By: Celestine Ukah

The gateway to Warri the popular Effurun Rounded in Uvwie LGA , Delta state is currently blocked as at 8pm this evening Friday September 23, 2022.

The cause of the blockade is as a result of the collapsed part of the roundabout suffering from lingering neglect by the Delta State government for the past years .

Committees and other road users were groan over the huge traffic gridlock always occurring at the roundabout daily without solution from the state government.

As at the time of filling this report heavy duty vehicles and other cars plying the route especially those transiting from Warri to Sapele, Benin, Portharcourt in Rivers State , Bayelsa and other parts of the country including entrance to the Warri and Effurun as well as Udu and Osubi in Okpe LGAs of the stare .

The young and dynamic Executive Chairman of Oshimili South Local Government, Hon. Kelvin Obi Ezenyili has eulogized the sterling leadership qualities and impeccable personality of the Iyase of Asaba Kingdom, Obi Patrick Isioma Goodluck Onyeobi, describing him as his mentor and role model.

He made this assertion while paying homage to the Iyase during his 2022 New Yam Festival (Iwaji) celebration on Thursday 22nd September, 2022, at the Iyase’s Ancestral home at Ogwa Idumuojei in Umuezei Quarters of Asaba.

The Chairman said people might not know how he got into office as the Oshimili South Council Administrator, stating that it was the making of Iyase Onyeobi.

His words, “It is a humbling pleasure on my person to identify with the Iyase of Asaba. We are not just here because of his new yam festival celebration, we are here because this is what we want to always do – identifying with him.

“Obi Onyeobi is more than a father to me. He played much role in my emergence as Chairman of Oshimili South Local Government. As long as we continue to be in office and even beyond, we will always pay our loyalty to him.

“I am exceedingly grateful to God for having such a well endowed community leader on my side. Iyase Onyeobi remains a fountain of knowledge, wisdom and intellectual prowess to always draw from, and no matter his age, he has continued to play key role in brightening our administration. He was an administrator par excellence and that is why we will not stop praying to God to grant him many more years of productivity for the good of humanity.

“On this note sir, I have come to inform you that our administration recently embarked on the construction of the Oshimili South Legislative Complex. That building is 85 percent at completion stage. When completed, we shall invite the Governor of our dear State and incoming Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa to commission it. This edifice will be named after you sir, Obi Patrick Isioma Goodluck Onyeobi as our token of honour for all you have done and stand for in Oshimili South and the entire human race. Obi Igwe!

“In a nutshell, I want to appeal for the continual support of Asaba people and Oshimili South in general to the PDP. Let us do it 5/5 this time in our collective quest to rescue Nigeria. And of course, with our son as Vice President, we should be rest assured of a better Nigeria going forward”, Ezenyili submitted.

In his response, the Iyase said he was surprised to receive such cheering news from a working Chairman.

He stated that he would live to remember this particular edition of his Iwaji celebration, appreciating Ezenyili for honouring him on his moment of joy as a traditional leader and also proposing to immortalise him.

According to him, “I am surprised at how highly this young man, assessed to have done so well thought about me. I am not a politician; I was only a professional civil servant who was taught how to dispense leadership that brings peace and development to the people. We were taught that there is no price greater than the price for peace. The Chairman has done extremely well and we must continue to support him.

“I just do what I need to do as an individual. This has shown me that people see the good works of others. And except a man dies, his goodwill continues to live on.

“Our Chairman has proven to be a true son of Anioma Nation; we must as a people keep record of such virtues and quality of humans around us. I once again appreciate him for honouring me on my Iwaji. This is a celebration of Asaba people as an agrarian community reputed for farming as their major industry. And yam as their revered staple food is the symbol of Thanksgiving to God and Ancestors for a productive farming season, while also using the period to pray for better farming seasons in future.

“The Asagba of Asaba having done his own Iwaji, the Obis then followed. I am currently an Obi, also an Iyase having first been installed as a chief and presently, I hold the position of Diokpa of Idumuojei Village in Umuezei Quarters of Asaba. So in my case, I now combine the three celebrations to have one Iwaji celebration. It’s a period of peace; Iwaji is used to harness peace and so, when we gather to celebrate the new yam, we are gathering because of the presence of peace in our community. Where people are hungry there can’t be peace. On this note, I urge the government to provide the enabling environment for people to live in peace”, Onyeobi posited.

It was indeed a day of merry making as the men, women and youths gathered in their numbers to celebrate with Obi Onyeobi and there was more than enough to eat and drink.

Renowned legal practitioner, Chief Thompson Joseph Okpoko SAN OON today said the seven months strike is an action taken too far by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.

He urged ASUU to take the green leaves to them and negotiate with the Federal Government.

Chief Okpoko made the assertion during a chat with Our Correspondent at his chamber in Warri, Delta State.

According to him,”If they negotiate, they reach an agreement, let them put it in writing with the federal government in a memo and if the government does not comply with what they want, then, they should consult their lawyer to see what they can do using the law against government because government is bound to obey the law”.

While noting that ASUU are the creators of the next generation, Chief Okpoko said if they decide not to teach again, the Nigerian University system will crash.

“If ASUU insists on striking for eternity, students will not go to school. Then, you have drop outs. The female will become pregnant, premature mothers. The result is that you are breeding poverty upon poverty and then off course,the insceurity we are talking about will multiply.

“We have cases of students who are on strike now being armed robbers, being kidnappers and so on. And off course, you saw the demonstrations in Lagos that they’re blocking the road. What has the road user got to do with the grievance of ASUU members? They’re transferring their aggression against government to the ordinary man and who is this ordinary man? Their fathers and especially those who are working to pay their school fees. So, they have extended it too much.”

Chief Okpoko said the Nigerian Students can protest against the government to settle the dispute with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.

Chief Okpoko noted that the students can appeal to their lecturers to take us into account considering the effects the strike would have on them with thw assurances of pressurising their parents to pressurise the politicians to do something.

He however stressed that ASUU should have the maturity of teachers and lecturers of olden days to resolve the matter.

Chief Okpoko also blamed the Federal Government for not making adequate budgetary allocations for the education ministry.

Chief Okpoko concluded that Nigerians should learn to do things in orderly manner for the nation can move forward.

*Says Engagement Of Tompolo Causing Oil Thieves Sleepless Nights

Members of the Ijaw Patriotic League have hailed President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylvia and the Group General Manager (GMD) of the NNPC, Mele Kyari for the award of the Pipeline Surveillance Contract to High Chief Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo, describing it as a welcome development.

In an open letter signed by Comrade Jasper Eritei (President) and Chief Jones Ebikinmi (Secretary) to the President, the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources and the Management of the NNPC, the group said that the award of the pipeline contract to Tompolo has become a source of worry to oil thieves, mindless economic saboteurs and their collaborators, saying the decision of the Federal Government was a bold one.

They wrote that; We the Members of Ijaw Patriotic League have watched with keen interest the clearly orchestrated campaign of calumny against the Management of the NNPC and the Presidency over the award of a Pipeline Surveillance and Security Contract to a company in which High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) has interest”.

“In the ordinary sense of it, we would have stuck to the resolution of our General Assembly to ignore the criticisms that trailed the announcement of the crucial contract award as the swan song of a group who lost out in the bidding process. However, the sustained campaign in the media and the ethnic dimensions to the contract had made it clear that the oil theft, the Federal Government has taken the step to fight has grabbed the strategic offensive position. It is a popular aphorism that when you fight a crime network, you must expect a backlash. This will suppose and strongly believe at the receiving signs of a band of oil thieves jolted by the government action who will not go without a fight”, they further wrote.

“As a group, committed to the peace and development in the Niger Delta, we seldom comment on such issues which we consider strictly personal business concerns of individuals. However, the sustained media campaign and the barrage of attacks against High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) has made it necessary for us with these positions”, they stated in the open letter.

According to the Ijaw Patriotic League; “First, we support and commend the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, his Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR for the ingenious decision to hire capable firms for the protection of the violated and abused pipelines and strategic national assets in the Niger Delta”.

They added; “We also commend the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mele kyari who took this bold, deliberate and rational decision to respond in a creative way to the unimaginably callous and distressing theft of the nation’s s crude resources within the contractual engagement of five firms including the one in which Tompolo has interest to fight the scourge which sabotages the economy of this country and threatens national security and stability”.

“In view of the grim reality of a band of thieves running riot in the Niger Delta and the devastating effect of oil theft on the wellbeing of the Nigerian State, those who run the oil sector should rather be encouraged to take steps in the interest of Nigeria as they have done in this case. Orchestrating a campaign of calumny is beneath expectations of citizens of good conscience”, they wrote.

They disclosed that; “Recently, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, said during a visit to the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, at the Government House, Owerri, in August that the hoodlums stealing the Nation’s resources have reduced oil production by 400,000 barrels per day (bpd), translating to an alarming drop of the Nation’s daily allocation from OPEC from 1.8 Million to 1.4 Million bpd”.

“An otherwise similar position painted by the NNPC on September 11th, 2002 by Bala Wunti, Group General Manager, National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) was even more disturbing. He said Nigeria loses 700 Million Dollars every month to oil theft at the terminal. Nothing can be discomforting to a serious government than these type of debilitating figures”, they stated.

According to them also; “This we understand made the Federal Government to engage five firms, Ocean Marine belonging to an indigene of Edo State valued #5 Billion Naira per month, Pipeline Infrastructure, belonging to a prominent Monarch in Delta State covering over 350 Kilometres, (with over 200 kilometers) in Rivers State, and part of Edo and Delta States valued at about #7 Billion Naira and the firm in which Chief Ekpemupolo has interest and two others”.

They posited that; “Our investigation has so far revealed that two of these firms operated by indigenes of the Niger Delta from the Bini and Itsekiri ethnic group who have bigger surveillance contractual agreement with the Government who have been on the contract for years have not attracted comment in the media”,

“While we are not going to join issues with the ethnic irredentists who are pushing the boundaries of ethic arrogance with astonishing audacity, we are inclined to agree with the view point that oil thieves and collaborators are uncomfortable with the decision of the Federal Government to involve Tompolo for obvious reasons”, the Ijaw Patriotic League said in their open letter.

According to the group, Tompolo has a track record of firmness and dedication in the execution of a major contract in Nigerian maritime domain, adding that; “It is on record beyond contestation, Global West Vessels Specialists Limited owned by him boosted NIMASA’s revenue and reduced the then escalating incidents of piracy on the nation’s territorial waters as stated in media reports by the then Director-General of the agency Dr. Bashir Jamoh”.

“A former Director in the Agency, Captain Waredi Enuisouh, highlighted this feet when he told journalists that “before Global West’s contract, NIMASA was making about $10 million to $12 million per annum but Global West’s intervention raised the figure to about $19.5 million per month. On the local currency revenue, NIMASA’s revenue jumped from #30 Billion Naira per annum to about #80 Billion Naira. It was from this increase the Global West got paid for its services”. These verifiable facts are in the public domain”; they said.

According to the group, Nigerians are too wise to be deceived by the ruthless cabal, saying that; “It is clear that the Federal Government, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, the group General Manager of the NNPC have all acted in good faith in rising to the criminal diversion of the Nation’s oil resources”.

“The engagement of Tompolo to execute a part of a five-way pipeline security contracts can only cause oil thieves mindless economy saboteurs and collaborators sleepless nights. We encourage the Federal Government which has taken these commendable steps to resist this blackmail from those who want to sustain the cruel oil theft in such unacceptably large scale. The GMD of the NNPC and his team have chosen competence, capacity and fairness. They should be applauded by all”, they wrote.

By: Celestine Ukah 

*Commends Warri South Local Government, Tidi  for cleanliness

Delta State Government has commended the Hon. Dr. Michael Tidi led administration of Warri South Local Government Council for their effort in keeping the city and its surroundings safe and clean.

The Delta State Commissioner for Environment, Chief Godspower Asiuwhu who gave the commendation Wednesday September 21, 2022 in an interview during the Program “State of the Nation” on Delta Broadcasting Service Warri, praised Warri South leadership for distinguishing itself among Local Government Areas  in the state for clean environment.

Chief Asiuwhu, while speaking to Deltans on DBS radio Melody FM. Warri disclosed that his Ministry have concluded all arrangement for this last Saturday’s environmental sanitation, noting that the upcoming Saturday September 24, 2022 environmental sanitation exercise is going to be total shutdown enforcement compliance across the state except for those on essential duties that is to be allowed to move with their duty identification.

The Delta State Environment Boss warned those flouting the state environment order as well as others dumping refuse on drains to desist from doing so as the environmental taskforce is ready to arrest and prosecute anyone found wanting for defacing the environment.

He assured Deltans of total cleanup of the state from refuse during and after the sanitation as the operation keep the environment clean program will be sustained, Chief Asiuwhu said the Delta State Environment Ministry inline with the State Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa directive have commenced a special operation in Warri South, Uvwie, Udu and Okpe in order to keep the cities clean.

He urged Deltans to comply and come out on Saturday to clean their environment, he assured that the environment team will go round the cities to monitor and evacuate waste to appropriate dump sites approved by the state government.

*Okpe Union, UK Urges Deltans To Ignore Serial Blackmailer

The Okpe Union, UK, on Sunday reacted to the recent television interview by a former Minister of State for Education, Chief Kenneth Gbagi, that one Sheriff pursuing gubernatorial bid in Delta State had been convicted in the past for manslaughter.

The group said Gbagi in the interview only reinforced his reputation as serial liar and an unrepentant blackmailer.

Though Gbagi merely accused one Sheriff, a gubernatorial hopeful, without a surname attached of having been jailed for manslaughter in the past, the leaders of Okpe Union, UK, described the former minister as a coward for lacking courage to give full names of the character involved.

The group in a statement dismissed the attempt to link the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to the report, saying that their Okpe kinsman had never being involved and convicted over any criminal conduct.

The statement was signed by the group’s President, Chief Godwin Ogholo; Mr John Ewhubare Siakpere(JP), a United Kingdom-based Lawyer, who is also the Publicity Secretary, and Dr Stephen Richards, Assistant General Secretary.

The group said Gbagi merely alluded to one Sheriff in the interview in order to achieve the wicked intentions of linking the act of misdemeanor to Rt. Hon. (Chief) Sheriff F.O Oborevwori, with the aim of tarnishing the hard earned image of their kinsman in the public domain.

Stating that their findings had revealed that Rt. Hon. Sheriff F.O Oborevwori had never been convicted in the past, they added that Rt.Hon Oborevwori was serving as an adviser to ex-Governor James Ibori at the time Gbagi claimed to have visited his imaginary Sheriff in the prison.

They wondered how a convicted Sheriif would be appointed and assigned responsibility by the government of Delta State at the same time.

Describing Gbagi as a drowning man, whose “governorship bid was dead on arrival,” the Okpe Union, UK, stated that the interview was intended to lower the esteem of Rt Hon Oborevwori in the public domain.

The Okpe Union, UK vowed in the statement that Oborevwori is a man of impeccable character and untainted past and urged the public to ignore Gbagi’s television interview as “vituperation of a drowning politician, who is desperate to hold anything to survive and stay afloat.”
The group further said in the statement, “This man called Kenneth Gbagi lacks character and he is a serial liar and an unrepentant blackmailer. He knows the legal implications of lies on national television and that was why he merely talked about one Sheriff and one Ifeanyi. As a lawyer, he claimed to be, he is conscious of the law of defamation and libel. That was why he was not courageous enough to attach a surname to his imaginary Sheriff and Ifeanyi.

“We are sure and convinced that he was not referring to our own Rt. Hon. Sheriff F.O Oborevwori, who has a towering self esteem and impeccable character that placed him far and above other candidates seeking to govern the state in 2023.”

“The life history and public conducts of Rt. Hon. Chief Sheriff Oborevwori are in public domain and he has no skeleton in his cupboard. “We urge Kenneth Gbagi to instead embark on self appraisal by checking himself and antecedents to ascertain if he’s qualified to run for the exalted office of the governor of Delta State.”

“We want to refer Gbagi to the various publications over his public conducts. Gbagi should avail himself of the Punch Newspaper of October 1st 2020; Nigerian Tribune of September 30th, 2020 and Saharareporters.com of October, 1st, 2020, among others when he was declared wanted by the Police over dehumanization of his hotel staff.”
“Also in conclusion, we refer Gbagi to reports of his conviction by a Delta State High Court, which fined him N1m over alleged torture and stripping of his workers as published widely in many national dailies and televisions, including Vanguard Newspaper of July 20th, 2022; Daily Post of July 19th, 2022 and National Daily of July 20th, 2022, among others. The question is: who is an ex-convict and a person of questionable character, who is not fit to be voted into the exalted office of Governor of Delta State? The guess by the public is as good as ours.”

By: Celestine Ukah

Despite shortage of teachers and lack of equipment of public schools in Delta State, the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa led administration has approved the establishment of 22 new schools comprising 9 primary and 13 secondary schools across the state.

Investigations carried indicates that so many primary and secondary schools owned by the state government lacks basic infrastructure including teachers desks and other needed materials in to aide teaching and learning.

Also investigation around primary schools in the state reveals that they lack teachers to be able to cover the pupils in impacting learning appropriately.

The commissioner for works (Highways and urban roads), Noel Omodon, while briefing journalists on some of the decisions reached at the State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting presided over by the deputy governor of the state, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro.

According to Omodon, the new schools were approved in response to the demand for schools in the areas where such educational facilities were lacking.

Apart from the approval for the establishment of the new schools, he said, the Exco also, approved the change of name and status of some of the existing primary and secondary schools in the state.

According to him, the payment of the counterpart funding for the UBE 2022 cycle was approved by the Exco to strengthen the delivery of qualitative educational services aimed at further promoting mass literacy in the state.

The works commissioner also disclosed that approval for the supply of laboratory/workshop equipment to the University of Delta was equally given to enhance academic activities in the university.

On the Kwale Industrial Park, Omodon said the meeting approved investment into a modern production facility at the park where things like flat bars, nails, screws and angles among others would be produced, adding that the state government had equally approved equity participation at the Kwale free zone (Industrial Park).

THE NEWLY APPROVED SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN DELTA ARE:

1. Olota Secondary School – Olota – Ughelli South
2. Ukpiovwin Secondary School- Ukpiovwin – Udu
3. Sanubi Sec. School, Sanubi-orogun – Ughelli North
4. Erhuwaren Sec. School, Erhuwaren – Ughelli South
5. Alifekede Sec. School, Alifekede – Ika South
6. Ugolo Sec. School, Evwriyen – Okpe

7. Awamba Sec. School, Awamba – Warri North
8. Udueni Sec. School, Olomoro – Isoko South
9. Ikpere Sec. School, Ugborodo – Warri South West
10. Orhere Sec. School, Orhere – Ughelli North
11. Obioma Mixed Sec. Sch. Owa-abbi – Ukwuani
12. Amiemedi Sec. Sch. Okuetolor – Okpe
13. Esaba Sec. School, Esaba – Ughelli South

New Primary Schools
1. Owhe Primary School, Okorowhe – Okpe
2. Govt Primary Sch. Mile 5, Asaba – Oshimili South
3. Ovwodokpokpor-ogor Primary Sch. Ovwodokpokpor-ogor – Ughelli North
4. Umuseti-ogbe Primary School, Kwale- Ndokwa West
5. Ugbolegin Primary Sch., Ugborodo – Warri South West
6. Otumara Primary Sch, Otumara – Warri South West
7. Leku Prim Sch Leku/Torukubu-adagbene – Burutu
8. Evwreke Primary School, Ugolo-okpe – Okpe
9. Oghene Egoh Pri Sch. Urhede-uwheru – Ughelli North

*says OIL Theft challenges with other related vices will reduce drastically

A Youth leader under the auspices of Niger Delta APC Youth Vanguard, Friday last week hailed President Muhammadu Buhari, over appointment of Maj. General Barry Tariye Ndiomu (Retd) as Presidential Coordinator Amnesty Programme.

This was contained in a statement signed by the National Coordinator, ND-APC YV, Fiawei Pathfinder, Aka Gen. Osama, Where they described the appointment as well deserved based on General Ndiomu’s wealth of experience, intelligence, doggedness courageous, transparent, hard work, dedicated, commitment, loyalty, patriotism and team-player spirit in the service to the Nation.

The Niger Delta APC Youth Vanguard is an organization founded by ‘Gen’ Fiawei Pathfinder, Aka Gen Osama and is made up of Niger Delta Ex-Agitators including reputable personalities who are progressives and stakeholders cut across the Nine States of the Niger Delta region who are core supporters of the President Muhammadu Buhari led APC administration.

The statement reads in part, “The Niger Delta APC Youth Vanguard is very grateful to the number one leader of our great ruling party,the All Progressives Congress, APC, His Excellency Major General President Muhammadu Buhari Retd, (GCFR) for the wisdom and concern for Niger Deltans, especially for sustaining and proper funding of the Presidential Amnesty Programme since from the inception of this administration 2015 till date, and the group also extended a sincere appreciation to the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (Retd) for his wise wisdom of advice and recommendation of Major General Barry Tariye Ndiomu to Mr President wish as well led for graciously appointing Major General Barry Tariye Ndiomu as the Presidential Amnesty Coordinator, who is a bona fide son of Ijaw land from Bayelsa State, who hails from Odoni Community under Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

“We emphatically thank Mr President and also applaud the National Security Adviser (NSA) Babagana Monguno for his contributions making this appointment to see the light of the day and reality for carefully chosen and selecting General Ndiomu for this laudable great appointment wish is widely accepted celebrated and welcomed by all sons and daughters of Ijaw Nation and all Niger Deltans in particular.

General Ndiomu was an army officer who did not have any dent of corruption while in service and even out of service on corrupt practices rather left an unprecedented proven legacy of worthy track record of emulation.

“We strongly believe in the antecedents and track record of General Ndiomu who’s personality is well respected by all sundry based on his painstaking sterling transparent leadership track record and contribution to the course of the underdevelopment of the Niger Delta region by ensuring the people live a meaningful better life. This he has exemplified while in active service at the Nigerian Army where he rose through the ranks before his retirement, which he laid down his life to serve Nigeria and Nigerians.

“He is a fine gentle Ijaw man who has served his father’s land meritoriously and selflessly contributed immensely to the peace and stability of the Nigerian state as a nation. And as a vibrant creative intelligent dogged courageous fearless officer who was committed to the defence of it’s father’s land at any given point in time when he was called upon for any national assignment.”

Meanwhile, according to the group, General Ndiomu was at the forefront of ECOWAS Peace Keeping Mission and other national assignments at all point in time as a committed dedicated Officer to the service of the Nation. We believe in General Ndiomu’s outstanding integrity as a man who is willing to bring about the desired expected and needed peace and stability in the Niger Delta region because he has the pedigree and acumen based on his capacity to achieve the expected reduction in Oil Theft and illegal Bunkering with it’s related issues.

“He is one man who is committed to the peaceful coexistence of our dear country and his value point are centered on Unity, Equity, Justice and Fairness which he demonstrated absolute loyalty and passion for Nigeria’s corporate existence. therefore we call him to ensure that he upholds the tenets of democracy and indivisibility of the nation’s unity along all frontiers and ethnic divides”.

However, the group maintained that Buhari’s appointment of General Ndiomu as the Presidential Amnesty Coordinator at this point in time cannot be questioned and the appointment is in right direction, round peg in round hole based on his past achievements, painstaking sterling leadership qualities.

“We unequivocally state pointedly and make bold to say here that Mr President has chosen the right man for this job, especially now that the Niger Delta region is about to boil and get out of hand with so many threats from various Agitating militant folks across the South-South States in the creeks due to the Trans-Niger pipeline surveillance contract issue that was awarded to our most respected, distinguished, outstanding, patriotic, detrabilized leader in the Niger Delta struggle who is a living Hero of our time, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo )AKA Tompolo) by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL)” it added.

The group also assured of maximum support with cooperation to the leadership of General Ndiomu for a successful tenure. “However, to this end the leader and National Coordinator of Niger Delta APC Youth Vanguard, Gen, FIAWEI PATHFINDER (aka OSAMA), urge all sons and daughters of Ijaw land and every well meaning Niger Deltans to give General Ndiomu maximum support as we join hands together with our brother and leader the new Presidential Amnesty Coordinator in order to enable him succeed in this new National assignment given to him by Mr President.

“At this point we will let the cat out of the bag as you all know some of the reasons why Mr President remove (Retd) Coniel Dikkio the former Amnesty Coordinator and carefully chose and appointed Major General Barry Tariye Ndiomu (Retd) to head the Presidential Amnesty Programme at this point in time is for him to restructure, reorganize, sanitize, transform and to reposition the Presidential Amnesty Programme as the program is about to wine down to its original plan in order to achieve the purpose of why it was established in 2009 by former president Musa Yara-dua of blessed memory, because we all know that the former handlers of the Programme had issues of corrupt allegations of fraudulent financial cases and misappropriation of over N3.5 billion, N10 to N35 billion which the former handlers of the office could not give proper account.

“And in view of the many issues surrounding the removal of the former Amnesty Coordinator, are issues of misappropriation and mismanagement of funds meant for the running of the Amnesty Program with training of the Ex-Militants and their empowerment packages that run into billions of Naira that could not be properly accounted for including lopsided administrative operations for not carrying every stakeholders along in the scheme of things under the Presidential Amnesty office, with numerous complaints of cases of some of the departmental heads including the former Head Of Reintegration Mr Alfred Kemepade and his cohorts who were all allegedly perpetrating large scale corrupt practices by way of money for hand before contractors files that are due for payment will be treated for payments, wish is known as money for hand back for ground

“We want to call on General Ndiomu not to have anything to do with all the former heads and most of the staff of the Amnesty office who have been fingered with corrupt practices in there DNA, and none of them should be retained in the Amnesty office including Mr Alfred Kemepade rather they should be fired in order to face prosecution of their fraudulent activities as a way forward to sanitize the office, and this will restore the image of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.” the group stated.