By: Dan Domotimi 

Yenagoa: A young business man cum-philantropist, the Chief Executive Officer and the Managing Director, EBIMOBODEI DYNAMIC LIMITED, Mr. Teidei Eze has roled out his monthly empowerment scheme for the month of July.

The scheme which has beneficiaries across Bayelsa State, hosted home with a give-away to Mr. Amos Happiness a four-year old child who was born blind in Toru-Ebeni, Sagbama local government area, Eighty two years old Elelemukumo Akara, Christian Okosi Eighty-eight year old blind mother and Moses Markpa a Sixty year old father all of Amassoma Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government area of the state.

Others are, Clifford Alamieyeseigha, Opoekumo Joseph, British Dazi, Michael Igbaseimokumo, Worioyeinpere Mark and Prince Amiekumo.

The scheme which was basically a “House to House” empowerment scheme remained an act yet to be experienced in the state for a long while after the era of Chief David Lyon’s prowess as Governor elect in the state.

“It will not be out of place if Mr. Teidei Eze also nurse the ambition to contest for the number one man of the state in the nearest future”.

Speaking to the press, the beneficiaries thanked the initiator and pray for God to bless the fruits of his labour.

“May the Almighty God continue to bless you as you reach out to our needs”.

“We know that it’s never an easy one for you especially due to the fact that times are hard and due to the fact that there are other well-to-do class whom never dim it fit to reach out to us but you do”, they added.

At the Igbogene orphanage home, it was a twist as the orphans sang and danced with euphoria like never before.

By: Celestine Ukah 

In order to curb further environmental pollution challenges that the Niger Delta are currently facing, The Member Representing Warri Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Chief Dr. Thomas Ereyitomi JP has moved a motion at the Floor of the House on the need to discourage the destruction of vessels laden with stolen crude oil.

Hon. Ereyitomi in a chat with the Deputy Speaker Rt .Hon. Benjamin Kalu (Right) during plenary

The three Warri Voice Reps at the House of Representatives, Hon. Ereyitomi as part of his motion urged the the federal government and security agents to stop further setting ablaze of stolen crude oil vessels and prayed the Green chamber to mandate the Committee on environment to ensure compliance.

Hon. Ereyitomi motion was taken Tuesday July 18, 2023 during plenary and it was supported by the Honourable Member Representing Ekiti Federal Constituency 1, AVM Rufus Adeniyi Ojuawo (Rtd) and other Reps members.

The Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu who presided over plenary after taking amendment of Hon. Ereyitomi motion put the motion into voice vote and it was adopted and he referred it to the House Committee on Environment and NIMASA when constituted.

*Want Commission to complete abandoned project, failed road, upgrade health facility 

Indigenes of the oil-rich Omadino Community in Warri South Local Government Area, Delta state, say the year 2012, was the last time Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC awarded projects in the community.

While lamenting the situation, they called on the Commission, to complete all abandoned projects, fix failed roads and construct functional portable drinking water as well as upgrade the health facility in Omadino community.

Hon. Nicholas Efele (middle) in-company of the Omadino Committee delegation

Chairman of Omadino Community, Mr. Tuoyo Mogbeyiteren, represented by the Vice Chairman, Godwin Shola Toritseju, expressed the frustration of Omadino people, Wednesday July 19, when they paid courtesy visit to the Executive Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, PRS of DESOPADEC, Hon. Nicholas Efele.

According to Mogbeyiteren, “as the highest oil and gas producing community in Delta State and host to International Oil and Gas Companies, IOCs”, Omadino community, remains grossly under-developed.

The Omadino leadership, demanded for more employment opportunities for the community indigenes in DESOPADEC and expressed dismay over the relocation of DESOPADEC Office from Omadino to Ode-Itsekiri (Big Warri) saying the Office should be brought back to Omadino.

Secretary to Omadino Community Management Committee, Benjamin Akoreh pointed out that Omadino Community is major Host to majority of the multi National Oil Companies like Chevron Nigeria limited, Makaraba and Utunana field, NPDC/ Neconde, Jones creek and Egwa 1 and Egwa 2 fields, Conoil, Obodo and Aghigho field, Heritage- t L.p lines & Manifold and Orapele Field, Seplat, Amokpe/ Excravos trunk line among other fields but have nothing to show for it due to gross neglect by those concern and government.

He as well appealed to the DESOPADEC Director for prompt support in assisting the community to gain government presence in the Omadino.

Public Relations Officer of Omadino Youth body, Joshua Ghereje, said the infant mortality rate in the community, was high, “because of the poor state of facilities at the health care centre in Omadino.”

Ghereje, noted that the health facility at Omadino, serves adjourning communities in Warri South and Okpe Local Government Areas.

He disclosed that the link road connecting Omadino and Obodo communities, has failed and appealed to DESOPADEC, to fix the road

In his remarks, the Executive Director Project, Research and Statistics, DESOPADEC, Hon. Nicholas Efele, assured people of Omadino that their demands would be addressed by the Commission, acknowledging that as the highest oil producing community in Delta State, Omadino deserves a better deal.

Hon. Efele, urged management of the community, to look inwards and find ways of moving the community forward.

He advised them to also follow up development projects awarded in the community, in order to avoid abandonment of projects.

The Executive Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, DESOPADEC, hinted that the Commission, will soon call Omadino indigenes for a Town Hall meeting, where they will discuss more on the community’s areas of need, in terms of development.

PRO Omadino Community Management Committee; Humphrey Yomere, Treasurer; Hon Matthew Dada, Member of the Management Committee; Fredrick Asin, Woman Leader; Mrs. Grace Yomere, Abiodun, Youth President; Niro Omaro and Youth Treasurer; Jimmy Temienor, were among indigenes of Omadino Community, present during the courtesy visit.

The Convener, Integrity Group of Delta State, Amb. Oke Idawene has expressed the optimism that given the calibers of those nominated as commissioners, Governor Sherriff Oborevwori administration is set to bring dividends of democracy to Deltans.

Idawene who spoke to journalists in Asaba on the released of the list of commissioners described governor Oborevwori as a man who is focused, courageous and determined to deliver true dividends of democracy to the people.

While congratulating the nominees, Idawene pointed out that Integrity Group whose goal is to propagate the MORE agenda of Oborevwori’s administration, was happy with the people nominated to serve in the state executive council.

“Let me start by commending governor Oborevwori for deeming it fit to release the list of his commissioners within the 60 days stipulated by law for him to do so. I want to also commend the nominees for making the list. I am confident in their abilities and I know that Deltans will be happy that they elected, Rt. Hon. Sherriff Oborevwori as their governor.”

According to him, “Integrity Group is a pressure group poised to propagate the MORE Agenda for Deltans as espoused by our state governor, Rt. Hon. Sherriff Oborevwori. We are MORE ambassadors. Our vision is to ensure ‘Quality Assurance Leadership’ at all levels of government. We are ready to partner with them to succeed in the discharge of their duties.”

The nominees are: Mr Aniagwu Charles, Hon Joan Onyemaechi Ada Anioma, Comr. Jerry Ehiwario, Odinigwe Idigie Daniel, Micheal ifeanyi Anoka, Hon. Barr Princess Pat A. Ajudua, Barrister funyei Manager, Angele Godknows, Dr. Kingsley Ashibuogwu, Perez Omoun Esq., Uduaghan Orode, Isaac Tosan Wilkie, Oligida Samuel, Prof. Tonukari Johnbull, Jamani Tommy Ejiro.”

Others are: “Rose Ezenwu, Hon Onoriode Agofure, Olorogun Oyibode Vincent, Emamusi Obiodeh, Chief Tilije Fidelis Okenmor, Etagherure Ejiro Terry, Agbateyimiro Isaac Weyinmi, Sonny Akpororkimo Ekedayen, Darlington Ijeh, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, Hon. Izeze Rume Yakubu Reuben.”

The two factions in the current leadership tussle at the Nasarawa state house of Assembly have again failed to reach an agreement on who will become the 7th Speaker of the Assembly.

A meeting between the two factions of Daniel Ogazi and Ibrahim Balarabe which lasted for more than three hours at the Nasarawa State Government Lodge in Abuja ended in a deadlock.

The lawmakers left the venue disappointed even as the state governor Abdullahi Sule arrived the venue with the hope of a resolution.

The two factional speakers also declined speaking to newsmen who waited patiently for the outcome of the meeting.

Last week, the governor met with the twenty-four lawmakers In the state assembly and pleaded with them to resolve the leadership impasse and report back in two days a timeline that could not be met.

Following the Tussle between the two factional speakers of the state assembly, the inauguration of the 7th Nasarawa State Assembly was postponed.

The crisis at the state assembly began after Ibrahim Balarabe was elected at a sitting held at the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Nasasawa state by 11 out of 24 members while Daniel Ogazi was elected by 13 out of 24 members at the State Assembly complex.

Delta-born peace and development advocate Comrade Chief  Mulade Sheriff has appealed to the State Governor, His Excellency, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori to end the age-long communal crisis between the people of Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh in Udu and Warri South-West local government areas respectively of the state.

The renowned human rights activist made the call over the weekend and urged Governor Oborevwori to write his name in Gold by putting an end to the unnecessary crisis, noting that several developmental opportunities have eluded the areas, no thanks to the crisis.

According to him;”I want to strongly appeal to the State Governor, His Excellency, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori to achieve this peace process as part of his landmark achievement within his 100 days in Office. He opined that, above all, Deltans are going to hold him in high esteemed as the “Governor of Peace” without ethnic coloration”.

“Your Excellency, please the time has come to end all forms of inter-communal crises depriving our economic growth and infrastructural development of the State. We cannot continue as Deltans to wallow in communal conflicts and crisis that are chasing away alot of investors and opportunities that will create employment for our teeming youths in the State”, he also said.

“Your administration must strive to promote genuine peace in order to attract the desired development to our dear state”,

The renowned UN-Peace Ambassador noted that, his organisation, Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) advocacy program tagged: “Delta for Peace Project” will compliment efforts of the Governor’s peace building processes to ensure total peace in the State; he added.

Saudi Arabia has agreed to buy Turkish drones, one of several lucrative contracts President Recep Tayyip Erdogan secured for Turkey’s struggling economy as Ankara reaps the benefits of his recent diplomatic push to repair ties with Gulf Arab powers.

President Erdogan arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday, accompanied by an entourage of some 200 business people, according to the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey, as part of a three-stop tour of the region

Both countries signed several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in many fields, including energy, direct investments and defence industries.

Erdogan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attended the signing ceremony between Turkish defence firm Baykar and the Saudi defence ministry, Saudi state news agency SPA reported.

Saudi Arabia will acquire the drones “with the aim of enhancing the readiness of the kingdom’s armed forces and bolstering its defense and manufacturing capabilities”, Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud said in a tweet on Tuesday.

SPA did not give details about the value of the deal.

Turkey’s economic woes

Erdogan’s visit comes as Turks are hit with sales and fuel tax hikes that Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek has said are necessary to restore fiscal discipline and bring inflation down.

The official annual inflation rate stood at 38 percent last month, down from a high of 85 percent in October.

Turkey’s current account deficit reached record levels this year – $37.7bn in the first five months – and Erdogan hopes the oil and gas-rich Gulf states will help plug the gap.

On Tuesday, the Turkish lira weakened to a record low of 26.6 against the dollar as investor attention began to focus on the central bank’s policy-setting meeting on Thursday where it is again expected to hike rates.

The lira lost as much as 0.9 percent of its value against the US currency compared with Monday’s close of 26.3505.

It has weakened nearly 30 percent so far this year.

Turkey-Saudi rapprochement

Turkey has recently repaired ties with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates following a decade-long rift after the 2011 Arab Spring and Ankara’s support for the Muslim Brotherhood, considered a threat by some Gulf monarchies.

Worsening relations were exacerbated by a boycott of Turkish ally Qatar by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain in 2017.

The 2018 murder of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi at Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Istanbul led to a further souring of ties with Riyadh. US intelligence agencies assess that the killing was carried out on Prince Mohammed’s orders, something the kingdom denies.

Qatar and the UAE have provided Turkey with some $20bn in currency swap agreements recently, while Saudi Arabia deposited $5bn into Turkey’s central bank in March.

Days after Erdogan won re-election last month, the UAE and Turkey signed a trade deal potentially worth $40bn over the next five years.

Erdogan is due to meet Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha on Tuesday before visiting the UAE leader in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

SOURCE: AL JAZEERA

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori on Monday visited the family of two-year-old Ivan Omorhiakogbe killed by stray bullets from operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at Okpanam area of the State capital on Thursday, 13th July.

Oborevwori visited the family at the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, where the younger sibling, Eromonsele, a one-year-old, is receiving treatment for bullet injuries sustained in his left eye.

He commiserated with the family on the unfortunate demise of Ivan and promised that all efforts would be made to bring the culprits to book.

The Governor said that the Police were already investigating the matter and would make its findings known to the general public at the end of the inquiry.

Oborevwori said: “When we heard the unfortunate news, we immediately issued a statement calling on the NDLEA authorities and the Police Command to quickly investigate the circumstances, which led to the death of your son and injury to his younger sibling.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Delta State, we commiserate with you and your family over the loss of your son, Ivan.

“We have so much confidence in the police and as you know, they are carrying out their investigation; they will not make the outcome public until they are through with their investigations. So be rest assured that the culprits would be brought to book.

“Once again, I commiserate with your family for this loss and am happy that Eromonsele is recovering,” he said.

He commended the medical personnel at the hospital for their proactiveness in treating the younger sibling, assuring that the State Government would pick up all the medical bills related to the incident.

“Let me also appreciate the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba for the proactive action they have taken so far since the incident occurred.

“I had sent people here earlier to find out what they are doing and I am happy that they were able to save Eromonsele’s life and I know that he will come out strong.

“The State Government will foot the bills for the hospital treatment, so no money should be taken from the family,” Governor Oborevwori directed.

Also speaking, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Wale Abass assured the Governor and the family of the Command’s commitment to ensuring thorough investigation into the matter.

“Your Excellency, we will do our best to unravel the mystery behind the whole incident. We have sent messages to the NDLEA and they have responded and in no distant time we will come out with a report that would be made known to members of the public.

“Once again, we commiserate with you and we pray that God Almighty will give you the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

“For Eromonsele, we are praying that God will lay His healing hands upon him to perfect his health,” CP Abass said.

Briefing the Governor earlier, Head of Opthalmology Department at the hospital, Dr Ernest Ogbedo, said they have successfully covered the eye to prevent infections from entering it, adding that further surgeries would be carried out on the eye.

“We have done one surgery but the child is going to need some other surgeries because there is an eye injury which the doctors went through and covered the injury.

“We did an x-ray first and luckily there was no bullet pellets around but we are going to carry out further investigation to see the extent of the injury.

“We have succeeded in covering the eye so that there will be no infections and other diseases to the eye,” Dr Ogbedo said.

*As he joins his Deputy, Onyeme in Thanksgiving

Delta State Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has enjoined Deltans to continue to pray for him to enable him deliver on his campaign promises to the people.

Rt. Hon. Oborevwori who was accompanied by his wife, Tobore, made the disclosure Sunday July 16, 2023 at the thanksgiving service in honour of his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, at St. John’s Anglican Church, Ibabu in Ndokwa West Local Government Area, Delta State.

The Governor stressed the importance of thanksgiving in perfecting the acts of God upon any man, adding that he overcame so many challenges to become Governor.

Oborevwori said: “I am happy to be here to join my friend and brother, the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme and his wife, Catherine to give thanks to God for our successful inauguration as Governor and Deputy and for all our victories at the election and in the courts.

“We have come to thank God for finding us worthy to serve at this time in the history of our dear State.

“Onyeme and I are products of God’s mercy and grace. We will continue to give God thanks for giving us the opportunity to lead Delta State at this time despite several challenges, which we overcame by God’s grace.

“Thanking God is very important and that is why we will continue to appreciate the hand of God upon our lives and State,”

He commended the immediate past administration of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for his skills training and entrepreneurship programmes, assuring that his administration will do more to touch the lives of Deltans.

“Sir Monday Onyeme, I am happy I chose you to be my Deputy but it is indeed God that chose you and by the grace of God, we will work together to deliver on our M.O.R.E Agenda,” he said.

He assured Deltans that his administration would be fair and just in appointments and distribution of projects.

“The appointments are coming and it will be a mix of both the young, average and the old. God is leading us, nobody is directing this administration. We will do the right thing for our people at the right time,” Oborevwori added.

Bishop of Ika Diocese and Supervising Bishop of Ndokwa Diocese, Rt. Rev’d Godfrey Ekpenisi congratulated Sir Monday Onyeme and his wife, Catherine on their emergence as Deputy Governor of the State.

In a sermon titled; “Seven principles of starting and finishing strong”, Bishop Ekpenisi urged leaders to seek wisdom, promote excellence, be good and disciplined leaders, show love to the people, nurture their families and honour God throughout their tenures.

The cleric further called on leaders to be disciplined and show empathy to the people they are leading, adding that “a leader does not force leadership on people, he earns it by his actions,” Bishop Ekpenisi said.

The thanksgiving service was attended by Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu; immediate past Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and his wife, Edith; former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, who was represented by his daughter, Orode; former Deputy Governors, Sir Benjamin Elue and Deacon Kingsley Otuaro; Senator Ned Nwoko; Hon. Victor Nwokolo; Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi and Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, his deputy, Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpowowo; and members of the State House of Assembly.

Others were; AIG Zone 2, Ari Mohammed; State PDP Chairman, Chief Kingsley Esiso; Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu; Chief of Staff, Government House, Hon. Johnson Erijo; Senior Political Adviser, Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo; Managing Director of DESOPADEC, Chief Festus Ochonogor; Professor Sam Oyovbaire; Olorogun John Oguma, Chief Solomon Ighrakpata, Mr Hope Oborevwori, Chief Oghenekome Okpobor, Olorogun Taleb Tebite, Rear Admiral Mike Onah (rtd); Chief Godswill Obielum; Local Government Council Chairmen and other dignitaries.

By: Celestine Ukah 

As part of activities to keep up its mandate in showing love and care to people in the society a group known as Friendship Connect in line with some of its aims and objective to discharge its Cooperate Social Responsibility CSR, has presented food items to the people at Little Saints Orphanage Home at Ekpan near Warri,, Delta State.

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A Cross Section of FC members shortly after the visit

While officially presenting the food items to the Orphanage home Saturday July 15 2023 on behalf of the group the CEO of Friendship Connect, Vida Agetevure also known as Vee encouraged the children at the home to be focused and determined in life to make it as their being alive is by God making and desire.

The CEO Vida (Vee) commended members of Friendship Connect group also known as FC for their kind hearts in supporting through various donations in making the visit a reality.

Some members of FC during the orphanage home visitation

She assured that the group which is a social organization with a drive to Connect friends and express kindness , love and everything good that associates to human existence will always identify more and show love to the less privilege in the society.

One of the Admin and treasurer of the group Preye Hitler also known as Effixy boss were among other members that embarked on the tour.

Items presented include ; Rice, Tissue papers, Indomie noodles, Sachets of tomatoes, Groundnut oil, palm oil, Detergent, soap, Dettol , Books, Biscuit as well as Milo and
Milk.