By NewsView

The state government in collaboration with the Police Service Commission has held a town hall meeting in Asaba with a charge on traditional rulers, opinion leaders, prominent citizens and groups in the state to encourage the youths to show greater interest in joining the police.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa gave the charge while declaring open the town hall meeting at the Unity Hall in Government House, Asaba.

Governor Okowa, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief Patrick Ukah, said the town hall meeting was timely as criminals have reinvented their wheels of criminality where neighbours may be kidnappers or run a terrorists cell.

He said this reality called for new strategies to defeat the enemies of peace, adding that the town hall meeting and retreat were the first steps to take as they aim at familiarizing the citizens and residents of the state with the activities of the commission.

The governor, who observed that the number of people joining the police had declined probably because of their perception of the police, encouraged the young ones to join the force now to strengthen the security architecture.

He told the leadership of the police force to do a lot of homework to make people to be attracted to the job by portraying the force as the friend of the community in their dressing, attitude and actions as they are integral parts of the society.

Governor Okowa commended the police and other sister security agencies for their cooperation in ensuring the existence of relative peace in the state.

Earlier, the Commissioner representing South-South geopolitical zone and Nigerian mass media; Police service commission, Mr. Austin Braimoh, stated that the community engagement was to directly interact with persons and citizens to educate them about the inner workings and mandate in aiding a smooth relationship between the police and the public.

He said the police will endeavour to periodically keep the police/citizens relationship via community engagement forums across the various state and zonal commands across the country.

The State Police Commissioner, Ari Mohamed Ali, represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Sunday Oke, stated that the police have been repositioned to serve the public deligently and urged the participants, including the traditional rulers, to encourage their best materials to join the police.

He urged the youths to take pride in the dignity of labour and shun acts capable of taking them into jail and jeopardizing their future.

Delta State PDP Stakeholders Should Abstain From Being Economical With the Truth and Making of Contradictory Arguments. Let’s Focus on the Big Picture of Peace and Unity of the Sate*.

It is not truthful to say; the 2006 and 2014 PDP governorship primaries of Delta State was contested by aspirants from Delta Central alone against Dr Uduaghan of Delta South and Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa of Delta North respectively. Bradus Angozie from Burutu LGA in Delta South contested, Godswill Obielum from Ndokwa East LGA, Esther Uduehi from Ndokwa, Peter Okocha from Oshimili and Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa from Ika North East LGA in Delta North contested. So many aspirants from Delta Central like Pius Ewherido, Ejaife Odebala, Kenneth Gbagi, Ovie Omo Agege, Emmanuel Agwariavwodo, among others also contested.

There was nothing like Ibori imposing Uduaghan on the party. Ibori supported Uduaghan no doubt but he was able to mobilized majority of the stakeholders to look the direction of Delta South and Uduaghan.

There was primaries at Ogwashi-Uku on 10th December, 2006. Uduaghan and Okowa came 1st and 2nd respectively, and there was supposed to be a run off for two of them because Uduaghan who came first did not score up to 51% of the total votes to be declared the winner as required by the party Guidelines for that year. Okowa was prevailed upon to step down and allow Uduaghan of Delta South to be the candidate. Similarly, in the 2014 guber primaries at Asaba , majority of the stakeholders pushed for Delta North to produce the governor. Aspirants from Delta Central and Delta South contested against aspirants from Delta North.

Kenneth Gbagi from Ughelli South LGA, Ovie Omo Agege from Ughelli North LGA, Amos Otuamah and David Edevbie from Ughelli North contested. Godsday Orubebe from Burutu LGA in Delta South also contested. Dr Okowa from Delta North won because majority of the stakeholders also looked at the direction of Delta North to produce the candidate.

The in thing is that whether there was official or no official, written or no written agreement on zoning/rotation the party had through State chairman always ‘voiced’ a zoning direction which prevailed. Recall the days of Emmanuel Ogidi, Peter Nwaoboshi. Discordant voices to the direction had always been there but the voice of the party carried the day and it will not be different with the golden voice of Kingsley Esiso .

What majority of stakeholders are now saying, praying for and diligently working on is that zoning and rotation be retained or sustained, irrespective of whether it started by deliberate agreement or by default or accidental or divine. It is good for the peace and unity of the state , and as well, equitable, fair and just. Therefore, the 2023 governorship seat should go to Delta Central!

EDOJA RUFUS AKPODIETE Wrote from Asaba

At 80, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye deserves applause for remaining a sterling example of good leadership and extensive commitment to the spiritual and material well-being of many others, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has said.

In a message to mark Pastor Adeboye’s birthday, Senator Omo-Agege noted that while the RCCG under Pastor Adeboye now has presence in close to 200 countries around the world, the church’s charity arm, His Love Foundation, has also continued to impact lives positively.

“I feel more inspired in pushing forward with my numerous people-focused development projects and involvement in charitable causes when I note the inspiring examples of others, including that of the RCCG foundation which has donated 37 dialysis machines across the federation and conducted cancer screening for over 100,000 Nigerian women.

“As our dear Pastor Adeboye celebrates his 80th birthday, I join members of the RCCG and other Nigerians in celebrating this great man and I wish him many more years of good health as he continues to serve God and care for others,” Senator Omo-Agege stated.

The Delta Central lawmaker also applauded the renowned cleric’s tireless dedication to his duty as the spiritual shepherd of the people.

By NewsView

The Management of Shebah Exploration & Production Company Ltd (SEPCOL) in
RECEIVERSHIP, have provided further developments in the last two weeks concerning the unfortunate explosion and fire that engulfed the FPSO Trinity Spirit at the Ukpokiti Terminal on Wednesday, 2nd of February 2022.

The update on further developments were contained in a press release signed and made available to newsmen by the Chief Executive Officer Shebah Exploration & Production Company Ltd (in RECEIVERSHIP), Mr. Ikemefuna Okafor.

The update stated that since the 3rd of February 2022 when the fire was contained, the company has been working relentlessly with relevant authorities, agencies, experts, and the communities, focused on Search & Rescue of the 10 crew members. And had also prioritised Police Investigations, and Environmental damage assessment.

On persons on board, the update disclosed that the company has kept up the Search and Rescue efforts, with the collaboration of the Police, NUPRC, NIMASA, NOSDRA, Marine Police, the communities, and local fishermen. That the community leaders and traditional rulers have also been of great support.

“We have been in regular contact with the three survivors and their family members and ensured that all three received appropriate medical care in hospital. They have all been
discharged from hospital and the company has continuously offered support with any post-
trauma care that may be required.

“So far, a total of five bodies have been found on and around the FPSO. The bodies have been handed over to the Police for due process to establish the identities of the deceased persons.

“A Forensic Pathologist and a Coroner have been appointed to assist with the autopsy and
identification processes.

“The company has also paid condolence visits to the next-of-kins and family members of all
persons still missing. We have kept the families abreast of the developments and apprised them of the relevant next steps in the investigation processes. Furthermore, the company has provided interim financial support to the immediate families and dependents of all 10 persons on board.

“Recently, we have found new information that persons who were not authorised nor scheduled to be on duty on the FPSO were in fact on the vessel at the time of the incident. This is a significant development. The company has visited the families in sympathy, and the Police has been notified for further investigation.

We are eager for the autopsy and identification processes to be concluded as soon as possible so that families can have the certainty and closure that they need”. The latest update added.

On environmental impact and cause, the update noted that the company will continue to focus efforts on minimising any damage that the incident might have on the environment and had been cooperating with the relevant authorities and regulatory agencies carrying out the investigations.

“Aerial surveillance by overflights around the FPSO area and the shoreline have been ongoing, led by NOSDRA and supported by Clean Nigeria Associates (CNA), NUPRC and neighbouring IOCs (Chevron and Shell).

“Until the final reports from these investigations are released by the relevant authorities and agencies, the company is not at liberty to make any declarations as to the level of environmental impact or any conclusions as to the cause of the explosion. We will continue to monitor developments in the investigations and update all stakeholders with new
information accordingly.

“In the interest of public safety and the investigation process, we appeal to members of the public to stay away from the vessel, and not attempt to scavenge for parts and equipment from the vessel”. The FPSO update on further developments stated