Forum of Kingdom Presidents-Generals are Agents of Development, Dr. Agbolaya declares

**As Forum pledges to key into M.O.R.E Agenda of Governor Oborevwori’s administration 

The Special Adviser to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State on Community Development, Amb. Dr. Toyin Orighomisan Agbolaya JP has declared that The Delta State Forum of Kingdom Presidents-Generals are agents of positive grassroots development across the state.

Dr. Agbolaya made the declaration Wednesday September 11, 2024 in Asaba, when he received the Forum’s Excos in his office on familiarization visit, he described the Forum as a veritable medium for prompt dissemination of information and agents of development in their various communities.

According to the Special Adviser “The Governor is not unaware of your contributions as agents of development and medium of information communication to the people at the grassroots.

“His Excellency so much appreciates all your efforts before, during and after the past elections and in his conviction and belief that you have worked and that’s why this office will continually interface with you the President Generals so as to get your developmental needs to him.

“This office is here to interface with the Presidents-General of the various clans and communities across the state to support their development efforts.

“Your coming today is in the right direction because Governor Oborevwori is very passionate to develop Delta and the signs are everywhere for you to see.

“Like I have continually emphasized, our task here is simple and that’s to interface with you to get your developmental needs, problems and the things you lack which will be attended to in due course.

“Very soon we shall be going round to meet with you to get areas that lack government presence in our various communities,” he stressed..

Earlier in his address, Chairman of the Forum, Chief Prince Igwe Nzekwe informed the Special Adviser that the group was at his office to officially present themselves and to congratulate him on his well deserved appointment.

He added that the Forum is a group of “silent movers and performers” across the state, assuring that they will continue to partner with the office of the Special and key into His Excellency’s MORE agenda to attract development to the various communities.

Those present during the visit at Dr. Agbolaya’s Office (Special Adviser) include; Hon Odogu Emakpor, Executive Assistant to the Governor on Community Development and Senior Special Assistants to the Governor on Community Development, Chief (Barr) Roseline Uwubiti; Chief Bernard Jagboro; Mr Lucky Dikadi; Engr. Emmanuel Chukwuka Mormah; Mr Esikabulu Isreal Onochie; Mr Ebite Andrew and Mr Kelvin Kemekebiye.

New PGPA Boss, Odueselu revealed as Chevron organises Media Capacity workshop for Journalists

Chevron Nigeria Limited has revealed its new General Manager in Policy, Government and Public Affairs, PGPA, Mr. Olusoga Odueselu.

This much was unveiled Thursday September 12, 2024 at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun FUPRE in Delta State, during a one day Media capacity building programme for journalists in Warri organised by Chevron Nigeria Limited in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Warri Correspondents’ Chapel.

The Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, PGPA Boss, Mr. Olusoga Odueselu, restated the company’s resolve to continually develop human capacity and support the media towards enhancement of professionalism.

The programme, had in attendance journalists from across different media organizations, including Fresh Angle International Newspaper.

Olusoga lauded the role of journalists in reporting the oil and gas industry and how they provide effective perspectives to the complexities of the industry operations.

Olusoga, who was represented by a Communication representative of Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr. Akinbola Saheed Praise, highlighted some of Chevron’s commitment to developing the media to include the following; “training of over 120 journalists in Advanced Writing and Reporting Skills (AWARES) in collaboration with the Pan Atlantic University, Lagos.”

“Training of over 90 journalists from across the country in Lagos, Abuja and Delta for better performance in their duties, bringing the total to over 300 journalists, who have participated in the capacity building programmmes, he said.

He added that Chevron will continue to partner the media for the development of the society.

“Aside from supporting Nigerian content development by providing employment opportunities to Nigerians and offering contract opportunities in all their projects, CNL also supports the sustainable development of the communities in which they operate.

“Through the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU), a community-led participatory partnership model, CNL has contributed billions of naira to the Regional Development Committees (RDCs) that represent the communities in its area of operations to execute hundreds of projects in the communities through a governance model that ensures transparency and accountability,” he explained.

Earlier in his opening remarks, Chairman of NUJ Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, Comrade Okies Okpomor, commended the partnership with Chevron, and emphasized the importance of adapting to the evolving media landscape.

Okies noted: “We are living in a time that there are dynamics in everything, we have to learn new ropes in reporting, especially on issues pertaining to PIA (Petroleum Industry Act) and other relevant issues in the oil industry.”

The Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, FUPRE, Prof. Akpoture Rim-Rukeh, lectured participants on “Environmental Degradation in the Niger Delta: Responsibilities of the Mass Media in the 21st century”.

He highlighted the roles of Mass media, to include, education, catalyst for environmental conservation, conveying of complex scientific information to the public as well as advocacy for policy reform and revolutionized environmental activism.

Another facilitator, Associate Prof. Majority OJ, Head of Department of Mass Communication, Delta State University, DELSU, Abraka, trained journalists on “Repositioning the Media for Effective and Efficient Reportage of the IOCs and Host Communities.”

He noted the focus of the media for effective reporting to include: Comprehensive knowledge of the oil and gas sector, Knowledge of the Environment and Impact assessment, Stakeholder-engagement and community development and knowledge of Peace Journalism as well as conflict resolution.

Meanwhile, Dr. (Mrs.) F. O. Atubi of the Department of Social Science Education, Delta State University, DELSU, lectured the participants on “Host Communities: Social Responsibilities of the Mass Media in the post GMoU era.”

She pointed out the responsibilities of media in post GMoU as, Providing Credible Information on the GMoU , To Promote Transparency and Accountability, Facilitating Discussions and Provision of Education.

According to her, the responsibilities also entail providing Resolution to Conflicts and Building Peace, creating Environmental Impact Awareness, Empowering Civic Participation and Advocating for Sustainable Development (SD).

The highly interactive training, included questions and answers’ session. Participants were awarded certificates upon completion of the programme.

NYG Asaba 2024: Mustapha Ridwanullahi Wins First Medal For Team Kwara

By: Michael Odetunde 

Mustapha Ridwanullahi won team Kwara first medal at the ongoing 8th National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State at the Para table tennis – Boys Singles.

The events was held at the indoor sports hall of Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba on Thursday.

Ridwanullahi showed his superiority over his opponent Nwaturucha Triumph from Imo state in the quarter-finals match 3-0 in 11-0 11-3 11-1.

However, he lost the semi-final to Akachukwu Ima from Delta State 2-3 with 5-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-8, 9-11 in a keenly contested game.

In the round of 32 girls category, Idris Ashiata lost to Samson Precious from Abia State 1-2 with 2-11, 11-6, 10-12.

Also in the round of 16 girls category, Aisha Ahmed lost to Nigeria number 1 Aisha Rabiu from Lagos 1-2 with 7-11, 11-8, 8-11 in a closely contested game.

Hauwa Seidu qualified to the round of 16 after she defeated Elizabeth Ndukwe from Abia State 2-1 with 11-8 7-11 11-6.

The Head coach of Kwara table tennis team, Coach Kehinde Aiyelabegan applauded the players for showing of bravery to competing with their counterparts in the events.

Aiyelabegan also shared his confidence that the state will claim another medal apart from the bronze won by Mustapha Ridwanullahi.

Actions continue tomorrow Friday at the indoor sports hall of Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Delta State.

Hardship: FG’s Renewed Hope Initiative doles out N10 million to 40 female farmers

**As Tinubu, Oborevwori give 1,200 households food palliatives in Delta

A total of 40 female farmers across Delta State, Thursday, received grants worth N10 Milion to boost their agro businesses, while 1,200 indigent households received food items from the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and the Governor’s wife, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori.

The disbursement of the funds and distribution of household consumables which was sponsored by the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) of Senator Tinubu, in collaboration with the ‘You Matter Charity Foundation’ of Deaconess Oborevwori, is targeted at mitigating the hardship currently being faced by citizens.

Speaking during the presentation at the Events Centre, Asaba, Deaconess Oborevwori, who represented Mrs Tinubu, said: “recently, our mother was here to flag-off the grant of N100,000 each for petty traders and now it is the turn of indigent women in the state.

“We can see that the Renewed Hope Initiative of the wife of the President is greatly concerned about the plight of Nigerians and has put in place this programme to alleviate the economic stress of women who will in turn reach out to their families. We received 1,200 bags of 25kg of rice which will be distributed today”.

She said the beneficiaries were carefully selected from across the 25 local government areas, adding that the state Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, added 1,200 cartons of noodles, 1,200 cooking oil (1litre each), and other consumables to the 1,200 bags of rice received from the federal level.

She encouraged Deltans not to lose hope in the face of the harsh economic realities but to stay positive of the situation through sincere prayers and acts of charity.

The Governor’s wife encouraged the farmers who received N250,000 each to utilize the cash grant wisely in order to further secure their businesses.

In her words; “do not eat your seed so that you can be sure of a harvest tomorrow”, admonishing Deltans to lend a helping hand to those around them to help cushion the effects of the trying times.

Ealier in their goodwill messages, the Commissioners for Women Affairs, Community and Social Development; Humanitarian Affairs, Community Support Services & Girl- Child Development and Agriculture, Princess Pat Ajudua, Hon Orode Uduaghan and Barr. Val Arenyeka commended the First Ladies for their acts of compassion.

According to them, the disbursement and distribution were testaments to the impact of effective collaboration and partnerships, while they encouraged the beneficiaries to judiciously make use of what they have received.

The beneficiaries expressed appreciation and prayed for the wellbeing of their benefactors.

One of the beneficiaries of the N250, 000 farmers’ grant, Hope Egbogbare, who hails from Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area, said she did not expect such an amount at this point of her life, while expressing confidence that the cash would go a long way in enlarging her poultry business.

One of those who received the food items, Mrs Justina Emelue, expressed her appreciation adding , “the food will help me and my children now because things are very expensive in the market”.