By,: Tino  Kevwe 

Indigens of Ugborodo Community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, say as far as the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA is concerned, they are not under anybody, insisting the management of Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL and other International Oil and Gas Companies operating in their land, must dialogue with them as regards implementation of the PIA.

The Eghare-Aja of the Ugborodo, Mr. Daniel Uwawah, placed the demand Wednesday May 17, during a peaceful protest staged against Chevron Nigeria Limited at Chevron Terminal Ugborodo.

The Igbajoh of Ugborodo, Prince Terry Atete, who spoke on behalf of the Eghare-Aja, said they have written several letters to Chevron Nigeria Limited, on the necessity for the company’s management to dialogue with them, “in line with the PIA Act, but the company refused.”

Photogrid  of Ugborodo community women leader & youth body fielding questions from newsmen 

According to the Eghare-Aja, letters written to Chevron Nigeria Limited, concerning the award of contracts and employment, had also been ignored.

“We are faulting the PIA process. We are saying that the company should come directly and dialogue with the Community.

“This they have not done. We are saying we are not going to accept it, until they come and deliberate with us, based on the issue as stated in the Act”, he emphasized.

He posited that CNL has totally disregarded provision of the PIA, “which states that all nominees/representatives to the Board, Management and Advisory Council, must emanate directly from the host community (in this case, Ugborodo)”, adding: “Chevron Nigeria Limited, should stop patronising the former Exco of Ugborodo, led by Barr. Austin Oboroegbeyi. They should always reach out to the Ugborodo Community Elders’ Council for any business, that has to do with Ugborodo Community.”

The protesters, who were from Ode-Ugborodo, Ogidigben, Ajudaibo, Madangho and Ijaghala Communities, under Ugborodo Federated Communities, carried placards with inscriptions such as: “We want our PIA as host communities in Ugborodo”, “All local content contracts must be brought to the community through the appointed organ”, “Enough of Chevron’s divide and rule policies”, “Ugborodo Community, demands frequent and regular engagement with Chevron”, “Chevron must fix the water and the light, before they can proceed with their operation”, “Chevron can you stop intimidating us?!”, “Chevron give us employment”, “We need light, Chevron”, “No good relationship with Chevron”, “Chevron must Go” and “Chevron you are a wicked company.”

In a chat with newsmen, a woman leader in Ugborodo Community, Oritsematosan Nuko, who corroborated the claims of the Eghare-Aja, appealed to Chevron and the Federal Government to come to the rescue of Ugborodo Community and provide shore protection, saying indigenes of the community are being chased away by tidal flood.

While noting that Chevron knows their plights, Nuko said: “They refused to come. There’s no work for our children. No employment, no business, no contracts. We are just managing ourselves.”

She opined that in line with PIA, if Chevron comes and dialogue with the community, their children will be gainfully employed.

Chairman Ugborodo community Youth, Wilson Ejeh and his National Vice Chairman, Victor Laju, who spoke in the same vein, asked Chevron Nigeria Limited and other companies operating in Ugborodo, to yield to thier demands for sustainable peace.

A Real Estate firm, In -Motions Business Limited, has donated a plot of land worth N3.5million to Hilda Bassey, popularly known as Hilda Baci for breaking the Guinness World Record for longest cooking.

The Managing Director of the Real Estate firm, Mr. Gideon Ekanem made this known in a statement made available to newsmen yesterday in Uyo.

Ekanem also disclosed that the plot of land is located in Wana Court Green Estate Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

He commended Chef Baci for her making the State proud by emerging the new holder of Guinness World Record for longest cooking.

His words: “Hilda Baci embodies the very essence of resilience within our society today. And we wholeheartedly join the entire nation and our fellow Akwa Ibomites in exuberantly celebrating her extraordinary achievement.

” In recognition of the remarkable feat in the cooking Marathon, we are delighted to present Hilda Bassey with a free plot of land in Wana Court Estate, the first true Green and Smart Estate in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital.

“May this well-deserved honor serve as a testament to your unwavering determination.

“The foundation of In -Motions Business Ltd rests upon the pillars of diligence and perseverance, as we consistently align ourselves with these virtues”

Ugboba community, an agrarian locality in Aniocha North LGA of Delta State, has been provided with potable water by a coal mining company, MOSRA Energy Limited.

In a well attended commissioning ceremony on Monday 15th May, 2023, the amiable Monarch of Ugboba Kingdom, HRM Agbogidi Obi Nkebakwu Emmanuel Ezedimbu 111, appreciated MOSRA Energy for such a gesture, assuring them of the best of cooperation from the community in terms of fostering of cordial working relationship, as the mining operations continue to progress.

Obi Nkebakwu also commended the people of Ugboba for their unalloyed loyalty and support to his rulership, maintaining that the community had taken the best decision in the interest of the Energy development of Nigeria with the hope of ripple effect benefits to the community.

According to the UK trained Monarch, “I sincerely wish to appreciate MOSRA Energy for their kind gesture in ensuring that Ugboba gets potable water for drinking. This ceremony is not much but means so much to us.

“Today, we have come to witness the commissioning of the water project built for us by MOSRA Energy and also to take delivery of the two motorcycles donated to the vigilance group to advance security in the community.

“The world is today, also aware of the commencement of mining activities in Ugboba. This community has eventually etched her name in the history of mineral deposits communities contributing their own quota to the development of Energy sources in Nigeria.

“Our country Nigeria is predominantly gas producing in Energy source. Coal is one of the main sources of energy in China, ranking about 50 percent of their energy source.

“It is in our own best interest to look inward and give what we have for the Energy development of our country. We want to change the industrial sector, we want to contribute to power sector and we want to be happy as a people. For this, I commend Ugboba people for their understanding, and, I urge them to keep the unity of Ugboba in tact. We will definitely achieve our aim of a better Ugboba when we coexist together in peace, unity and love.

“MOSRA Energy has provided Potable Water for Ugboba people as part of their commitment in the Community Development Agreement (CDA). Ours is to remain peaceful and law-abiding as mining operations begin in earnest. We are delighted for what God is doing and we will not take this privileged opportunity for granted.

“Let me emphasise to prove naysayers wrong in their ignorant attempt to cast aspersions on the mining project. There is no difference in what MOSRA Energy is doing here from what Coal mining is all about in other developed climes like Germany, where 16-30 percent of their coal mining is Lignite. There is no harmful effect with regards to the ongoing Lignite Coal mining in Ugboba and other Coal deposits communities around it.

“In this kind of mining, the company is using Open Cast system to excavate. This is a method where the soil is opened in a shallow form and the Coal taken away, afterwhich the deep is covered with the same soil. We even have forest with enough capacity to curtail any environmental effects like dust. They also have equipment that wets the environment with water.

“We must realise that Energy sufficiency is the bedrock of any development. If we don’t mine, we cannot enjoy developmental infrastructures like road and electricity.

“In Nigeria as a country, we do not have diversified sources of energy. India and China have about 40 and 45 energy sources. We want to start using what God has given us to start living well. With this Lignite Coal, Ugboba will be paying her own due in developing Nigeria and helping to provide energy source for Nigeria. By the Paris Convention on coal mining regulations, the world is aware of the mining project in Ugboba. It is not hidden and we must do everything humanly possible to achieve success in our Energy sufficiency agenda for Nigeria, and in particular, the accruing developmental benefits to our community”, Obi Ugboba explained.

Meanwhile, the Federal Mines Officer, Delta State, representing the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Engr. Golden-Okpataku Fatima thanked the King and people of Ugboba for supporting the mining efforts of the Federal Government in the community.

Her words, “I thank God for making it possible for us to witness this laudable event. I congratulate His Royal Majesty, Obi of Ugboba for ensuring that this monumental project is taking place in his time.

“I plead with Ugboba people to continue to support the king because of his tireless effort to make this project a reality. He has a good heart towards the development of the community.

“For MOSRA Energy, please do your best to treat the community well. We will ensure that this exploration project is environmentally sustainable. The Minister is passionate about this project, he wants this particular mining experience better than what we have in Kogi State. Remember that Johannesburg was a community like this in time past, but today, it is a big city with enormous development that brings tourists from all over the world on vacation in the city. It is my prayer that this community will see better development for the good of the indigenes and those of her neighbouring communities”, the Federal Mines Officer stated.

Speaking on behalf of the MD of MOSRA Energy Limited, Mr. Olukayode Ramos, the Site Geologist, Mr. Ishola Emmanuel affirmed that MOSRA Energy Limited is doing its own part of the bargain to ensure that Ugboba gets her own fair share of development as a host community.

He confirmed that the company is doing various road networks towards making movements of equipment and materials easy in the community.

Speaking further, he said, “I have been on ground since 2015 when we came in here to start exploration. We have bonded with the community all these years, and they have taken time to understand our mission. Everything we told them we would do, we have been doing and there is no cause for alarm.

“We use the open cast in this mining, where we remove the overburden and cover back with the soil. We have proffered solution with the soil which is the bone of contention with some persons. We have water tankers for the wetting of the ground to mitigate the effect of dust. But you can attest to the fact that the environment is not harmful, that people are here working without even masking, that people are farming around and that people are going to be living around the Facility Site.

“The truth is that, Ugboba community has given us peaceful atmosphere to operate and we in turn have been reciprocating their kind gestures. It’s a win-win for all of us and there is nothing to worry about”, he concluded.

The highpoint of the ceremony was the commissioning of the water project by the Chairman of Aniocha North Local Government, Hon. Kelvin Okwechime, who was represented by the Secretary to the Local Government, Hon. Kennedy Okoh.

Cutting the tape, the SLG appreciated MOSRA Energy for their effort in locating the mining site for their mining operations in Ugboba.

While expressing joy over the project, Okoh affirmed that he was sure that the partnership of the mining company and that of its host coal community would lead to utilising part of the generated profit to advance development in the community.

He however, advised MOSRA Energy to ensure to productively engage not only Ugboba indigenes but Aniocha North people in their workforce.

Okoh pledged the partnership of the Local Government towards enabling the company’s mining activities to success, and at the same time, a worthwhile and profitable venture for the benefit of all parties involved.

He turned on the tap and served water to the President General of Ugboba Development Union, Mr. Nnabuife Ikechukwu and also drank; thereby sparking up an overwhelming applause and jubilation from those watching the action.

A colleague Monarch and Oloza of Ugbodu Kingdom, HRM Obi Ayo Isinyemeze who was present to witness the water project commissioning ceremony and official take-off of mining operations in Ugboba, was given the opportunity to officially commission the two motor bikes that were donated to Ugboba Vigilante Group for their use in mounting security surveillance in and around the community.

The keys to the motor bikes were handed over by Engr. Golden-Okpataku Fatima to the beneficiaries.

The atmosphere in Ugboba on Monday 15th May, 2023, was not one that required the telling of soothsayers that the people were happy, just as they sang, danced and eulogized their king to the admiration of the visitors.

1. By: Celestine Ukah

The Former Deputy Chief Whip in the Warri South Legislative Arm, Hon. Austin Tete loses father Pa. Joseph Mogborukor Tete, aged 77.

The demise of Pa. Joseph Tete occurred Monday May 8, 2023 in Warri, Delta State after a brief illness.

Until Pa. Tete’s transition to meet with his creator, he was a retired Sailor
And Egbokodo community spokesman a position he held very actively and with admiration of his people before his passage.

Late Pa. Joseph Tete hails from Egbokodo Itsekiri and Ubeji/ ifiekporo communities both in Warri South LGA, Delta State.

While appreciating friends and associates for condoling with their family in their time of grief, the elderly child of late Pa. Joseph Mogborukor Tete and Chairman Egbokodo Community Trust, Hon. Austin Tete described his father as great man with distinguished qualities, served his community meritoriously in all capacity.

According to the family burial arrangement will be announced later.

The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori has expressed gratitude to God for his six-year stewardship of the House. He thanked God for His “goodness, faithfulness, and sustaining grace” and eulogised his colleagues for their “support, understanding, and cooperation.”

Oborevwori was also full of praise and appreciation to the good people of Delta State for standing solidly behind him.

These commendations were contained in a Press Statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Dennis Otu to mark his sixth anniversary as Speaker.

Part of the statement read:

“Today makes it exactly six years that I emerged as the Speaker of the most vibrant House of Assembly in the country.

“First, I am grateful to God for His goodness, faithfulness, and sustaining grace. I express my heartfelt gratitude to my colleagues in the House without whose support, understanding, and cooperation I would not have accomplished much. In my tenure, the House passed several bills that have set the state on a positive growth trajectory. Indeed, members of the 6th and 7th Assemblies that I led stood out for their transparency, courage, dedication to duty, and accountability.

“I also salute the good people of Delta State for their trust and confidence in me. Your approval of my stewardship of the House was clearly demonstrated in the massive mandate you gave me to be the next governor of the state.

“Finally, I thank Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and members of the state executive council for partnering with the legislature to build a Stronger Delta standing on the tripod of prosperity, peace, and progress.”

Rt.Hon Oborevwori who is also the National Deputy Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria was elected the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly on May 11, 2017. He is the longest serving Speaker in the history of the House. He was elected Governor of the state on March 18, 2023.

The Deputy Senate President DSP, Senator Omo-agege has again hailed and appreciated President Buhari For The Establishment Of The Federal University Of Medical And Health Science, Kwale in Ndokwa Nation.

Following persistent strategic and fruitful engagements between the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and the Honourable Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, and a subsequent direct request to His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, the Federal Government has now approved the establishment of the Federal University of Medical and Health Science, Kwale.

According to a statement released in Abuja Thursday May 11 and made available to this Newspaper through the
Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Sunny Areh, reads thus: “This is a great win for all our people, especially the Ndokwa Nation. It is a fulfillment of a major campaign promise by the DSP to the good people of Ndokwa Nation during the last electoral campaigns. We give all the glory to God Almighty.

“The DSP is eternally grateful to Mr. President for his undeniable patriotic and equitable leadership spirit which has again resulted in the establishment of this much needed institution for the overall good of our people, after his similar approval of the establishment of the Federal Polytechnic Orogun. The DSP thanks his dear friend, the Honourable Minister of Education for consistently demonstrating admirable patriotism and respect for positive friendship in managing the huge responsibilities of State.

“The establishment of the Federal University of Medical and Health Science, Kwale is, without question, a worthy achievement. It is the hope of the Deputy President of the Senate that our leaders will work together to realize its proper take-off and sustainable functioning”. It stated. .

The Oghoro ruling house Wwdnesday paid homage to the departed Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, HRM.(Dr.) Richard Layeguen Ogbon Ogoni-Oghoro I JP.

The visit is continuous part of activities marking the burial ceremony of the monarch who recently joined his ancestors at the age of 106years.

Olorogun Jacob Djedjomahor who led the Ruling House to pay homage said the passage of the reverred monarch is not the end of Olomu Kingdom.

While noting that Olomu Kingdom is made up of three ruling houses, Djedjomahor explained that, “the Otota who is the traditional Prime Minister and Spokesperson of the Kingdom, will ascend the throne as the Ohworode at the due time.”

According to him, “The Akpile position holder currently, will move to the position of prime minister and the Oghoro ruling house that are here today, will select an Akpile for Olomu.

He said, “Our Succession is not by birth. Every son of Olomu has the right to lead and ascend the throne. It’s not a one family affair and it’s free of rancor.”

Djedjomahor said “We cannot continue to to farm in the old ways and expect better productivity. The lands are getting smaller. They’re getting poorer in Mandir and so, which is time most of us who have the wherewithal in Olomu to bring agro-industries. The agro-industries we have offshoot of a process industries.”

The Akpile of Olomu Kingdom, Olorogun Albert Akpomudje SAN said the event was impressive. “They’re displaying their loyalty, and their respect.”

The legal practitioner said the departed Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom was a fantastic man. “A man that’s endowed with knowledge. Like someobdoy said, he is the encyclopaedia of Urhobo land. There’s nothing you will ask him that he does not know.

“Thank God,while he was alive, he was able to tell us very many of them. So, we are keeping the records.

“We are going to sorely miss him. Like it is, we have learnt alot from him and the man who is next to him you, know he has been there. He has been the Otota.

“So, am sure he must have under-studied him that most of the things he will do, will be very close to them. Am the only stranger amongst them. Am still learning as you can see. God willing, I will catch up and I want God to give us the wisdom to be able to pull through.”

The Managing Director of ND Western, Olorogun Ochuko Abamwa who also spoke with newsmen at the event said,”Our father lived to a ripe old age for which we are grateful. Ordinarily, this will be period of sadness because he achieved long life in good health, e are grateful to God and we have cause to celebrate.”

He adviced the people of Olomu Kingdom not to cut corners in the selection of who ascends the throne as the next king.

The Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and Governor-elect of Delta State, Olorogun(Dr.) Ebenezar Okorodudu said, “the King is actually from Oghoro ruling house and he was the oldest man Oghoro ruling house, that’s why a day is set aside for us to celebrate him.

“The kingdom knew peace in his time. He was a carrier of grace. All through his reign as a king, the Kingdom experienced massive infrastructural development and constant electricity supply.”

* Says Deltans Should Be United, Against Being Divided

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bem Vindo Hotel in Osubi, Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State, Mr Orbada Clark has congratulated the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and Governor-elect, Rt Hon Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori on his victory at the Court of Appeal on a pre-election suit filed by a PDP Chieftain, Chief Ikie Aghwarianovwe.

In a press statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen in Warri on Tuesday, May 9th, 2023, the Bem Vindo Hotel boss said that the victory of the Delta State Governor-Elect, Rt Hon Oborevwori at the Court of Appeal was for all Deltans.

According to him, now that the 2023 general elections have come and gone, all Deltans should rally round the Governor-elect and give him the necessary support to take the state to enviable heights.

” The victory of the Delta State Governor-Elect, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori at the Court of Appeal is for all Deltans. Let us join hands with our Governor-Elect to move our dear state forward. He has the ability to pilot the affairs of the state from where the state Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa is going to stop on May 29th, 2023. We should all support him to succeed in office. He will not let Deltans down”, the Bem Vindo Hotel boss said.

He added that; “On Thursday, May 11th, 2023, when we are going to celebrate the 42nd anniversary of the Legend Bob Marley in Bem Vindo Hotel, the home of Reggae Music in Delta State and the entire Niger Delta Region, we will also be celebrating our Governor-Elect, Rt Hon Oborevwori who became the Speaker of the State House of Assembly on May 11th, 2017 and also celebrate his many victories, especially as we are preparing seriously for his Swearing-in Ceremony as Governor on May 29th, 2023. I want to implore all our people to join us at Bem Vindo Hotel in celebrating Bob Marley and the many victories of our Governor-Elect. Let us be united against be divided for the interest of our state”.