By: Phillips  Kakor

State governors should be blamed for their neglect to floods warnings affecting communities in their various States in Nigeria.

This declaration was made by the Director General , Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, NIHSA, Clement Nze on Arisetv Monday October 10, 2022 during an interview monitored by our Correspondent, the weather expect , said despite warnings consistently by the Agency governors kept mute about planning on how to rescue their people in the low land areas.

DG Nze advised States to think of planning for their people in low land areas in order to avert flood deviations in communities as well record minimal devastation .

Our correspondent reports that more than 29 states and thousands of homes have been  submerged by the flood caused by the waters released from lagdo dam in neighbouring Cameroon Republic.

Delta Government on Friday said the multi-billion naira contract for the construction of Ayakoromo bridge in Burutu Local Government Area of the state had been terminated  due to poor performance by the contractor.

Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Mr Noel Omodon, told newsmen in Asaba, that the decision on the contract was taken at the State Executive Council meeting presided by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

According to him, Exco approved the repudiation of the Ayakoromo bridge contract because the contractor was not able to carry on with the job as expected.

“The pace of work has become so slow and they are having their own internal challenges and because it is one of the very important projects we are desirous of completing, Exco approved the termination of the contract to enable us get a new contractor to complete the project as soon as possible,” he explained.

Omodon also disclosed that Exco approved the 2023 budget estimates for transmission to the House of Assembly for approval.

“The main purpose of today’s Exco meeting was to consider the 2023 budget estimates and we have approved it for onward transmission to the State House of Assembly for consideration and approval”

The commissioner who was flanked by his counterparts in Rural and Riverine Roads, Chief Solomon Golley and Girl-Child Empowerment, Mrs Nkechi Chukwurah, said Exco also approved the construction of Kwekagbor Road opposite Summit Junction, Asaba; Mission Road, Akumazi in Ika North East; Idheze internal road; Olomoro-Enwhe Road and Yanga Market Oleh-Irri-Aviara Road all in Isoko South.

He said more projects were reviewed due to rising cost of diesel, granite, sharp stone, rods, bitumen, asphalt among other construction materials.

“Exco approved the review for Orere Bridge, Achala-Ibusa Road, NYSC Road Issele-Uku; and Trans Warri Road and bridges.

“We also approved contracts for the construction of College of Medicine Faculty at University of Delta Agbor; construction of Faculty of Management and Social Sciences in the three new universities among others,” he said.

He said Exco also gave approval for some projects to aid the successful hosting of the National Sports Festival billed for November 2022 in Asaba.

Celestine Ukah

*Amb. Agbolaya describes honour as Ogiame’s upliftment of Royalty of Warri Kingdom

President Muhammadu Buhari will confer a National Honour of The Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) on the The Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse IIi on October 11, 2022.

The event which is slated to hold at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, will also witness conferment of honours on other eminent Nigerians from all spheres of lives.

The Olu of Warri Ogiame Atuwatse III is to be honoured for his nobility to the throne of his forefathers, his contribution to promoting peace and development in Warri Kingdom and Nigeria in general.

A renowned and seasoned administrator, Amb. Dr. Toyin Agbolaya JP, hailed the recognition and Honour to be awarded to the The Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, describing it as Ogiame’s upliftment of Royalty of Warri Kingdom which has endeared him to his subjects, neighbours, state and the country.

Amb. Dr. Agbolaya JP congratulated his Boss Ogiame Atuwatse III for the feat he has achieved in moving Warri Kingdom forward, he prayed for the long reign of the Warri monarch .

He’s also optimistic of more National and international awards to His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III as his rulership has brought digitalised Royalty and epitome to Warri Kingdom and the traditional institution in Nigerian.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval of the award was conveyed in a letter signed by His Excellency former Governor of Benue State, George Akume and the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs.

According to the letter, approval was in the exercise of President Muhammadu Buhari’s power as enshrined in the National Honours Act No 5 of 1964.

The letter reads in part; “I have the honour to formally inform you that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has approved the conferment of the National Honours on you, in the rank CFR (Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic)”. It stated.

Delta State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has Congratulated Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for the recognition and conferment of the national award; Commander Of The Order Of The Niger, CON on him, by President Mohammadu Buhari.

The felicitation was contained in a congratulatory message by the State Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, which reads: “The entire Delta State PDP family, heartily Congratulates His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa on your recognition and conferment of the national award of Commander Of The Order Of The Niger, CON, by His Excellency, President Mohammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

“Your nomination and endorsement, as the recipient of this prestigious national honour and award, is ample testimony of the national acclaim you have attained, not only as the distinguished Governor of Delta State, but indeed in full cognizance of your sterling reputation and contributions, as a true national statesman, nation builder, peacemaker, detribalized unifier and an exemplary leader in our collective quest towards strengthening and deepening our democratic experience as a people and nation.

“We are very proud of your unparalleled achievements as the Governor of Delta State and the undisputed leader of our party at this auspicious time in our national history and we are fully confident that this prestigious award will serve as a catalyst to spur you to greater heights and glory at the national stage.

Once again, Congratulations Your Excellency.

By: Tega Ogbadu

*FIFA President Infantino reacts describes incident as historic shock to football world

At least 125 people have been killed and dozens more injured in a riot and a stampede at an Indonesian football stadium.

The tragedy on Saturday night in the eastern city of Malang was one of the world’s deadliest sporting stadium disasters.

Police in East Java province said thousands of fans of Arema FC stormed the pitch at Kanjuruhan Stadium after their team lost 3-2 to Persebaya Surabaya. Officers tried to control the “riots” by firing tear gas, triggering a stampede as panicked fans rushed to an exit gate.

Some suffocated in the chaos while others were trampled to death. At least 34 people, including two police officers, died at the stadium.

The death toll was revised down to 125, according to East Java Vice Governor Emil Dardak, who said that some names were recorded twice. Earlier officials had put the figure as high as 174

A hospital director told local television that one of the victims was five years old.

Video footage from local news channels showed fans streaming onto the pitch in the Kanjurujan Stadium in Malang after Arema FC lost to Persebaya Surabaya. Scuffles can be seen, with what appeared to be tear gas in the air. Images also showed people who appeared to have lost consciousness being carried away by other fans.

The stadium holds 42,000 people and authorities said it was a sell-out. Police said about 3,000 people had stormed the pitch. Vehicles outside the stadium were also torched, including at least five police cars and trucks..

Survivors described panicking spectators in a packed crowd as tear gas rained down on them.

“Officers fired tear gas, and automatically people were rushing to come out, pushing each other and it caused many victims,” a 43-year-old spectator told the AFP news agency. “Nothing was happening, there was no riot. I don’t know what the issue was, they suddenly fired tear gas. That’s what shocked me, didn’t they think about kids, women?”

League suspended
President Joko Widodo ordered an investigation into the tragedy, a safety review into all football matches and directed the country’s football association to suspend all matches until “security improvements” were completed.

“I deeply regret this tragedy and I hope this football tragedy will be the last in our country,” Widodo said.

Meanwhile, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the the football world was “in a state of shock”.

All our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, those who have been injured, together with the people of the Republic of Indonesia,” he added.

Fan violence is an enduring problem in Indonesia, with a strong rivalry between clubs sometimes leading to violence among supporters. Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya are longtime rivals and the latter’s fans were not allowed to buy tickets for Saturday’s game due to fears of violence.

Indonesia’s coordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs, Mahfud MD, said organisers had ignored authorities’ recommendation to hold the match in the afternoon instead of the evening. He also said the government had recommended only 38,000 tickets be printed, but there was instead a sell-out crowd of 42,000. “The government has made improvements to the implementation of football matches… and will continue to improve. But this sport, which is a favourite of the wider community, often provokes supporters to express emotions suddenly,” he said in an Instagram post.

World soccer’s governing body FIFA specifies in its safety regulations that no firearms or “crowd control gas” should be carried or used by stewards or police. East Java police did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether they were aware of such regulations.

Referring to the FIFA rules, Amnesty International criticised the use of tear gas in the stadium and urged authorities to “conduct a swift, thorough, and independent investigation” and “ensure that those who are found to have committed violations are tried in open court and do not merely receive internal or administrative sanctions”.

“This loss of life cannot go unanswered,” said Usman Hamid, the executive director of Amnesty International Indonesia.

The Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) said it would send its own investigation team to Malang to establish the cause of the crush. It also banned Arema FC from hosting home games for the rest of the season.

By: Celestine Ukah

*Urges  all to sustain hope for Nation Building, Unity others

The Member Representing Warri Federal Constituency and the Deputy Chairman House of Reps Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Hon. Chief Thomas Ereyitomi JP has congratulated Nigerians and Warri federal constituency as the country mark this year’s independence of 62 years of existence as a united country.

Chief Ereyitomi in his goodwill message Saturday October 1, 2022, to his Warri federal constituents, assured of improved legislation on the welfare and development of the people of Warri federal constituency, he added that robust representation will be his utmost target as he has been able to display such fest in the last three years as the rep member.

while celebrating the 62nd anniversary of Nigeria, the Warri federal lawmaker urged residents as well as Nigerians to sustain their faith and hope for nation building, unity, development of the country and peaceful coexistence among various Nigerians in different parts of the country.

Dr. Ereyitomi enjoined citizens to remain calm and continue their peaceful disposition in Warri federal constituency, he commended them for their tremendous support given him, he as well appealed for it to be replicated again in the forthcoming 2023 general poll and the national House of reps election holding February 2023.

Hon. Chief Ereyitomi JP wished all Warri federal constituents a happy 62nd Nigeria independence day celebration.