strengthening collaboration with neighbouring ethnic groups as part of efforts to promote peace, unity and sustainable development across Delta State.

Chief Asugwuni made this known when members of the Aniocha/Oshimili Elders Association, popularly known as Izu-Ikei, paid a courtesy visit to the executive committee of the NNU at Ndokwa House in Kwale, headquarters of Ndokwa West Local Government Area.

Welcoming the delegation, the NNU President-General described the visit as a journey of peace, understanding and unity, noting that the association’s recognition of the Ndokwa Nation was a positive step towards building stronger ties among the various ethnic nationalities in Delta North and the state at large.

“As an organisation, NNU believes strongly in unity, and such unity must be demonstrated through meaningful engagement and collaboration. Your visit today is a recognition of the Ndokwa Nation as a whole, and we deeply appreciate it,” Asugwuni said.

He noted that the age and experience of the visiting elders symbolised wisdom and leadership, adding that their presence would further enhance efforts aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence among communities.

According to him, the NNU is committed to building stronger relationships with neighbouring communities and intends to commence consultations with major towns and stakeholders across Delta North to deepen cooperation and address common concerns affecting the people.

“We must bring our experiences from different fields to bear in solving our collective challenges. Delta North should begin to identify its common problems and utilise its shared values to promote progress and development,” he said.

Chief Asugwuni further stated that the request for collaboration by the Aniocha/Oshimili elders aligns with the aspirations of the Ndokwa people, assuring that the visit would be reciprocated.

He expressed support for greater cooperation among the seven ethnic nationalities in Delta State, stressing that a united front would provide a stronger platform for addressing developmental issues.

“We support the convergence of all the seven ethnic nationalities in Delta State to chart a better course for our people. Let us begin with a Delta North summit that will provide a platform for dialogue, understanding and collective action,” he added.

The NNU President-General thanked the elders for the visit and reiterated the union’s commitment to fostering peace, unity and inclusive development.

Earlier, the leader of the Aniocha/Oshimili Elders Association (Izu-Ikei), Prince Clement Okonjo, said the organisation was established to promote peace, unity and collective advancement among the people of Anioma.

He expressed concern that Anioma people were not making sufficient progress in some areas of development and representation, stressing the need for greater cooperation among communities in Delta North.

“We are here to introduce ourselves as a registered organisation dedicated to promoting peace and unity. Whenever issues affect our people, we should be able to join hands to pursue common interests,” Okonjo said.

He emphasised that the association is non-partisan and not affiliated with any political party but would not remain silent on matters affecting the welfare and progress of Anioma people.

“Our visit is to seek collaboration in our quest to build a united and progressive Anioma Nation. There is a need for stronger unity in Delta North so that issues affecting our people can be properly articulated and effectively addressed,” he added.

The visit ended with both organisations expressing readiness to work together towards strengthening unity, advancing common interests and promoting lasting peace and development across Delta North and Delta State.

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has congratulated 16-year-old Oghenegaren Esiovwa-Thompson on his historic gold medal triumph at the Commonwealth Fencing Championships in Lagos.

Esiovwa-Thompson, an indigene of Osubi in Okpe Local Government Area of the State, made history by winning Nigeria’s first-ever gold medal in the men’s Under-23 epee event at the championship.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, Governor Oborevwori commended the young fencer for his emergence, describing his feat as a remarkable achievement that had brought honour and pride to Delta State and Nigeria.

The Governor hailed Esiovwa-Thompson for his exceptional talent, determination and composure, particularly his ability to overcome more experienced opponents on his way to the historic victory.

Competing for Nigeria for the first time after switching allegiance from England, the 16-year-old produced an impressive run, defeating three Indian opponents en route to the final.

He crowned his performance with a commanding 15-5 victory over Asian champion Lokesh Verma of India in the final, while India’s Godwin Natarajan and Ashwini Shaurya settled for bronze medals.

Esiovwa-Thompson had earlier gone unbeaten in Pool 4 to secure a bye into the round of 16.

He subsequently defeated South Africa’s Mathobela 15-7 before overpowering an Indian opponent 15-2 in the quarter-final.
In the semi-final, he overcame another strong challenge from India’s Ashwini Shaurya, edging him 15-11 to book his place in the final.

Governor Oborevwori said the feat was a testament to the potential of young Deltans when provided with the right environment, encouragement and opportunities to excel.

He praised the fencer’s family, coaches and all those who had contributed to his development, urging Esiovwa-Thompson to remain focused and continue striving for greater accomplishments on the international stage.

Oborevwori assured that his administration would continue to support initiatives that promote youth development and sports excellence, noting that the achievements of young athletes like Esiovwa-Thompson would inspire a new generation of Deltan youths.

The Governor wished the young fencer more victories and greater laurels in his sporting career, urging him to remain a worthy ambassador of Delta State and Nigeria.

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has urged the newly appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Major General Everest Okoro, to sustain proactive security measures and collaboration with other security agencies to protect lives, property and critical economic assets in the Niger Delta.

Oborevwori gave the charge on Tuesday when he received Okoro, who is also the Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe, on a courtesy visit to Government House, Asaba.

The governor congratulated him on his appointment, describing 6 Division as a strategic operational formation with a critical role in maintaining peace and security across the region.

“I congratulate you on your new posting as the GOC 6 Division. This is a very strategic operational division. I pray for your guidance, wisdom and success during your time here,” Oborevwori said, assuring the Army chief of the continued support and cooperation of the Delta State Government.

He said the peace in Delta was largely the result of sustained collaboration between the state government and security agencies, stressing that the state’s strategic position as a major oil-producing state made its security crucial to Nigeria’s economic stability.

“Delta State is very, very key to the economy of Nigeria, and we rely on the security agencies to do their work because the peace we are enjoying today is the result of collaboration between the state and the security agencies,” he said.

Oborevwori commended the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their efforts in safeguarding the state, noting that his administration had continued to provide infrastructure and logistics to enhance their operational capacity.

He disclosed that the government recently constructed one-unit flats at the Amphibious Army Barracks in Agbor and had provided sustained logistical support to the 63 Brigade.

“This is just one of our initiatives among others to support the Nigerian Army. We assure you that we will continue to give you support and collaborate with the Nigerian Army for a safer and more prosperous region,” the governor said.

He stressed the strong link between security and economic development, noting that investments and businesses could only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and stability.

“If this region is safe, the economy will go up. If there is unrest in this region, the economy will go down,” he said, urging the new GOC to be proactive and decisive in tackling criminal elements.

The governor, who recalled his previous involvement with the Presidential Amnesty Programme and his close working relationship with security agencies in the Niger Delta, said his relationship with the military remained cordial. “I want to assure you that we will continue to work together,” he added.

Earlier, Major General Okoro said the visit was part of his familiarisation tour of military formations and units under his command following his assumption of duty.

He commended Governor Oborevwori for what he described as purposeful leadership and strong support for Delta’s security architecture, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, welfare and economic development.

Okoro said Delta’s strategic location, oil and gas infrastructure, waterways and other critical national assets made the state important to Nigeria’s economic and energy security.

He said the protection of critical national assets and the security of states within the Division’s area of responsibility were therefore among his priorities.

He said credible intelligence, realistic training and close coordination among security agencies and other stakeholders were essential to effectively address security threats.

Okoro said his vision was to safeguard critical national assets, defeat threats within the Division’s area of responsibility and accomplish assigned missions through disciplined leadership, realistic training and seamless joint operations.

He commended the cordial relationship between the Delta Government and the Nigerian Army, particularly the 63 Brigade, and sought its sustenance.

By Celestine Afokobah

The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and Delta State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) have been commended for fencing Ewulu (Mixed) Grammar School.

The commendation was made by the President-General of the Old Students Association, Mr Godwin Moemeka.

Moemeka, in a letter jointly signed by the Association’s Secretary-General, Mr Jude Asem, said the fencing came at the right time.

He said the project would enhance the security of students and discourage trespass by farmers, into the school premises.

According to the association, the school had faced several challenges before the fencing project was undertaken.

These included trespass by farmers, inadequate security, and shortages of teaching and non-teaching staff.

The association, in a brief retrospect, said Ewulu (Mixed) Grammar School was established in 1978 through communal efforts before the then Bendel State Government took over its management.

It added that the school had produced many students who became worthy ambassadors in their various fields of endeavour.

The old students recently organised themselves under EMIGRASA to address some of the challenges confronting their alma mater.

The association also commended the indigens of Ewulu at home for clearing the school compound.

It appealed to UBEC and SUBEB to extend the intervention to the school’s dilapidated classrooms.

The association also called for the provision of adequate chairs and tables for the students.

EMIGRASA further commended the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for his administration’s collaboration with UBEC.

It commended the governor for ensuring the payment of the state’s counterpart funding to support educational development in Delta State.

The association noted that education remained one of the priorities of the MORE Agenda of the Oborevwori administration, and is ever grateful for this pragmatic approach to governance.

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has congratulated his Chief Adviser, Chief (Dr.) Ighoyota Amori, on the occasion of his 74th birth anniversary, describing him as a seasoned politician and committed public servant whose contributions to the state remain significant.

The governor, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, on Saturday, praised Amori for his decades of service and steadfast commitment to the advancement of Delta State and the wellbeing of its people.

Oborevwori particularly acknowledged Amori’s leadership of the Delta Central 2023 (DC-23) political lobby group, noting that his experience, political sagacity and commitment to public service had continued to make him a valuable asset to the state.

He said the birth anniversary offered an opportunity to celebrate not only Amori’s longevity but also his enduring contributions to governance, politics and community development.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I warmly felicitate with you, Chief Ighoyota Amori, on the occasion of your 74th birthday.

“Your years of dedicated service to God, Delta State and humanity are worthy of commendation. Your courage, consistency and commitment to the ideals of leadership and progress have remained remarkable.

“As you celebrate this milestone, I celebrate your invaluable contributions to our state and pray that God will continue to grant you good health, wisdom and strength to serve humanity,” the governor said.

The governor prayed God to bless Amori with many more years of good health, peace and fulfilment, while wishing him continued success in his endeavours.

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has felicitated with the Chairman of the Delta State Security Trust Fund, Hon. Daniel Mayuku, on the occasion of his 60th birthday.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, Governor Oborevwori described Mayuku as a man of prodigious intellect whose career in law, legislation, public service and community development had reflected remarkable capacity, versatility and commitment to the advancement of Delta State.

The Governor said Mayuku had distinguished himself over the years through his proficiency in legal practice, lawmaking and legislative advocacy, as well as his efforts towards fostering unity and building bridges across ethnic and tribal divides.

Oborevwori recalled that Mayuku had served as Executive Director, Projects, at the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), where he contributed to the implementation of development projects in oil-producing communities.

As a member representing Warri South-West Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Mayuku served in several key capacities, including Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Chairman of the Finance and Appropriation Committee and Chairman of the Education Committee, among others.

Governor Oborevwori commended Mayuku for his years of dedicated service and contributions to governance, particularly his commitment to legislative development, public administration and the advancement of society.

He prayed God to grant the former legislator continued good health, wisdom and strength to enable him make greater contributions to the peace, security and development of Delta State and Nigeria.

By Dr Festus Goziem Okubor writing from Ute-Erumu

Let us begin with a number so obscene it should make every Nigerian’s blood boil: Four trillion naira. That is what the fuel subsidy hemorrhage cost this nation in 2022 alone. Not on schools. Not on hospitals. Not on the roads that swallowed trucks. Four trillion naira vanished into the pockets of smugglers, cartel kingpins, and the political godfathers who turned Nigeria’s treasury into their personal automated teller machine.
No doubt, the forecasts for 2023 were worse: over six trillion naira, a sum larger than the entire federal budgets of Ghana, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire combined, was projected to go up in smoke, literally. This was not a social safety net. This was not a helping hand for the poor. This was beyond reasonable sense, organized, industrial-scale looting dressed in the language of compassion. The Nigerian fuel subsidy was the greatest heist in the economic history of modern Africa, and for forty years, every single man who occupied Aso Rock looked the other way until May 29, 2023.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu took the microphone, looked the subsidy vampire in the eye, and drove a stake through its heart. “Subsidy is gone,” he said. No committee. No white paper. No six-month stakeholder consultation designed to produce nothing. Just three words that every one of his predecessors lacked the spine to utter. That is what this piece is about: not spin, not propaganda, but the Cowardice Archive: Forty Years of Broken Promises.
Let us be brutally honest about our history, because the opposition would prefer we rather forget it.
Olusegun Obasanjo tried in 2003. He announced subsidy removal, faced protests, and retreated so fast you could hear the wind break. He tried again in 2004, then 2007; each time blinking at the first sign of resistance. The man who once boasted that Nigeria was not a nation of cows, yet the subsidy swallowed another trillion.
Goodluck Jonathan’s turn; 2012. The Occupy Nigeria movement took to the streets, and Jonathan, facing an election season capitulated completely. He not only restored the subsidy but entrenched it, ensuring the government, deducting billions at source for “under-recovery” a phrase that should live in infamy as the most expensive euphemism in Nigerian history.
Recall the scene again; Inauguration Day. The presidential speech writers must have scripted the norm; politically correct platitudes; false hope, soothing words with unrealistic inanities. Instead, Tinubu went off-script and detonated a policy bomb: “The fuel subsidy is gone.”
The political class was stunned. Where were the committees? Where was the national dialogue? Where was the six-month palliation window that had killed every previous attempt? Tinubu had done the unthinkable: he simply acted. No consultation with the subsidy cartel. No negotiation with the smugglers. No advance warning to the political godfathers who had grown fat on the arbitrage between Nigeria’s subsidized campaigns on removing the subsidy. Unlike his predecessors, who promised reform and delivered capitulation, Tinubu promised action, and for the first time in Nigerian history, a president’s word was total, final and unbreakable.
Tinubu’s May 29 declaration was not cruel. It was the long-overdue demolition of a criminal enterprise masquerading as social policy. No doubt the petrol prices soared as the immediate effect of the proclamation. This part is always painted by political antagonists, in its most gruesome form, while seeking to defame Tinubu as the cruelest President Nigeria ever had. They refuse to speak on the positive effect that this has on the economy: monthly allocations to states and Local Governments that once struggled to pay salaries now routinely exceed pre-2023 levels by margins of forty to sixty percent. Governors who spent years blaming Abuja for their insolvency suddenly found themselves with resources they had never seen. Whereas this article does not refute the fact that the masses have borne the immediate effect of subsidy removal, the price shock, real and painful as it is, should not mask the other reality of structural reallocation of national resources. Nigeria was spending more on subsidizing premium motor spirit than on its entire capital budget. Let that sink in: more on fuel than on roads, power, health, and education combined. Have you ever wondered why since 2023 there has been no serious fuel scarcity in Nigeria? By now, with the current military interface between America, Israel and Iran, and its attendant global oil crisis, the queues at filling stations as well as unreachable prices would have crippled the nation.
The IMF, no friend of populist presidents, wants us to believe that the Dangote Refinery with its 650,000 barrels per day of domestic refining capacity is somehow Aliko Dangote’s achievement alone, disconnected from government policy. This is either ignorance or deceit. The Dangote Refinery reached operational status under Tinubu’s watch, because Tinubu created the conditions for it to thrive. A downstream sector still shackled to subsidy economics would have made the refinery commercially unviable. Why would anyone invest billions in domestic refining price, quality, without competitive market access?
Consider where this leads: Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, has spent decades importing refined petroleum because its own refineries were monuments to incompetence and corruption. The subsidy regime made this madness profitable. Why fix refineries when you could import and pocket the subsidy differential? Tinubu, the political tactician broke that vicious circle.
The end of fuel importation is no longer a distant dream. It is the logical terminus of policies now in motion. And when that day comes, when Nigeria refines every drop of its own crude, the credit will belong not only to Tinubu but to all of us through our collective resilience and defiance against all that robbed Nigeria thin and lean through the heist of petroleum subsidy. This collective resilience and defiance, no doubt, is coming with painful cost, as no honest supporter of this administration is oblivious to the pain, through inflation that the removal of Oil subsidy has brought on household budgets. This temporary painful condition, which will soon end in the glory of a salvaged nation, that the rent-seekers who fed on Nigeria for forty years will not refrain from deploying, using every bureaucratic trick, every media plant, every political proxy to claw 2027 general elections.
As we approach the 2027 crossroads, the question on the ballot cannot be clearer. On one side: the subsidy vampires, the political actors, business cartels, and bureaucratic networks that fed on the narrative that “Tinubu has made life harder.” They will promise to bring back the “good old days” of cheap fuel. They will not mention that those days were financed by debt our grandchildren will repay. On the other side: a president who, whatever his imperfections, did what no one before him dared to do. He looked at a system designed to impoverish the nation and enrich a few, and he dismantled it. Not gradually. Not after a committee report. On Day One.
The history of nations is written at moments like this. Every country that has ever broken free of a resource curse, whether Indonesia under Suharto, Brazil under Cardoso, or India under Rao, did so because someone, somewhere, decided to stop the bleeding, whatever the political cost.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu made that decision for Nigeria on May 29, 2023. The reforms are not complete. The pain has not fully subsided. But the hemorrhage has been stanched. The patient is stabilizing. No more fake fuel promises. Nigeria has heard enough of those to last a lifetime. What we have now for the first time in a generation, is a president who said he would act, and did.
That is a story worth telling in 2027. That is a record worth defending. That is a man worth reelecting.