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PERSPECTIVE: UNDERSTANDING IBORI’S REMONSTRATIONS 

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Ibori / MSD Msd

The Movement for Stronger Delta, MSD, is quite surprised and a bit disappointed that since the uncharacteristic outburst of Chief James Ibori, on March 20, 2022 when Chief Ighoyota Amori flagged off his Delta Central Senatorial campaign, many Deltans have erroneously directed his admonitions and remonstrations at the wrong quarters and for the wrong reasons.

 

Deltans will concur that there has been a deliberately devious, diversionary, and counterproductive concerted effort to pitch Governor Ifeanyi Okowa against Chief James Ibori, since the 2023 succession campaign commenced with intensity in Delta State. But we are happy to note that all the efforts failed woefully and came crumbling down in one huge heap, when Ekwueme declared clearly and unequivocally to Deltans, that the PDP will conduct free and fair primaries to elect candidates that will fly the Party’s flag in the 2023 general elections.

Ibori / MSD Msd

We were therefore not particularly surprised, when some irresponsible, unscrupulous, and undesirable elements, attempted to once again, misconstrue and misdirect Chief Ibori’s remonstrations in the direction of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, instead of placing it squarely at the feet of Delta Central political leaders and stakeholders, to whom it is clearly and unambiguously meant for.

 

Chief James Ibori, is arguably one of the most iconic political figures to have straddled the boisterous, tempestuous, unpredictable, intriguing, and sometimes unfortunately combustible political firmament of post-modern Nigeria political space.

 

Odidigboigbo, as he is fondly addressed, carries the complete onomatopoeic essence and relevance of the title on his persona; flamboyant, charismatic, rambunctious, audacious, and the larger than life imperial authority of a true godfather.

 

His mystique often assumes mythical propensities and even in demobilized incarceration and uncharacteristic immobility, his aura akin to that of a filial poltergeist, radiated like the apparition of a shackled denizen, hovering and illuminating the ambiance of his political kingdom, with incandescent kindle.

Chief James onanefe Ibori

Years of humbling sojourn in a stranger’s penitentiary has done absolutely nothing to diminish Ibori’s electrifying presence and charismatic fervour, which has neither waned nor weakened even in the sad realization of his circumscribed vicissitudes and the frugality of existential restrictions.

 

But if the honest truth be told, it is quite difficult to imagine how the essence of Chief James Ibori will ever disintegrate or how the stolid presence of Odidigboigbo will ever be vaporized or even pulverized, in the political firmament of Delta State and especially that of Delta Central and Urhobo land. It is simply unthinkable.

 

It is against this sharp backdrop, therefore, that the Movement for Stronger, MSD, is trying to understand and situate the emerging imagery of the great Odidigboigbo himself, especially after his impassioned remonstrations, at Chief Amori’s Country Home in Mosogar, Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State, on Sunday, March 20, 2022, where he raised the alarm over an alleged gang up to disgrace him right inside his own Delta Central homestead, in the forthcoming 2023 general election.

 

Chief Ibori, who spoke when he declared support for the Delta Central Senatorial bid of Chief Ighoyota Amori, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in 2023, said:  “I am behind and I will support Senator Ighoyota Amori every step of the way. And anybody, anyone conspiring, anybody that thinks that because I am now a former Governor they want to conspire to disgrace me, God will disgrace all of them.

Chief James Onanefe Ibori

“This is not issue of money. ALL MOTHERS SHOULD CALL THEIR CHILDREN TO ORDER.

 

“This is my Senatorial District. I am a stakeholder in this party (PDP) and I am a stakeholder in Urhobo. This is my place of birth. I am with Senator Amori all the way.

 

“I want to assure that if you give Senator Amori your support, he will not disappoint you. I want to guarantee you that Senator Amori will perform beyond expectation because we know his capacity, we know his reach, he has contact and knows how to use it and that seat befits Amori.

 

“So let support him. Please, join hands with me. Support him to go to the Senate. I know that some of you from your various houses will probably be thinking. Please have a rethink, I am begging of you.

 

“Ibori is begging you and you are refusing? Please, support me to send Senator Ighoyota Amori to the Senate.

 

I want to say it again that this senatorial race, this Senator Amori’s bid is my bid. Please join hands with me and join hands with Senator Amori to go to the Senate.”

 

Now, let us place this homily in its proper perspective, for a clearer understanding and appreciation of its direction and implications.

 

For starters, there is no major Political figure, particularly in Delta Central (as indeed across the three Senatorial zones of the State), with the notable exception of Chief Great Ogboru of course, whose political growth and relevance was not mentored or influenced by Chief James Ibori, in the last two decades.

 

He is the political god of Urhoboland and his name is still gold dust when dropped deliberately or mentioned in reverential reference, by those seeking political office in the State. Odidigboigbo is an invincible colossus and the mere prospect of engaging anyone identified, either real or imagined, as one of his minions or proteges, is sufficient to completely discourage and terminate any further intent to contest.

 

But somewhat unexpectedly and quite inexplicably, Ibori influence and essence appears, at least in the last two election cycles, not only to be beginning to fray at the seams, but gradually and steadily eroding the substance of his hitherto impregnable political core, especially in his beloved Delta Central.

 

And there is no better and more revealing situation where this glaring example of the diminishing of his influence has been felt, than in the Delta Central Senatorial contest. What has been playing out quite surreptitiously, is the unfortunate dilemma of a leader and godfather, who has the onerous task and unenviable responsibility of managing his stubborn political sons and daughters, whose ambitions for elective office rose to the fire while he was incacerated, as a critical appraisal will reveal.

 

In 2014 for example, Ovie Omo Agege, one of Chief Ibori’s political godsons, took a shot at the Delta Central Senatorial seat under the Labour Party, after a woefully dismal performance in the PDP guber primary, which he really had no business participating in.

 

He was roundly and comprehensively defeated at the polls by Chief Ighoyota Amori (Odidimadi of Africa), another of Ibori’s political mentees and one would have expected naturally, that as two scions from the same political family, the matter would have been rested there and then. But, then, Chief Ibori, not wanting to be seen to take sides between his two political ‘children’, deliberately looked the other way, when Omo-Agege decided to test Amori’s victory in court. The rest, as they say, is now history and Ogidigboigo’s mystique remained intact and unblemished.

 

The same scenario replicated itself in the 2019 Delta Central Senatorial tussle in the PDP, when Rt. Hon. Evelyn Omavowan Oboro, often regarded as first amongst equals (right from her days as Evelyn Akpajoh), in an impressive list of Chief Ibori’s political god-daughters, which includes Faith Majemite and, decided to move up the ladder to the Senate, after two robust and impressive terms as member representing Okpe, Uvwie and Sapele Federal Constituency, in the House of Representatives.

 

Again, her opponent in the primary was the same Odidimadi of Africa, Chief Ighoyota Amori and once again Ibori, confronted with the dilemma of taking sides, feigned neutrality as unvanquished ghosts from the primary and run up to the tempestuous 2015 guber election, amongst other considerations, became deciding factors and Odidimadi lost out again, without much sympathy it must be noted.

 

However, the general election between Rt. Hon. Oboro and incumbent Senator Omo-Agege, both Ibori’s mentees, was always going to be a no brainier for the amazon from Uvwie and with rife allegations of anti-party accusations against some of the top figures in Delta Central PDP, it was not quite suprising that APC and Omo-Agege returned to the Senate, where he was later to emerge as Deputy Senate President, which, according to discerning analysts, has added even greater spice, essence and intrigue to the mystique of Odidigboigbo in Delta Central, as 2023 approaches.

 

There is even the exciting political permutation that Chief Ibori will play the admirable role of elder and statesman and allow the gladiators slug it out on their own mettle and strength, if eventually the PDP settles for one of his first generation godsons, particular from Delta Central, as its guber flagbearer. But that is a story for another day.

 

Chief James Ibori has no doubt managed and navigated the politics of Delta Central with deft, supremely astute and incomparable strategic brinkmanship, like a master ventriloquist. His reading of the political pulse of the zone is unerringly accurate and he always knows when to make the right comments with the right amount and appropriate dosage of emotion, sentiments, remonstrations and even warnings.

 

Those who take umbrage at the fact that he has come out so vociferously and with unIbori-like public endorsement of Chief Amori, do not really understand the clinical political calculation of that with DSP Omo-Agege overwhelming tipped to become the guber flagbearer of the APC either by cabal or self imposition, there is really no one else, amongst all those who have indicated their intentions to contest the Delta Central Senatorial seat with Chief Amori, that can be regarded as a first generation grandson or daughter of Odidigboigo.

 

And so there will be no guilt complex or even filial dilemma in openly throwing his full weight, with his full chest behind Odidimadi.

 

Which is why his very direct remonstrations, couched in choice phrases like: “All mothers should call their children to order….”This is my Senatorial District. I am a stakeholder in this party (PDP) and I am a stakeholder in Urhobo. This is my place of birth. I am with Senator Amori all the way….”Please, join hands with me. Support him to go to the Senate. I know that some of you from your various houses will probably be thinking. Please have a rethink, I am begging of you…and “Ibori is begging you and you are refusing? Please, support me to send Senator Ighoyota Amori to the Senate….”I want to say it again that this senatorial race, this Senator Amori’s bid is my bid…” are very instructive, poignant and unequivocal.

 

And that is why his opening statement on that fateful day, Sunday, March 20, viz: “I am behind and I will support Senator Ighoyota Amori every step of the way. And anybody, anyone conspiring, anybody that thinks that because I am now a former Governor they want to conspire to disgrace me, God will disgrace all of them”, resonates loudly and with clear and present understanding, to those it is meant for and they know themselves.

 

The political class of Delta Central, particularly in Delta PDP, should now look themselves in the eye, tell themselves the home truth and decide by themselves, what they want to do in the 2023 Senatorial election. They should not shift the responsibility to any one else, for as the Delta saying goes: “Na Dem hold the yam and na Dem hold the knife…”

 

That indeed, is the SIMPLE Agenda of the remonstrations of Chief James Ibori, the Odidigboigbo of the Universe.

MOVEMENT FOR STRONGER DELTA, (MSD).

PERSPECTIVE: Ahead 2023: Delta at crossroads

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Ifeanyi Okowa

By ANSY UGBEDE

Crossroads simply means “a point at which a crucial decision must be made which will have far-reaching consequences.”

 

That, aptly, is what Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and the chieftains and delegates of the PDP shall be doing come May 21 at which they will nominate the PDP flag bearer for the Delta 2023 Gubernatorial election.

 

The aspirants represent different directions and implications for the state and its future.

 

One issue at stake is the manner of power rotation. The Ijaws contend that it should be done on the basis of ethnicity and they feel they should take the next turn. They are presenting Dr. Braduce Amakazi Angozi, Senator James Manager and Deacon Kingsley Otuaro, the Deputy Governor.

 

The other side of the argument is rotation by senatorial districts, in which, notwithstanding entries by various aspirants from the three districts in all past primaries, the PDP leadership and elders have insisted on and have successfully managed the first circle of rotation across the three districts.

 

For many, rotation by districts seems easier and more manageable. They argue that a disruption of the process by descent to ethnicity would create an intractable confusion of claims by the multiplicity of ethnic, tribal and dialect groups across the state, with potentially negative consequences on ethnic relations and harmony both now and in the future. Still, the decision has to be made, albeit, carefully weighed.

 

Insisting on rotation by districts, Delta Central, through its DC-23 front, has pruned down it’s number of candidates, as advised by Governor Okowa and the Urhobo Progress Union, to three, for the party to choose from.

 

The three – David Edevbie, Kenneth Gbagi and Sheriff Oborevwori – also represent different directions and tendencies for the state.

 

It has been quite difficult to understand what Gbagi’s campaign is about besides staccato bursts of invectives and threats.

 

The contention has however been made clearer by Oborevwori whose campaign dwells on his being a local person with “street credibility” as his “main asset.”

 

Political observers say his allusions are pointed at David Edevbie, seen as cosmopolitan with his impressive educational and professional credentials in development economics and track records of achievements in both the private sector, having worked with top corporations overseas, and in the public sector where he served as three times Delta State Commissioner of Finance, and at the Presidency as Principal Secretary to President Umaru Yar’adua.

 

Edevbie and Oborevwori’s political personalities and sense of mission are at variance. One represents modernity, the other represents chieftainism.

 

True to type, Oborevwori was presented at his consultation with the state party executives by Chief Iduh Amadhe, a compendium of oratory and rhetorics. He was former President of Isoko Development Union whose end of tenure witnessed a resurgence of communal crises with brutal bloodbath across the land.

 

He was also a prominent player when his community experienced devastating power tussles with unrestrained arson over kingship and control of payouts from replete oil installations, which divided his people in sharp enmity and drove many out of town for a long period.

 

Oborevwori’s campaign is visibly being championed, possibly bankrolled, by the DESOPADEC gang of Michael Diden (Ejele), Chairman; Askia Ogieh, Managing Director; and John Nani, Executive Director Finance and Administration.

 

All three men are also racing away from DESOPADEC to the National Assembly, with Diden vying for Delta South Senate, Askia for Isoko Federal Constituency House of Representatives seat, and Nani for Delta Central Senate. They possibly have joint reasons for wanting to head off to Abuja.

 

Only recently, a story made the rounds on Social Media alleging that Diden had been siphoning about N100m monthly from DESOPADEC through companies whose office addresses are traced to him. There have been denials and further insistence on the validity of the story.

 

It was also reported, in November 2021, that he moved to seize the whole premises of St Malachy Primary School, Sapele, and had his agents to disrupt learning activities over claims that he has bought the land. He reportedly told the police that while he bought the school land from one Ogodo family, he was however not responsible for the removal of the roofs of the buildings.

 

Askia on the other hand is adjudged, possibly wrongly, by political opponents in his native Isoko land as a guzzling stickler for power and prize. From same community as Chief Amadhe, he was also a prominent player in the crises that devastated his hometown for which he and others kept in exile for a period.

 

Nani’s mission in the race for the Senate is suspected as calculated to deploy his huge resources from DESOPADEC to counter and bury Senator Ighoyota Amori and Chief James Ibori’s influence in Delta Central to create a new force with Oborevwori.

 

These are the Generals behind Oborevwori while they have Ifeanyi Eboigbe, Chief Protocol Officer to Governor Okowa, suspected to be their Deputy Governorship designate, as their anchorman to influence the endorsement of Governor Okowa.

 

They stand against Edevbie for his disposition to modernisation which they fear will raise the mode of governance and disrupt the flow of influence and privileges they enjoy.

 

Inadvertantly, Iduh Amadhe put it succinctly at Oborevwori’s declaration, that they “want a Governor who when he sees elders will give them kola.”

 

Deltans know what that means and how it affects the flow of dividends of governance to the real grassroots.

 

But, to sustain the culture, they are asking Deltans to disregard Edevbie’s superior credentials, huge private and public service experiences and track records, and settle for less quality with “street credibility.”

 

Truly, Edevbie may jettison some old ways to engender modernisation. On his first arrival as Commissioner of Finance, directly from the Commonwealth Development Corporation where he served as Development Officer for Asia and the Pacific, he disrupted the choatic contract payment system by automating the process such as gave no room for influence peddling.

 

His insistence on Cash Budgeting to avoid unplanned contract awards and unnecessary state indebtedness, and also on not personally seeing or knowing contractors, except by computerised tracking and verification of their performance, angered old contractors who usually influenced and compromised the system to generate contracts and get paid in spite of the financial shocks on the state but in the process he grew the state finance from N6b in 1999 to N60b in 2003 which enabled the Ibori administration to undertake various capital projects for the then young Delta State.

 

Also reputed for conceptualising the Presidential Amnesty Programme under President Yar’adua, which has ensured relative peace in the Niger Delta, restored the nation’s oil production capacity and supported hitherto militant youths to acquire employability skills, Edevbie comes with the managerial depth of the likes of Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, now DG of the World Trade Organisation, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina now of the Africa Development Bank and Peter Obi, an astute financial investment and management expert who modelled skilled governance with Anambra State.

 

While Nigeria suffered serious external debt burden that hampered development for years, it took Okonjo-Iweala’s brilliance and expertise to achieve full debt clearance and freed Nigeria from the albatross and her template helped the nation to maintain very low debt profile under Presidents Yar’adua and Jonathan.

 

Having no such calibre of expertise in its team, the present administration has gone on to accumulate even more debts, some secured with the exposure of our national sovereignty.

 

Had the nation heeded Okonjo-Iweala’s advise on establishing a Sovereign National Fund, perhaps, Nigeria’s present story would have been different, but she was frontally opposed by the “street credible” likes of Adams Oshiomole and Rotimi Amaechi. See where our nation is today: with depleted foreign reserve, more accumulation of debts from China and Europe with a debt servicing strain of over 90% of national revenue and having no fall back position, all with frightening implications for the future.

 

While Peter Obi left about N75 billion for his successor, Willie Obiano, the new Governor, Prof Charles Soludo, has said Obiano left him a debt of N100 billion and a paltry N300 million cash.

 

Okonjo-Iweala’s ability to clear Nigeria’s $30 billion external debts and Peter Obi’s ability to leave N75 billion in the treasury for his successor could not have been without superior knowledge, experience and skills in financial management and global economic development networks.

 

Interestingly, Edevbie shares the same professional background and management capacity with them. On this, Okowa himself had testified to his contributions to the financial development of the state when both of them served under Ibori, between 1999 and 2007, and when Edevbie served him as Commissioner of Finance and Chief of Staff from 2015 to 2021.

 

Indeed, the differences in the mode, capacity and directions the different aspirants may lead are clear.

 

Laughable though is when people resist modernity but are regularly on the plane to enjoy modern life overseas. Every society and it’s citizens aim for modernity and one would have expected our “street chieftains” to seek and encourage the modernisation of their home state to achieve the efficiency of governance and quality of life which they often chase overseas, rather than deceiving Deltans to remain in old ways simply for the preservation of their personal privileges.

 

This is the crux of the matter. Suffice to remind us all, as stated in the beginning: In this eminent transition, our state is at crossroads and whatever decision will have far-reaching consequences in the direction of our state. God help us.

*Ugbede, a Deltan wrote from Benin City*

Delta 2023 and the comedy of errors

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News View
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By Enuwa Onyekwelu

It is getting funny in Delta State. One fellow woke up one morning and declared that Governor Okowa had picked him as his successor.

Then, a reputedly unstable and garrulous Executive Assistant went frenzy with the misinformation.

Next day, another fellow elsewhere declared that Okowa had endorsed another character, not the one for which the EA danced naked.

For days, weeks, they kept overdoing themselves, talking and untalking, shamelessly.

You wonder why the desperation for endorsement? It simply shows that such aspirants are self conscious of the fact that they have nothing to offer.

They therefore resort to praise singing the Governor to curry his favour, employing his aides to manipulate him towards their direction and flying kites to deceive and possibly intimidate the people by giving the impression that the incumbent has assured them of his preparedness to abuse his powers, to undermine the party congress delegates and to compromise the democratic process in their favour.

Interestingly, all sorts of characters who thrive in chaos and the manipulation of the state to feather their nests have been jumping about the place to reinforce the misguided agenda.

Even some elders who should protect the future of the state have donated their garb of hypocritical oratory to enthrone deformity upon the people in expectation of regular state kola. Understandably, that is how they have lived while in the pretext of being community leaders.

Perhaps noticing how the arrogations and disprovals of Okowa’s endorsements tended to damage the image of the party and puncture it’s claims to internal democracy, the PDP moved to issue a rebuttal, saying the Governor has not endorsed anyone and would stick to his pledge on free and fair primaries.

Curiously, the party statement was double-faced. Tongue-in-cheek, it seemed like a rebuttal and at the same time like a confirmation of the same subject, which suggests that the party secretariat might have been compromised under some influence.

Alarmed by it all, majority of top PDP elders, chieftains, community leaders and traditional rulers across the state jerked in disbelief.

They were especially embarrassed as to how Okowa could have made such terrible misjudgment to arrive at such ridiculous choices in the face of far better and available qualities in the race.

But the Governor himself appears even more embarrassed by the false exposure and damage which the tales of his endorsements convey on him.

On one hand, it diminishes his integrity after he had promised a level playing ground for free and fair primaries. On the other hand, the choices present him as mortgaging the interest of quality governance of the state to either please a few of his inordinate aides or to satisfy a malignant personal malice or to install a stooge to ensure his continued unfettered assess to state funds when out of office.

Some even reasoned that Okowa is on an ego trip just to reduce and spite some party leaders and particular sections of the state for mere bravado.

Except if something has gone wrong in some realms, these do do not describe his person.

To control the damage, the State Commissioner for Information, Charles Aniagwu, has had to call the press to restate Governor Okowa’s neutrality and belief in team work through consultations with party elders and leaders, and also safeguarding the power of the delegates, all matured adults and actual representatives of all the wards of the state, to choose on behalf of Deltans who would best deliver economic, infrastructural and social development of the state.

The disclaimer gives some hope for the future of Delta State. It gives assurance that the Governor and elders are fully conscious of the fact that after all the politics, the real challenge of governance is the capacity to create and manage resources for the development of the state and socio-economic upliftment of the people.

This being not a matter of joke, the task is not for the ordinary simply for their self-preserving loyalty to one or the other leader or high sense of sycophancy. It is not a matter for “Sgt Fallstaff” and the street gang.

In a rapidly evolving, increasingly challenging global economy driven by knowledge, information, technology and networking, today and tomorrow’s leadership requires sober, organised and well articulated persons with hybrid competencies and global reach. Deltans cannot be in doubt nor should they make any mistake about this.

For about seven years now, Nigerians have suffered and continue to suffer the consequences of a certain indiscretion in choosing a leader lacking in knowledge, information, economic management skills and global outlook. The agony of the people increases by the day. The collateral exposure and damage this has left for coming years, even decades, is even worse.

As Winston Churchill once noted, “want of foresight, unwillingness to act when action would be simple and effective, lack of clear thinking, confusion of counsel until the emergency comes, until self-preservation strikes its jarring gong – these are the features which constitute the endless repetition of history.”

This is the determination before Okowa and the leaders of Delta PDP.

It is about the future of Delta, its economic development, sustainable growth, stability and social progress.

The question is: “To be or not to be?” and the answer, like the mystic trumpet, is blowing in the wind.

It is left for Okowa, the elders, leaders and delegates to the PDP congress, to eschew sentiments, heed wise counsel and tow the path of good reason and conscience, or choose out of some dark sentiments to conduce the state into ignominy with bomboys.

In the meantime, let’s enjoy the comedy, or tragedy?

Edevbie and the imperative of developing riverine communities

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David Edevbie

By Fred Edoreh

Olorogun David Edevbie was emphatic when he declared that, when elected as Governor, he will pay high attention to the development of riverine communities.

“We cannot achieve any meaningful development if we do not pay more attention and devote more resources to opening up, connecting and integrating the riverine communities in our development process,” he reasoned.

“Riverine communities are a great asset to any nation and developing them means developing the nation. They present great values for agriculture, fisheries, transportation, processing industries, commerce and many more.”

Our experience in Delta and many other parts of Nigeria is that the riverine communities have always been left out in development. The situation has presented serious inequity in human and economic development, leaving majority of the people mostly in poverty and low standard of living.

The usual excusd is that, being riverine, the terrain is expensive to develop. The added negative impact is that, being undeveloped, it becomes difficult to draw in infrastructures which also makes it difficult for investors to go in to drive industrialisation which in turn also makes it difficult to create meaningful employment opportunities and platforms for enterprise.

“We need to reverse this outlook. It is true that the riverine area is expensive to develop but we must also recognise that the same riverine areas provide a significant portion of the state and national revenue through their oil and gas deposits, agricultural and marine resources. From whom much is taken, much also should be given.

“The true symbol of any nations civilisation and growth is in the political willingness and ability to develop its riverine and inner communities. Some of the most beautiful cities in the world are in riverine communities. Take Miami, take Tennessee, take Columbia regions in the US, take Venice in Italy. Examples abound. We have the the Third Mainland Bridge and they are planning a Fourth and Fifth Mainland Bridge in Lagos. They are all long bridges over water. Even desert regions like Dubai have also been developed as world centres. It all shows that there is no terrain that cannot be developed. What is required is understanding their value and having the willingness to invest in meeting their needs to integrate them effectively in the development process.

“We must therefore be willing to spend more money to develop and more robustly connect our riverine communities with our upland areas to integrate our development architecture.

“This will enable the penetration of more physical and social infrastructure to make it easy and attractive for investors and industries to go in. This will support greater output in agriculture and fisheries, improve transportation and commercial activities and provide opportunities for jobs and wealth creation in the area.

“We recognised this early in Chief James Ibori’s administration and that led to the construction of the Omadino, Bomadi and Aboh bridges. Before then, many of the riverine communities were terribly cut off and it looked like they were not part of our world. With those bridges, there has been fair measure of connection.

“Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has built on that and contributed fairly in connecting some of the communities, but so much more still needs to be done. Life in the riverine communities is still a far cry from what it should be.”

Edevbie has it all mapped out with a huge plan to provide a coastal road connecting Oko to Abala area in Delta North and linking it up to Patani in Delta South. The plan means providing another major artery of connection and development in Delta State.

Added to the major coastal road is the need to also provide a network of roads linking the hundreds of inner communities in the riverine areas while also improving on river navigation and transportation. This is included in the plan.

His plans also include deliberate action to reactivate operations in Warri port and revamp the Koko and Burutu ports.

It is indeed a tragedy that these ports have been allowed to wallow in inactivity or under capacity utilisation and Edevbie says deliberate action would be taken through partnership with the private sector and negotiations with the Federal Government and various marine authorities to bring these ports back to life.

Before now, the Federal Government saw reasons to invest in the development of river basins and we had Niger-Delta and Benin-Owena as part of the 19 River Basin development authorities.

At last, it has been see that the intention was not actually to develop the areas in terms of infrastructure but only mostly to exploit the water resources of the regions to improve on agricultural output during the great drought in the Sahel region. Today, the river basin authorities are no longer functioning.

We must therefore take our destiny in our hands in recognition that it is our duty to develop our own space, to provide and equip our people with the necessary capacity to widen their horizon and elevate their standard of living through access to roads, greater interaction and exchange with wider world and opportunities for greater enterprise, industrialisation, power supply, commerce, access to new technologies, digitisation and employment opportunities.

This is why the Edevbie agenda for the development of the riverine areas of Delta State is profoundly imperative.

DEFECTION SAGA: Ebonyi Indigenes In Solidarity With Governor Umahi

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Dave Umahi

By Charles Nwabardi

Members of the Development Association of Ebonyi Indigenes (DAES) in Lagos have expressed solidarity to their State Governor, Engr. David Nweze Umahi on his appeal at a higher court with respect to the recent Federal High Court, Abuja judgement reversing his electoral victory garnered as Governor seven years ago.

The executive members of the Association in their 2022 second Executive Committee meeting held on Friday March 26, resolved to stand by the Governor at his moment of judicial trial as a way of appreciating his concern and support to the Association’s activities over the years.

In a press statement on Saturday, President of the Association, Mayor (Dr) Felix Amah Nnachi said members of DAES “having followed keenly the political and judicial pronouncements, wish to express our unalloyed solidarity to you and your government which has been of immense support to Ebonyi indigenes in Lagos.

“Your act of magnanimity in supporting Ebonyians in Lagos is highly appreciated and we pray that God Almighty will grant you the grace to prevail and enable an enduring people’s leadership in Ebonyi State.”

EMPOWERMENT: Elumelu Presents Starter Packs To Young Farmers

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The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu in consonance with his empowerment programme for the people of Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, Delta State, has presented starter packs to young farmers in Onicha-Uku.

The starter pack which was in the form of cash was formally presented to the young farmers under the aegis of Onicha-Uku Youth Farmers Association, on Friday March 25, 2022 at Onicha-Uku in Aniocha North Local Government area of the State.

The cash presentation was to enable the young Farmers commence farming activities in this current farming season, having been trained on general farming techniques facilitated by the Minority Leader.

Elumelu was represented at the event by a renowned political leader in Delta State and Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission, Chief Nkem Okwuofu and was witnessed by the former Majority Leader of the State House of Assembly, Chief (Hon) Barrister Krees Njiokwuemeni, presently, the Executive Assistant to the State Governor on Legal Matters.

Presenting the starter packs to the beneficiaries, Chief Nkem Okwuofu said that the empowerment of the young farmers was in line with the promises made by the Minority Leader about four months ago when the youths in their numbers paid a visit to him in one of his frequent visits, saying that it was another opportunity for the Minority leader to collect information on the basic needs of the youths in that community.

Chief Okwuofu congratulated the youths for making efforts towards going into farming and urged them to be steadfast and not to be ashamed in whatever laudable they have chosen to do, even as she admonished them to use the money judiciously as a take up grant to commence and progress their farming activities in their different areas

“Whatever anybody is doing, you must do it very well and you will get to that destination God wants you to get to. All you need to do is to take a step of faith and be sincere with the money that has been committed to you, no matter how small or how big.

“Today, you are being encouraged by Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu to go into cassava farming, yam farming, tomato farming, poultry and piggery farming and I urge you to be serious with it. You can be whatever you want to be in life if only you will be serious and committed with your little beginning.

“Indeed, all that My Son, the Minority Leader needs from you is to use this money to commence and progress your farming activities, especially in this farming season so that you will be of great value to your families, this community and the State at large,” Chief Okwuofu stated.

She applauded Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu for always attending to the needs of his people, describing him as a cosmopolitan politician that has continued to reach out to his constituents despite all odds.

“This is a Man that made promises and he is fulfilling them like our dear Governor, His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa. We are so blessed and by the grace of God, he is a giver and he will continue to give. As a Mother, it is my duty to encourage him to continue to give because I find out that as much as he gives, the much God replenishes his pocket and he shouldn’t relent and God will always bless him,” the notable political leader also known as the Mother of Government (MOG) prayed.

While confirming the readiness of Rt. Hon. Elumelu to unleash the biggest empowerment programme in the history of Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency in a matter of days, Chief Okwuofu called on the youths not to relent in their support, prayers and cooperation with the State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu.

She said that the Governor and the Minority Leader has remained critical weapons God has continued to use in improving their standard of living, even as she encouraged those yet to register in the INEC continuous voters registration to avail themselves the opportunity of the ongoing exercise to go and register, obtain their voters cards to be able to vote For Ndudi Elumelu and the PDP in the forthcoming general election in 2023.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Ezedi Fidelis appreciated Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu for always finding time to be with the people and said that it was his constant meetings with them that enabled him to know their basic needs.

Ezedi also commended him for his encouragement and the starter packs presented to them and assured that the cash will be used for the purpose that it was meant for and said they will not relent in working and praying for his success in his political endervours.

Also at the event was the Senior Legislative Assistant to the Minority Leader, Sir Anthony Anyaegbunam, the Legislative Aid to the Minority Leader, Ms Bridget Modebe and the Youth President of Onicha-Uku Youth Association and his Deputy.

Highlight was the former presentation of the packs to the members of the Farmers Association by Chief Nkem Okwuofu and Chief Barr. Krees Njiokwuemeni.

Hon. Doctor Farah Dagogo is a good representative…. NAWOJ South South.

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Farah Dagogo NAWOJ

BY EUNICE EMEYAZIA

Members of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, has commended the member representing Bonny/degema federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Doctor Farah- Dagogo for his efforts at improving the conditions of youths and vulnerable people in the society.

NAWOJ

The Deputy National President, NAWOJ, Comrade Lilian Okonkwo Ogabu gave the commendation when she led leaders of NAWOJ in the South South Zone to visit the Federal Lawmaker in his office in Abuja.

Comrade Lilian Okonkwo Ogabu commended Hon. Doctor Farah-Dagogo for quality Representation through the sponsorship of many bills, in the Green Chambers, including the Niger Delta Disaster management Reserved fund Bill, Constitution Alteration Amendment Bill, National Polytechnics Commission bill, Federal Medical Centre, Bonny , the Federal Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, STEAM, Polytechnic, Tombia, as well as the Youth Entrepreneurship Development Trust Fund bill, which public hearing was attended by NAWOJ leaders in the South South.

Comrade Okonkwo Ogabu recalled the motions, the Federal Lawmaker has moved, including a motion on the need for oil companies to relocate their headquarters to their areas of operations to provide job and boost the economy of host communities, a motion on the shoal of dead fishes along the coastal line of Bonny and other communities in the Niger Delta, a motion on the need for the Federal Government to Liberalize solid minerals, a motion for the delimitation of state Constituencies in Rivers State that would increaae the state constituencies to 39, as against the present 32, and many others, and lauded his passion and Commitment to the development of the Niger Delta region.

Farah Dagogo

The Deputy NAWOJ President said the Association has observed closely the projects Hon. Farah-Dagogo has facilitated to assist women and youths in his constituency, especially the training of women and youths from Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency on livestock farming and providing them with financial grants, training of over 30 persons from his Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency on Broadband Application, and providing the beneficiaries with brand new laptops and start up grants, training youths and women in his Degema/Bonny on Catering Services, and giving them modern gas cookers and financial grants to start up, as well as giving financial assistance of #150,000 each to 130 persons, which has helped boost the economy of families.

She said interventionist projects of the lawmaker such as the Land reclamation and erosion control at Degema Consulate in Degema Local Government Area, Construction of Six block building at Community Secondary School Abalamabie, Bonny, ongoing construction of Tombia Town Hall, Degema, among other projects, were a testament of his commitment and passion for the people.

Comrade Okonkwo Ogabu stated that the country needs more of such youthful, innovative, people oriented, focused, purpose driven and selfless leaders, at the local, state and national level, as it was key in achieving the Nigeria of our dream, adding that the Women Journalists were proud to associate with him.

Responding, Hon. Doctor Farah -Dagogo thanked Nawoj South South leadership for the visit, saying that he would continue to do his best to better the lot of his people.

He assured that before the end of the year, two e-libraries will be built simultaneously in Degema and Bonny local government areas of Rivers State, boat drivers plying the Degema/Bonny waterways will be provided boats to ease their operations, while 500 technologically inclined persons including women and youths would be provided laptops and trained on Web Design, Cad Technology E-commerce and Freelancing.

NAWOJ has continued to advocate for good governance, protecting the right of the public to know the truth.

#Eunice Emeyazia

2023: JAMES MANAGER VISITS PDP DELEGATES; PROMISE FAIRNESSS AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT

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BY EUNICE EMEYAZIA
One of the leading Gubernatorial aspirants and Senator representing Delta South, Senator James Manager has assured Deltans as well as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, of massive rural transformation and Urban Renewal if elected to fly the party’s flag in 2023.

Senator James Manager gave the assurance when he visited PDP Delegates in Ukwuani, Ika South and Ika North East Local Government Areas, to canvass their support
Addressing the delegates, Senator Manager recalled his political journey, especially in the Social Democratic party SDP, in the defunct Bendel state, his service in various capacities as Commissioner in different offices, and five time Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, assuring that he would bring his wealth of experience to bear in advancing the economic fortunes of the state.

James Manager

He said massive rural transformation, Urban renewal, agriculture and education would be given attention in his administration if elected, adding that he would bring in experts in various fields to work with him, and ensure fairness in distributing the wealth of the state across all ethnic divides.

While reiterating his belief in the PDP, the Governorship Aspirant commended Governor Okowa for providing a conducive evironment for development to thrive and promised to build massively on the gains of the Okowa administration to make Deltans proud.
Senator Manager appealed to the people to give him a chance to contribute his quota in making Delta the cynosure of all eyes.

In their response, the PDP Chairmen, of the various local Government Areas, described Senator James Manager as a foremost politician who had worked tirelessly since the inception of PDP, and had remained supportive of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, urging him to continue in his support, to enable Governor Okowa finish well.

While wishing the campaign team success, they noted that they would follow the lead of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa at the appropriate time.

The Director General of the Senator Manager for Governor 2023 Campaign Train, Engineer Emmanuel Eboh said Senator Manager was well exposed and had understudied events in Delta state, adding that he was well equipped to take up the responsibility as a Governor of the state

Stakeholders across the ethnic divides in the state including the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Renewable Energy, Newworld Safugha attended the event.

@Eunice Emeyazia Reporting.

Vote for me, I will make you proud. Sen. James Manager appeals to PDP Delegates.

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James Manager

BY EUNICE EMEYAZIA

The lawmaker representing Delta South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Mr James Manager, has visited PDP delegates in Oshimili North, Aniocha North and Aniocha South Local Government Area, to formally inform them of his intention to contest the gubernatorial seat of Delta State in 2023.

The PDP Secretariats in Akwukwu Igbo Oshimili North, Issele-Uku in Aniocha North and Ogwashi uku in Aniocha South was a beehive of activity as the people warmly received Senator James Manager and his team.

James Manager addressing PDP Delegates

Addressing the delegates, Senator Manager said he would give priority to Rural Transformation, Urban Renewal, Agricultural Development, Healthcare delivery, Peace and Security.

He said he had the experience to govern the state, adding that giving him the opportunity to fly the party’s flag in the coming Governorship election, would represent fairness hope and justice, in the party.

Senator Manager said Governor Ifeanyi Okowa had done well, and promised to continue from where the Governor would stop to do the State proud.

The Director General of the Senator Manager for Governor 2023 Campaign Train, Engineer Emmanuel Eboh described Senator Manager as a detribalised Deltan who had been tested and trusted in the positions he occupied.

The PDP Chairmen in Oshimili North, Hon. Nduka Isagba, Aniocha North, Hon. Charles Ochei and Vice Chairman Aniocha South, Hon. Felix Nwaokolo wished them well in their endeavors.

Senator James Manager was accompanied on the visit by his supporters across the ethnic divides, including the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Renewable Energy, Newworld Safugha.

Meanwhile, Senator Manager was at the residence of the PDP party Chairman in Aniocha South, Mr Okwufulueze to condole with him on the death of his wife, Ngozi, who died Thursday night after a protracted illness.

A minute silence was observed in her honour at the PDP Secretariat in Aniocha South during the Senator’s visit to delegates.

#Eunice Emeyazia reports

REPS APPROVE ESTABLISHMENT OF FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTER, BONNY, RIVERS STATE.

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Farah Dagogo

BY EUNICE EMEYAZIA.

Tuesday, March 22, 2022, remains indelible in the minds of residents of Bonny Island, Rivers State, as on this day, the House of Representatives, passed into law the bill for the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Bonny is an Island, with a population of about 172,549 persons due to the consistent surge in the population owing to the oil explorative activities constantly ongoing on the Island, with the figure estimated to increase drastically, especially with the construction of the Train 7 of the NLNG in progress.

The Island grapples with many security challenges on the water – way, as well as health issues. The surge in cases of COVID 19 pandemic, coupled with the case of death of strange fishes found around Bonny – Andoni waterway led to many deaths in the Island, stretching the primary health care centres in the area.

Sadly, the few existing health facilities in the area which look more consulting clinics, are not capable of handling serious health related ailments or emergencies, let alone withstand an outbreak of serious epidemic or hazards caused by industrial or social related activities.

The absence of a good Secondary Health Care facility has therefore remained a concern to residents, as they clamour for the provision of an improved health care system, to bridge the health infrastructure deficit in the Local Government Area and provide for the health needs of the locals and foreigners alike.

This informed the Bill, which seeks to establish a Federal Medical Centre in Bonny, Rivers State, sponsored by Hon. Doctor Farah Dagogo, Member representing Degema/ Bonny Federal Constituency, with 12 other members from Rivers State as co-sponsors.
Farah- Dagogo, had in his debate, lamented the Health Care neglect Bonny Kingdom was facing despite being host to the multi billion Dollar Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG and other oil multinationals, adding that the availability of a good Health Care Facility ought to be a matter of grave concern to the government.

The House Committee on Health Institutions had on February 1st, 2022, laid its report before the House for consideration and
adoption.

At the Committee of the whole penultimate Wednesday, chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Idris Wase, the House scrutinized and considered the sections, schedule and explanatory memorandum, where futher amendments were effected.

At a one day Public Hearing held at the House of Representatives, thursday, Critical stakeholders, threw their weight behind the proposed law.

The bill was later adopted at the resumed sitting of the House.
When it was put up for Third Reading, the bill got a resounding ‘yes’
With the passage of the bill, the Lower Chambers has granted legal framework to the establishment of the Federal Medical Centre.

The Medical Centre will cater and address the consistent surge in the population of Bonny, and Rivers State at large, and when fully operational, would generate employment, reduce the number of job seekers in the labour market, reduce crime rate and improve security in the Local Government.

#Eunice Emeyazia Reporting

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