The Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti has forwarded a list of 19 Commisioner nominees to the Abia State House of Assembly.

In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the State Assembly, Dr Otti named the following as commissioner nominees:

1. Prof Monica Ironkwe

2. Kingsely Anoribe

3. Prof Eme Uche

4. Philemon Asonye Ogbonna

5. Mike Akpara

6. Ngozi Okoronkwo

6. Okey Kanu

8. Ikechukwu Uwaoma

9. Chaka Chukwumereije

10. Uzo Nwachukwu

11. Prof Joel Friday Ogbonna

12. Chima Emmanuel Oriaku

13. Nwaobilor Nwadimma Ananaba

14. Dr Chimezie Isaac Ukaegbu

15. Ngozi Blessing Felix

16. Engr Don Otumchere Oti

17. Comrade Sunny Okebugwu Onwuma

18. Engr Ikechukwu Monday and

19. Mathew Chikodi Ekwuribe.

By: Celestine Ukah 

*Urges Warri residents to sustain their support for Governor Oborevwori’s vision to develop Delta

A Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Warri South Local Government Area, Amb. Dr. Toyin Agbolaya JP has expressed his joy to Muslims faithful in Warri South local government Area as they join their counterparts across the world to celebrate 2023 Eid-el Kabir festival of sacrifice.

Amb. Agbolaya JP said the celebration is all about obedience to Almighty Allah’s commandment to Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ishmael which he obeyed and God showed him mercy and gave him ram in place of his son because He believed in God and His ways.

Amb. Agbolaya who’s a seasoned administrator and development strategist and also a leader in Warri South PDP in his good will terse made available to the press through his Media and Communication Strategist, urged all residents of Warri South and its environs to continue supporting the administration of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and his vision to develop Delta State.

He enjoined Deltans to be patient with the governor as he is poised to embark on massive development of Warri and the entire state in continuation of the previous administration with completion of already awarded ongoing projects in the area.

“I congratulate my , friends, family and all Muslim Ummah in Warri South and beyond on this year 2023 Eid-el-kabir, which has pleased Almighty Allah for Muslim faithful to be part of.

“Eid-el-kabir is around to remind us, once again of how the Almighty God usually intervene to turn a situation of hopelessness to that of hope and happiness.

“We should all use the opportunity of this year 2023 festive season to pray for continued peace and restoration of the values that place high premium on human life in our dear Warri South, Delta State and Nigeria, demonstrate the essence of unity among the various ethnic groups in our nation.

“May the blessings of Almighty Allah fill your home on this Eid-el-kabir”. He expressed.

Barka de sallah!

Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has congratulated the Dein of Agbor, HRM Benjamin Ikenchukwu, Keagborekuzi 1, on his 46th birth anniversary.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, in Asaba, Oborevwori said the Agbor monarch is one of the most reverred and influential kings in the State and Country and lauded him for his outstanding contributions to growth of his Kingdom, the State and Country.

The Governor said that the Dein has provided dedicated and inspirational leadership for the Agbor people over the years and deserves to be celebrated at 46.

He lauded the monarch’s contributions to solving the challenges posed by unemployment, social deviance and value orientation among youths, leading to the establishment of the Agbor Youth Learning, Development and Empowerment Centre.

Oborevwori said: “On behalf of the Government and people of Delta, I warmly felicitate with HRM Benjamin Ikenchukwu I, CON, the Dein of Agbor Kingdom on the occasion of his 46th birth anniversary on June 29.

“It is my prayer that Almighty God will continue to give you good health and wisdom to pilot the traditional affairs of your kingdom, even as we continue to look forward to your valuable contributions to the development of our dear State and Country,” Governor Oborevwori stated.

A Deltan and Niger Delta  born renowned human, environmental and development rights advocate, Comrade Mulade Sheriff has dragged the immediate past Governor of Delta State, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, former Governor, Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) and the Attorney-General of Delta State to High Court, Warri.

The claimant who is an indigene and former chairman of oil rich Kokodiagbene Community in Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State said that he is dragging the two former Governors, DESOPADEC board and the Attorney General of the State to court for the interpretation of Section 162 (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and section 13 (1) of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) Law of 2006 (as amended), 2007, 2015 and 2018 established to cater for the wellbeing of the Oil and Gas Producing Communities in the State.

According to him, it was worthy of note that the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) Law 2006 (as amended), 2007, 2015 and 2018 respectively was established to expressly execute a clear mandate as stated in Section 13(1) of the DESOPADEC Law which provides thus:

“The commission shall receive and administer exclusively 50% of the Oil Derivation fund accruing to the Delta State Government for;

a) The rehabilitation of the oil producing communities/areas of the state;

b) Other development projects as may be determined from time to time by the communities”.

The activist recently mobilized host communities under the auspices of Association of Oil and Gas Producing Communities of Delta State to the headquarters of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abuja, calling on the anti-graft agency to probe, investigate and recover the misappropriated fund back to DESOPADEC to enable them Development the oil producing communities in the State.

“It is unfortunate that previous administrations have starved the commission of its legal and lawful entitlement of 50% of the 13% Oil Derivation fund thereby making the commission moribund where projects are claimed to have been executed and commissioned only on papers and media documentary”, the activist lamented.

“I am equally dragging them to the court to account for the sum of N1.863,478,177,892.60 (ONE TRILLION, EIGHT HUNDRED AND SIXTY-THREE BILLION, FOUR HUNDRED SEVENTY-EIGHT MILLION, ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-SEVEN THOUSAND, EIGHT HUNDRED NINETY TWO THOUSAND, SIXTY KOBO) that was received by both administrations in line with the records available to me upon an application to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation for a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the 13% oil derivation fund from the Federation Account to the Delta State Government between 2007 – 2022, which clearly shows that, the sum of N1.863,478,177,892.60 has been disbursed to the Delta State Government from July 2007 to December 2022, for the Rehabilitation and Development of the oil Producing Communities/Areas in Delta State”, he added.

Comrade Mulade Sheriff said that; “It is very disheartening and callous to note that despite the copious and unambiguous provisions of Section 162 (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Section 13 (1) of the DESOPADEC Law of 2006 (as amended), 2007, 2015 and 2018 respectively, the former Governors of Delta State, their Excellencies, Dr Emmanuel Ewetan Uduaghan and Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa deliberately and flagrantly abused, violated and breached the above provisions of the Law and misappropriated the said funds for their personal use while at the helm of affairs of the state at the expense of the suffering people of the Oil and Gas Producing Communities in Delta State”.

He pointed out that Section 13 (1) of the DESOPADEC Law 2006 (as amended) 2007, 2015 and 2018, the commission is legally and lawfully entitled to 50% from the 13% oil derivation fund from the Federation Account which is calculated at N931,739,088,946.3k (Nine hundred and Thirty-One Billion, Seven Hundred and Thirty-Nine Million, Eighty-Eight Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty-Six Naira, Three Kobo) from the Delta State Government for both administrations but the reverse was the case.

“It is imperative to state that from the information obtained and records available, it is obvious that the Delta Government grossly underfunded the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission particularly under Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa who received whooping sum of N1.077,450,285,552,17 but consistently and deliberately disbursed less than the sum of N20,000,000,000 (Twenty Billion Naira) only annually for the past Eight Years. This was confirmed by the immediate-past State commissioner for information, under former governor Okowa, Mr Charles Aniagwu, that the state remitted N208 billion from 2015-2023 to DESOPADEC against N538,725,142.776,085k (FIVE HUNDRED THIRTY EIGHT BILLION, SEVEN HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE MILLION, ONE HUNDRED FORTY-TWO THOUSAND, SEVEN HUNDRED SEVENTY-SIX THOUSAND, EIGHTY-FIVE KOBO). We have a missing N330,725,142.776,085k (Three Hundred and thirty billion, Seven Hundred twenty five million, one hundred and Forty-Two Thousand, Seven Hundred Seventy-Six thousand, fifteen kobo)”, excluding January 2023 — May 2023, those missing funds must be recovered by every means legally possible for the development of Oil and Gas Producing Communities of Delta State, he stated.

*Urges lawmaker to perform the functions of his office with humility

The amiable Monarch of Issele-Uku Kingdom in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State and revered member of the Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Agbogidi Obi Nduka JP, has congratulated his son and member representing Aniocha North Constituency in Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Engr. Emeka Nwaobi for emerging as the Majority Leader of the House.

Obi Nduka in a statement, affirmed that Nwaobi had indeed brought honour to Issele-Uku by making the people proud.

The Monarch also thanked the People’s Democratic Party, PDP for remembering the hardwork and loyalty of Nwaobi to the party, adding that it was worthwhile to have found him fit and proper person to occupy the office of the Majority Leader.

He assured the PDP and Deltans at large that the Nwaobi that hails from his Kingdom would not disappoint them.

Agbogidi Nduka therefore, admonished Nwaobi to perform the functions of his office with humility and as much as possible, continue to maintain cordial working relationship with his party, the Governor, Speaker as well as members of the 8th Assembly.

He prayed that God who has continued to show Nwaobi mercy throughout his political journeys so far, would always provide him the grace for victories in all his endeavours.

The wise king equally enjoined the political followers of Rt. Hon. Nwaobi to continue to give him the needed support to sustain the tempo of delivering greater Democratic dividends to his constituents and Deltans at large.

His words, “Indeed you have made us proud, I implore you to continue to be yourself and never get discouraged in doing good to the people who have always given you their mandate. Issele-Uku Kingdom is happy with you and says it shall be well with you in all your political endeavours.

“In this office and many more awaiting you in future, you shall be blessed with dependable and loyal followers. No evil shall befall you. Where the road seems rough, your God shall continue to smoothen it for your sake. Congratulations and best wishes in your new assignment as Majority Leader of the 8th Assembly”, Obi Nduka stated.

By: Celestine Ukah 

The immediate past Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Hon. Chief Dr. Thomas Ereyitomi JP has called on Muslims to exhibit more commitment to Nigeria’s frightening insecurity in their supplications at Eid-el-Kabir.

Hon. Chief Ereyitomi member Representing Warri Federal Constituency said the spate of attack on some national assets and the virulent ways with which the suspected terrorists were dislodging and killing Nigerian citizens called for sustained prayers for Allah’s intervention.

Rep Ereyitomi saluted the Muslim Ummah for their unqualifiable contributions to national unity and development, thereby sustaining the national fabric and urged them to increase the tempo for the country to reach the destination it deserves.

The Warri Federal lawmaker who is a second term senior politician in Warri and also a leader made the disclosure in a statement released by his Senior Special Assistant Media Consult , on Tuesday, to congratulate Muslims on this year’s Sallah.

Hon. Chief Ereyitomi said this is not time for Nigerians to sulk in unwarranted blame game over recurrent cases of insecurity across the six geopolitical zones, saying the citizens must rise to the reality that the situation has become more complex and convoluted to the extent that it can only be resolved through strong intellectual and spiritual prowess.

He stated thus; “Let me congratulate our Muslim brothers on this year’s occasion of Eid-el-Kabir and call their attention to the fact that this celebration must be more of seeking God’s face for quick intervention in the affairs of our nation, rather than the fanfare that used to accompany it.

“We must come to that clear reality that our nation needs spiritual intervention and this can only come at a time like this. Our citizens are tired of this wanton bloodshed and fears that are pervading the nation and causing psychological trauma to our people.

“Our Muslim ummah had demonstrated strong will of commitment to nation-building, but they have to try more. We must all rededicate ourselves to the task of rescuing our country from this parlous state”. He stressed.

By: Celestine Ukah

Appeals to DTSG to appoint people knowledgeable with Muslim reputation into Muslims welfare Board

The Delta State Council for Islamic Affairs, DSCIA, has congratulated Muslim faithful in the state as they join their counterpart in the country and across the world to celebrate this year’s Eid El Kabir which is a festival of sacrifice.

According to the Chairman. Delta State Council for Islamic Affairs, DSCIA, Sheik Yahaya Mohammed Ufuoma, on their goodwill message to Muslims brothers and sisters faithful, noted that the celebration has its origin from “Our Father Prophet Ibrahim, may Allah be pleased with him, when he obeyed the commandment of Allah to sacrifice his first son, Ishmael, that Allah gave him after many years of childlessness, Ishmael also did not hesitate as He submitted to Allah’s commandment. They were able to over come the temptations of Satan to disobey Allah”.

He noted that Thereafter, Allah rewarded them by providing a special ram in the place of Ishmael. according to (Quran: suratul As-Saafat (37: 102-107). Adding that It is in the commemoration of it that they are celebrating this great festival of sacrifice and the lessons we should take from this is the need to always trust and obey Allah at all times, we should be patients in any situation we find our selves and the need and importance for the children to always obey their parents and that this sacrifice should be done solely for the sake of Allah without any act of show off in it nor assuming that the meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is piety from you that reaches Him, as it was s enshrined in chapter 22 verse 37 of the Noble Qur’an . We should also pray against and resist the temptations of Satan.

Sheik Yahaya Mohammed and Secretary of the Delta State Islamic for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Ahmed Alakpa on behalf of the Delta State Council For Islamic Affairs, harped on the ample opportunity to call on the state government to appoint persons who are knowledgeable and have good reputation into the Muslim welfare Board for a better and smooth running of the Board and also appealed to the State government to run an inclusive government.

Sheik Yahaya Mohammed Ufuoma and Alhaji Ahmed Alakpa pointed out that celebration is known as the 10th day of the month of Dhul-Hijjah 1444, which is equivalent to the 28th day of the month of June 2023, which is the day for the celebration of Eid Adhah also referred to as Eid-el kabir. Muslims all over the world are celebrating the special occasion in their respective locations.

The council stressed that the present economic hardship situation in the State can only be fixed by those who are in authority that can be able to change the situation with the help of Allah almighty, they called on people to sustain their prayers for for good governance in order for Allah to continue to bless the people with capable and God fearing leaders.

Here’s the full terse made available by the Delta Council for Islamic Affairs to journalists and this media organization, Areanewsng.com, it read thus:

“GOODWILL MESSAGE FROM THE DELTA STATE COUNCIL FOR ISLAMIC AFFAIRS, ON THE OCCASION OF EID EL KABIR HELD ON 28 OF THE MONTH OF JUNE 2023

“My esteemed brothers and sisters in Islam, Assalamu alaykum warahmatullahi. May the peace and abundant blessings of Allah be upon our noble Prophet Mohammed, his household and his followers till the day of reckoning, Ameen.

“On behalf of the Executives of Delta State Council for Islamic Affairs and the entire Muslim Community in the state, I welcome you to this special festival of sacrifice.

“All form of gratitude and praises are due to Allah the Almighty Who with his infinite mercy count us among those to be part of this year’s celebration. May this not be the last we are going to celebrate and may we witness more and more of this celebration. Let us pray for those who celebrated with us last year that are no more with us today. May Allah forgive them their shortcomings and admit them into paradise come the day of accountability, Ameen.

“As we all know, today is the 10th day of the month of Dhul-Hijjah 1444, which is equivalent to the day of 28 of the month of June 2023, it is the day for the celebration of Eid Adhah also refered to as Eid-el kabir. Muslims all over the world are celebrating this special occasion in their respective locations.

“This celebration has it origin from our father Prophet Ibrahim, may Allah be pleased with him, when he obeyed the commandment of Allah to sacrifice his first son, Ishmael, that Allah gave him after many years of childlessness. Ishmael also did not hesitate as He submitted to Allah’s commandment. They were able to over come the temptations of Satan to disobey Allah.

“Thereafter, Allah rewarded them by providing a special ram in the place of Ishmael. (Quran: suratul As-Saafat (37: 102-107). It is in the commemoration of this that we are celebrating this great festival of sacrifice and the lessons we should take from this is the need to always trust and obey Allah at all times, we should be patients in any situation we find our safes and the need and importance for the children to always obey their parents and that this sacrifice should be done solely for the sake of Allah without any act of show off in it nor assuming that the meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is piety from you that reaches Him, as it was s enshrined in chapter 22 verse 37 of the Noble Qur’an . We should also pray against and resist the temptations of Satan.

“This and other good virtues of Muslims should be reflected in our activities at all times. Especially those Almighty Allah have saddled with position of authority. if we do this, most of the present challenges we are facing now will be reduce drastically if not totally eliminated.

“The present economic hardship situation we are today in our dear State, We all know that it is only those who are in authority that can be able to change this situation with the help of Allah almighty, so let us continue to pray for good governance, May Allah continue to bless us with capable and God fearing leaders.

“The Council is using the ample opportunity to call on the state government to appoint persons who are credible, knowledgeable and have good reputation into the Muslim welfare board for a better and smooth running of the board, and also appealing to the State government to run an inclusive government.

“I congratulate you and I also thank Almighty Allah for making it possible for us to witness this special occasion. We should be moderate in our celebrations and avoid doing things inimical to Islam. Let us pray for those who are not here now or not in the mood to celebrate due to one reason or the others for Almighty Allah to make things easy for them and all of us”, Amin.

Signed:

Sheikh Yahaya M. Ufuoma, Vice President General, Nigeria Supreme Council For Islamic Affairs, As Well,
Chairman, Delta State Council For Islamic Affairs.

Alhaji Ahmed Alakpa Secretary General, Delta State Council For Islamic Affairs.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, on behalf of the entire officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force, commiserates with family, friends and loved ones on the sudden death of a former Commissioner of Police and Force Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Odita (Rtd.). He was the Force Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force between 1990 and 1992, and tremendously raised the bar in Police Public Relations setting the standard for later successes in police/citizen relationship.

CP Odita, a communications expert, media mogul, Principal Consultant/CEO FrankCom Limited, who hails from Delta State, retired from the Nigeria Police Force in 1993 after a well-celebrated and meritorious service to the nation. He was a Co-founder and Presenter, Security Watch Africa, and was instrumental to the floating and establishment of various Television/Radio programmes which served to show the inner workings of the Police and thereby improve its perception amongst the public. His death occurred in the evening of Friday 23rd June, 2023, after a brief illness, at the age of 84, at the Critical Care Unit of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH)

While commiserating with the family, the IGP urges them to be strong and focus on upholding the legacies of their husband, father, and grandfather. The IGP equally restated that he was a man dedicated to diligence in his lifetime both within and outside of public service.

CSP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra,
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA

June 24, 2023

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has deployed no fewer than 101 officers, 298 marshals, 150 Special marshals, for the special operations patrol during the Eid el-Kabir celebration.

The Sector Commander, FRSC, Delta State Command, Corp Udeme Bassey Eshiet, disclosed this in a statement he issued on Monday June 26th 2023, in Asaba, the State capital.

Mr. Eshiet, said that about 15 Patrol vehicles, two power bikes, one Tow Truck and three ambulances, would be on the road during the special operation.

He said that FRSC has mobilized its personnel for the 2023 Eid-El-Kabir celebration to enhance visibility and guarantee safe travels for all road users before, during and after the festivity.

He urged motorists to obey all traffic rules and regulations and cooperate fully with the FRSC and other law enforcement agencies that would be deployed for traffic management duties.

He assured that the patrol would be sustained from 0600hrs to 1800hrs daily within the period with 24 hours rescue team while the corps would collaborate with sister agencies.

According to him, “Muslim faithful, as well as other Nigerians, will take advantage of this period to travel across the length and breadth of Nigeria to celebrate with family members and friends.

“Expectedly, the volume of traffic will rise during the festive period with attendant traffic congestion, gridlocks, and road obstructions as well as road traffic crashes, which may result in fatalities and injuries.

“The Federal Road Safety Corps, in her usual proactive method of handling road traffic management, has commenced the 2023 Eid-El-kabir Sallah Special Patrol to ensure that all road users obey traffic regulations to engender Safety and efficient travel time.

“For realization of the set operation objectives, the Delta State Sector Command has deployed a total of 101 officers, 298 marshals, 150 Special Marshals, 15 Patrol vehicles, 2 power bikes, 1 Tow truck and 3 ambulances.

“The motorists are therefore advised to be Safety conscious by complying with all road and vehicle use regulations. Road users should plan their journey to avoid night travel and road rage.

“The FRSC operatives are to ensure Road Traffic Crash is minimized during the festive season and beyond” he added.