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Delta 2023: Don’t lead us by malice, delegates beg Okowa

Delta PDP

By Ifado Atameyo

Ahead of the Gubernatorial primaries, a cross section of PDP delegates have called on Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to put the interest of the state over and above any personal grievances in producing his successor.

In an opinion poll conducted on thousands of delegates across the state at the conclusion of consultation visits by the aspirants, majority of them said after assessing the personality and programmes of the aspirants, they have seen that Olorogun David Edevbie is unarguably the most qualified and best prepared to deliver on the job.

Pointing out that their conviction tallied with Governor Okowa’s commendations of Edevbie on several occasions, they wondered why he would now be shying away from the glaring fact

They revealed that at a meeting with selected Councillors Governor Okowa told them that out of the three persons shortlisted by the DC-23, two contested against him in the 2014 primaries and that is why he is against them.

Majority of them who pleaded anonymity pleaded with Governor Okowa to remember his words and have a rethink, pointing out that the state will suffer consequences if the party denies the best hand simply because of Governor Okowa’s malice against Edevbie.

They also expressed worries about ongoing stifling of free political opinions, intimidation and victimisation of delegates perceived to be in disagreement with a different choice.

Saying that in view of the harrassment they are weary of speaking publicly, they indicated that they will however vote according to their conscience at the primaries.

Reviewing the Governor’s position, they pointed out that contesting in the primaries within the same political party is a family affair and should not lead to such malice as to undermine both the interest of the party and the state as a whole.

“We have long gone past the 2014 primaries. After all said and done, the party made sure that the right thing was done and Okowa emerged Governor. Should that not satisfy him?

“We have also seen the video of a rally attended by some of our members in which Okowa told the people that immediately after the 2014 primaries we became a reconciled and united family. He also said on that occasion that right from the day of the primaries, Olorogun David Edevbie had continued to support him in several ways, leading to his victory at the general elections. He even called him up to the podium and asked the people to thank Edevbie on his behalf. So, why is he still holding malice and taking us back to same issue which he himself said had long been settled? Even the UPU (Urhobo Progress Union) has appealed to him to let go. What else? Should we now say that people who contest against each other in our party primaries should remain mortal enemies? Is that healthy?

“Apart from the fact that all Deltans can see that Edevbie is most qualified, experienced and exposed, we have also been taking note of what Okowa has said about him through the years. There must be a reason why he appointed him his Commissioner of Finance and Chief of Staff also. You cannot give those positions somebody you do not trust. In 2020 or so, he said Edevbie has continued to offer genuine leadership not only to Delta State but to Nigeria, that he comes with a lot of knowledge, that his professional services to the state has been invaluable, that he does things like they are done in developed countries. These are the things that Okowa has told us about Edevbie that has also endeared us to him, so why should he now be turning away from such qualities simply because of his malice against him on the long foregone 2014 primaries? That is not the right way to choose a Governor for our state. It is also not the right value or spirit for a leader to inculcate in his people. What is most important is the capacity to generate resources and manage development. That is what Delta State needs and that is not in question on Edevbie.

“However, Okowa remains our Governor and we can only appeal to him to rethink his stands in the overall interest of the development and future of the state.”

On Edevbie’s closest rival, Sheriff Oborevwori, the delegates said they have nothing personal against him but that he is equipped enough to govern the state.

“Sheriff is a member of the family. We have also taken note of the issues surrounding his name and certificates. We can see that something is wrong somewhere such that could cause collateral damage to our party if care is not taken. For many of us and our leaders, we know he is not molded and equipped as a Governor. It takes more than being a local champion but he has his role. As Speaker, he cooperated with Okowa to have his way on everything such that there was no rancour between the executive and the legislature but when it comes to the nuances of governing the state, that is a different ball which requires higher personal organisation and coordination, higher professional skills, greater competence in development issues, global exposure and wide contacts. We all know he cannot compare with Edevbie on these. Even Governor Okowa knows that.

“We know that they are capitalising on the fact that some of us delegates do not fully understand these issues and so they would just transport us, camp us and lead us like sheep to vote according to their instruction. We know that it is because they have manipulated the process and got a list of ad-hoc delegates that serves their interest while they lie that they are organising free and fair primaries, but we all know that we are not lying to anybody but to ourselves. That is why we are quietly appealing to some of our leaders to see the larger picture and the implications for the future of our state if they use all those lies to leave the best just to satisfy a sense of malice.”

(Ifado Atameyo, native of Iyede-Ame, writes from Ozoro)

2023: Opuoru’s Cursory Scorecard Within Last 3yrs

By News View

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the member representing Warri South Constituency II in the Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA), Hon. Matthew Opuoru has outlined a cursory scorecard within his last three years in the State Assembly.

Opuoru unveiled some of his achievements as a worthy legislator that deserves a return ticket to the DTHA while addressing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members, delegates and Party faithful in Warri today.

 

He said on assuming office as Lawmaker Warri South Constituency II, buoyed by the desire to reduce the poverty rate and tackle the infrastructural deficit in the education sector across Warri South Constituency II, he immediately launched a micro-economic support scheme and introduced critical educational intervention programmes, as part of his constituency projects.

 


The articulate Lawmaker highlighted some of his empowerment and educational intervention programmes as;
• Empowerment of 200 of his constituents, including 10 people with disabilities, with N5,000.00 monthly, totaling One Million Naira (N1, 000, 000. 00) per month and 12 Million Naira (N12, 000, 000. 00) per annum.

He disclosed that the scheme was inaugurated Monday December 16, 2019 and has continued uninterrupted till date, despite the economic shocks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. That the empowerment scheme has expanded to accommodate more persons.

“There are currently 242 beneficiaries, amounting to N1,210,000.00 monthly. Eight other persons get N50,000.00 monthly (totaling N400,000.00). Two persons receive N100,000.00 each, every month, one beneficiary get N20,000.00 monthly, bringing the grand total expended monthly on my empowerment programme to N1,830,000.00”. Opuoru added.

On appointment, Opuoru boasted of having 14 Aides, which are; Kenneth Omohwovo, Ufuoma Akporiaye, Ejiro Amromano, Atanoma Eric, Emma Akpotomi, Henry Mughweghwe, Federal Akumagba, Onome Egboro, Memuduaghan Lucky, Shola Godwin, Agbaje Ese, Omughelli Ogheneyerhowo, Sylvester Eburu and Evwerhamre Venture.

“Apart from the 14 Aides, there are others commissioned to play strategic roles from the background, in my resolve to give people of Warri South Constituency II, what they have been yearning over the years”. He stated.

Recall that the current Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Dr. Michael Tidi, who spoke during the inauguration of the micro support scheme on Monday December 16, 2019, stated: “We haven’t seen this kind of thing before. He (Hon. Opuoru) deserves applause. No need for competition amongst political office holders, we should complement ourselves. I advise the beneficiaries to invest the money into productive ventures, even though it is small”.

 

Outlining further achievements, Opuoru said “On August 13, 2020, eight public primary and secondary schools under Warri South Constituency II in Warri South Local Government Area; vis-à-vis Ikengbuwa, Pessu, Igbudu, Olodi and Ighogbadu Primary Schools as well as Edjeba Secondary School and Essi College I and II respectively, received new 540 desks and 60 teachers’ tables/chairs, courtesy of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, in collaboration with me. While Ikengbuwa Primary School got sixty desks, six teachers’ tables/chairs, Pessu Primary School received sixty desks, six teachers’ tables/chairs and Edjeba Secondary School, took delivery of eighty desks and ten teachers’ chairs/tables. Ighogbadu Primary School, received eighty desks and eight teachers’ chairs/tables, while Igbudu Primary School got sixty desks and six teachers’ chairs/tables, leaving Essi College I, with fifty desks and six teacher’s chairs/ tables. Essi College II, received ninety desks and twelve teachers’ chairs/tables. Olodi Primary School took delivery of sixty desks and six teachers’ chairs/tables.

“As part of my 2021 constituency projects, I renovated a block of six classrooms at Olodi Primary School, a block of two classrooms at Aileru Primary School and constructed eight toilet facilities/stores in Essi College II and United College of Commerce, simultaneously.
• I want to also assure that the drainage project at Ikengbuwa Primary School, Ajamimogha, Warri, which I included in my 2022 constituency project, would be completed before the end of December this year. God willing, before December this year, the projects at Merogun and Ogedegbe Primary Schools, will be completed. Recall, I moved a motion to that effect in the State House of Assembly, when the roofs and other critical structures of Merogun and Ogedegbe Primary Schools, were destroyed by rain/wind.

 

“Plans are also on the way to provide 540 tables and chairs to Merogun Primary School I and II, Ogedegbe Primary School, Ailero Primary School, Ojojo Primary School, Agbassa Primary School, Torufa Primary School and Dore Numa College, all in Warri, before the end of the year”.

 

Opuoru, who sought permission from the audience to add that the aforementioned were just the beginning of greater things to come for Warri South Constituency II from 2023, that with the renewal of his mandate by the grace of God and with usual support from his constituents, revealed that he also influenced the construction/completion of strategic internal roads in Okere-Urhobo, Warri.

“These intervention programmes did not deter me from effectively carrying out my legislative and oversight functions in the State House of Assembly”. He added.

Delta Youths Protest Substitution Of Elected Adhoc Delegates List….. barricades major roads

Delta PDP

Ahead of PDP primaries, youths numbering over three hundred from Oleh Ward One and Two in Isoko South Local Government Area have staged a peaceful protest barricading the busy Oleh roundabout over the substitution of the names of it’s elected adhoc delegates.

The blockage caused heavy vehicular traffic gridlock as the road was closed to traffic for over one hour while security operatives made frantic effort to ensure peace while the protest lasted.

The Isoko youths displaying placards with various inscriptions such as “Okowa is a good leader”, “Okowa is a peaceful leader”, “Oleh delegate list should not be tempered with” and “leave Oleh delegate list” insisted that the adhoc delegate list must reflect the election which was conducted in the presence of the PDP Ward Chairmen for Oleh Ward One,Mr Lucky Ukpeowe and Ward Two ,Mr Idogho Paul, leaders,youths and stakeholders which elected three adhoc delegates each from the two Wards.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters,Vincent Obonyano from Oleh Ward One and Engineer Chris Kelvin from Oleh Ward two said after a successful election where three adhoc delegates each were elected,they were surprised that the names of those elected have been substituted hence the protest to register their grievances.

They noted that the substitution of the names of elected adhoc delegates clearly showed that some persons were out to shortchange the people in order to carry out their selfish motives adding that the names submitted to the PDP Chairman,Isoko South,Mr Obaro Godspower was unanimously agreed upon by all leaders and wondered that at what point did the leaders meet to effect the changes .

The Youth Leaders accused the Isoko South PDP Chairman,Mr Obaro Godspower for substituting the names of adhoc delegates noting that for Oleh Ward one, the adhoc delegates elected are Honourable Joe Iroro,Idhoveh Lucky and Edo Oghenero Joy but the name of Idhoveh Lucky was substituted with one Emudhere Ufuoma Israel.

According to them,the elected adhoc delegates for Oleh Ward Two are Chief Onojerme Benjamin, Mr Unuafe Believe and Mrs Roseline Jonathan but the names of Mr Unuafe Believe and Mrs Roseline Jonathan were substituted by one Ejebe Batty Omonigho and Obus Simmer Uyoyouoghene.

They appealed to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to reinstate the names as that was the only way to pacify them stressing that they were not against the governor or the leadership of the party in the state.

They commended the governor for the way and manner he had piloted the affairs of the state and pledged their loyalty to him.

2023 GOVERNORSHIP: Edevbie is best choice for Delta Development

By Onyeka Ibe

I have never met Chief David Edevbie but have been hearing about him and observing his words and actions in Delta State Government circle for a long time.

One of the legends I heard (later confirmed) was how he resisted attempts by a high ranking member of their government and political clique to expropriate Delta State money through frivolous and wasteful spending when he was Commissioner of Finance in Chief James Ibori’s government nearly 20 years ago. For this effrontery, the legend went, the senior politician slapped David Edevbie in the face and Edevbie resigned from the government.

It was said that it took many weeks of intercession by the Governor and guarantees of financial restraint by the whole administration before he agreed to return to his position.

There is another instance when Chief Edevbie proved that he was different from most Nigerian politicians or public servants. This time the events played out publicly.

After the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua, the EFCC under President Jonathan began a comprehensive and vengeful criminal investigation of Chief Edevbie’s tenures, both as the defacto Chief of Staff (Principal Secretary) to President Yar’Adua and as a two-term Commissioner of Finance in Delta State.

Desperate to nail Chief Edevbie because of political considerations, this investigation continued for nearly five years, yet they couldn’t find any evidence with which to charge him for corruption. But they did not exonerate him either. He was left in limbo.

As a man whose whole relevance depended on his reputation of competence and integrity, Chief Edevbie went to court and sued the EFCC, challenging them to charge him or openly pronounce him guiltless.

As far I know he was the first and only Nigerian politician or public servant to do this. The EFCC eventually quietly stopped bothering him.

Typically, Nigerian politicians under investigation would bribe and negotiate their way out of pending charges.

From observations and a firsthand account of someone who has worked closely with him, Chief Edevbie’s life in public service has been a reflection of British understated competence, prudence, ramrod integrity and clockwork efficiency.

He has not the obsession for power or desperation to retain it, nor the cunning to flatter the king. What drives him is an unshakable confidence in his ability as a Development Economist and manager of resources, in addition to a bottomless passion for public service in the midst of so much underutilized potential in our country, especially in Delta State.

I have comprehensively read through his 2023 Election Manifesto and what I gleaned left me with mighty hope that given the chance, Chief Edevbie would begin the transformation of the economic and social life of Delta State.

He elucidated comprehensive and crystal clear policies and paths to the modernisation and economic development of Delta State. He enunciated policies on energy production and distribution of electricity as catalyst for economic growth and industrialization, as well as pragmatic policies on security, job and wealth creation, agriculture, education, health, the creative and entertainment industries, information technology, urban development, sports and recreation, and housing and transportation.

Reading through Chief Edevbie’s manifesto it was difficult to see any aspect of the life of citizens that he had not systematically thought about. But the most beautiful aspect of the proposed policies is that Chief Edevbie has a first class training and ocean-deep experience in the field of innovative transformational development which he gained as a Development Economist with the Commonwealth Development Corporation, working in nearly all continents of the world.

In public policy we can only judge government or potential government leaders by their training and prospective public policy pronouncements. Chief Edevbie’s outstanding status in this regard is so clear that it almost feels like an insult or an impending tragedy for Delta State to compare him with one or two of the other characters with glaring intellectual deficiency and questionable certificates parading themselves as anointed governorship aspirants in Delta State.

To this end, all well-meaning people of Delta State, influential citizens and opinion leaders like traditional rulers, business leaders and political leaders must defy any power that stands against this once in a generation opportunity for Delta State to join lucky states around the country such as Edo, Anambra, Lagos, Borno, Akwa-Ibom, Ebonyi etc, in electing a committed technocrat with the capacity for critical thoughts and innovative policies, and for once, set aside their neutrality or personal interest to intervene and prevail on PDP delegates and their sponsors to clear the path for Chief Edevbie to win the PDP ticket.

Anybody denying Deltans the opportunity to elect such a man will be doing a great disservice to the long-suffering citizens of Delta State and the future generations.

DTHA: Urhobo  Rejects Non-Indigenes Contesting  Warri South Constituency (2) Seat

Urhobo Map

By ODEYA OGBETUO

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, a Warri based Niger Delta leader Mr. Igho Egheba Okumagba has reiterated the position of Urhobos of Warri in their determination to retain their territory and ensure that an Urhobo man represent Warri South Constituency 2 in the Delta State House of Assembly in the 2023 general elections.

Okumagba who made this assertion while speaking to newsmen in Warri, Delta State said that to avoid looming crisis no Itsekiri man should use proxy to claim indigene of Urhobo of Warri to enable him contest in Warri South Constituency 2 which is predominantly Urhobo people, adding that this political intrusion would not be acceptable to the people of Okere Urhobo and Agbarha Warri Kingdoms.

According to him “Warri South Constituency 1 which belongs to Itsekiri always have Itsekiri man representing them at DTHA, but ironically another Itsekiri man the current Warri South Local Government Chairman has declared his interest to contest under Constituency 2 which is predominantly Urhobo territory with over 90 percent of the indigenes are of Okere Urhobo and Agbarha Warri Kingdoms”.

He disclosed that there are three kingdoms in Warri South Local Government Area with Itsekiri kingdom known as Warri kingdom, Okere Urhobo kingdom and Agbarha Warri kingdom with their different territories, stressing that INEC decided to create two Constituencies with Constituency 1 for the Itsekiri and Constituency 2 for Urhobos of Agbarha Warri and Okere Urhobo kingdoms in Warri metropolis.

In his words “An Itsekiri man from Itsekiri territory should not pose to be an Urhobo man to enable him contest in Urhobo territory. The purported endorsement of an Itsekiri man to contest in Constituency 2 by some Agbarha Warri women has been arranged to gain political relevance. It is a gimmick and cantankerous. This arrangement will not yield fruitful results as Urhobos are aware of the trick to claim ownership of Warri metropolis”.

Okumagba clearly stated that Olu of Warri title belongs to the Itsekiri monarch and the Itsekiri people and does not mean ownership of Warri metropolis.

“Urhobos of Okere Urhobo and Agbarha Warri are contented with their territory. None of these kingdoms should extend their political influence over another territory”.

Okumagba who recalled what led to the ownership crisis in Warri said “In 1952, the then leader of the Action Group party and minister in the defunct Western Region Government, Chief Obafemi Awolowo established an Itsekiri Communal Land Trust over Warri land with the Olu of Warri as Chairman. The Urhobos protested and requested that Olu of Warri should restrict himself to Itsekiri territory in Warri and this led to several court cases that ended at the Supreme Court of Nigeria in favour of Urhobo”.

He affirmed that Urhobos won’t accept political manipulation to claim Warri South Constituency 2 by another tribe to validate purported ownership.

He called on the Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, the Delta State Commissioner of Police and other security agencies to call Dr. Mike Tidi to order to avoid crisis that may erupt from his ambition to contest under Warri South Constituency 2 of DTHA.

Admiralty University of Nigeria Enrol Prospective Students in its Pre-Degree Programme.

The Admiralty University of Nigeria, ADUN is starting its Pre-Degree Programme open to all applicants.

The program is designed to prepare candidates for JAMB for the eventual course of study.

The Director of Admissions of the University, Mrs. Alice Omaji in a statement made available to this medium says the Pre-Degree program seeks to broaden the knowledge of Students with good UTME scores to gain admission.


“As an ADUN Pre-degree graduate, no post-UTME fee is required of you.”. the statement read.

“Once you meet JAMB requirements for admission, gaining admission into your chosen course in ADUN is guaranteed.

Mrs. Omaji also said it is an opportunity for admission seekers to Experience University Life in ADUN within a serene environment conducive to learning.

Admissions are currently on for the Pre-Degree Programme, candidates can register at the Admissions Directorate of the University along Ibusa/Ogwashi-Uku/Asaba Expressway, Delta State.

David Edevbie: The Hope of Delta

David Edevbie

By Fred EDOREH

After its creation in 1991, the task of developing Delta State needed a visionary political leadership, an efficient public service and, most critically, a set of skillfully trained, resourceful, innovative and globally exposed professionals functioning on both sides to formulate and translate policies into strategic action plans and provide required synergy for the achievement of set goals.

Away from the military and quasi-military era into the new democratic dispensation, to form a team, Chief James Ibori head-hunted Olorogun David Edevbie, then a young Deltan managing development investments for the Commonwealth Development Corporation in the Phillipines, Hong Kong, Malaysia and various other developing countries in Asia and the Pacifics.

On his resumption as Commissioner of Finance and Economic Planning, the State’s Federation Account Allocation of about N5b and internally generated revenue of about N1b barely scratched the surface of required funds to fill the huge physical and social infrastructure deficits, from Asaba, the new State Capital, to various urban, rural and riverine communities, neglected for decades.

Taking the bull by the horn, David Edevbie demonstrated marvelous financial engineering skills to raise the state’s finances to over N60b by 2003, which enabled Delta to actually commence an impressive capital development programme.

But, even the N60b annual was far short of the required funding. There had been agitations for greater allocations to oil producing states but, through the military regimes, the Federal Government had only conceded between 1.5 to 3% as oil derivation.

Aggrieved by the sustained neglect, youths of the region took to increased militant actions and, to control the situation, the new political leadership, especially James Ibori and Governor Diepreye Alamiesiegha, moved to institutionalise the agitation for Resource Control.

While the Governors did the political negotiations, David Edevbie headed the Committee of Commissioners of Finance of the region to provide the intellectual and technical framework for the realisation and implementation of the resulting 13% oil derivation.

In 2019, under Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Edevbie again headed another Committee to cause the Federal Government to deduct the 13% before transfers into the Excess Crude Account, meaning more money for the oil producing states, with Delta among the highest recipients.

DESOPADEC is funded with 50% of this fund while the state retains 50% to support its general budget.

These underline Edevbie’s role and efforts through the years in building up revenue for the development of Delta State.

At the Federal level, he distinguished himself as a problem solver when, as Principal Secretary to the President, he provided the solution on militancy through his conceptualisation of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

Before then, the resurgence of militancy not only endangered our youths and communities and constrained Nigeria’s oil production, it also led to the divestment and flight of major businesses from the region, but while the militants and security agencies battled in the creeks and the elders campaigned for restructuring, Edevbie intelligently conceptualised the Presidential Amnesty Programme which ultimately helped to douse the inferno.

The programme created a win-win situation for all the sides, providing a partnership between militant camp commanders and government, temporary monthly stipends to assuage the fighters, and a platform for the re-orientation and re-empowerment of militant youths through scholarship for higher education and skills acquisition in Nigeria and overseas institutions to enhance their employability and capacity for personal enterprise.

These measures resulted in the relative peace that has enabled the resumption of normal life in the creeks and oil producing communities and the restoration of Nigeria’s oil production output from 800,000 bpd to 2million bpd.

Besides the reintegration of thousands of militant youths from Delta and other states in the region, many persons who functioned as state coordinators, facilitators or service vendors thus benefitted from Edevbie’s social engineering skills, while he moved on.

Seeing that politics had come to undermine the administration of the Niger Delta Development Commission from effectively fulfilling its mandate for the development of the region, Edevbie also caused President Yar’adua to create the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs with the aim of providing an added development platform for the region that will be subject to public service discipline and supervision.

Edevbie’s initiatives in all of these do not only demonstrate that he understands the problems and has the sense of responsibility and commitment towards providing relief and development for the betterment of his people, but that he has invaluable intellectual capacity for resolving socio-economic challenges as a politician and administrator.

More than any of the other aspirants in the race for the governorship, Edevbie better understands Delta’s development history, the potentials, challenges and prospects for growth, and has proven that he has the creativity, resourcefulness and management skills to address them. These he has outlined in his Modernisation Agenda for Delta State.

Governor Okowa certainly knows why he promptly chose him as his Commissioner of Finance at the inception of his administration as he has severally testified to Edevbie’s exceptional capacity to offer genuine leadership, invaluable professional contributions towards the development of the state and personal disposition “to doing things differently as they are done in developed climes.”

Edevbie was born in England, brought back to Nigeria at age 10, attended Igbobi College, Lagos, Federal Government College, Odogbolu, and studied Economics at the University of Lagos for his First Degree. He went back to the United Kingdom for his MBA in Development Economics at the Cardiff Business School and started work at Barclays Bank where he grew to managerial positions before joining Hill Samuel Bank as Executive.

He thereafter joined the Commonwealth Development Corporation where he grew to subcontinental Development Investment Executive for Asia and the Pacifics from where Chief Ibori saw him and requested him back home.

Ironically, that Edevbie is such educated, professionally skilled, experienced, globally exposed and does things differently as it is done in developed climes is the crucial divergence between him and his opponents in the Governorship race.

They seem to be arguing that since he was born in England, did his MBA in Cardiff Business School in the UK, attended Havard Business School Programme for Advanced Studies in Development Economics in the US, returned with very high educational and professional qualifications and belts huge international experience in the private sector, he is therefore elitist and not a Deltan.

They hide the fact that, since 1999, spanning over 23 years, Edevbie has worked and supported successive Governors of Delta State and even the Presidency in producing strategic initiatives and sourcing funds for socio-economic development, all of which have sustained the success and dominance of the PDP in Delta State and at the point it held sway at the national level.

The whole reference to home base, attempts to urge disregard for educational excellence and the propaganda against global exposure and personal finesse in the campaigns simply express the cowardly paranoia of a few partially blind political middlemen who have through deceptions, intimidation and thuggery, attained unmerited high offices of State with which they have held our common folks politically hostage and disrupted the steady growth of our state through their diversion of resources meant for the development of our communities.

These thrive by the political exploitation of the people and are always threatened by the prospects of higher knowledge, new ideas and global perspectives in political economy.

From the introduction of the likes of Soludo, Okonjo-Iweala, Akinwunmi Adesina and many others into our body politic, it has been increasingly obvious that for our society to advance beyond where we have been held down, we must understand that
leaders of the modern world are no longer rent collecting chieftains but persons who bring new-age knowledge, information and high skills to complement political power.

To be scared of modernisation is therefore not only an anathema to progress but highlights the ludicrous hypocrisy of those who send their children to overseas schools, own houses and frequently travel to developed countries on holidays but insist that development ideas from the advanced countries are not welcome in the political leadership back home.

Two things need be said. That the Nigeria constitution provides for primary and secondary education as minimums for political offices does not mean that we must settle for the minimum and disregard excellence. That is a recipe for arrested development and, invariably, retrogression. We must therefore be wary of the Michaels that suggest they can govern Delta from motor parks.

It cannot also be over emphasised that development is only achieved by the intercourse of diverse, new, intelligent and globally current ideas that address the present and project into the future.

The urban areas and advanced nations that we drift to are developed mostly because they attract a diversity of new cultures, knowledge, information, technologies and globally resonant perspectives on development. This is what Olorogun David Edevbie represents for Delta State, hope for the present and brightness of the future.

Interestingly, his opponents do not doubt his capacity to modernise and industrialise Delta to recreate a vibrant economy for the upliftment of the people.

They know he will excel in doing so. They are only afraid he is likely to introduce globally modern concepts in development which obviously will liberate the people from their social, political and economic stranglehold and free up the landscape to emancipate our common folks such that, in the long run, with reduced unemployment, increased personal enterprise and rekindled self esteem from economic independence, we would no longer have youths running after same politicians that have stagnated them and calling “Ose, Ose, Leader, Leader,” just for them to have a meal.

These are the two sides of the coin in the Delta PDP Governorship race.

You can call him the torch bearer – by Uche Nnadozie (Opinion)

No, Lagos is not perfect. How can it be?! But it’s something. It’s something anyone who seeks national elevation can point to.

If Bayelsa, Katsina’s former governors could become Nigeria’s president, why not a former Lagos governor bikonu.

Little minds have said oh, Lagos has money, as a result it can do and undo. First, the money didn’t fall from the skies. Yes Lagos has improved its revenue but it still has work to do. It’s work in progress. Most other states are work in retrogression.

It is just that the state is better run than the rest of the states in the country. Other states come to Lagos to copy. Tinubu set the pace. That’s why he’s called the pacesetter, the leader – Asiwaju! You can call him the torch bearer, you won’t be wrong.

When Jonathan became president, please can anyone recall what he pointed to in Bayelsa? Nothing! Yet he became.

Tinubu has many life changing policies and programmes to point to. One of them is the one he directed Osinbajo to do. Judicial reforms. The judiciary in Lagos today is the best in the country by far. I’m not saying we are where we should be, but we are no longer where we used to…

Why do kick and start? Why trial and error when you have a sound, forward looking, reform-minded, progressive aspirant you can trust with wide national and international contacts.

He has done it before. He will direct new revolutionary ideas because he has not stopped reading and he has not stopped organising since he left office.

Tinubu is the man of this moment. APC delegates give him the ticket, he knows what to do with it.

#BAT2023 #tinubu2023

– Uche Nnadozie

PDP is Proud Of Elumelu, Says National Chairman, As Over 900 Benefits From Elumelu’s Empowerment Programme

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.

Unemployment: Skills acquisition way to go, Ayu tells FG, states

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.

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