The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle on Tuesday September 12, 2023, hugged a Nigerian Invictus Games athlete, Glory Essien, and described her as ‘’my Nigerian sister’ in Germany.

Meghan Markle met Essien at the 2023 Invictus Games in Düsseldorf, Germany, where she also reunited with her husband, Prince Harry, after some months of living apart.

According to Daily  Trust , the Duchess took centre stage and gave an emotional address to 1,600 competitors, friends, and family in at the event as she saluted all those attending the games, set up by her husband, Prince Harry for wounded and disabled military veterans.

This came after Prince Harry had revealed at the opening ceremony that his wife was cheering on the African nation as he discovered she is ‘43% Nigerian’.

The revelation, however, first came on an episode of her Archetypes podcast after Meghan did a genealogy test a couple years ago.

Nigeria joined Colombia and Israel in sending their first-ever delegation to the 2023 games for injured, sick and wounded veterans.

The games were founded by Harry in 2014 and have become one of his main working focus points since leaving the royal family in 2020.

The prince’s reference to his wife’s newfound link with Nigeria was met with applause and an excited reaction from the crowd, including the Nigerian delegation.

“We’re really excited to have new nations join us. Let’s hear it for Colombia, Israel and Nigeria,” Harry told the thousands gathered for the event.

“Now, I’m not saying we play favorites in our home, but since my wife discovered she is of Nigerian descent, it’s likely to get a little bit more competitive this year!”

The 42-year-old Markle has not publicly visited Nigeria during her married life, though she has said how important Africa is to her.

She has many times openly discussed her race and how she has viewed herself in the years since marrying into the royal family in 2018.

In an episode of Archetypes with pop star Mariah Carey, Meghan discussed how society views mixed-race women, saying that she never truly knew the extent of Black women’s experience until her relationship with Prince Harry became public.

“I think for us it’s very different because we’re light-skinned. You’re not treated as a Black woman. You’re not treated as a white woman. You sort of fit in between.

“I mean, if there’s any time in my life that it’s been more focused on my race, it’s only once I started dating my husband. Then I started to understand what it was like to be treated like a Black woman.

“Because up until then, I had been treated like a mixed woman. And things really shifted,” she told Carey.

Since leaving the royal family, both she and Harry have made part of their philanthropic outreach focused on supporting women of color.

**Projects to be completed in December 2025

Delta State Government has approved the award of contracts worth N78 billion to Julius Berger Nigeria Limited for the construction of three flyover bridges and road expansion in the Warri/Effurun megalopolis.

This was part of decisions reached at the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Tuesday in Asaba.

Briefing journalists at the end of the Exco meeting, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Engr Fred Edafiogho said approval of the contracts were aimed at solving the gridlock often experienced in the twin cities.

He said the contracts included the design and construction of flyover bridge at Enerhen junction to Marine Gate; study, design and construction of road expansion and improvement works on the section of the DSC/NPA Expressway from Effurun roundabout to DSC roundabout including construction of a 3/4 Cloverleaf interchange at the existing Effurun Flyover Bridge as well as two pedestrian bridges.

Others are design and construction of flyover bridge at PTI junction and DSC roundabout along the Effurun/Patani, East-West highway, Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area.

Mr Edafiogho further said that the project road expansion works on the DSC/NPA Expressway will provide two lanes of restricted carriageway at the centre for through-traffic and another two lanes of service road in each travel direction bring the current capacity of the road from four lanes to eight lanes.

He said side drains would be provided along the stretch to convey stormwater to the swamp that runs beside the road and pipeline in addition to provide free flow of traffic for a distance of 4.359km with cloverleaf interchanges and U-turns allowing for unimpeded flow.

He added that the four projects have a duration of 27 months with probable completion date of December 2025.

Commissioner for Works, (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze said Governor Oborevwori’s approval of the projects was in fulfillment of his promise to give Warri/Uvwie a face lift.

He said the justification for choosing Julius Berger was due to their experience and competitive pricing in relation to the quality of works and timely delivery of projects.

Also speaking, State Commissioner for Finance, Chief Fidelis Tilije said the contract was worth N78 billion while the state government would make 25 percent advance payment of N19.5 billion with the balance paid through an ISPO for 30 months.

Also speaking during the briefing, the Commissioner for Works in charge of Rural and Riverine Roads, Mr. Charles Aniagwu said that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was deeply worried about the deplorable nature of federal roads across the state.

Mr. Aniagwu disclosed that the state Executive Council had directed the Ministries of Works (Highways and Rural Roads) to carry out remedial works on federal roads, particularly the Asaba-Benin Expressway and the Agbor-Eku Road with a view to making them more motorable for road users in the state.

By: Ella Tarvey

Renowned Journalist cum politician Comrade Victor Otuya, has congratulated the member representing Ethiope West Constituency at the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon Blessing Achoja, on his emergence as the chairman, House Committee on Science and Technology.

In a release made available to newsmen Otuya described Achoja’s appointment as well deserved.

He said the youthful politician will bring his wealth of experience to bear in the oversight function of the committee in relation to development of the Ministry of Science and Technology in Delta State.

Otuya, prayed to God to guide and protect the politician as he focus on the task ahead.

The Alema of Warri Kingdom, Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan, has congratulated the Group Managing Director of Income Electrix Limited, Engineer Matthew Edevbie on the conferment of a Doctor of Science in Engineering (Honoris Causa) on him by the Michael & Cecilia Ibru University.

In a statement on Sunday, Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Webster Group of Companies said the honorary doctorate degree conferred on Edevbie was evidence of his immense contribution to the development of the engineering profession and the power sector as well as human capacity development in Nigeria and across Africa.

The prominent chief said Michael & Cecilia Ibru University made the right choice by conferring the honorary doctorate degree on Engineer Edevbie.

‘’I am delighted that Engineer Matthew Edevbie has been honoured by the Michael & Cecilia Ibru University in this special way. This is a well-deserved award and highly commendable’’.

Edevbie, a seasoned engineer with over 30 years’ cognate experience in various aspects of electrical engineering concept, design, procurement, construction, operations management, maintenance and consulting was given the honour at the university’s 5th convocation ceremony which held on Wednesday, September 6, 2023.

Engr. Matthew Edevbie attended several prestigious professional courses and workshops including but not limited to: IESE Business School, University of Navarra, Barcelona, Harvard Business School, John. F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Massachusetts, Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania and Lagos Business School.

An astute administrator, people manager, Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management and the Nigerian Institute of Management Consultants is a registered member of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and the Nigerian Environmental Society,

Edevbie is also an active member of Enterprise Development Services (EDS) of the Lagos Business School. He is the Founder, GMD/ CEO of Income Electrix Group.

By: Ella Tarvey 

The member Representing Warri Federal Constituency Hon. Chief Dr. Thomas Ereyitomi and affirmed elected by the Election petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba Delta State has reacted to his electoral victory by the election petition which uphold his election Saturday September 9,; 2023.

Chief Ereyitomi while reacting shortly after the judgement, commended the judiciary for doing justice on the matter brought before the court , hailed the thoroughness of the judges, adding that judiciary remain the hope of the general masses in the society.

Rep Ereyitomi commended his legal team for a job well done by making sure that all relief in the APC petitioner were adequately and well responded to and judgement also delivered on each of them leading to the dismissal of the petition itself and cost award of 500 thousand in favour of the 2nd and 3rd respondents.

He described the judgement by the Tribunal as a victory for democracy and triumph for Warri South, Warri North and Warri South-West voters whose mandate he represents remain unshaken by any Petitioner who should accept defeat when they lost.

Hon. Chief Ereyitomi said he’s for every Warri constituents, urging others to come join him to move Warri Federal Constituency forward as the sure possibility agenda of robust representation and attraction of dividend of democracy continues.

*As Earthquake damages historic world tourist walls site

Rescuers in Morocco are searching for survivors from Friday September 8, 2023, powerful earthquake that claimed more than 2,000 people confirmed dead, making it the country’s deadliest quake in years.

CNN reports that the worst damage and destruction has been in isolated mountain areas which are difficult to access. Residents have described whole villages suffering damage with rescuers unable to retrieve bodies from rubble.

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI declared three days of mourning and ordered mosques nationwide to hold funeral prayers at noon on Sunday.

In Marrakech, a popular and historic tourist city, many residents spent a second night sleeping on the streets, too afraid to return to their homes. The city’s historic walls, first laid out in the early 12th century have been damaged.

*Awards 500 Thousand Naira as cost against  petitioner 

By: Celestine Ukah 

The election petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba the Delta State capital Saturday September 9, 2023 affirmed the election of Hon. Chief Thomas Ereyitomi JP as the duly elected Member Representing Warri Federal Constituency under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the February 28, National election.

The Tribunal also dismissed the petition of the APC candidate Ekpoto Ekpoto Emmanuel and also awarded a cost of 500 thousand Naira against him to pay the 2nd respondent and the duly elected Warri Reps member Hon. Chief Thomas Ereyitomi.

While delivering judgement on the case with suit No. EPT/DL/HR/15/2023: EKPOTO EKPOTO EMMANUEL & ANOR
V INEC & 4 ORS by the Chairman of the three Man Panel of the Tribunal, Justice Catherine Ogunsola, who read the judgement while dismissing the case in Asaba said that the petitioner case lacks merit.

The Petitioners according to Justice Ogunsola, failed to call evidence unit by unit and ward by ward to establish malpractice in the election, noting that the Petitioner in it’s pleadings did not demonstrate the discrepancy between the number of accredited voters, the lawful votes cast and how it affected the outcome of the election, adding that attempt to do such in it’s Written Address was of no moment.

The Tribunal also dismissal the alleged forgery of the 3rd Respondent’s NECO, it was not established as there is no disclaimer from the issuing authority. Besides, no mens rea could be inferred.

Judgment was Delivered in each and every relief in the petition as well as the petition itself all dismissed.

Counsel to the 2nd respondent and the affirmed winner and member representing Warri federal constituency, Chief Ereyitomi, Chief Robinson Ariyo described the victory at the tribunal as victory for democracy as well as those electorates, who voted massively for Hon. Chief. Ereyitomi during the Poll.

It would be recall that INEC, on March 2 2023 declared Hon. Chief Thomas Ereyintomi, winner of the election having scored 20,155 votes to defeat his closest opponent Young Piero Omatseye of the Labour Party LP, who pulled 9, 491 votes.