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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Suspected Militants Blow Up Shell Export Crude Oil Pipe Line In Delta

Suspected militants have blown up crude oil export trunk line, Trans Ramos, belonging to Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, in Delta State.

The affected trunk line, which is located close to Odimodi community in Delta State, was attacked on Sunday.

A resident, Endoro New-World, who confirmed the development, said, “The incident occurred at about 1.00 am with the velocity of the blast shaking apartments in the community amidst a huge ball of fire.

“At sunrise, a group from the community in company of the SPDC surveillance team was able to locate the site of the blast.”

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Why We Cancelled Declaration Of Niger Delta Republic – Adaka Boro Avengers

The Adaka Boro Avengers, ABA, in a statement issued by the group’s spokesperson, ‘General’ Edmos Ayayeibo, said that it has cancelled earlier plan to declare the Niger Delta territory a Republic today (Monday), however, they threatened to continue its mission to destabilize Nigeria’s economy.

They said, “We received calls from prominent leaders like Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Mrs. Ankio Briggs, Chief. E. K. Clark and especially King Alfred Diete Spiff calling on the freedom fighters to abort their mission to declare Niger Delta Republic.”

The militant group further warned the Federal Government against having any peace talk with the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, describing them as “greedy fellows” who only seek their “stipends.”

Leader of the group, ‘General’ Goddey, was quoted in the statement as saying that the anger of the group bordered on how “the Nigerian government has enslaved…the people of Niger Delta region.”

“We adhere to the voice of our people, because our struggle is for the Niger Delta people and not for selfish reason. But this is not the end. More is yet to come.

“Our mission to cripple the economy of the Nigerian nation will not stop until the Nigerian government is ready to sit on a roundtable to dialogue and to restructure the Nigeria.

“Unless that, we will not stop until Nigeria becomes a zero economy. We are also saying this for the benefit of President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigerian government to stop wasting their time with those greedy fellows that call themselves MEND because nothing good will come out of them rather than sabotage.

“Those old fools cannot stop us and they know it very well. We know what they are after is all about stipends.

“Everything they are saying, not even one will be accomplished. We will never agree with anything they say and henceforth MEND should watch their back because we have tolerated them for a very long time.

“Enough is enough, since they want to set confusion in the Niger Delta we will start from them.”

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Ex-Militants’ Protest: Army, DSS, Police, Navy Take Over Warri, Effurun

The Nigerian Army, Navy, Police and Department of State Services, DSS, have deployed personnel in strategic locations in Warri, Effurun and environs in Delta State, following intelligence report that ex-militants plan to protest the non-payment of their monthly allowances.

Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh (retd), the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, while reacting to the development, said that there was no need for the protest.

He said: “It is true that there are some debts, but the money has come. The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, will start payment from today or tomorrow. I have long passed this information to the ex-militants that payment will start soon. I do not know why some of them are still insisting on the protest.”

Commander, NNS Delta, Commodore Joseph Dzunve, who also spoke to Vanguard, said: “The reported planned protest is already in the media which seems to be ahead of others in sharing the alert. And you would have noticed that since Saturday, the Army, Police, Navy and other security agencies have mobilized their men to be on ground to check any unruly act.”

Also, a DSS source in the locality explained that the ex-militants planned to carry out the protest last Wednesday and Thursday, but security operatives aborted same.

He said: “With the feelers we now have, anything can happen as they withdrew into their shell in the last few days. But I think it is not even a security concern to stop their protest. The fear is whether they will be lawful about it, added to concerns that hoodlums can take advantage of the situation.”

Soldiers of the 3 Battalion, Effurun, David Ejoor Barracks, were seen patrolling major roads in Effurun and Warri with military trucks, while some were stationed at the DSC Roundabout.

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NIGERIA MOURNS: More Pictures From Keshi's Burial

The final journey home for Stephen Keshi, former coach of the Super Eagles who died on June 8, has begun.

First for “the Big Boss”, as he was fondly called, was a church service at St Paul Catholic Church, Benin City, which began at 9am.

After that, he was moved to the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, where a novelty match was played in his honour, followed by the lying in state for his numerous admirers to pay their last respect.

The two-day event continued with movement of the body to Asaba, the Delta state capital, where his body is currently lying in state at the stadium named after him by Emmanuel Uduaghan, former governor of the state.

From Asaba, the body will leave for Illah, his homestead, to be received by the Obi Gbemudu, the Obi of Illah, along with his high chiefs. Keshi himself was a high chief of the Illah kingdom

After that the body moves to St’ John, The Evangelist Catholic Church for a requiem mass; and then to his home in Illah, where the body will again lie in state for an hour before internment at the same venue.

From the first-day events, more photos below:

Keshi’s Burial Rites Begin Today

The final journey of Nigeria football legend Stephen Okechukwu Keshi will begin in Benin City, Edo State today.

Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, the President of Nigeria football Federation (NFF) will lead the delegation to the final rites. Others are, Mr. Frank Ilaboya (Chairman of the Edo State Football Association), Mr. Neville Bekederemo (Chairman of NPFL side Warri Wolves FC) and Mr. Edema Fuludu (Chairman of Delta State League Management Company).

Keshi, one of only two men to have won the Africa Cup of Nations as player and as coach, died in Benin City on Wednesday, 8th June at the age of 54.

The charismatic libero captained the Senior National Team for 11 years, winning the Africa Cup of Nations gold, silver and bronze.
In 2013, as Coach of the Super Eagles, Keshi lifted the Cup of Nations again after Nigeria defeated Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final at Soccercity in Johannesburg.

In a 44 –month spell as head strategist of the Super Eagles, Keshi also took the team to the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup, led the team to the FIFA Confederations Cup and qualified Nigeria for the African Nations Championship for the first time, winning bronze at the competition.

Family sources have also confirmed that the remains of the legend will be interred at his hometown, Illah, on Friday.

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APC Chieftain Tasks Okowa On Citizens’ Welfare, Infrastructure Devt

Chiedu Onwuadiamu, a chieftain of the Delta State All Progressives Congress, APC, has admonished the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa-led state government to make the welfare of Deltans and the provision of necessary infrastructure as critical priorities in impacting on the lives of the masses, instead of chasing imaginary enemies.

Onwuadiamu spoke in a statement in Asaba, while reacting to a statement credited to Ifeanyi Osuoza, the Publicity Secretary of the state PDP, in which he cast aspersions on APC chieftain, Chief Hyacinth Enuha, who had earlier counselled the governor on the impropriety of denying workers their salaries for eight months as well as the dearth of infrastructure necessary for conducive existence.

He said: “I wish to reiterate the call made by our leader Enuha that the bulk of civil servants salaries remain unpaid in Delta State. We need not remind him that local government employees have been without salary for the past eight months.

“If the asphalting of Usonia Street and Cable Road in Asaba amount to massive infrastructural development to Mr Osuoza and his PDP government in 16 months, then Deltans must brace up for hard times in the coming years before 2019.”

The Men Okowa Needs— DMG

The Democratic Watch Group, DWG, Delta North chapter in a statement by its spokesman, Chief Phillip Nkemdi, has said Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State needs committed party faithful and stakeholders for effective performance, especially towards actualising his administration’s SMART Agenda.

The group said the absence of such commitment was playing out in Aniocha South Local Government Area, where it said there were cracks in Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as “egotist in elective positions” were losing focus.

He said: “DWG believes that only such a person has the capacity to genuinely critic the government and should be listened to, although we know that people respond to what they are prepared to believe and what prepares them for what they believe is their experience.”

On the outcome of PDP Delta North senatorial meeting, DWG pleaded with representatives and party executives at grassroots level to listen more and stop making inciting statements, as the state governor needs committed and focused party faithful to achieve his objectives. 

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2019: APC’ll dislodge PDP in Delta- Egbo

Olorogun Jaro Egbo, Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Steering Committee on Fund Raising for membership registration in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, has expressed his party's determination to dislodge the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state in the 2019 general election.

Speaking during a meeting of the APC in Ughelli, to herald the ongoing membership registration exercise, Egbo claimed that PDP has failed in the state, which was why their members have abandoned the party.

He said: “We are here to consolidate our membership drive in Ughelli North council. The attendees are made up of the former Labour Party, Social Democratic Party, SDP, Accord Party members and those who were formerly in PDP. They have all come together as members of one strong and virile APC in Ughelli North."

Olorogun Felix Ibru’s burial rites announced, to begin July 27

The burial rites for Olorogun (Senator) Felix Ovuodoroye Ibru, CON, the First Elected Governor of Delta State has been announced by his family.

In a release signed by Goodie Ibru, OON, there will be an evening of tributes on Wednesday, July 27 at the Federal Palace Hotel & Casino, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos from 4.00p.m.

Service of songs will hold the following day Thursday, July 27 at Bishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, GRA, Ikeja, from 5.00p.m to 7.00p.m, while on Friday, July 29 at 10.00a.m a commendation service will hold at the same church.

On Tuesday, August 2, 2016, the funeral train will move to Asaba, Delta State, where a lying-in-state will hold at Government House, at 11.00am in the morning. On the same day in the evening, there will be a ceremony, which include service of songs/lying-in-state and Christian wake keep at his Ughelli, Delta State home, the White House, from 4.00p.m.

On Wednesday August 3, 2016, the funeral service will take place at the All Saints Cathedral, Ughelli Anglican Communion interment follows at his hometown of Agbarha-Otor, Delta State, while reception follows at Ibru Centre Field, Agbarha-Otor.

Thanksgiving and outing service will hold at St. Andrew’s Church, Agbarha-Otor on Sunday, August 7, 2016 from 10.00am.

The late Felix Ibru is survived by two wives, six children and many grandchildren. He was elected the First Governor of Delta State in 1991, and became Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the 5th Senate. He was also the President-General of the Urhobo Progress Union. He passed on to glory on March 12, 2016 at the age of 80. The departed renowned architect was also survived by two brothers and two sisters, including Olorogun Michael Ibru and Mr. Goodie Ibru.

BUSINESS & FINACE: DELTA STATE NEW TAX: GROUP TO SUE DELTA GOVERNMENT

Following the introduction of a new tax under the Passenger Welfare Scheme the Centre for the Vulnerable and Underprivileged has threatened to sue the Delta State government 

Mr. Oghenejabor Ikimi, who is the Executive Director CENTREP issued the threat on Wednesday, alleging that the new tax would be paid by commuters patronising public transport, Delta State's lines across the state.“I have perused the applicable laws on taxation and find that there is no

provision for the collection of taxes or levies on account of passenger welfare or from motorcycle and tricycle operators by the state government under Part II of the Schedule to the Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Act, 2004 (as amended), which prescribes the taxes and levies to be collected by the state government.

“Furthermore, Section 2(1) of the same amended Act specifically prohibits the assessment or collection of taxes or levies on behalf of the government by persons other than the appropriate tax authority which was defined in Section 4 to be (in respect of a state), the State Board of Internal Revenue, government department or any other government body charged with

responsibility for assessing and collecting the particular tax.” He said.

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