APC Govt Has Brought Hardship On Nigerians —Delta PDP Chair

Mr Kingsley Esiso, chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta State,  has said that the All Progressives Congress, APC-led Federal Government has brought untold hardship on Nigerians.

Esiso who played host to PDP Patriotic Ladies in Asaba, urged the women to mobilise ahead of 2019 for the re-election of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and also vote out the APC at the federal level and other APC controlled states.

He said: “For about two years now, Nigerians have witnessed negative change that has brought injuries, hardship and high cost of living to them. They came with the mantra of change that former President Goodluck Jonathan was not doing well but the reverse is now the case. We will endure till 2019 to change the change.”

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Support Our Diversification Efforts, Okowa Task Guild Of Editors

Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, the executive Governor of Delta State, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Charles Aniagwu, has urged the Nigerian Guild of Editors to continue to support efforts geared towards the diversification of the Nigerian economy.

Okowa who Congratulated Mrs. Funke Egbemode, the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of New Telegraph, on her confirmation as the substantive President of the Guild, described her emergence as a good omen for the journalism profession.

The governor said that Mrs Egbemode has a wealth of experience and has contributed to the enthronement of democracy through her numerous writings.

Okowa said: “As Nigeria continues to grapple with the challenges of falling oil prices and insecurity in the Niger Delta, oil revenue has continued on the decline in the past two years.

“Government at all levels have been seeking ways of creating other revenue sources. It is, therefore, a challenge to the Nigerian Guild of Editors to ensure that editors continue to suggest more ways of diversifying the economy through their editorial comments and feature writings.’’

Enjoining the new NGE President to bring her wealth of experience to bear on the Guild by taking the training and retraining of journalists very seriously, he said, “This is the only way professionalism can be restored to the journalism profession by ensuring best practices.”

He assured the Editors of his administration's continued support for the promotion of free press for the growth of democracy in Nigeria.

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Ex-Delta Governor, Uduaghan Reveals How FG Can Handle Niger Delta Avengers

Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, the immediate past governor of Delta State, at the weekend in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, at the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE conference, called on the Federal Government to involve governors from the Niger Delta in the efforts to resolve the crisis the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, has caused the region and the nation’s economy.

According to him, “The Amnesty did not achieve what it was to achieve because the governors were not involved. The states should be involved. The biggest threat in Niger Delta is that our land is seriously polluted, especially the water. In those days, you could see the sand under the water. We used it to wash our teeth. But it is not so anymore.

“Niger Delta Avengers are busting our pipelines for whatever reasons; anger. Nigerians are looking at it as something just affecting only the economy; it goes beyond that. Our environment is being ruined.

“Dealing with the Niger Delta challenge should be a carrot-and-stick approach: engagement first and force, where necessary. Engagements should be deepened. The governors should be part of it.

“I want to appeal to our brothers in Niger Delta Avengers that what they are doing is not just damaging the economy but the waters. I appeal to them to stop. The media should also help to appeal to them to stop it,” the ex-Delta governor said.

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Tribute To Olorogun Felix Ibru

The first Governor of Delta state, Olorogun Felix Ovudoroye Ibru, who was laid to rest recently, has been described as a man worthy of emulation by Vanguard in their Monday's editorial.

It read: "The death of respected elder statesman, political leader and notable administrator, Olorogun Felix Ovudoroye Ibru, not surprisingly, elicited reactions from several quarters. Many Nigerians have been mourning his passage, describing it as a big loss to Delta State and the nation.

The greatness of the man is also underlined by the torrents of eulogies from individuals and groups, with Deltans across the ethnic divides full of appreciation for the contributions of their first civilian governor to finding its tender feet only a few months after it was created on August 28, 1991. Even after his burial on Wednesday August 3, 2016 the tributes have continued to flow.

Born on December 7, 1935 at Agbarha-Otor in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State to Chief Peter Epete Ibru and Chief (Mrs) Janet Omotogor Ibru, Felix had, from his early years, struggled and succeeded in overcoming the challenges of his humble background.

Within the eight decades of his lifetime, he contributed to the progress and development of Nigeria as an architect, educationist, businessman, politician, community leader and philanthropist. He emerged as the first elected Governor of Delta State, Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria representing Delta Central and President of the Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU).

As the Governor of Delta State, he applied the expertise derived from his training as an architect to create the master plan of Asaba, the state capital. He elevated the then College of Education, Abraka to a full-fledged university, the Delta State University (DELSU). Unfortunately, the military terminated his tenure in November, 1993 after 23 months in office, thus short-circuiting his vision for the young state.

Olorogun Ibru became the rallying point of the Urhobo nation when he assumed the leadership of the presidency of the UPU, during which he contributed to the peaceful coexistence of Urhobos and other ethnic groups in Delta State in the highly volatile Niger Delta region.

In a moving funeral oration, the Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, aptly depicted how Ibru would best be remembered: “Felix Ibru will be remembered as a patriot, a man of courage and an extraordinary leader who always stood on the side of the people. His life reminds us that wealth and service are not antithetical to each other, that our true wealth lies in our willingness to give ourselves, our time and resources for the common good”.

Felix belonged to the class of political leaders who devoted their lives and personal resources to serve; and came out with their integrity intact, unlike many of today’s politicians who, after completing their terms of office, keep a date with the anti-graft agencies.

He lived a life worthy of emulation. We wish his soul eternal rest."

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Probe Avengers’ Sponsors, Operatives Exposed By Splinter Faction, Ayiri Tells Buhari

Chief Ayiri Emami, Niger-Delta activist and Itsekiri leader, in a statement, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate the 22 alleged sponsors, members and sympathizers of the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, revealed on Saturday evening by a splinter faction, Reformed Niger Delta Avengers, RNDA.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, stalwart in Delta state, said: “The revelation by the splinter group of Niger Delta Avengers about the sponsors of Niger Delta Avengers has vindicated my earlier position that some corrupt politicians running away from justice are the brains behind the criminal group.”

“Nigerians should not take the report by Saharareporters with a pinch of salt and President Muhammadu Buhari should ensure that the fresh revelation is properly investigated with a view to bringing all those behind the economic and political sabotage to book.

“I say so emphatically because these failed and corrupt politicians are determined to bring down the economy of Nigeria and rubbish the President Buhari's administration before gullible Nigerians,” he said.

Chief Emami cautioned government not to allow any of them escape justice in the name of negotiations,

However, former President Goodluck Jonathan named as the grand patron of the Niger Delta Avengers has denied the allegation.

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Militancy: Our Revenue Has Dropped Below 20% – Okowa

The Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, who played host to the Commandant, 4 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Brig-General Banbella Raji, in Asaba yesterday, decried the continued attack on oil and gas installations by militants, regretting that the revenue accruing to the state had dropped to below 20 percent of what it used to be two years ago.

Okowa who apart from pipeline vandalism, also said that the state was facing the challenges of herdsmen clashing with farmers and some Fulani men posing as herdsmen to kidnap people.

He said: “Pipeline vandalism is affecting us so much that what we currently receive is below 20 per cent of what the state received two years ago. As a state, we will continue to support the operations of the Army and other security agencies to enable them carry out their functions in the state.”

The Governor commended the Army for collaborating with the Police in checking some criminal activities which ordinarily were within the purview of the Police, Okowa said, “We hope that the peace we enjoy now will be sustained, it is our hope that the security operatives remain proactive.”

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