Renowned Nigerian media practitioner and social development activist, Fred Edoreh, has been appointed as an International Peace Advocate by the United Nations-POLAC Foundation.
The letter of appointment signed by the Director General of the organisation, Ambassador Halo Eton, said the investiture will be performed on Friday, April 29 at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
POLAC, an acronym for “Positive Livelihood Award Centre,” was established with the United Nations under the UNESCO Charter in 2001 following the UN General Assembly Resolution declaring 2001 to 2010 as a decade of peace and non-violence.
It’s mandate is to enhance the effectiveness of the UN Millennium Development Goals and UNESCO Culture of peace, security, international friendship and the restoration of human dignity.
According to the letter, Edoreh, two-time Secretary and two-time Chairman of the Lagos Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), was selected for the appointment in acknowledgment of his “proven integrity and commitment to the ideals of altruism, promotion of universal moral values, social harmony, inter-religious and ethnic cooperation, and the culture of peace”.
Fred Edoreh
His selection, we gathered, draws from his advocacy and practical contributions to the inclusion, promotion and empowerment of sports persons with disability in Nigerian, especially his commitment to Nigerian Paralympic Movement and fund-raising for the Nigeria Amputee Football team to attend international events at various times, including the Mexico 2018 Amputee Football World Cup as well as the Angola 2019 and Tanzania 2021 Africa Amputee Football Nations Cup tournaments.
“In view of the foregoing, the trustees of POLAC recognise that you exemplify these qualities and wish to convey you their decision to appoint you an International Peace Advocate,” the letter said.
“In addition to acknowledging these special qualities, the appointment encourages these individuals to continue to be role models in community services and peace-making.
“As an International Peace Advocate, you can be called upon for peace making, conflict resolution and other activities that encourage peace and positive living in line with the best international practices,” it added.
As part of the paraphernalia of the appointment, Edoreh can now hoist the UN-POLAC flag at any location of his choice and be entitled to its special vehicle number plate.
Other UN-POLAC appointees include Mr Tijani James, an indigene of Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State who was recognised for playing a pivotal role in mobilising efforts towards rebuilding schools and other basic amenities destroyed by insurgents in his area, Mr Paul Santus Ofana, a reputed agro-businessman and Alhaji Hassan Danbaba, Chairman of the board of the Sokoto-Rima River Basin Development Authority, for their contributions to enhancing food security in Nigeria, and Mrs Enene Fonne, Lady Captain of Abakaliki Golf Club.
Delta State Government has certified and approved the operation of Constituent Multi-purpose Cooperative Society Limited through the ministry of Trade and investment.
The President of the cooperative disclosed this during the launching of the cooperative society in Asaba, the state capital
The President stated that the essence of the cooperative society was to assist people that were constrained with cash need to embark on their choice of businesses.
He also stated that the cooperative would assist farmers,private individuals to start any business of their choice, just as he said that provisions were made for people to join as members to enable them to save money for their future and immediate needs.
The president urged registered members to bring in members , saying that the cooperative society was bent to liberate people out of poverty.
As the struggle for what zone Delta State Governor should emerge from come 2023 steam up, Urhobo Leaders Of Thought under the aegis of Ja R’Urhobo 2023 (Urhobo Y’Oteri) has appealed to Urhobo respected royal fathers, patriotic sons and daughters as well as all associations with Urhobo interest to unite for the common good of the Urhobo nation towards producing a Delta State Governor of Urhobo extraction in 2023.
Oja R’Urhobo 2023 is a strategic group of Urhobos comprising Urhobo traditional leaders, the Urhobo Progress Union and a conglomeration of Urhobo associations and intelligentsia with the objective of ensuring that an Urhobo of Delta Central becomes the Governor of Delta State in 2023.
Communiqué titled, “Our Position On the 2023 Delta State Governorship’ signed by Arc. (Dr.) Chief. O. C. Majoroh, Chief Francis Ifie, Olorogun Edoreh Agbah, Chief Dr. Cecilia Ibru and nineteen other members made available to journalists, the Urhobo leaders call on all sons and daughters of the Urhobo nation to support and work towards delivering an Urhobo Governor by ensuring that only Urhobo candidates emerge from either the PDP and the APC.
“It is only through this level of uncommon unity that Urhobo in times past and similar to this, have delivered on a painful objective. Delta State Governor of Urhobo extraction come 2023 is exactly one demanding that call to a common cause: “OJA R’URHOBO”. A task for which we must all unite and sign up to enable us have our say and take our rightful place in Delta State and Nigeria.
“The struggle for an Urhobo Governor of our choosing come 2023 is a rally, infact, AN URGENT MOVEMENT in strong defense of fairness, equity and justice for which our forefathers are renowned. We cannot do anything less after 16 years of waiting for the two other Senatorial Districts to quietly have their turn at the Governor’s desk in ASABA,” the Leaders stated.
The Urhobo Leaders of Thought unanimously condemned and rejected alleged efforts by state sponsored attempts to force any aspirant on the Urhobo nation against the collective will of the Urhobo People, stressing that Urhobos are competent, erudite, independent and industrious and therefore must be allowed to project her own candidates across the political parties.
“2014, Delta North rejected a State anointed aspirant and was solely responsible for projecting her preferred aspirant. So, let it be in 2023 with Delta Central,” they insisted.
The Leaders commended the courage of Urhobo aspirants that have purchased the governorship forms, but, however, noted that the multiplicity of Urhobo aspirants will eventually lead to the fragmentation of Urhobo votes and loss, believing that it will be a miscalculation for Urhobos to go into the primaries with over 10 aspirants.
According to the Leaders,“We do remind Urhobo aspirants that only one person will emerge as Governor at the end of the day. We therefore appeal to all our aspirants to put Urhobo and Delta interest above personal ambition and should be willing to accept the choice of Urhobo sole candidates across the political parties.
“We have put together a set of criteria for the selection of the best candidate to represent Urhobo. The criteria are as follows shall have global & national reach that will be beneficial to Delta State, Offer the best development agenda/manifesto for Delta State, Possess commensurate knowledge relevant to the job at hand and comparable to past Governors from other parts of Delta State including neighbouring States, Proven administrative cum political experience, competence/track record across a wide spectrum, Impeccable character and integrity, Combine Pan-Delta Disposition and Urhobo patriotism. We shall use the criteria to evaluate the aspirants and narrow down to the best candidate to represent Urhobo following which he shall be presented to the Urhobo people and ALL of Delta State by our royal fathers, the UPU, Urhobo associations and other stakeholders in Delta State.”
The Leaders call on Urhobo brothers and sisters from Delta North and Delta South to support Delta Central as they have always supported them in times past.
“The principle of power rotation implies that it is the TURN of Delta Central and therefore we ask that only URHOBO candidates be allowed to contest the Governorship election across the parties,” the communiqué read.
BELOW IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE COMMUNIQUE
JA R’URHOBO 2023(URHOBO Y’OTERI)
OUR POSITION ON THE 2023 DELTA STATE GOVERNORSHIP
1. The Oja R’Urhobo 2023 is a strategic group of Urhobos comprising Urhobo traditional leaders, the Urhobo Progress Union and a conglomeration of Urhobo associations and intelligentsia with the objective of ensuring that an Urhobo of Delta Central becomes the Governor of Delta State in 2023.
2.We unanimously affirm that the Delta Central remains one united and indivisible people and therefore all our respected royal fathers, patriotic sons and daughters as well as all associations with Urhobo interest are United for the common good of the Urhobo nation towards producing a Delta State Governor of Urhobo extraction in 2023.
3. It is only through this level of uncommon unity that Urhobo in times past and similar to this, have delivered on a painful objective. Delta State Governor of Urhobo extraction come 2023 is exactly one demanding that call to a common cause: “OJA R’URHOBO”. A task for which we must all unite and sign up to enable us have our say and take our rightful place in Delta State and Nigeria.
4. The struggle for an Urhobo Governor of our choosing come 2023 is a rally, infact, AN URGENT MOVEMENT in strong defense of fairness, equity and justice for which our forefathers are renowned. We cannot do anything less after 16 years of waiting for the two other Senatorial Districts to quietly have their turn at the Governor’s desk in ASABA. We therefore call on all
sons and daughters of the Urhobo nation to support and work towards delivering an Urhobo Governor by ensuring that only Urhobo candidates emerge from the PDP and the APC.
5. In this regard, We affirm and insist that ONLY Urhobo can determine the best candidate from the Urhobo nation. We unanimously condemn and reject efforts by state sponsored attempts to force any aspirant on the Urhobo nation against the collective will of the Urhobo People. Urhobo’s are competent, erudite, independent and industrious therefore must be allowed
to project her own candidates across the political parties. In 2014, Delta North rejected a State anointed aspirant and was solely responsible for projecting her preferred aspirant. So, let it be in 2023 with Delta Central.
6. We commend the courage of Urhobo aspirants that have purchased the governorship forms. However, we note that the multiplicity of Urhobo aspirants will eventually lead to the fragmentation of Urhobo votes and loss. We believe that it will be a miscalculation for us to go into the primaries with over 10 aspirants. We do remind Urhobo aspirants that only one person will emerge as Governor at the end of the day. We therefore appeal to all our aspirants to put Urhobo and Delta interest above personal ambition and should be willing to accept the choice of Urhobo sole candidates across the political parties.
8. We have put together a set of criteria for the selection of the best candidate to represent Urhobo. The criteria are as follows:
a. Shall have global & national reach that will be beneficial to
Delta State
b. Offer the best development agenda/manifesto for Delta State
c. Possess commensurate knowledge relevant to the job at hand
and comparable to past Governors from other parts of Delta
State including neighbouring States
d. Proven administrative cum political experience,
competence/track record across a wide spectrum
e. Impeccable character and integrity
f. Combine Pan-Delta Disposition and Urhobo patriotism
9. We shall use the criteria to evaluate the aspirants and narrow down to the best candidate to represent Urhobo following which he shall be presented to the Urhobo people and ALL of Delta State by our royal fathers, the UPU, Urhobo associations and other stakeholders in Delta State.
10. We call on our brothers and sisters from Delta North and Delta South to support Delta Central as we have always supported them in times past. The principle of power rotation implies that it is the TURN of Delta Central and therefore we ask that only URHOBO candidates be allowed to contest the Governorship election across the parties
Thank You Urhobo Leaders of Thought
1. Arc. (Dr.) Chief. O. C. Majoroh
2. Chief Francis Ifie
3. Olorogun Edoreh Agbah
4. Chief Dr. Cecilia Ibru
5. Mr. Emmanuel E. Okotete
6. Mr. Abraham Ogbodo
7. Olorogun Miranda Mosheshe
8. Prof. Sunny Awhefeada
9. Mr. Ovie Oghenekaro
10.Mr. Bruno Sobotie
11.Mr. Joshua Oweibo FCA
12.Engr. Akpojotor Okiti
13.Dr. Peter Omoko
14.Mr. Marcus Ekure
15.Prince Randolph Erumagborie
16.Prof. Hope Eghagha
17.Mr. Charles Money
18.Mr. Daniel Esiekpe
19.Mr. Uhrorho Koyoyo
20.Mr. Kesiena Ogene
21.Mr. Ovotu Rufus
22.Dr. John Uwa
23.Dr. Benson Uwheru
Okowa, flanked by former governors Ibori and Uduaghan
Now that the din over endorsement, non endorsement, and lack of endorsement claims and allegations have been stilled and over, the Movement for Stronger Delta, (MSD) is calling on governorship aspirants to come out with what they have in stock that Deltans should expect from them.
MSD
Of course, we understand perfectly that the primaries will be a delegates election, especially since the expected mode will be indirect primaries and this is usually the season of windfall and harvest for identified delegates, we also wish to implore, appeal and charge statutory and other delegates to equally task the aspirants on what policies, programmes and initiatives they have for the people.
Delegates are representatives of the people at every level of the electorate block at Ward, Local Government, and State levels, so it is also imperative for them to demand from aspirants, a clear and comprehensive agenda of their plans and visions on how to deliver more and functional democracy dividends to Deltans, if they get elected as candidates.
Enough of the tantrums, invectives, and unwholesome attacks at one another; they mean nothing to the people as they are of no value to them in any way.
So far, the people are bored and disappointed with listening to and reading of the “old wife’s fables” bandied about for an aspirant as it catches the fancy of the respective hired writers who adorn the social media space with the phantasmagoria of the person they have soft spot for.
Rather than continue to play to the gallery, while leaving stranded and without information the people whose destiny they seek to control politically, Governorship aspirants should without much ado, unveil to the people the gems they have for them and the value inherent in them.
Enough of rhetoric and talks that amount to nothing; enough of phrases deliberately dished out and clothed with cunning, deceitful, and of treacherous quality.
We propose that each Governorship aspirant, as indeed, all others aspiring to other elective positions, should get serious and tell their tattlers to transform from being hack writers into value-based communicators.
The aspirants should impress on their publicists the need to inform and educate the people about what their principals have for them and why they deserve the people’s support. Deltans want to know the individual policy direction of each Governorship aspirant. They want to know the nitty-gritty of your policies and the profundity of your thought.
MSD calls for issue-based information that gives insight into what each and every aspirant proposes to do for the people when voted for, instead of the annoying and provocative tales of false endorsements and twisted narratives of praise-singing of aspirants dubiously attributed to unsuspecting public figures to their eternal embarrassment and subsequent pointed disclaimers to set the records straight.
It is not enough to give the people catchphrases and go on rigmarole of the archaic system of selling mere sentiments and empty objectives. Deltans want to know from aspirants of all description objectives that are tangible and the value that constituents stand to benefit from.
Deltans want to know what our Governorship aspirants think about the problem of insecurity and how they would turn things around. They want to know how they will enforce the Anti-Open Grazing Law of the State so that the bushes are rid of the nefarious activities of herdsmen and kidnappers so that the farms will be attractive for farmers once again. What are the respective plans to end kidnapping, cult activities, and other such vices that have widened the scope of insecurity?
Current serving Governors have problems with the constitutional role and nomenclature given to them as Chief Security Officers of their States but cannot rein in on Commissioners of Police and other security agencies because the Governors have no power of control over them. It would be interesting for Governorship aspirants to tell the people how they will overcome this nagging issue when any of them finally is voted into office.
What are your economic policies for the State, and especially the economic blueprint for each senatorial district and the Local Governments? How will you tackle the challenges of the administration of the Local Government Councils? Schools and education, commerce and industry, agriculture – what plan and how do you achieve the plan of improving agriculture and making the industry viable, and making food surplus?
Our environments have challenges, what new vista does a Governorship aspirant have to ease environmental degradation of the riverine areas, ecological problems, and erosion?
Also, our other classes of aspirants to the Senate, House of Representatives, and Houses of Assembly should get up and engage the people with issue-based talks. Deltans are appalled that many of our representatives are hardly found at plenary sittings; some have never been observed to contribute to debates, especially on issues that affect their constituents.
Quite a number of these legislators have been labeled as lame ducks and most of them, except for the token pecuniary handouts and miserable empowerment items dished out at long intervals, have never even been known to create opportunities to interact with their people, to know their minds in matters of national importance so they can return to make the opinions of their constituents known during plenary discussions.
Deltans will want to vote for a candidate who can assure them of solutions to the emerging challenges of governance, as our democracy consolidates and in our collective effort towards building a #Stronger Delta.
They are calling for those who will not just be voted for but who will abandon them when it matters most to stand and speak up for their interest in the Senate, House of Representatives, and the House of Assembly. Deltans are seeking for men and women who truly have the people’s interest at heart, and who will make valuable contributions that will yield a true dividend of democracy for them. Not sell-outs.
This is why MSD considers these and more issues crucial that aspirants of all hues MUST address the people about as they do their consultations. It is hearing from our aspirants that will convince delegates to support the best aspirant for a position to fly the flag of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and in the end lead to voting for such a candidate at the general elections and lead to the emergence of a Stronger Delta of our dream.
Deltans are not interested in abuses and other forms of despicable indulgences from the campaign houses of aspirants against one another. Tell the people what you have for them and how you intend to achieve it. This is the road to a Stronger Delta.
The emergence of a #STRONGER DELTA, is the MAIN agenda.
Olorogun David Edevbie was among the first callers at the family home of His Excellency, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, in Owa-Alero, as the Governor and Delta State amiable and graceful First Lady, Dame Edith Okowa, gave out the hand of their daughter, Maxine Ewere Okowa, in marriage to Benue State born Dr Daniel Igoh, on Saturday, April 2.
Edevbie, the frontline aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party for the Delta 2023 Governorship, set aside all consultation activities to celebrate with the Okowas at the colourful traditional marriage that attracted the creme of Delta society which included former Governors Chief James Ibori and Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan and his wife, Roli, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Chief Ndudi Elumelu and Secretary to the State Government, Chief Patrick Ukah, amongst others.
Okowa, flanked by former governors Ibori and Uduaghan
In a congratulatory message to the family, Edevbie wrote: “I congratulate the Governor and First Lady of our dear State, HE Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur and Dame Edith Okowa, on the traditional marriage ceremony of their daughter, Maxine Ewere Okowa, to her beloved heartthrob, Daniel Odeh Igo.”
He also prayed God to bless the couple with fruitfulness, peace and marital bliss.
Edevbie shares very close bond affinity with the Okowa family having worked closely with Dr Okowa at various points in the state and recently as his Commissioner of Finance and later Chief of Staff for which he says Okowa is always his boss.
The highly revered culture enthusiast and Omu Anioma, Her Royal Majesty, Obi Martha Dunkwu has advised the pupils and students of Skyset Schools Okpanam, to see education as their future, adding that nothing can ever jeopardise their future endeavours if they focused seriously on their academics.
The Omu who was represented by her Media Consultant, Comrade Patrick Ochei gave this admonition at the Cultural Day Celebration of the school, which held at the NTA Asaba open field on Saturday, 2nd April, 2022.
According to Omu Dunkwu, “Education is the global key that unlocks all doors. That’s why it is recognised as the best legacy any parents can bequeath to their children.
“Your future is in your hands if only you can take the positive path of education. This is the best opportunity you have to study and become the best person you desire for yourself.
Children
“Do not allow the influences of your peers to distract you and derail you from the positive side of life. Make your parents proud of you by concentrating on your studies and by so doing advance the society. This is because the society is awaiting your best for its advancement and development”, Omu Anioma admonished.
Omu further made inferences to the fact that majority of youths these days see education as scam, reiterating that education is not a scam but that such opinion is just a figment of the imagination of those youths who want to take excuse to indulge in negative social vices.
She urged them not to join the bandwagon of derailing young ones as a result of the decay in our societal values, but to stick to the good conducts their parents and teachers are trying to advance to them.
Also admonishing the children in his speech was the Asagba of Okpanam and Chairman of the Cultural Day Celebration, Obi (Dr) Adimabua Ozili.
He equally frowned at the attitude of mothers who could not prepare their girl children for the cooking competition at the event, thereby leaving him with the option of giving monetary reward to the only outstanding cooking competitor at the Cultural Day.
In his closing remark at the end of the ceremony, the Proprietor of Skyset Schools who is a veteran journalist, Mr. Carl Ofonye appreciated God for the grace to drive the vision of helping society grow through education.
He said the success of the event is the consequence of the dedication of the management and staff of the school, who are passionate and committed to proper education of the children under their care.
Ofonye also highlighted the concerns of Obi Ozili over the inability of other students to compete against the only student competitor who is a native of Imo State by origin.
Children
The Proprietor in an absolute authority to reward hardwork, declared no tuition fee for the girl in her first term next session, except boarding fee. This he said, is to reawaken the spirit of competition among the students and to spur them to prepare for next session’s competitive activities.
Highlight of the event was the different cultural exhibitions by students and their families from various tribes. The family of Mrs. Esther Patrick from Edo State emerged the Best Dressed and Represented Family, thereby winning the privilege of being featured in the school’s Photo Book for next session.
Underrate him at your peril, he holds the ace of strategic impulse, deeply unassuming but perilously a master strategist.
Still a grand guru of unpredictability and a political mystery. Till date, no one has been able to dissect and give an exact diagnosis of the man called Muhammadu Buhari.
PMB Mohammadu BUHARI
Experts in the study of body language and gesture are still in awe of the man, political clairvoyants are still in limbo on the impenetrable nature of the man, close aides have been rendered strangers to the inner workings of the mind of this Daura born political enigma. Like he once said, indeed, his mind belongs to everyone and to no one – the very reason he has remained a mystery.
In the last one month, the All Progressives Congress , APC was in the eyes of a tumultuous storm, the party was embroiled in a litany of political intrigues, manipulations and fierce internal struggles. Camps outwit camps as groups battle groups in wits and propaganda.
It got to a point where all hell was let loose as the actors went publicly ballistic in embarrassing fights of attrition. All these narrowed down to one forte; the 2023 general elections. Who becomes who and what were the crux of the fierce battles and the house was near its collapse. Until one man who undoubtedly is the rope that ties the broom waded in and in a telepathic switch everything returned to the default setting, and the ruling party roars back to life.
He first warned in measured words, that the party must not make the mistake of ever allowing the main opposition People’s Democratic Party, PDP return to power. With this sinking into the consciousness of the party faithful defined in belligerence interests, the president reeled out his intervention in what pundits now describe as mechanical and choreographed traces of purposeful leadership.
Indeed politics is consultation laced with deep reflections given the recent happenings in the APC. The conclusion is that the President is not only fully aware of everything and everyone and all the schemings under him but has a tap on every move to the minutest details. He was just observing like a veteran war General awaiting the clinical time to strike.
PMB, Mohammadu BUHARI
Mr President is not only in charge but fully in charge.The four meetings held within the last 48 hours is proof that he understands Wetin dey play. First with the governors, followed by the party aspirants, the National Assembly caucus of the party and then the founding fathers of the party. These deft moves show the man genuinely means well for APC and Nigeria as I have always known and hold in respects all critical stakeholder and the value they bring onto the table. You do not ever take a General for granted or undermine their war strategy.
A day to National Convention and PMB has met with virtually all critical stakeholders of the Party. Leaving everything to this injury time is to me a strategy anchored on appropriate timing and period when there will be no time to RETREAT to REGROUP.
Make no mistake every of those stakeholders are fully under the radar. ‘If you no fear Military, try fear General’ especially the old fox with unpredictable acumen. President Olusegun Obasanjo did same in 2007 for PDP and BOOM President Umaru Yar’Adua appeared.
If you remember President Buhari’s famous bombshell of January 2022 during his chat with Channels TV where he said “If I reveal my preferred successor they will eliminate him” then you can understand that the man is undoubtedly a strategist of inimitable pair.
Written by ABDULLAHI O. HARUNA (Haruspice)
*Abdullahi O. Haruna (Haruspice) a core Buharist and author of ‘The Buhari in Us’ writes from the School of Musing thoughts and reflection.*
Delta billionaire, philanthropist, business mogul Owelle 1 of Onicha Olona, High Chief Jerry Nkeweshe has expressed sadness over the deplorable state of roads in Ezi, Ukala Okwute and Ebu in Oshimili north local government area delta state.
According to The Owelle of Olona, over the last seven years of governor Ifeanyi Okowa led PDP administration indigenous of Anioma nation have been subjected to gruesome experiences plying these roads:
Many have lost loved ones, valuables among other things to accidents that regularly occurs due to the decaying state of the roads.
Bad road networks are highly characteristic of the Delta state under the leadership of Okowa.
However, it has now become a lifestyle for Delta drivers to learn how to manoeuvre their vehicle steering when driving on these bad roads that has notorious potholes, car-eating craters, and deadly ditches.
Bad road in Delta
Despite the governor self-acclaimed title “Roadmaster” road networks in the state have suffered neglect since inception of this administration.
“Okowa have refused to fix the roads and the few roads being constructed are substandard already failing before completion”
“As an Anioma son one would expect that Okowa would consider the Anioma people with basic amenities especially good roads for ease of transporting goods and services, but that’s not the case.
“Anioma roads have degenerated so badly that when it rains, it is almost impossible to drive.
“Flooding has been normalized, and sometimes, it is worsened by overflowing street refuse.
“Anioma people have so lost confidence in the state that many no longer complain about poor governance.
“Bad road networks in Delta state have become a normal lifestyle for the people.
“Corporate workers have made rubber slippers part of their office outfits as this makes waddling through rainfall puddles easier.
“Warri City has it worse, with potholes so bad that it is hard to tell if they hadn’t always been like that.
“It also doesn’t help that one of Delta most plied roads, Ezi, Ukala Okwute and Ebu has become a death trap”.
The Owelle of Onicha Olona described his travel on Delta roads in these words, “The feeling from surviving a fall from maybe 200 flights of stairs is akin to what you get every time you travel by road through Delta State.
“The road networks in Udu, Ughelli and Agbarho Orhokpokpor represents a situational irony.
“The state of the roads in Agbarho Orohokpokpor, is so deplorable that citizens have begun coming up with alternative narrow routes in places that normally wouldn’t be treaded.
“Agbor/Owa Alero the governor’s own town have been eaten up by deep erosion, with marks that look like aftermaths of earthquakes, this is even as the state benefits from Nigeria’s Ecological Fund.
“Governor Ifeanyi Okowa always claims he is working “Roadmaster” but this is not evident in the uneven roads across the State”. Owelle said.
Justices P. M. Ayuba and S. D. Pam, both of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have convicted and sentenced five oil thieves to various jail terms, for illegal dealing in petroleum products without requisite licences.
Court Judiciary
The convicts are: Wei Ibolo, Mudashiru Toaheed, Etim Edet, Martins Savior and Tope Alani.
They were all jailed after pleading “guilty” to one- count separate charge preferred against them by the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, upon their arraignment on Thursday, March 31, 2022.
EFCC
The lone count charge read:
“That you Owei Ibolo on or about the 6th day of December, 2021around the Creek of Akassa River, Bayelsa State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did without lawful authority and licence dealt in Crude Oil to wit: about 700,000 litres conveyed in MT. TIS IV thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (17) (a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) 2007 and punishable under Section 1 (17) (b) of the same Act”
Court Judiciary Gavel
In view of their pleas of “guilty”, prosecution counsel: J. N. Dogonyaro and B. C. Kadiri, prayed the court to convict and sentence them as charged.
Counsel to the defendants: M. M. Suleiman and B. C. Okeadaka prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, insisting that, “they are first- time offenders and do not have previous criminal records”.
Justices Ayuba and Pam convicted and sentenced the defendants to various jail terms as follows:
Justice Ayuba convicted and sentenced Taoheed, Savior, Ibolo and Edet to two years imprisonment each, with an option of fine of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200, 000) each, payable into the Consolidated Revenue Account of the Federal Government.
Justice Pam also sentenced Alani to two years (2) imprisonment, with an option of fine of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200, 000) payable into the Consolidated Revenue Account of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
He also ordered that the Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) transported in a Toyota Camry car, with Registration Number Lagos NF 301KJA, be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The products, he ruled, should be sounded and sold by the Secretary of EFCC or any other person authorized by him and the proceeds paid into the EFCC Recovery Account domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria, and the vehicle released to the owner.
Both judges ordered that the convicts should depose to affidavits of good behaviour before the court.
The convicts’ journey to prison started when they were apprehended by the Anti- Bunkering Teams of both the Nigerian Navy and Army at Akassa River in Bayelsa State and Okirika in Rivers State, for illegally dealing in petroleum products without appropriate licences.
They were arrested with a vessel laden with about 700,000 litres of crude oil loaded in MT. TIS IV around Brass Terminal Jetty in Bayelsa State, without any certification by the Nigerian Navy to operate on Nigeria waters.
They were all handed over to the EFCC for further investigation and prosecution.
As the political race to Dennis OSADEBE House gathers momentum, riverine communities have their hope for a better tommorow rekindled by Olorogun David EDEVBIE.
Olorogun David EDEBVIE’s governorship policies and humanistic traits present a brighter future and greater comfort for the riverine communities than any other contender.
Undoubtedly, Olorogun David EDEBVIE’s quest for a reformed society away from the discrimination and unfair imbalance between urban and riverine dwellers had earlier been demonstrated when he pragmatically ensured the establishment of the interventionist Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs while working at the Presidency as Principal Secretary to late President Umaru Yaradua.
The introduction was to add impetus in tackling the development inequalities and infrastructural deficits that have made life difficult for the people for decades.
Never economical with the truth, Olorogun David EDEVBIE abhors injustice, promotes dynamism and professionalism in management and stands against unprogressive tendencies of the “status quo.”
Olorogun David EDEVBIE is pained by the total darkness surrounding the riverine areas across Delta State.
As a modern mind, he sees the riverine areas as part of the tripod of resources and has committed to developing them to achieve Delta an integrated and accelerated development of the state.
In Delta State, hardly can one mention any riverine region that has no deposit of crude oil. There is no riverine region that has no wealth of agricultural produce in Delta State. There is no riverine region in Delta State that does contribute to the state’s food basket, but when it comes to developments, they lack all the good things – roads, electricity, drinkable water, hospitals, good primary and secondary schools, none existence of tertiary institutions and other basic social amenities.
One would think they committed some offence in history to have been so neglected and consigned to disregard. It is such a monumental aberration.
But Edevbie offers hope. For the first time, we are seeing an aspirant that is putting the development of the riverine areas as a cardinal agenda in his manifesto and he does by demonstrating a deep knowledge of the areas, understanding of the development challenges and realistic plans to solving them.
It is an indication that if given the mandate as successor to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, he is positively determined to rewrite the story of Delta riverine communities and bring them out of the pain and agony of selective uninclusion, disproportionate and denied opportunities from lopsided concentration in developments in upland areas, devastating ecological problems from oil and gas exploration and many more.
It must be known that the riverine communities are about 50% of the landmass and population of the state and the state cannot be said to be developing when such area is untouched.
It must also be known that a larger percentage of residents of the cities are from either the riverine or rural communities and all well meaning Deltans should be prepared to support the bridging of the artificial gap in development created by humans.
By so doing, we can feel a sense of oneness even in our cultural diversity and linguistic differences.
I therefore make a passionate clarion call on the power brokers from the riverine areas in Delta State, to go back to the drawing board, redesign the latitudinal lines and contours in the territorial waters and ensure that delegates of the PDP to the May 21 primary produce for us Ologorun David EDEVBIE, for it is only in him that the rivers people can find hope of a new, better life.
(ATAMEYO, a Deltan from Iyede-Ame writes from Ozoro.)
