By: Egbenesonmi Akor

The Senior Pastor/Minister in charge of Shalom Baptist Church, Pipeline Road Ekpan near Warri, Delta State, PST. Opate Bright has charged parents to go back to their homes and teach children right attitude.

The Man of God who was ministering on the topic: “Attitude to Impact on our Children” took his text from the boom of psalm 127,, Prov. 22:6, Philippians 2:5-7, ROM. 12:13., he urged every parents to take up the call of training for the Chidden to give them proper and effective developmental attitude.

Pst. Bright a renowned minister of God, while admonishing parents on Sunday May 28 during the baby dedicating of their son Blossom Bright Opate and in a special thanksgiving of Dr. Chikeluba Okoye for successful graduation and certification as licensed qualified medical doctor , further called on parents to imbibe the attitude of impacting positive and tight attitude on their children.

He noted that the primary place to propagate right attitude is the home , while the school , church are the secondary place to impact cognitive and rational attitude on children

PST Bright stressed the need for parents and guardians to be taught how to serve and portray the attitude of hospitality, attitude of increasing wisdom, knowledge, understanding and the attitude of excellence and reverence to be rest upon their children as they are the future of the country and the world at large.

Highpoint of the service was the dedication of PST Bright & Mrs. Enitimi Opate’s Son,, Blossom Bright, Thanksgiving of Dr. Chikeluba Okoye as well as a special testimony to God for divine intervention and healing of Bro. Celestine Ukah among other celebrators. .

By: Egbenesonmi Akor

The Senior Pastor/Minister in charge of Shalom Baptist Church, Pipeline Road Ekpan near Warri, Delta State, PST. Opate Bright has charged parents and Christians  to go back to their homes and teach children rightful  attitudes.

The Man of God who was ministering on the topic: “Attitude to Impact on our Children” took his text from the boom of psalm 127,, Prov. 22:6, Philippians 2:5-7, ROM. 12:13., he urged every parents to take up the call of training for the Chidden to give them proper and effective developmental attitude.

Pst. Bright a renowned minister of God, while admonishing parents on Sunday May 28 during the baby dedicating of their son Blossom Bright Opate and in a special thanksgiving of Dr. Chikeluba Okoye for successful graduation and certification as licensed qualified medical doctor , further called on parents to imbibe the attitude of impacting positive and tight attitude on their children.

He noted that the primary place to propagate right attitude is the home , while the school , church are the secondary place to impact cognitive and rational attitude on children

PST Bright stressed the need for parents and guardians to be taught how to serve and portray the attitude of hospitality, attitude of increasing wisdom, knowledge, understanding and the attitude of excellence and reverence to be rest upon their children as they are the future of the country and the world at large.

Highpoint of the service was the dedication of PST Bright & Mrs. Enitimi Opate’s Son,, Blossom Bright, Thanksgiving of Dr. Chikeluba Okoye as well as a special testimony to God for divine intervention and healing of Bro. Celestine Ukah among other celebrators. .

By: Celestine Ukah

The Warri Federal Constituency House of Representatives Member, Hon. Chief Dr. Thomas Ereyitomi JP has congratulated children of Warri federal constituency as they join their counterpart in other parts of the country and across the world in celebrating children’s day 2023.

Chief Ereyitomi who is also the Deputy Chairman House Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, while congratulating the children charged them to take their education seriously in order to become the leaders of the future generation as the future is bright and near for them to takeover.

He further admonished the children to shun drugs abuse, stay away from anything that will jeopardize their future, the federal lawmaker appealed to parents to protect and guide their children against the dreaded social vices threatening the world in order for them to be more safe.

Hon. Ereyitomi assured of legislating on issues that will improve and protect children rights more at the NASS assembly as they are the once to takeover the future generation.

Rep Ereyitomi wished all children in Warri South, Warri North and Warri South-West LGAs, Delta State and across  the country a glorious and a happy transitional Democratic children’s Day celebration.

From left: Friday David, Comrade Timi David, Comrade Mike Tiemo, Justin Saturday , Apostle Roland Inane & Mike Abiri Odunmogren

By: Celestine Ukah

The Concerned Bonga Oil Spill impacted Communities, CBOSIC, has given the Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, SNEPCO a 14-day ultimatum to pay compensation and damages to impacted Communities.

The Concerned Bonga Oil communities and victims are demanding for over three Billion Dollars compensation from Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, SNEPCO, in a demand letter dated May 20th, 2023 by the Concerned Bonga Oil Spill Impacted Communities, CBOSIC, chairman, Comrade Mike Tiemo, Comrade Gbigbi Nelson Andrew, Secretary, on behalf of other victims, to the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, read thus : “The content of the letter from our group the concerned Bonga oil spill impacted communities speaks for itself.

“The Shell group has been a curse for decades to the environment and people of the Niger-Delta. From Ogoni to Escravos, Forcados, and Bayelsa the story has been the same tales of woe in oil Exploration without a human face. The Shell group has been the most detested amongst the IOC’s in Nigeria and the weakest link in terms of relationship with their host communities.

” It is in the light of the above that we the concerned Bonga oil spill impacted communities have taken our destiny in our own hands to confront the Shell group within the ambit of the law if our demands are not met within the stipulated time of the ultimatum”.

While addressing newsmen in a press conference Thursday May 25, 2023, in Warri, Delta State, Comrade Tiemo stated further that the Bonga oil spill occurred December 20th, 2011 and that they are aware that some impacted Communities and victims are in Court, noting that a ratification of the sanction in respect of the Bonga spill dated December 19th 2014 by the agency empowered by the law the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA.

According to the CBOSIC, “The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) the apex
maritime regulatory body relating to safety, security and the protection of the Nations Marine environment sanction of $6.5 Billion against the Shell group on the Bonga oil spill.

“The Britannia Steamship Insurance Policy Number- 04929000 on MT Nothia IMO Number-9399480, The Clandestine Shell Group FUGRO Finger Printing Report Number- J36194, Affirmation by two United Kingdom High Court Judges Hon. Justice Stuart-Smith, Hon. Justice O’Farrell and Uk Supreme Court that oil from Bonga FPSO reached the
shoreline communities of Bayelsa and Delta states within weeks after the 20th
December spill.

“We the concerned Bonga Oil Spill Communities have also realized how vicious the Shell group has been in devastating and polluting our environment over several
decades with impunity while hiding under needless and endless litigation to
deliberately frustrate and impoverish our communities to avoid liability.

“Therefore in the light of the above and having further noted that the Shell group has no regards for the Nigerian regulatory institutions and the Federal government of Nigeria that we the concerned Bonga Oil Spill Impacted Communities have taken our destiny in our own hands and hereby demand that the Shell Group pay damages/compensation of $3,600,191,206.00 as sanctioned by NOSDRA within 2 weeks of the receipt of this letter and move swiftly to clean up the environment, remediate and restore our land”.

Alexander Verhees, GM and other staff of Life Flour Mills Limited at the commissioning of the male and female wards at the Central Hospital, Sapele recently

*As  firm also rewarded Loyal Customers 

Sapele: A part of the activities lined up to celebrate the golden jubilee of one of the leading flour makers in Nigeria – Life Flour Mills Limited, the company renovation and furnished the Women and Children Ward, at the Central Hospital, Sapele, as a way of giving back to the host community through corporate social responsibility.

The Life Flour Mills Limited a subsidiary of Seaboard Group, also rewarded some loyal customers for their outstanding contributions through dedicated patronage.

Alexander Verhees, General Manager, Life Flour Mills Limited, Sapele

One of the beneficiaries of the National Award with Cash Prize

The CEO of Seaboard Group Mr Jack Bresky, who spoke at the epoch making 50th anniversary ceremony, of the company
said the firm was delighted at being the preferred choice of Nigerians flour solutions. He paid growing tributes to the founding fathers of the company for their vision and mission of establishing the company.

The CEO also praised the host community and Delta State government for the enabling environment that kept them in business fifty years after the establishment of the company in 1973.

The General Manager, of Life Flour Mills Limited, Sapele, Mr Alexander Verhees said the company trust and believe in customers and end users of their products has been the driving force why they’re still in business.

He reiterated the commitment of the company at giving more people access to top-notch customer experience through strategic expansion and sponsorship of customers sons and daughters to school abroad.

Mr. Verhees said in view of that they have decided to reward loyal and consistent outstanding customers for the company’s national award.

“We will continue to celebrate our customers for the opportunity to serve and give the good people of Nigeria more flour to enjoy what we call the ‘So much more experience’,” he said.

Some customers rewarded include: Friday Ovie Limited, that was given a cheque of three million naira; Veremy Global Limited who got two million naira cheque while the third award went to Eletrease Limited with One million naira respectively.

 *Gives seven days ultimatum to retract offensive publication

The Federal House of Representatives member representing Warri Federal Constituency of Delta state , Hon. Chief Thomas Ereyitomi has demanded the sum of N2Billion from the publisher of Pilot Newspaper, Mr. Denis Sami for libel and defamation of his character .

In addition, Chief Ereyitomi is demanding the immediate retraction of the offensive publication with an unreserved apology within one week forthwith.

The pilot newspaper had in their news report on Monday alleged that Chief Ereyitomi among other things parades a fake certificate with which he secured his seat in the National Assembly.

But Ereyitomi in a letter through his Lawyer, Chief Robinson Ariyo Esq to Pilot newspaper distanced himself from fake certificates insisting that all his credentials are authentic obtained from appropriate institutions.

He lamented that the publication has damaged his reputation and has brought his business and political interests to ridicule.

The Federal Lawmaker said the publication is malicious with the result that he has been exposed to public opprobrium and insecurity, not to mention the loss of patronage and concomitant income arising therein .

Part of the letter by Ereyitomi’s lawyer reads: “That the defamatory publication was brought to the attention of our client by his colleagues, friends and family members who were utterly dismayed at the publication as our client has never been known in the respective lights painted of him .

“That the said publication in the circumstances is not justifiable but laced with imputation that our client has either committed or is in preparation of the commission of the crimes referred to which he said is capable of eroding the hard earned integrity of our client “.

“That Should the publisher fail to remedy the situation within one week, We might be constrained to explore alternative legal remedies available to our client in the circumstances”.

The Chief Press Secretary, CPS, to Delta Governor, Mr Olise Ifeajika, has charged journalists on the need to rebrand themselves and remove quacks in their midst.

In an interactive session with the new executives of the Indigenous Correspondents Chapel (ICC) of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Delta state council, on Monday, May 22, 2923, at his office, Ifeajika tasked journalists to take time in building long-term relationships in the line of duty rather than hang around for peanuts and looking for brown envelopes.

He urged journalists to take advantage of the developmental journalism tide and point out to government, areas with evident lags in governance and also desist from propagating falsehood and poorly verified facts; clinging on the catch phrase that “if you are not sure of it; don’t write it”.

Ifeajika added that, journalists should also ensure to cover other public beats like the courtroom amongst others irrespective of who is involved or if it attracts monetary value.

The CPS further enjoined male practicing journalists to take their dressing into cognizance or risk being addressed as they dress.

Speaking earlier, Chairman, Indigenous Correspondents Chapel, Comrade Kenneth Orusi appreciated the CPS for sparing time to meet with them despite the busy schedule of the transition programmes for the incoming government.

Comrade Orusi commended the governor’s spokesman for the good work he has been doing, noting that, even with the challenges which comes with the job, he has beautifully managed it.

*As Delta Councils heads to bankruptcy may not be able to pay council workers salaries, Primary School teachers

The governor said the loan would enable them to offset the backlog of debts owed retired primary schools teachers and local government workers in the state.

Barely a week to the end of his second term in office, the Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has reportedly compelled the 25 local government council chairmen under the umbrella of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, (ALGON), to take N40billion loans from a bank, SaharaReporters has learnt.

The governor said the loan would enable them to offset the backlog of debts owed retired primary schools teachers and local government workers in the state.

In the last four years, thousands of Delta State retirees drawn from across the 25 local government areas of the state had stormed the state government House, Asaba to protest against the state governor and disrupted official activities with placards over the nonpayment of their pension, gratuities and other entitlements running into several billions of naira.

Sometime in March 2022, Governor Okowa was smuggled out a programme by the operatives of the Department of Security Service, (DSS) and other security details attached to the governor following a protest by the state retirees who blocked the entrance of the event centre in Asaba..

The N40 billion loan, SaharaReporters reliably gathered, may be sourced from one of the new generation banks, Premium Trust Bank, Asaba, which the governor allegedly has interest, though he had denied such interest.

SaharaReporters reliably learnt that the loan which some local government council chairmen of the state are currently grumbling about over its timing, is being carried out in secrecy.

Some of the councils chairmen who are not comfortable with the loan and pleaded not to be mentioned for security reasons, confided in SaharaReporters that everything concerning the loan was been done in secret with an “executive” instructions to all the councillors in the 25 local government to given a legislative nod to the loan in each of their various council.

“We were also mandated as council chairmen in our various Exco meetings to give the loan a nod. Some of us are not really happy and comfortable with the way and manner this N40 billion loan is came. Why now, that’s the question some of us are asking, though it’s a good thing, the intention behind it is an avenue for some individuals to be richer in billions of naira to the detriment of Deltans. At the end of the day, billions of naira will be going straight to some individual private pockets.

“Merely looking at the whole thing, especially the timing, you need no prophet to tell you, some individuals are going to be richer in billions of naira at the end of the day. Just few days to end of your tenure, you came up with this kind of idea of N40 billion loan. And why the Premium Trust Bank, Asaba,

because, for some time now, that is the bank governor Okowa always runs to for loan facility and it’s been rumoured that he has interest in that bank. Some of us see this loan as a conduit pipes for some individuals, no matter how they try hard to defend it and applaud the moves.”, One of the council chairmen lamented.
SaharaReporters reliably gathered that though the idea did not go down well with some council chairmen, the decision for the loan was reached on May, 2, 2023 during a meeting at the Joint Accounts Allocation Committee, (JAAC) and attended by the 25 council chairmen.

It was said that the loan would be paid back within the period of eighty months.
It was learnt that within six days after the JAAC meeting, a letter was written from the state pension bureau, signed by its secretary, Frank Atube, dated May, 8, 2023 was addressed to the state chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, (ALGON), Victor Ebonka, who also doubles as the Ika North East council chairman.

Accordingly, in the letter sighted by SaharaReporters, the N40 billion loan is spread across the 25 local government councils as follows: Aniocha North N1.406 billion, Aniocha South N1.182 billion, Bomadi N903.8 million, Burutu N1.402 billion, Ethiope East N2.250 billion, Ethiope West N2.165 billion, Ika North East N1.715 billion, Ika South N1.602 billion, Isoko North N1.388 billion, Isoko South N2.178 billion, Okpe N1.706 billion, Oshimili North N1.141 billion, Oshimili South N1.524, Patani N1.141 billion, Sapele N1.473 billion, Udu N1.896 billion, Ughelli North N2.656 billion, Ughelli South N2.300 billion, Ukwuani N1.254 billion, Uvwie N1.166 billion, Warri North 1.189 billion, Warri South N1.506 billion and Warri South West N1.305 billion.

When contacted on the issue, secretary, Delta State Pension Bureau, Frank Atube, who was surprised over the leakage of the letter, declined to speak on the issue, saying “You know I cannot answer you. I am just seeing your number, you have not come officially to the office, I don’t know you. Please I cannot, please.”
Also contacted on the issue, chairman of Ika North East council and state chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria, (ALGON), Victor Ebonka, initially declined to speak but on a second thought, confirmed the N40 billion loan which he said would not even be enough to offset the pensioners backlog of debts.

According to Ebonka, “There’s nothing hidden about the whole thing. It is the exclusive duty and responsibility, statutorily of the local government councils to pay its workers and its pensioners, independent of the state. In actual sense, it’s not the responsibility of the state government to pay these pensioners but it’s the responsibility of the local government and the governor in his magnanimity doled out N5 billion from state fund to argument payment.”

*Say allegations aimed at intimidation, extortion

Two Delta State House of Representatives members; Hon Nicholas Mutu and his colleague, Thomas Ereyitomi have raised the alarm over acts suggestive of blackmail and extortion by the Editor-in-Chief of Nigeria Pilot Newspaper, one Mr. Dennis Sami.

They dismissed a series of fabricated allegations being levelled by the Publisher and his co-travellers against them as a ruse and cheap blackmail.

A statement signed by Boma Akpotutari, Senior Special Assistant to Hon. Mutu said Sami has been sending series of messages and making several telephone calls to the two Federal lawmakers in the past one month, threatening to publish some unsubstiated and frivolous allegations against them, if they could not meet his monetary request.

Specifically, he accused Mutu of parading fake school certificates, with which he has been in the House since 1999. The lawmakers, however, stated that the allegations are baseless , unfounded and a failed attempt to bring them to disrepute . Sami and his Editor, one Emmanuel Ibeleme have been inundating Mutu and Ereyitomi with text messages and letters threatening to go to press with the allegations.

In one of the letters titled, “ ALLEGATIONS OF FAKE CERFITICATES AGAINST YOU”, to Mutu , they alleged : “ We have it on good authority that the certificates you have been parading which you also used to obtain a seat in the hallowed chamber of Nigeria’s House of Representatives where you have been sitting for the past 20 years are fake.

In another text to Mutu by Sami, he said, “It’s urgent, in your interest, regarding, key documents and publication, thanks, Editor in Chief, Nig. Pilot Newspaper.” In the text message to Ereyitomi, they threatened, ” my name is Dennis Sami , Editor in Chief , Nigerian Pilot Newspaper. It’s urgent and in your interest speak very brief, thanks, accept my highest regards.

The choice of words in the various messages, no doubt, was “unjournalitic.” Such a choice of words can easily be traced to notorious blackmailers.

But unperturbed Mutu and Ereyitomi said they have nothing to worry about, insisting that all their certificates and documents are genuine and authentic and obtained from relevant institutions they attended.

They told their accusers to think otherwise and stop dissipating their energies, spreading unfounded allegations and falsehood aimed at intimidating and extorting money from them.

They maintained an unrepentant stand not to offer bribes to stop the publication of the spurious allegations.

The lawmakers disclosed that they have explained their side of the stories to Sami, adding he was free to do his job instead of bothering them with endless telephone calls and text messages in the past one month.

The persistent calls and text messages by the Publisher and other operators of Nigeria Pilot to us in the past one month on the same subject matter have established their real intention- To intimidate and extort money from us.”

We expected them to have published whatever they have on us, long before now, and damn the consequences of their action.”

The lawmakers hinted that their Lawyers have been briefed on the development and are ready to take legal action “because, this is pure blackmail with a sole motive for extortion.

Specifically, in a letter dated May 19th, 2023, signed and forwarded to Sami by Mutu’s Lawyer, M. J. Numa, SAN, he presented all facts concerning the allegations.

Numa in the letter captioned, “RE- ALLEGATIONS OF FAKE CERFITICATES AGAINST YOU”, asked Sami to exercise caution as all the allegations being peddled have been adjudicated upon and resolved by courts of competent jurisdiction, including the election petitions tribunal and Federal High Court.

Numa said all the issuing authorities of Mutu’s certificates and other relevant authorities and stakeholders, including the National Assembly, have authenticated and confirmed them to be genuine, adding that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has also thoroughly investigated and vindicated his client.

Copies of Nigeria Pilot Newspaper’s letter to Mutu and the Lawyer’s response are hereby attached.

We are, however, alarmed that despite having provided enough information to enable Sami and his Newspaper to draw reasonable conclusions for the kangaroo publication, Sami continues to saturate the lawmaker with calls and text messages, apparently to intimidate him to meet his monetary demand.

”This so- called Sami have been pestering us , threatening to publish, we are ready for him. We will not tolerate this anymore”.