DOPF Chair, Enebeli calls for legislative action to regulate exorbitant rent rates, Introduction of CNG buses, tricycles in Delta

**As Group visit DTHA Speaker, Guwor gets his pledge on better laws for Deltans

The Chairman, Delta Online Publishers Forum, DOPF, Comrade Emmanuel Enebeli has called for legislative action to regulate exorbitant rent prices, which have become a significant burden on residents of Asaba the Delta State Capital.

Comrade Enebeli made this known Wednesday September 25, 2024, during a meeting with members of the Delta Online Publishers’ Forum (DOPF) at the Assembly complex in Asaba, emphasing the importance of affordable housing solutions for both locals and potential investors. The DOPF Boss also touched on transportation issues, advocating for the introduction of CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) buses and tricycles to lower commuting costs for residents across the length and breadth of Delta State.

The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, pledged the the Assembly’s dedication to enacting laws aimed at improving the well-being of citizens across the state.

Guwor, in his remark, underscored the Legislature’s critical role as the “core of democracy”, noting that it is the only government arm comprised of elected representatives entrusted with making laws to ensure peace, order, and good governance. He noted that under his leadership, the current Assembly has passed several key bills, many of which have already been signed into law by the Governor. Further assuring that the House Committee on Legislative Compliance, chaired by Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpowowo, is actively ensuring the laws are effectively implemented.

Speaking on contemporary challenges such as housing, transportation, and the rising cost of living, the Speaker clarified that these matters largely fall under the Executives jurisdiction. However, he expressed the Assembly’s readiness to collaborate with other arms of government to address these pressing issues.

Rt. Hon. Guwor, commended the Delta Online Publishers’ Forum for its role in the state’s development, describing the media as a crucial pillar of democracy, stressing the importance of a strong relationship between the Assembly and the media to ensure accurate and timely dissemination of legislative activities.

“We encourage the media to seek clarifications on legislative matters directly from the Assembly to prevent misinformation and stop the spread of fake news,” Guwor added.

The Speaker also reassured the DOPF of the Assembly’s commitment to addressing the needs of Delta residents and praised the media’s efforts in fostering balanced and transparent reportage of legislative processes.

Earlier, the Chairman of the DOPF, Emmanuel Enebeli, commended Guwor’s dynamic leadership during the first year of the 8th Assembly, praising the legislative strides made and the smooth cooperation with other government bodies, particularly in advancing the administration’s M.O.R.E Agenda.

Enebeli also lauded the Assembly’s efforts to address security concerns, specifically the farmer-herder clashes impacting farming communities, but he urged more action on this front.

“The ongoing clashes between farmers and herders have disrupted agricultural activities and worsened food insecurity in several parts of the state. While we appreciate the Assembly’s efforts, more needs to be done to ensure farmers can access their lands safely, especially in areas like Ughelli North, Ethiope East, Ukwuani, and Ika South Local Government Areas,” he remarked.

He also called for the activation of the Delta State Community Security Agency law, which was passed in 2020, to bolster security in rural communities. The Forum, additionally, urged the Assembly to enact laws compelling local government authorities to prioritise waste management, as improper disposal and blocked drainage systems continue to pose serious environmental risks.

The Speaker was also of the DOPF’s upcoming Annual Lecture, themed “Security Challenges: Finding a Local Implementable Solution,” scheduled for 20th November 2024, expressed the forum’s commitment to working with the Assembly to create a more secure and prosperous Delta State.

N-Delta women back Tinubu’s Govt, dissociate selves from planned October 1 protest

**Plead with Nigerians to give Tinubu’s Government a chance

Women from the various communities in the Niger Delta region stormed Warri on Wednesday dissociating themselves from the planned October 1 protest against the present administration.

Rising from a Stakeholders engagement with the Niger Delta women, organised by the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), themed “Niger Delta Women: Empowerment as a Panacea for Peace, Stability and Economic Growth”, the women groups lamented that many self-interested bodies are presently going about with ulterior motives asking people to do negative things”.

The Wednesday’s gathering was in continuation of the expanded Niger Delta Stakeholders meeting of women groups and youth bodies, community leaders, opinion leaders, elders, traditional rulers and camp leaders by the PAP office.

In their resolution at Wednesday’s parley, the women drawn from all the ethnic nationalities in the oil-rich belt, asked their children and wards to shun the planned protests.

They also urged to discourage their children and wards from joining any protest against the authorities.

To this end, they pleaded with Nigerians to give Tinubu’s administration a chance to confront and deal with the multi-faceted challenges facing the country.

While lauding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for its support for women and youths in the region, they stated that “when you appoint the right people into the right position, then you should start seeing positive result”.

Reading the communique of the meeting to journalists, a woman leader in the Niger Delta, Madam Beauty Warejuowei, urged women in the region to “stand firm and make the best use of opportunities given them by the authorities”.
“This will give government the encouragement to do even more”, she stated.

Warejuowei noted that “the Niger Delta region has been having PAP Coordinators before now, but this is the time we can say the right people has been appointed to the right position”.

The women acknowledged there “were challenges but Mr. President has initiated various policies and programmes to address the challenges.”

“Within little time, we are very sure that these problems would become a thing of the past.”

The women commended Tinubu for appointing Otuaro as Head of PAP, describing the appointment as “square peg in a square hole.”

They also commended him Otuaro for organising the forum, saying that it was the first time the Niger Delta women were actively involved in the activities of PAP.

They lamented that previous administrators of PAP excluded them from the activities of the government’s interventionist agency.

In his address at the stakeholders forum, Otuaro commended the women forum for their support for the present administration just as he acknowledged their role in sustaining peace in the region.

He said, “We have to do it together. Talking peace in the Niger Delta, it is our women that are sustaining the peace. The destiny of Niger Delta is in the hands of women”.

Otuaro added that the economic challenges in the country are temporary and appealed to the women group not to relent in their efforts to support the administration’s socioeconomic initiatives.

The PAP Administrator assured the women groups of sustained empowerment, vocational trainings, grants and scholarships to further add value to their lives.

In attendance at the event were notable women leaders from the Niger Delta region including Mrs. Ann-Kio Briggs, a frontline woman activist in the region; Chief Mrs. Vero Tangbowei, Madam Beauty Warejuowei as well as the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) President, Mr. Jonathan Lokpobiri and the pioneer IYC President, T. K. Ogoriba, prominent women and men traditional title-holders, among others, in the region were on hand in solidarity with the Amnesty Office.

An elated Otuaro thanked the woman for their support for him and the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

Otuaro urged them to consistently support the Tinubu’s administration, adding that “though there are challenges, there would be light at the end of the tunnel.”

Seventh heaven in Delta Host Communities As Court Set To Decide Fate Of NDDC’s Chairman, Ebie October 31

**As Niger Delta Activist, Mulade insists Chairman must come from highest oil producing areas in the state

Warri: Oil and Gas producing communities of Delta State are Jubilating as Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, fixed October 31, to deliver ruling as well as judgement in a suit seeking the sack of the Chairman of the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr Chiedu Ebie, over alleged wrongful appointment.

Justice Abdulmalik fixed the date for both ruling and judgement on Tuesday, shortly after parties in the suit adopted their written addresses as their arguments for and against the originating summons.

Recall that some Niger Delta communities had sued President Bola Tinubu, for allegedly violating the NDDC’s Act by appointing Ebie as NDDC.

The plaintiffs from Bayelsa and Delta States communities had told the court that Ebie was not qualified to occupy the seat of Board Chairman haven not come from, “the oil producing area with the highest quantum of oil production”.

Those who filed the suit include; Chief Goodnews Gereghewei, Chief Eddy Brayei and Mr Jonah Engineyouwei, who sued on behalf of themselves and Bisangbene, Agge and Amatu1 communities in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

President Tinubu, Senate President, Attorney-General of the Federation, NDDC and Ebie are 1st to 5th respondents respectively.

Meanwhile, Jerry Mulade-Aroh representing Gbaramatu Kingdom, Mr Mathew Itsekure, representing Itsekiri Oil and Gas producing communities and Hon Friday Ugedi, representing Egbema Kingdom all in Delta also sought to be joined as plaintiffs in the suit, demanding that is the turn of Itsekiri or Ijaw to produce the chairman as the highest quantum producers.

At Tuesday’s proceedings, plaintiffs through their lawyer Mr Egberipou Sotonye Barakemi, urged the court to dismiss the preliminary objection filed by President Tinubu and the AGF, adding that the court should dismiss the entire case of all the respondents for lacking in merit.

Mrs Maimuna Lami Ashiru, representing President Tinubu and the AGF, Umaru Jibril, representing the National Assembly and Emmanuel Akumaye, representing NDDC and Ebie, in their respective reply urged the court to dismiss the suit for want of jurisdiction.

After listening to all parties, Justice Abdulmalik announced that ruling in the preliminary objection to the suit as well as her judgement in the main suit would be delivered on October 31, this year.

In the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/28/2024, and filed January 11, 2024, the plaintiffs claimed that both President Tinubu and the National Assembly contravened the NDDC Act by screening and appointing Ebie Chiedu as NDDC Board Chairman.

Niger Delta activist Comrade Mulade Sheriff insists that although Ebie is from an oil producing State but, was however not qualified for appointment as board chairman because he was not from the highest oil producing area in Delta State.

Mulade argued that Ebie’s appointment “was done horribly in error for political reasons and is against the clear provisions of the NDDC law. Therefore, called on President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to immediate replacement him with someone with the requisite capacity and competence from core host communities in Delta State to give sense of belonging for participatory inclusiveness.

The Niger Delta-born renowned environmental rights activist has again urged the National Assembly lawmakers to adhere strictly to the provisions of the law irrespective of political affiliation for the interest of Nigerians, especially host communities because we cannot continued to play politics with our daily bastardized environment and future.

“That the screening and confirmation of the 5th defendant by the Nigerian Senate was also done in error and was against the clear provisions of the law.

“That as a result of the facts above and in particular the facts in paragraphs 2 – 11, the appointment of the 5th defendant is null, void and of no effect”.

The plaintiffs through their lawyer, B. B. Abalaba, had asked the court to determine whether Ebie who is from a community with minimal oil production is qualifed to be the chairman of the 4th defendant (Niger Delta Development Commission)?

Other issues raised for determination are: Whether the appointment of the 5th defendant by the 1st defendant as the chairman of the 4th defendant is not in contravention of the NDDC Act?

“Whether the appointment of the 5th defendant by the 1st defendant as the chairman of the 4th defendant is not Illegal null and void?

They therefore prayed the court for an order “setting aside the appointment of the 5th defendant as the chairman of the 4th defendant by the 1s defendant.

“An order of injunction restraining the 5th defendant from assuming office or in any way acting as the chairman of the 4th defendant.

“An order of injunction restraining the 4th defendant from recognizing the 5th defendant as its chairman or allowing him access into its premises for the purpose of beginning or continuing work as its chairman.

“An order of injunction restraining the 5th defendant from holding himself out as the chairman of the 4th defendant”.

Epileptic Power Supply: Issele-Uku Community Stages Protest To BEDC Asaba Office

By Patrick Ochei

Today, Tuesday 24th September, 2024, a high powered delegation of Issele-Uku people, led by the President General, Issele-Uku Development Union (IDU), Mr. Offordile Ugeh, took a protest to the Asaba Regional Office of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC over epileptic power supply in Issele-Uku.

Stating the grievances of the community, Mr. Ugeh told the Regional Manager and his team, that electricity supply in Issele-Uku has completely collapsed even after being upgraded from Band D to Band B in the 11KV line, with enormous financial obligation of about N18 million monthly on the community.

The IDU President explained that as a result of the prevalent darkness, crime rate in the commercial nerve centre of Aniocha North Local Government Area has increased abysmally, with transformers being vandalised, kidnapping and other forms of robbery taking place almost on daily basis.

According to him, there is tension now in town and the community leadership could no longer manage the situation, hence the delegation by the Traditional Ruler, HRM Agbogidi Obi Nduka JP (MNSE) to come and interface with the company’s management.

Responding, the Regional Head of BEDC Asaba Zone, Mr. Gboyega Ogunlejika in a very calm demeanour alongside his Technical Manager and Business Manger, explained the challenges of the 11KV Feeder that feeds Issele-Uku and Ubulu-Okiti.

Explaining the true state of things, he said that Issele-Uku in reality is on Band C of the 11KV Feeder and not on Band B as made to believe from the field officers. He said that the company is having issues with load limitation, making it to concentrate more on Band A before what is left is shared to other Bands.

However, he said that there is no way Issele-Uku can even remain on Band C which is supposed to enjoy 12 hours of power supply on daily basis, because that is not realistic based on current realities, thereby suggesting reallocating Issele-Uku to Band D which is eight hours of light, with an assurance to make it effective depending on the fixing and workability of the lines.

Mr. Gboyega after all technical assessments, suggested to the delegation on the need for Issele-Uku to look forward to individual metering, instead of the bulk metering system earlier adopted for the community.

He said the metres are supposed to be free, but because BEDC cannot afford to give metres to every home, they prefer suggesting to people to apply to get one from the Metre Access Provider (MAP) and have the money de-frayed overtime as the consumers purchase energy. However, those that could not afford to purchase the metre could now be transfered to Estimated Billing System.

In a nutshell, the Regional Head assured to review the entire arrangement and get back to the community on the appropriate Bill to start paying. In the meantime, he gave an understanding of the different modes of billing like Prepaid, Postpaid and Bulk Payment systems.

While insisting that it is the ultimate goal of the company to get everybody on the Band A category of power supply which is 20 hours daily, he assured he can only struggle to keep Issele-Uku within the Band D category of eight hours daily based on the reality on ground, which is mainly due to load limitation and faulty lines.

Oba Odeniran U17 Football Final Gets Date, Venue

By: Sunday Agunbiade (Mr VAR)

Chairman, Oyo State Football Association, Alakinyele of Akinyele, HRM Oba James Odeniran has announced date and venue for the final of U-17 football competition in Ibadan.

Organized by the Nigeria Football Coaches Association, Oyo State Chapter under the able leadership of Coach Akinola Olatunji said the competition will host the Shakers and movers in football circle in the pace setters state.

The much awaited final will witness two big clubs in the ancient city of Ibadan the Oyo State capital as Mido FC from Ibadan North West Local Government will lock horns with Mighty Stars Odinjo from Ibadan South East Local Government. This will precede a cotton raiser match between Oyo SWAN and Nigeria Football Coaches Association, Oyo State Chapter by 2pm

The Football Competition being put together by Grassroot Development Unit of Oyo State Football Coaches Association aims at promoting football development amongst young footballers in the state

According to Oba James Odeniran, he said: “This football Competition stems from my unwavering dedication and humble contribution to promote sports development in Oyo State.

Addressing newsmen during a press conference, Oba Odeniran said:

“Youth development through football competitions is both exciting and essential. It provides young players with the opportunity to hone their skills and develop their talents. In recent years, youth development has gained prominence, with clubs dedicating resources to nurture young potentials. This not only creates a talent pool for the future but also engages children early in sport, encouraging long-term participation.

The participants will have the chance to win cash prizes and gifts, with additional awards for various categories.” He assured.

The Chairman, Nigeria Football Coaches Association, Coach Akinola Olatunji said: Developing young football talent is crucial for numerous reasons. Firstly, it lays a strong foundation for the future by cultivating a pool of skilled players capable of excelling at the highest levels of the game. Secondly, youth development introduces children to football at a young age, fostering a passion for the sport and encouraging lifelong engagement.

“Through youth development programs, young players acquire essential life skills such as teamwork, communication, discipline, and respect, which extend beyond football and shape their character both on and off the field. By investing in the growth of young footballers, clubs create a sustainable pathway to success.”

Dignitaries expected at the finals are:

Alhaji Y.K. Ambass. Babaloja in General of Oyo State Gbagi Tuntun,Ibadan,.

Alhaja Fatimoh Arowolaje , Iyalode ,Olu Ana, Gbagi tuntun, Retired Chief Justice Abass Tajudeen. Mr Wale Elebute, All F. A Members. Honourable Bolaji Ojo-Oba, Chief Mrs Bolaji, member CCII, Alhaji Yaro, Chairman Hausa Community, Akinyele town, Ibadan. Oba Ajia Olorungbiji , Oba Sulaiman Oladapo, Oba Folarin HRM (Oba Olorunda Aba), HRM Oba Muritala Babalola (Onido of Ido), HRM Oba Olasunkanmi Abioye Opeola (Oniroko of Iroko), Iba Moses Akinyosoye(Onikereku of Ikereku), Oba Akano Lasisi (Onijaye of Ijaye), Akinloye Iwolabi(MON),

Oba James Odeniran U 17 Alakinyele of Akinyele football competition
Organized by NFCA Oyo state Final will is scheduled to hold Saturday September 28th 2024 at Olubadan stadium by 3pm

Morocco 2025: Libya’s Knights drag Super Eagles to Benina

Bottom team Libya has opted to host Group D leaders Nigeria at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium, in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying Matchday 4 encounter. The facility is located in the city of Benina, some 19 kilometres outside the country’s second city, Benghazi.

Known previously as Hugo Chávez Stadium, the stadium is a 10,000-capacity facility with an artificial turf.

Both countries will do a Matchday 3 battle at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Friday, 11th October, before the clash in the city at the edge of the Mediterranean Sea on Tuesday, 15th October.

While the match in Uyo will kick off at 5pm, the battle in Benina will commence at 8pm Nigeria time.

Libya remain bottom of Group D after two rounds of matches, following a 1-1 at home to Rwanda (a game that was played at the Tripoli International Stadium) and a 1-2 loss to the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Abidjan.

Nigeria top the pool with four points, after a 3-0 spanking of Benin Republic in Uyo on Matchday 1 and a scoreless draw with Rwanda’s Amavubi in Kigali on Matchday 2.

Buhari Congratulates APC, Gov-Elect, Okpebholo On Historic Edo Victory

Former President Muhammadu Buhari congratulates the All Progressives Congress @OfficialAPCNg and the party’s Governor-elect in Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, following “this prized, historic electoral victory.”

He expressed hope that both the leaders of the incoming administration and of the parties that lost will work together to strengthen democracy and maintain the trajectory of the state’s development.
“Congratulations to the APC and the election winner, Senator Monday Okpebholo on the historic electoral victory, and my warmest wishes for a new lease of life for Edo State and its people.

“I very much hope the winners and the losers will work together to strengthen democracy and maintain the trajectory of development in the state.
“I commend the law enforcement agencies for the efforts that they put into ensuring a peaceful election, and the multitude of election officials who strive to improve with each election.
“I pray that the Nigeria, the continent’s most populous country, will continue to achieve remarkable progress under democracy.”

APC’s Senator Okpebholo wins Edo governorship election