Delta embraces CNG vehicles, signs conversion MoU with NIPCO PLC

**Warns of revoking MoU if company fails to perform accordingly

Delta State Government have at last embraced CNG vehicles with the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NIPCO Gas PLC for the establishment of a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion centre of vehicles in the state.

The brief ceremony took place in Asaba, Thursday February 20, 2025, with the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, the Commissioner for Transport, Mr Onoriode Agofure, and the Attorney -General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ekemejero Ohwovoriole, SAN, signing on behalf of the state government, while Mr Sanjay Tarat signed for NIPCO Gas Limited.

After the signing of the MOU, Dr Emu said it was a deliberate effort of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to provide a place for residents of Asaba to convert their petrol – dependent vehicles to CNG- powered ones.

He challenged the company to ensure that it made good use of the place provided for the take -off of the project, in addition to sticking to quality standard in handling the project.

Emu said Governor Oborevwori “takes seriously the issue of timeliness and quality” and warned that the state would not hesitate to revoke the MoU if the company failed to perform accordingly.

He said; “we have shown commitment by providing you with a 3,000 square meters facility in the heart of Asaba.

“The conversion to CNG is the way to go; the governor was among the very few governors who drove in an E.V and CNG vehicles. Yes, planning takes a while and here we are with this engagement.

“It shows that we want to get the fundamentals right before we start getting the vehicles. Without the CNG stations in our environment, we can’t go anywhere.

“So, we like to welcome you to Delta State. This ceremony is important to us and the name chosen is a brand and NIPCO is one, especially as it concerns CNG; one of the foremost in the country.

“Timelines are very critical to us. Please, endeavour to keep to timelines. I am sure you have heard about His Excellency’s penchant for timelines and quality jobs on the social media space.

“We shall not hesitate to revoke this MoU on account of your inability to perform. We do know you can perform and your inability to perform, we have mitigated by providing the space; which is also what we owe you. Therefore, the ball is in your court”, he added.

The team later moved to the site of the project on Summit Road by Inter Bau Roundabout, Asaba for official handle over.

They were conducted round by the Commissioner for Transport, Mr Onoriode Agofure, who disclosed that CNG was more cost- effective than petrol and called on citizens to embrace it.

On his part, the State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, said; “You may want to ask why we are starting now, we had to do a good feasibility study. We felt that we cannot bring in CNG busses when there are no stations to fuel them.

“You must first and foremost have where you will fuel and refuel these vehicles before they can start running. And let me assure you that the fact that they are starting in Asaba does not mean they are stopping here.

“Once this is done, we will move to other major cities, starting with Warri, and, later, the various local government headquarters. So, we believe that once this is done, given the difference between the cost of CNG and PMS, the cost of transportation will definitely come down.

“The government has also assured that all that is needed for them to meet the deadline will be made available. And you heard them mention that this is the first time a governor is practically involved.”

The Chief Operating Officer of NIPCO Gas Limited, Mr Sanjay Tarat, appreciated Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and other top officials of the state for facilitating the process.

“I appreciate Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for this opportunity and the Commissioner for Transport. Delta State is the first state in Nigeria to have provided this kind of location for our CNG.

“We definitely promised the Commissioner that we will need six months to complete it. But be rest assured that this job will be completed before then and we will prove it.

“The only thing is that we have to follow all the laws and rules. We definitely know that this being the first station, will not be the last station. So, we are very thankful to the Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori and Delta State Government.”

Call LBIC MD To Order, Alaka Allottees Tell Governor Sanwo-Olu

·**Want Tinubu, Gbajabiamila, Igp To Intervene

Alaka Estate allottees on Wednesday urged the Managing Director of the Lagos Building Investment Company PLC (LBIC), Olusola Faleye and his supposed contractor to cease forthwith any illegal construction on the demolished portion of the allotted land of Block 130 and 131.

‘’It is disheartening to find that against all forms of protocol, civility and respect to the Fundamental Right to own a property, which is enshrined in Section 43 of the 1999 Constitution as Amended, LBIC in cohort with some developers without any knowledge of the legal owners of the property, specifically on the 8th of February, 2025 went to level the site and began an illegal development on the land’’

They also urged the LBIC Managing Director to return to the agreement earlier had with the legal owners of the property and get to reach an agreement signed, sealed and delivered by the leadership of LBIC and the legal owners of the property before any construction under any guise can begin.

At a press conference in Alaka, the allottees through their solicitors, Samuel Shodipo and Associates, descended on the LBIC Managing Director, accusing him and his Co-Travellers of wrongful appropriation of their properties.

They accused the Lagos State Government officials of igniting crisis and working against the December 16 agreement.

‘’Shortly after the demolition, a meeting was held with the MD of LBIC on December 16, 2024, in their office wherein the MD agreed with the legal owners of the property after presenting their allocation letters, that an amicable resolution taking into concern the perspective of the legal owners of the property must have been reached. He then counseled the legal owners present at the meeting to meet, forge a collective stand and get back to meet with him on the way forward’’

The allottees called on Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to call the LBIC Managing Director to order.

‘’It is no gain saying that the legal owners had their property demolished due to its dilapidated state as a result of the frequent flooding of the area whenever it rained, which unfortunately permeated the structure so much so that the building began to sink. Consequently, His Excellency Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu met with some of the legal owners of the building in 2019 and promised to demolish the said buildings, build a new structure on the land and handover the completed building to the original owners of the property’’

They also accused the LBIC Managing Director, the contractor and other cronies of the MD of plotting to forcefully take over the property.

‘’After a while that nothing seemed to be forthcoming from the initial discussion with the governor, LBIC came to demolish the property without carrying the legal owners of the property along on November 28, 2024’’

Just In: Prof. Bulus Gadiga installed as Traditional Ruler of Michika

By: Celestine Ukah 

Prof Bulus Gadiga has been installed as the traditional ruler of Michika in Adamawa State, Northeast, Nigeria.

Prof. Gadiga was presented with a staff of office by the Governor Adamawa State, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Fintiri Thursday February 20, 2025 at Michika

The new monarch is also called the Mgbege Ka Michika of Michika Chiefdom.

Future Champions Discovery: NWF Begins Grassroots Campaign, Conducts Weightlifting Demonstration in School

In its bid to expand the scope of weightlifting in Nigeria and discover future champions, the Weightlifting Federation of Nigeria (NWF) has began grassroots development programme aimed at discovering and nurturing future champions for the sport.

Consequently, the federation recently carried out a demonstration show in Abuja.
The Demonstration which took place at the Lead British International School Gwarinpa, in the Federal Capital Territory, students being introduced to the game of weightlifting.

Speaking shortly after the demonstration, President, Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF), Dr Abdul Ibrahim, said the essence of the demonstration which took place during the school’s inter-house competition, is to encourage the children to take to weightlifting sport as a career.

Dr Abdul noted that discovering the children with talents for weightlifting is critical so that when they are nurtured, they will take over from the aging ones. He described the enthusiasm shown by the students and teachers as commendable adding that the federation will consolidate on the programme and will soon embark on tour of Nigerian Schools across the country, Amaechi Agbo, Media Officer
NWF can authoritatively report.

“We are looking at catching them young, and no better place to do that than coming to schools especially when the children are still young, so that we can now begin to build from there.

“We are able to introduce the sport to schools; it’s just the beginning, and it would continue in other schools. Our plan is to tour most schools in the country to introduce the game of weightlifting to the children and even teachers.

“Weightlifting is one of Nigeria’s key sports and it takes one to heights that you can never imagine. We have current and past weightlifters who have done the country proud. Liters like Lawal Rufiat and Umofia Edidiong are all flying the countries flag globally and have won laurels as well. Right now we are thinking about how the children can go to the global world through weightlifting. Weightlifting has been so wonderful, and I think parents, pupils, and teachers are to learn from it. In the future, many of them would like to be part of the weightlifting in Nigeria and that is why it is critical to introduce them into the game at the young age,” he said.

Dr. Ekpemupolo sends condolence message to Bekederemo family over demise of Elder statesmen, Pa. E.K Clark @97

The Chairman of foremost security company, TANTITA Nigeria Limited and Emancipator of the people of Niger Delta, High Chief Dr. Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo has sent his condolence to the Bekederemo family of Kiagbodo Town in Burutu LGA over the demise of elder statement, Pa. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark at 97 years.

Chief Government Ekpemupolo also known as Tompolo in his condolence message tagged” Condolence Message to the Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo Family of Kiagbodo Town; South-South; Southern Nigeria/Middle Belt; and Nigeria:

Stated thus:

“I, High Chief Dr. Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, also called Tompolo, would like to express my sympathies to the family of High Chief Dr. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, OFR, CON, on behalf of my friends, family, and colleagues on his passing yesterday.

“I also extend my condolences to the people of the South-South Geopolitical Zone and Nigeria in general for the death of our illustrious father. The news came to me with a rude shock, as I was not expecting this kind of news this morning. Even though he was old, he was full of life and kicking. Hence, I was surprised to hear of his death this morning.

“Nigeria lost its unique and potent voice in the South-South geopolitical zone, which was a unique gift from God.

“There is no denying that this death has put a vacuum in the country’s leadership structure. He was a democratic and socio-economic crusader.

“Senator Clark was a strong, fearless, and irrepressible individual who spoke truth to power. He was a voice for the voiceless and a father for the fatherless. We will miss him.

“I pray that God Almighty gives the family and the country the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss”.

Signed:
High Chief Dr Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, Tompolo
The Ibe-Ebidouwei of Ijaw Nation and Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.

Gbenekama mourns passage of Pa. Clark, describes his demise as a huge vacuum to Niger Delta, Nigeria

By: Celestine Ukah 

A Pan Niger Delta leader and (Fiyewei) Spokesman of the great Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area, Delta State, High Chief GodsPower Gbenekama JP mourns the passage of Elder Statesman and a father in Niger Delta, Pa. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark.

Chief Dr. Gbenekama, in his condolence to the family of the Elder Statesman and former Information Minister, on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, described the demise of Pa. Clark as a huge loss and vacuum to the people of the Niger Delta region, Nigeria, and Africa, saying his fatherly role and leadership contributions to the country will be greatly missed.

The Gbaramatu Kingdom Spokesman said the passing of the foremost nationalist, educationist, legal practitioner, freedom fighter, and restructuring advocate marks the end of an unforgettable era.

According to Chief Gbenekama, “The departure of Pa. Clark at 97 marks a watershed moment in Nigerian history. As a man who lived through the struggles and triumphs of the colonial, pre-independence, and post-independence eras, Chief Edwin Clark was a true embodiment of Nigerian history.

“Chief Clark’s involvement in the pre-independence period, when he was elected Councillor for Bomadi in 1953, and his tenure with the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), along with his intellectual contributions as a member of the West African Students’ Union while studying at Holborn College, London, set him apart as a patriot of the highest order.

“From his remarkable contributions in the 1960s, when he served as a member of an advisory committee to the Military Governor of the Mid-Western Region, David Ejoor, and later as a cabinet member in the administration of Military Governor Samuel Ogbemudia, to his appointment as Federal Commissioner of Information in 1975 by then Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, Chief Clark demonstrated unwavering dedication to the Nigerian cause.”

Chief God’sPower Gbenekama said the late Ijaw leader’s instrumental role in the establishment of educational institutions significantly impacted society, adding that Chief Clark played a key role in the establishment of the Mid-West College of Technology, which later became the University of Benin. The former senator and founder of Edwin Clark University had an unrelenting passion for education.

“Pa. Clark played a unifying role during the MEND era and actually contributed to stem the Avengers days where all the pipeline of the Niger Delta were almost destroyed.

“His contribution in the emergence of the Regional Oganisation, Pan Niger Delta Forum, (PANDEF) assisted in bringing down the menace of pipeline vandalism in the days of Avengers. Pa. Clark truly was an active participant with others who became errand boys to papa in dousing the tension in the Niger Delta and beyond, we would miss him greatly”. Chief Gbenekama stated.

Nigeria’s former information Minister. Pa.E.K Clark passes at 97

Former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, Edwin Clark, is dead.

According to a statement released by his family, the chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF died on Monday night,February 17. He was 97 years old.

The statement read,

“The Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family of Kiagbodo Town, Delta State, wishes to announce the passing of Chief (Dr.) Sen. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark OFR, CON on Monday 17th February , 2025.’’

Born in Kiagbodo, in the Ijaw area of what is now Delta State, late Clark attended primary and secondary schools at Effurun, Okrika and Afugbene before completing further studies at the Government Teacher Training College, which later became Delta State University, Abraka. Thereafter, he worked briefly as a school teacher before traveling abroad to earn a law degree.

He worked with the administrations of military governor Samuel Ogbemudia and head of state, General Yakubu Gowon between 1966 and 1975. In 1966, he was a member of an advisory committee to the military governor of the Mid-Western Region province, David Ejoor and was appointed Federal Commissioner of Information in 1975.