Breaking News: Massive Solidarity rally for Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministries in Asaba

Religious faithfuls have staged a massive rally in Asaba in support of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministries and its Founder Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin over the miracle water controversy invitation by NAFDAC.

The Christian group staged the peaceful protest along major roads linking to the NAFDAC Delta State Office headquarters in Asaba the Delta State Capital this afternoon.

The Christian group carried placards with the inscriptions: “NAFDAC Stop persecuting Christian Faith “, NAFDAC fear God’s spiritual materials”, “Spiritual materials have spiritual background Not NAFDAC approval”, NAFDAC Spiritual materials are for the Believers”, NAFDAC Fear God”, “We say no to registration of spiritual materials by NAFDAC” among others.

Niger Delta: Fight Against Crude Oil Theft, Another Crude Oil Syndicate Uncovered at Cawthorne Channel 1 Flowstation

Another major feat may have been recorded in the fight against crude oil theft at weekend as a major illegal oil crude loading point was uncovered Cawthorne Channel 1 Flowstation.

Cawthorne Channels 1 Flowstation, located in Bonny axis of Rivers State, is operated by Sahara Energy.

It was hitherto operated by Eroton Exploration and Production Company Limited.

Already, an oil barge named AGS 01 with an unnamed wooden boat being used for the operation may have been impounded.

Though no security agency of the government and private surveillance security companies have claimed responsibility for the feat, findings by newsmen, however, revealed that the feat was achieved by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) operated by Chief Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo).

Reliable sources in the military circles told newsmen that operatives of TSSNL punctured the illegal act.

One of our sources hinted that the operatives of TSSNL on normal patrol were attracted to the scene as illegal oil operators congregated within the vicinity of the Cawthorne Channels 1 Flowstation.

Top officials of TSSNL were not readily available to confirm the report at press time on Monday.

Pictures and video clips from the scenes showed the operatives of TSSNL on top of the seized barge, wooden boat and a tug boat named MV AMS 02.

A hose was sighted being used to transfer crude oil from the barge into the wooden boat.

The identities of the crew members of the illegal bunkering facilities were unknown at press time but officials of TSSNL were sighted ordering the oil thieves to vacate the scenes.

Some stakeholders in the oil industry have expressed dismay about the latest development, especially with the presence of the military personnel at Cawthorne Channel 1 Flowstation.

“The presence of a wooden boat stored with crude oil and its hatches opened speaks volumes. This is obviously crude oil theft syndicate backed and encouraged by the unscrupulous military establishment, officials of oil company and those of the state-owned Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

“A lot of questions are begging for answers in the unfolding scenario. The germane one is when have we come to the worrisome stage in the oil industry when a wooden boat are being used to lift crude oil on behalf of NNPCL or is it that the operatives of TSSNL sighted on top of the seized oil equipment were also aiding and abetting the illegal act?

“Or is it that Tantita has recorded another feat? If it’s so, it means its efforts should be commended by the government and indeed all Nigerians,” added one of our sources, who craved that his name should not be mentioned.

The management of TSSNL could not be reached to confirm the involvement of its operatives in the discovery of the bunkering site.

The company’s Managing Director, Engineer Keston Pondi and Executive Director, Operations/Technical Services, Captain Warredi Enisuoh, could not be reached for their reaction to the report.

The duo ignored calls and messages sent to them to enable them to react to the report.

Also, when contacted, the company’s Spokesman, Mr. Paul Bebenimibo, refused to react to the report.

DOPF Sets November Dates for 2024 Annual Lecture series

**To address security challenges in Delta, find implementable solutions

The Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF) has announced its 2024 Annual Lecture, scheduled for Wednesday, November 20, and Thursday, November 21.

The lecture will focus on addressing security challenges in Delta State and across Nigeria with a theme, “Security Challenges: Finding Local Implementable Solutions.”

In a statement signed by DOPF Chairman Emmanuel Enebeli and Secretary Shedrack Onitsha, the forum emphasized the need for practical, community-driven approaches to enhance security. The event aims to ignite discussions on developing sustainable solutions tailored to the specific needs of local communities.

“The lecture will tackle pressing security issues in Delta State and Nigeria, emphasizing community-based strategies for tackling crime and improving safety,” the statement said.

The two-day event will open with a training session for members on leadership and management, followed by the main lecture on the second day. Security experts, community leaders, policymakers, and civil society groups are expected to participate, contributing to strategies that reflect the existing social and cultural realities. The discussions will focus on practical, sustainable approaches to these challenges.

DOPF expressed optimism that the lecture will strengthen community bonds and foster a safer environment conducive to economic growth and social development in Delta State, and Nigeria.

A key aspect of the discussions will be the impact of security threats, such as herdsmen attacks, on agriculture and food production. Experts will address how insecurity has led to displaced farmers and contributed to food shortages, offering insights into the root causes and broader economic effects of these challenges.

To ensure the smooth execution of the event, a planning committee chaired by Mr. Abel Johngold and 12 other members has been set up.

The 2024 DOPF Annual Lecture is expected to serve as a critical platform for exchanging ideas and formulating actionable solutions to security challenges in Delta State and beyond. The statement concluded.

Issele-Uku Celebrates Ine Festival As Obi Nduka Harps On Cultural Innovation

*Commends Subjects for Peace, Unity and love for one another

By Patrick Ochei

The amiable, cerebral and people’s delight monarch of Issele-Uku Kingdom, HRM Agbogidi Obi Nduka JP (MNSE) was impressed that the traditional new year festivals of the community keep getting better, maintaining that the impressive advancement is as a result of cultural innovation, peaceful coexistence and enormous support of the people.

Obi Nduka stated this while granting interview to journalists after the first *ime uje* and *Inaka* with the Onotu chiefs at the Palace ground on Saturday 7th September, 2024.

He went further to appreciate his subjects for understanding that peace, unity and love for one another are critical elements for human and community development, affirming that the manifestation is so enormous in the transformation agenda for Issele-Uku.

Agbogidi Nduka said, Issele-Uku is synonymous to self help, commending his people for their efforts in building Issele-Uku to an enviable cosmopolitan town.

He admonished them not to get tired irrespective of the fact that the local government area now has a Council Chairman with the compassion of leadership to work in a way that pleases the people.

According to him, “I am pleased at the development that is coming into Issele-Uku and the rest of Aniocha North Local Government Area. Never in history have we witnessed such grassroots development like we are seeing of Aniocha North Local Government Area today, not even when it is believed that local government is the closest government to the people.

“Aside that, Issele-Uku is a blessed community – blessed with quality human resources that have continued to see community development as a task that must always be given attention. At all levels, our people have seen the need for the transformation of our community through self help projects and they have continued to key in, especially those in the Diaspora.

“I also want to specially and specifically appreciate our son who is representing us in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Engr. Emeka Nwaobi for what he is doing as a lawmaker. He is a pride to Issele-Uku and we are proud of the progress he is making in terms of lawmaking and representation of the people through projects that are of direct impact bearing on the people.

“Let me say that it has been a wonderful, peaceful and bountiful year for us in Issele-Uku. We commenced our traditional new year festival known as Ine Aho Festival a while ago; it’s a combination of different festive activities and of course, the new yam (Iwaji) is one of such. In days to come, I will personally eat the new yam after every other person has eaten, from children to non titled men and titled men.

“The Ine festival is the climax of the annual new year festival where we showcase our rich cultural and traditional heritage in style. The new yam festival (Iwaji) is part of the annual festival calendar. The original name is *Ine Onyimi* which means festival of joy. Of course, you can see that we are celebrating in funfair, the people are happy and sharing whatever they have in love. We are unique and special as far as our culture is concerned, because we have continued to uphold this heritage which has been in custody of our forebears for centuries, and handed down to us from time to time.

“A lot works in our favour because of our ancestry which is Benin, and of course the cosmopolitan nature of Issele-Uku. Over the years, we have been able to unite and effectively administer all the people that make up our community.

“Let me advise that we should continue to thread on the path of peace, unity and love even as we mark the end of this season and begin another. My prayer is that God will continue to endow us with strength for the planting season and good production in harvest season. It shall continue to be well with Issele-Uku”, Obi Nduka prayed.

This year 2024 edition of Ine festival was awesome. The Committee that did the wonders was headed by Chief (Dr) John Ochei who incidentally led other Olinzeles to perform the Inaka, as Iyase and Oza were unavoidably absent this period.

Chief Ochei who was full of praises to God for the clemency of the weather before the *Ishu Onicha* , ascribed the uniqueness of Ine Ahor Festival to the understanding of who we are as the people of Issele-Uku, our unalloyed reverence to the king and our cooperation and support towards community efforts.

He therefore called on all Issele-Uku sons and daughters to never relent in ensuring that we continue to showcase the identity of who we are to the world through our impeccable culture.

However, one of Issele-Uku illustrious sons, Hon. Engr. Emeka Emmanuel Nwaobi who has continued to feature in most Ine Ahor Festivals in his adult age, was present with his children, friends and aides to pay homage to the king and play his part as a true and bonafide Issele-Uku son.

In his comment, he congratulated the Obi and the people of Issele-Uku as they celebrate their true identity through culture, describing this year’s Ine festival as massively entertaining and peacefully showcased.

As member representing Aniocha North Constituency and Majority Leader of Delta State House of Assembly, he assured that the projects meant for Issele-Uku as the local government headquarters, including that of other communities must be vigorously pursued through lobbying until they become reality.

According to him, several projects are going on simultaneously now in Aniocha North, but in particular reference is the water project in Issele-Uku which has reached an advanced stage of being connected to individual houses.

“I am optimistic that in no distant time, we are going to experience unprecedented development to the glory of God through the MORE Agenda”, he added.

Afriskaut NLO Cup Gets October Kick-Off Date

The 2024 edition of the NLO Cup, sponsored by Afriskaut, will kick off in October, with the Bwari Stadium and Dipo Dina Stadium hosting the championship.

In a correspondence dated 7th September to affiliate clubs that excelled in the just concluded NLO regular league season, informed of the date.

The NLO CUP, a tournament designed by the Board of the Nationwide League One will enable the Champion clubs to compete among themselves and also use the event as a platform for the NLO to showcase the best talents in Nigeria’s Grassroots League.

NAEMO Sports, which is one of NLO’s partners, will use one of its affiliate brands (Afriskaut) to sponsor the event, which will commence on 5th October 2024 and run until the final on Sunday 20th.

The Bwari Stadium in the Federal Capital Territory will host the Northern Conference while the Dipo Dina Stadium Ijebu-Ode will host the Southern Conference.

The event, according to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the NLO, Olushola Ogunnowo, will enable Afriskaut to use their AI-driven technology data collection to assist the clubs in exposing their players to the world while the clubs go into an agreement on a full-time basis to further the relationship of players’ data collection, which is the key in promoting and chatting a pathway for the grassroots football clubs players to the world.

The NLO Secretariat will contact the qualified clubs individually for enrollment to enable the league body to have a perfect tournament.