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Delta Guber Candidate, Sheriff Oborevwori Escapes Assassination Attempt By Whiskers

The Delta State PDP Governorship Candidate for the 2023 governorship Election, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, on Sunday, March 12th, 2023, escaped assassination attempt by whiskers as unknown gun men ambushed his convoy and opened fire on them along the Warri/Sapele Highway.

In a Press Statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Dennis Otu, the State PDP Governorship Candidate who is also the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly was returning from Sapele to Osubi when the deadly attack occurred.

According to the Statement; “The convoy of the Delta State PDP Governorship Candidate, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori on Sunday, March 12th, 2023 came under heavy attack from unknown gun men between Elume junction and Okuabude in Okpe Local Government Area of the State . The car which he was driven in and security vehicles attached to the convoy were riddled with bullets in the incident that took place at about 9:05pm. He had gone to Sapele for political meetings and on his way back to Osubi, the unknown gun men ambushed the convoy and launched a heavy attack on him, spraying his car and back up vehicles with bullets. Only the Grace of God and the fact that he was riding in a bullet proof car saved the life of the leading governorship hopeful in the State”.

“His brave security men rose to the occasion by engaging the suspected to be assassins in a duel which lasted for over ten minutes before the gun men took to their heels and disappeared into the thick darkness of the night. Although no life was lost, one of the security men attached to the PDP governorship candidate sustained injuries.

“The matter has been reported to the Police for further investigation”, the statement added.

This is the second time suspected assassins have made an attempt on the life of the Delta State PDP Governorship Candidate for the 2023 governorship Election, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori. The first was on Wednesday, January 11th, 2023, when he escaped attempt on his life by assassins disguised as police officers opened gun fire on his convoy along Warri/Sapele Highway, while on his way to Koko, Warri North Local Government Area of the State for the commissioning of the ultra modern floating market, Ogheye.

Orusi Emerges As ICC New Chairman, Promises Transparent, Oneness, Leadership

By,: Celestine Ukah

Comrade Michael Ikeogwu (left) congratulating Comrade Kenneth Orusi (right) while Comrade Ben Ogbogo & others observe 

The Indigenous Correspondents’ Chapel, ICC of Nigeria Union of Journalist Delta State has elected Comrade Kenneth Orusi as the new Chairman of the ICC chapel, Asaba.

Comrade Orusi the immediate past Secretary defeated the immediate past Chairman Comrade Andy Emephia in a landslide victory election keenly contested held Tuesday March 14, 2023.

The victory of Comrade Orusi brought solidarity and consolidated support across the entire team emerging successful at the poll which was supervised by the Delta State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalist, NUJ.

Others elected include : Comrade Sir Godwin Utuedoye- Vice Chairman unopposed, Comrade Josephine Omodion- Secretary, Comrade Michael Odiah- Assistant Secretary and Comrade Christy Aboge-Treasurer.

In his acceptance remarks the newly elected and sworn in Chairman of the indigenous Correspondents’ Chapel, ICC of Nigeria Union of Journalist, Comrade Kenneth Orusi promised to run a Transparent, selfless, prudent, oneness and productive administration, assuring that the administration shall render account of the chapel in every quarter going forward.

The ICC Chairman, Comrade Orusi expressed delight over the conduct of the chapel election which he described as Transparent, he assured that henceforth his administration will make sure ICC remain the most Democratic Chapel as it used to be.

He commended the NUJ Delta Council Chairman, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu his Vice Chairman Comrade Salvation Ogono, Council Secretary, Comrade Patrick Ochei, Comrade Celestine Afokabah former Chairman NUJ Delta State, Comrade Osits Biose, Comrade Spence Idigiri pioneer Chairman ICC, Former NUJ Delta Chairman and Chairman Eleco Committee ICC , Comrade Ben Ogbogo and other colleagues from sister Chapels that showed solidarity and love during the entire process.

Chairman NUJ Delta State Council, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu, while commending ICC for their maturity in the poll, charged the newly elected Comrade Orusi led executive to work with all as a team as well carry every member along at all time.

Comrade Ikeogwu also urged all ICC members to cooperate with the new executive and show support to the success of the administration, he advised all to move on as election has come and gone, Comrade Ikeogwu pleaded for forgiveness for whoever he might have offended with his action before the electoral process to forgive him and in spirit of the NUJ progress, noting that his interest is to make sure no interference in any Chapel election by any influence, adding that his agenda is to continually fight for the welfare of members and defend the NUJ Delta with his exco as always any day any time.

As Oborevwori Weathers The Storm To Government House, Asaba

Democracy is really, an interesting game.

The Senatorial primaries of the PDP ahead of the 2003 general elections was keenly contested in Delta North. Then, I was the Arrowhead of the media, packaging Sen. Patrick Osakwe’s re-election bid. His greatest opponent was Dr Esther Uduehi in the primary elections of the PDP. That primary election was held three times due to political reasons. The last one was held at the Indoor Hall of Asaba Stadium, now Stephen Keshi International Stadium. Governor Ifeany Okowa, who was a Commissioner then, played key roles in that primary election. On the election day, yours sincerely chronicled why Sen. Osakwe (may God rest his soul) deserved to win that election. Fortunately, Chief Ibori was an avid reader of The Pointer Newspaper and after reading the one page piece, he moved straight from Government House to the stadium. Mr Paul Owumi may recall what happened to the glass door of the indoor stadium on that day.

At the election venue, Chief Ibori made it clear that any Commissioner whose local government’s delegates did not vote for Senator Osakwe should consider his appointment terminated on the spot. That was what secured victory for Sen. Osakwe who left the stadium straight to The Pointer Newsroom to say, THANK YOU.

That is the power of the pen when used constructively.

Few days to another election, I am just wondering where we got it wrong in the media space. Is it because of social media that people throw decorum to the wind or just because no one is ready to follow the tortuous journey of libel and defamation? We read lies, character assassinations everyday and in most cases, some of these lies are not in the interest of those they claimed to be defending.

If Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori could hold members of the Delta State House of Assembly intact from May 11th, 2017 to date without hiccups, then, one can give him kudos for being a good manager of persons bearing in mind that all the local government areas of the state are represented at the Delta State House of Assembly. Of course, his management acumen was expected, he was the National Treasurer and now the Deputy Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria.

He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered) and also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (FICMC). He is also, a Fellow, Nigerian Institute of Management (FNIM) and also a recipient of numerous awards, including Merit Award from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and Lawmaker Of The Year Award by the Independent Newspapers Ltd.

As such, if Deltans are to go by the behaviour and decisions of their representatives in the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has already emerged as unopposed.

He began his political career as a Councilor/Supervisory Councilor for Works in 1996 under the old Okpe Local Government Area, which included the present Udu and Uvwie Local Government Areas and was Special Assistant on Youth Development to Governor James Ibori (2003 – 2006); Special Adviser on Land Security to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan (2007 to 2010); State Coordinator for the Amnesty Programme (2009 – 2010); and Senior Special Assistant on Security to the Governor (2012 – 2014). Haba!

But, again, one can ask some pertinent questions – is it right for Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborovwori to contest? The answer is obviously, YES. First his people, the people of Okpe Constituency found him worthy to contest for House of Assembly and for two consecutive times, he emerged victorious. At the House of Assembly, the members found him worthy to choose him as their leader, that is, Speaker, and he has comfortably led them since 2017and he is about to lead not just the lawmakers but with the cooperation of well meaning Deltans, he is set to lead all Deltans from Saturday, 18 March, 2023 when he gets most of the votes from the people of the state.

Also, we have heard stories about his educational qualifications including court cases for him to prove if really he is the owner of the certificates that he is brandishing. When one reads such, one wonders how his people, the people of Okpe who knew him more than most Deltans, at least, they knew him from “home” did not raise such issues when he contested. But, obviously, it is like Mr Speaker is more qualified academically than all his opponents so his case is like that of “a ripe mango is what people throws stone at.” But, from the way he has managed the state Legislature, will his academic qualifications deprive Deltans from sending him to the Executive arm of government as Governor? The answer is, NO bearing in mind that what is required is a good manager of man and resources to be the Governor of Delta State. His academic qualifications are in order.

As I was writing this piece, I put a call through to the Chief Press Secretary, (CPS) to the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, State PDP Governorship Candidate for the March 18th, 2023 governorship Election and National Deputy Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, a senior colleague who was with me in The Pointer Newspaper’s stable, Comrade Dennis Otu who forwarded detailed certificates of Rt. Hon. Oborevwori who is an Elder in Living Faith Church (aka Winners Chapel) as reproduced below:

“He completed his basic education at Alegbo Primary School, Effurun and later obtained his WASSC at Oghareki Grammar School, Oghareki. Thereafter, he earned a B.Sc. degree in Political Science from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma and also an M.Sc. Political Science from Delta State University, Abraka.

In his quest for more knowledge, experience, capacity building and self-development, he attended various courses and obtained certificates from various institutions including:

*Certificate in Top Executive Leadership Programme, Manchester Business School, UK;

*Certificate in Legislative Framework for Budget Management, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, USA;

*Certificate in Legislative Management and Leadership, International Law Institute, Washington DC, USA;

*Certificate in Leading Inclusive Development, London School of Economics and Political Science, UK;

*Certificate in Advanced Leadership Programme, University of Cambridge, UK;

*Executive Training on Advanced Leadership and Communication School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London; among others. ”

So, academically, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori parades an array of certificates from well known institutions within and outside the country

Rt. Hon. Oborevwori, is a happily married man and proud grand-father. It takes a lot to play these roles effectively and he has also, not failed to dedicate his successes to God.

As Deltans come out to choose who will govern them as from May 29th, 2023, who will they choose? Someone who has always been with them, someone they have known all along and are aware of what he is capable of doing or someone they knew little about?

What is the interest of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in the governorship elections? Follow us for more as we pray for God’s guidance and protection as we elect our Governor and House of Assembly members on Saturday, March 18, 2023.

Fidelis Egugbo, the writer, is the Special Assistant, Media to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State

Everyone In Delta Knows That Omo-Agege Is A Complete Pagan- Says Oghenevwaire Mukoro

Everyone In Delta Knows That Omo-Agege Is A Complete Pagan- Says Oghenevwaire Mukoro

It was initially with incredulity, though later with some degree of understanding but not acceptance, that I received a recent news report to the effect that the parish priest of St. Jude’s Catholic Church, Effurun, Delta State, affirmed that the All Progressives Congress, APC, gubernatorial candidate for Delta, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, is a baptised and practicing member of the Catholic Church, therefore a Christian.

I had initially received the statement attributed to the parish priest, Father Mark Ikeke, with total stupefaction because I know that Father Ikeke, himself, like every true Deltan of his status and level of awarenesses, knows full well that Ovie Omo-Agege is a complete pagan and solid practitioner of Traditional African Religion to the core.

I later came to some understanding of why a Catholic priest would feel constrained to issue such a factually untenable statement because this is where the syncretic reality of the religiousness of many Nigerians has brought us.

Interestingly, I had often attended mass at St Jude’s, Effurun GRA, especially while Father Oghenejode Abaka was the parish priest and was still putting finishing touches to the church which was then, more or less, still in construction.

General Dominic Oneya was also often a worshipper at the parish at the time.

That Ovie Omo-Agege goes to church, and specifically the Catholic Church like other members of his family, is not in any doubt.

Indeed, they claim to be a Catholic family just like mine since his late father, Justice James Omo-Agege, also attended the Catholic Church, and it is really thanks to him that all the Omo-Ageges ended up being baptised into the Catholic Church.

In Ovie Omo-Agege’s case, he was apparently baptised as “Augustine”, in honour of St Augustine of Hippo, present day Tunisia, one of the greatest theologians in world history and pillar of the early church, therefore “Augustine” is his baptismal name.

That said, the question remains as to what it takes to be a true Catholic because the essentials of what it takes to be one are exactly the same as what it takes to be a true Christian regardless of one’s denomination.

When interrogated from this inescapable and unavoidable standpoint, the Omo-Ageges, from their late father, a former Chief Judge of Delta State, to Ovie, current Deputy Senate President and governorship candidate, are not any kind of true Catholics, therefore are not true Christians by any definition of that religious category.

The Omo-Ageges are actually the ones who brought a particularly fetish and exceedingly diabolical brand of “Igbe”, the worship of “Olokun” the sea goddess, more widely known as “Mammy Water”, to Orogun clan of Urhobo a long time ago.

The Omo-Ageges do not merely go to worship Mammy Water the same way the average pagan does by going to a shrine where there’s an Igbe priest waiting to attend to them.

It is rather other pagans who come to the Omo-Ageges to worship Mammy Water because the Omo-Ageges are the owners of their own Igbe and are the ones who officiate as priests and priestesses of the Water goddess at their family owned Water spirit shrine at Orhomuru Orogun that is now more than one hundred years old and still bristling with activity on designated days of worship!

The long established practice of the family owned Igbe of the Omo-Ageges is for the position of chief priest to pass from father to son.

That has been the case since their ancestor first brought it to Orogun from what is now the present boundary between Delta and Rivers states in a region dominated by the Ndokwa of Delta and Ndoni/Andoni of Rivers.

Thus, Justice James Omo-Agege inherited it from his own father even as Ovie Omo-Agege, as eldest son, inherited it from him.

Everyone that is not an accursed pathological liar in Orogun, in Ughelli town, in Ughelli North and in the rest of Urhoboland knows this fact and, may the judgement of God fall heavily on anyone who dares to deny it.

Funny enough, the Omo-Ageges are by no means the only Urhobos or Deltans from elsewhere in the state, for that matter, who had family owned pagan shrines passed down from generation to generation.

Many such families have since abandoned these fetish and dark obscurantist traditions and embraced Christ Jesus as Lord, Redeemer and Saviour.

In fact, the overwhelming majority of such pagan movements simply came to an end when there was no eldest son, daughter or any other offspring willing to takeover from their parents and continue in paganism.

This is actually remarkably commonplace in the religious evolution of Delta, as well as, the rest of Nigeria, and indeed, Africa, in general, and accounts much for the continuing extinction of Mammy Water worship and similar practices across this part of the world.

What is therefore truly remarkable is how come a family as generationally educated and supposedly exposed as the Omo-Ageges have for over a century remained devotees of Olokun, bluntly refused to abandon pagan worship and have been dragging numerous people into the fetish worship of Mammy Water while all the while pretending to be genuine Catholic Christians!

Father Ikeke was quoted to have asserted that “for the avoidance of doubt, Senator Barr. Ovie Omo-Agege is a baptized, practicing and dedicated member of the Roman Catholic Church” and that “he is a member of and a communicant in St. Jude Catholic Church, GRA, Effurun in Uvwie LGA”.

Of course, on the surface, all of that is true except that as to substance, even Father Ikeke, himself, knows he was lying through his teeth.

A church is what it is and it opens its arms, as it does its doors, to absolutely any and everyone willing to seek the Face of God.

Indeed, a church is by far the easiest place to enter in this world!

It has to be so because it is the House of God and must welcome everyone in the hope of bringing them to repentance and salvation.

The theology and Canon Law of Christianity does not preclude anyone from being baptized, not even the child of a notorious pagan, for that child, in his or her own right, is a child of God on its own account, with its own destiny different from that of its parents.

Where, however, such child grows up and instead of abandoning the pagan practices of the parents chooses to embrace them thereby sustaining them even to the extent of enticing others into the worship of idols and false gods, such person is most certainly not any kind of Catholic or other Christian category as Father Ikeke certainly knows more than anyone else.

This is the case with Ovie Omo-Agege, even to the extent of regularly bringing his children who were born and live in America down to Orogun, not merely to know their African home and roots but essentially to gradually and steadily initiate them into the worship of Mammy Water!

I believe Father Ikeke felt he had no choice but to defend someone who on the surface could pass himself off as a Christian and parishioner like any other.

But, it is not as if various members of his parish are randomly accused of being rabid pagans and unrepentant practitioners of wickedness, unwholesome devotions, idolatry and godlessness as is the case with Ovie Omo-Agege.

It is because everyone knows that his fake parishioner, Ovie Omo-Agege, is a complete pagan that he is being outed as such and Father Ikeke cannot pretend not to know that, as much as he must square up before God to the doctrinal question of the propriety of giving communion to someone he knows for a fact is a pagan.

While I somewhat sympathize with his plight, I am also aware that God is not a respecter of persons and what was actually called for in this case is for Father Ikeke to have spoken truth to power and denounced Omo-Agege for trying to be hot and cold at the same time in direct and unmistakable contradiction to the express dictates of Christ Jesus, Himself, who declared that such persons will be spitted out by God.

Rather than shamefully rush to the defense of a counterfeit Christian, Father Ikeke should have summoned the courage as a priest of The Most High God to set an example for other Christians that there is simply and absolutely no place for mixing paganism with Christianity in the Body of Christ.

I am sorry to have to put it this bluntly but Father Ikeke’s “parishioner”, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, is a disgrace to his parish, an embarrassment to the Catholic Church and a complete disappointment to Christianity.

Factually speaking, Omo-Agege is a man that is a total disgrace to Christian values, indeed one who often displays extreme cruelty, aloofness, insensitivity, lack of empathy, pathological greed, lack of human feeling, and a most abhorrent degree of selfcenteredness that is totally unbecoming of a believer and completely contrary to the Culture of Christ.

Most political players in the know in Delta remember him as an adept practitioner of forgery, graft, embezzlement and conversion while he was Executive Assistant and later Secretary to the State Government, SSG, under the administration of the exconvict, James Ibori.

Ask any politician who knew Ovie Omo-Agege in Government House, back then, and they would tell you “Omo-Agege is the biggest thief in the history of Delta State”!

Funny enough, the same reputation has followed him in his senatorial career as an inquiry into his activities as senator and Deputy Senate President would readily reveal.

Our Lord Jesus Christ said that “by their fruits you shall know them” and upon this divinely ordained standard, Omo-Agege is not a Christian by any measure both as to his true religious persuasion, as well as, in terms of his totally ungodly way of life.

But, is there really anything wrong with Ovie Omo-Agege being the complete pagan and Chief Priest of Igbe and unrepentant Mammy Water devotee he is?

Well, we have religious freedom in this country and in any case freedom of religion is a fundamental human right of absolutely each and every one of us in this world.

However, people should be forthright enough to own up to their true religion rather than try to pull the wool over the eyes of others pretending to be what they are not.

This is especially important when they present themselves before the electorate as fit and proper persons to be elected to public office, indeed more significantly so when it is no less than the office of Governor of a state that is at stake.

It is the right of the electorate to know the kind of person they should be electing as Governor.

If as a state with an overwhelmingly Christian population, they do not mind recruiting a complete pagan and worshipper of marine spirits as a Governor and placing the destiny of their state in the hands of a godless individual, then so be it but no one should be allowed to scam them into thinking he is a Christian like the rest of them when he does not actually believe in Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

To decide to follow Jesus is to follow Him without turning back, for you cannot serve two masters at the same time according to the Holy Bible.

Yet, there is a difference if someone is a Christian and backslides into making charms or consulting native doctors or soothsayers when faced with difficult situations or seemingly intractable problems, as long as they come to genuine repentance and commit to never betraying God, ever again because there is simply no room for religious syncretism in Christianity.

It is a totally different matter altogether where the person is a regular and unrepentant pagan who is merely using Christianity to cover up his true religious affiliation as the Omo-Ageges have been doing for a very long time.

It is even far worse where the person is not just an ordinary pagan but a chief priest of Mammy Water.

APC candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege is not a Catholic and is not any other kind of Christian.

He is a well-known Igbe man and on their days of worship, as well as, on their feast days, you will see him fully dressed in marine spirits red and white attire, indeed in complete Mammy Water regalia and unmistakable Igbe vestments, in his village, Orhomuru Orogun, dancing Igbe, and leading other devotees in worship of false gods!

Omo-Agege is a man so committed, dedicated, devoted and addicted to marine spirits that he built his house in his village right beside the river even though he had access to more solid land elsewhere in the community!

He wants to offer sacrifices to Mammy Water and he just opens a small gate in his fence and he is right by the stream, throwing all kinds of things into the river in honour of the water goddess!

That is how much of a complete pagan Omo-Agege really is.

The truth is bitter but it must be told and Deltans are entitled to know this and to bear it in mind as they go out to vote on Saturday, 18 March, 2023.

 

Oghenevwaire Mukoro, an educationist, writes from Warri.

March 18 Poll: Political Parties sign peace accord as CEPEJ tasks Delta Governorship, H’Assembly candidates on peaceful election

By: Celestine Ukah

CEPEJ National Coordinator, Comrade Chief Sheriff Mulade

Ahead of the March 18, 2023 Governorship and House of Assembly poll, The Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice , CEPEJ, has ensured that political parties participating in the forthcoming Delta Governorship Poll and their House of Assembly candidates sign a peace accord in order to maintain peace during and after the election.

This achievement was recorded Wednesday March 8 during CEPEJ/PIND Multi-Stakeholder Forum and Signing of Peace Accord at PTI Conference Centre in Effurun, Uvwie LGA, Near Warri, Delta State,

While addressing the political parties participating at the event, National Coordinator Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, Comrade Chief Sheriff Mulade said the essence of the program and the peace accord is all about the need for Peaceful poll in Delta State and Nigeria at large.

Chief Mulade noted that CEPEJ and its partner PIND is working hard in making sure there’s peace in Niger Delta hence the meeting with the political parties in the state which span across the three senatorial districts in Delta state, he reminded the people about the importance of peaceful coexistence, noting that there’s life after election and that no matter the number of contestants only one person can emerge as the winner, adding that There is the common saying that what you don’t get today; you will get tomorrow as long as there is life. Also, that a display of maturity is patience.

Eight political parties across Select-Eight local government areas in Delta signed the peace accord to reflect peaceful coexistence and election peaceful out come in the various LGAs selected that reflects the entire state in the upcoming Governorship and State constituencies election.

CEPEJ eight-select local government parties that signed the peace accord include : Ethiope East, Oshimili South, Sapele, Udu, Uvwie, Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Warri North LGAs, they squally identified same LGAs as the areas the PIND intervention programme seeks to engage INEC, security agencies, youths at risk (ex-militants), opinion leaders and leaders of thought, on the prevalence of election violence and how to mitigate it going forward.

The political parties that signed the peace accord as prepared by CEPEJ are: A, AA, ADP, APP, AAC, ADC, APC, APGA, APM, BP, LP, NRM, NNPP, PDP, PRP, SDP, YPP and ZLP.

Amb. Prince highlighted the role played by PIND in supporting peaceful elections in the State and across the Niger Delta region.

He Pointed out that peace is everybody’s responsibility and commitment of all stakeholders, to take action by monitoring, reporting and mitigating election violence incidents, before, during and after the elections.

Program officer, representing the Peacebuilding Manager, Dr. David Udofia, commended PIND for supporting non violence election project as part of its peacebuilding efforts: as an organisation that believes in the commitment and partnership of stakeholders in ensuring a peaceful society.

He commended CEPEJ and called on all stakeholders, political parties and candidates to adhere to the Peace Accord signed and play by the rules, to advise their supporters against perpetrating violence, during and after the elections.

Amb. Prince D. Ebilade
P4P State Programs/ Admin, for the Partners for Peace in the Niger Delta, PIND Foundation also commended the organizers for the program.

“Communiqué issued at the end of
CEPEJ/PIND Multi-Stakeholder Forum and Signing of Peace Accord held in PTI Conference Centre Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State – Toward Nonviolent Elections in the Niger Delta 2023 March 8, 2023 Communique Center for Peace and Environmental Justice with financial support from Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) held a Multi-Stakeholder Forum and Signing of Peace Accord in PTI Conference Centre, Effurun in Uwvie Local Government Area.

“Participants their large numbers were drawn from various communities, agencies,and organization in the 8 local government areas namelg: Ethiope East, Oshimili South, Sapele, Udu, Ughelli North, Ughelli South, Uvwie and Warri North. The Forum which held on the 8th March, 2023, was geared towards preventing and mitigating election violence during the 2023 general elections.

“ISSUES DISCUSSED

“Various papers and goodwill messages were presented. These included, voter’s education, the role of the voters to ensure violence free polls, the need for stakeholders to work with INEC and security agencies to guarantee violence free polls.

“Participants however raised concern over pre-election violence in the targeted 8 LGAs, noting that the LGAs was a flash point for elections violence.

CHALLENGES:

” It was unfortunate that the critical stakeholders were unable to make to the venue due to naira redesign policy which affected the turnout of the participants Resolutions at the meeting included: Participants appealed to INEC officials and security agents to ensure a level playing field for all the contestants by ensuring that they do not take side with any political party.Participants equally pledged to eschew any act of violence and not succumb to any bait to be used for political violence, adding that they would sensitize their families, friends and organization members to embrace peaceful polls.

“Participants stated that the poor distribution of election materials at the polling units were prevalent in previous elections and urged the electoral umpire to act promptly by ensuring the early arrival of electoral materials in all polling units to enable the process to kick start on time.

“They called on security agencies to beef up security during the exercise by deploying more personnel to polling units so that voters would exercise their franchise without harassment and intimidation by political opponents. Participants were worried over the no transmission of Presidential and National Assembly results to INEC Server and failure of some BVAS machine in some polling units and advised INEC to ensure that the BVAS function well and backup battery as well as transmit results.

“Finally, they advised INEC to ensure that the votes of Nigerians count”

Just In : Heavy traffic jam in Jeddo

By: Celestine Ukah 

There is a huge traffic gridlock right now at Jeddo road in Okpe LGA, Delta State, areanewsng.com can authoritatively report.

 

As at  at 8:30 am this morning Friday March 10, 2023 the road linking Jeddo from Ekpan Axis to Ubeji and Warri Refinery shaguolor area both within links to Warri South , Uvwie and Okpe LGAs is currently experiencing  traffic block.

Some of the trapped vehicles at the traffic gridlock by Jeddo junction

Businesses and other economic activities  are on standstill  due to the traffic jam  in that route which is high with industrial and other oil and gas commercial activities in Delta state .

The link to the private oil and  depots at Ifie-Kporo in Warri South LGA as well as communities in that area even students movement to school and workers are being slowed down because of the gridlock presently witnessed.

As at some minutes after 8 this morning and  the time of filling this report a very  huge swamp buggy was seen occupying more than half of the road crossing to Jeddo same road that leads to Ughoton, Ugbokodo, Omadino and Obodo as well as other adjoining communities in Okpe and Warri South LGAs, Delta state.

 

Ex-Agitators Protest Alleged Surveillance Contract By Omo-Agege

National Coalition Of Niger Delta Ex- Agitators have staged a peaceful protest alleging the hijack of pipeline surveillance contract belonging to the Urhobo ethnic Nation.

The ex-Agitators formed a human barricade that slowed the movement of vehicles for several hours at the East west road by Uvwiamuge junction in Ughelli North local Government Area of Delta State

The Ex-Agitators claimed that the senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District and Governorship Candidate of All Progressives Congress APC, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege hijacked the surveillance contract meant for ex-militants leader And mayor of Urhobo land General Isreal Akpodoro.

Some of the ex-Agitators including Urhobo security network coordinator, Chief lucky Odoh, Mr Owarien Kesiena, Mr Jerry Opote and  Mr Darlington Awhelu alleged that Senator Omo-Agege gave the pipeline surveillance security contract to his younger brother, Jimmy Omo-Agege, who they also alleged is the Chief Executive Officer, CEO of Zane Energy.

They further expressed dissatisfaction with the contract, noting that the Nigerian government awarded security contracts for pipelines in Ijaw and Itsekiri land to rightful persons, including ex-militants, but awarded that of Urhobo land to Senator Omo-Agege .

They noted that General Akpodoro stood firmly against a militant group known as Avengers that were terrorizing oil pipelines in Urhobo communities and so deserved the pipeline surveillance contract .

 

The Ex -agitator called on the Federal Government and NNPCL to withdraw the contract from Senator Omo-Agege and give to the ex-militants leader General Isreal Akpodoro for the sustainance of peace in the Bigger Delta Area .

The Ex-Agitators said they would not vote for the APC Governorship candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege because of the surveillance job he allegedly hijacked .

They said they will vote for the People’s Democratic Party , PDP candidate Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori in the forthcoming Governorship election .

We didn’t sell Lagos Liaison Office – Delta Govt clarifies

Syndicated Report

Delta State Government on Wednesday debunked allegations that it had sold the Liaison Office in Lagos, saying it only engaged property developers to build luxury flats that would add more value to the state.

Speaking at a news conference in Asaba, the State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu said the state government decided to rebuild the property with a view to adding more value to the government.

He said that the state government entered into a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with property developers and managers to develop the site to a 10-storey 60 luxury flats that will earn the government further income.

According to him, the state government intended to build a 21-storey building on the site but the plan wasn’t approved by the Lagos State Government because of series of building collapse.
Critics are painting pictures that are at variance with reality and they are now accusing us of selling off the Liaison Office in Lagos.

“That is far from the truth. Before 2018, we had assessed the state of our Liaison Office in Lagos and it was not in the best of shape so we decided that given the prime position in Ikoyi what is possible that will favour the state at the same time give us value.

“We carried out a feasibility study to bring in experts in construction and management to build a 21-storey building but unfortunately we could not get the approval of the Lagos State Government because of series of building collapse in both the Island and the mainland.

“Eventually we got approval to construct 10-storey building that will house as much as 60 luxury flats. We also reasoned that it will be proper to allow the developer develop it with a reasonable stake of 21 flats.

“In the meantime while the construction is on, the civil servants at the Liaison Office have been moved to a rented apartment and they will return to occupy two or more flats upon completion.

“Apart from gaining more value for the property, we would also gain the expertise of the property developers and managers to manage the property,” he stated.

He slammed the APC Governorship candidate and Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege for sponsoring lies and propaganda against the state government and commended journalists in the state for not joining in spreading the propaganda.

He urged Deltans not to fall for the antics of the Orogun-born Senator adding that a vote for him would spell doom for electoral democracy in the state.

“Omo-Agege and his APC followers alleged we have borrowed N850 billion, but the question is borrowed from where? At what time was that kind of money processed? At what point did EXCO and the State Assembly approved such loans?

“The APC keeps painting negative pictures that are at variance with reality with a view to hoodwinking the people into voting for their failed party.

“Our Governorship Candidate, Sheriff Oborevwori is clear about what he wants to do for the state through his M.O.R.E. Agenda and I am convinced that Deltans would heed our advice by voting for the people-centric candidate of the PDP,” Aniagwu stated.

Delta Guber: Teachers , Local Govt workers yet to receive February Salaries

By: Celestine Ukah

As the Delta governorship race gets closer March 11, 2023, Primary School teachers and Local Government workers in Delta State are yet to receive their February 2023 salaries despite the fact that FAAC was held and funds disbursed to States from Abuja since early this month.

Findings by Areanewsng.com reveals that workers in the Delta State Civil Service have all received their February 2023 salaries before February 25 Presidential and National Assembly poll where the seating Governor and PDP Vice Presidential Candidate Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa lose woefully to the Labour Party presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi.

Areanewsng.com can authoritatively reports that as at the time of this report staffers of Local Government Councils and primacy school teachers are receiving 10k as bonus without their main salaries being paid for February the situation and action of the state government is something worrisome to the teachers and workers of the third tier of government which is largely controlled by governors in Nigeria.

 

2023: Oborevwori Assures Civil Servants, Retirees Of Better Deal, If Elected Governor

*Promises Affordable Housing scheme For workers Through Public/Private Partnership arrangement

*Says He Will Ensure Health Insurance Scheme Becomes More Accessible

*Assures Them Of Prompt Payment Of Promotion Arrears, Bridge The Gap In Payment Of Outstanding Pension Arrears.

Delta State PDP Governorship Candidate for the 2023 general elections and National Deputy Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori has assured Civil Servants and retirees of a fair deal, if elected Governor in the March 11th, 2023, Governorship Election.

Specifically, he said he would strive to promptly pay promotion arrears of Civil Servants and work hard to bridge the payment gap of outstanding pension Arreas to retirees in the state.

At an Interactive session between him and Civil Servants, on Monday, March 6th, 2023 at the Professor Chike Edozie Secretariat Complex, Asaba, Rt Hon Oborevwori, also said if elected Governor, he would ensure the promotion of staff as at when due.

According to him; “Will strongly consider upward review of car and housing loans. We are going to work hard to bridge the payment gap of outstanding pension Arreas to retirees, adding that he will make pension payment more efficient by making funds available on time.

Rt Hon Oborevwori who is also the longest Speaker in the history of Delta State also said that; “If elected Governor, I will ensure the health insurance scheme becomes more accessible to subscribers. My government will ensure that collective bargaining mechanism will be my mantra. There will be affordable Housing scheme for workers through Public/Private Partnership arrangement. Lastly, training and retraining for capacity building will take a prime position”.

Also speaking at the occasion, the State Head of Service, Mr. R. O. E. Bayako, thanked the workers for their responsive attitude during the interactive session and solicited their votes for him, assuring that Oborevwori is a leader conversant with the needs and desires of the workers and will implement every promised he has made.

He noted that in his interaction with the Speaker, he assured that 13 month salary has been paramount among the needs of workers in the State, adding that he was sure that the Governorship Candidate would look into the matter when voted into power as the next Governor of the state.

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