Okowa refusal to construct Iyede-Ame road has brought untold hardship – Iyede-Ame people

By Simeon Okworide

The people of Iyede-Ame, a coastal village in Isoko nation has cries out to the governor of Delta state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, for not constructing a passable road to their village.
The cry became necessary as non-passable road in the area is depriving them a lot of things as majority of them do not know what goes around within the Isoko nation as there is no access road for them to access other places is worrisome.
Sources revealed that non construction of access road in the area has deprived their women from getting married to other Isoko persons, meaning that Governor Okowa has deprived them from everything, including other social funs, because with no passable road, the government of Delta state headed by Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has deprived them their political, economic and social rights as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.
Sources further revealed that the only available source of transportation in the area was a pontoon constructed, just after the civil war as the only means of movement which is seriously begging for repairs at the moment and there is no help from anywhere as all pleas to Governor Okowa for access road with a bridge fell on deaf ear.

The elders of the community complaints that their female children could not get married, inspite of their beauty because they cannot access other places in Isoko, not to mention other places is something to worry about.
They concluded that the only way out, is a road with a standard bridge

Warri South Council: Tidi tasks newly elected NULGE executive on consolidation of unity

By Rita Ossai

Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area,, Dr. Michael Tidi, has congratulated the Ramond Emiko led newly elected executive of Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, Warri South Chapter, stressing the need to consolidate on the existing peace and unity among staffers of the council.In a statement released this evening, Tuesday March 3, Dr. Tidi commended staff of Warri South Council, security agencies and the electoral committee of NULGE deployed to conduct the polls in Warri South Council, for ensuring a peaceful and transparent election.
The Warri South Council Boss, who praised the outgoing branch executive of NULGE led by Comrade Tuoyo Ajinomisaghan, for laying a solid foundation for a smooth electoral process, tasked the incoming Comrade Emiko leadership to mend fences and carry all staffers of Warri South Council along in the resolve to consolidate on staff welfare.While assuring that his administration will work with the new NULGE leadership in improving staff welfare, Dr. Tidi, enjoined the Comrade Emiko leadership to work out creative ideas in concert with management, so as to shore up the internally generated revenue profile of Warri South Local Government Council.

Vehicle pelted with bullets as Boko Haram attack governor’s convoy

The convoy of Babagana Zulum, Governor of Borno State, was recently attacked, allegedly by members of the Boko Haram sect on Thursday night, September 5.

It was disclosed by security sources that the convoy of Zulum was attacked at Konduga, around 9 pm, as the governor was returning from a trip to Bama Local government area.

It was further reported that the Borno State governor had as part of his “familiarity and need assessment tour” of the 27 LGAs in the state, visited Kwaya Kusar, Askira Uba, Bayo and Gwoza.

The security source was quoted to have said:

“Luckily the governor, his commissioners and other vehicles in the convoy escaped unhurt but the last vehicle which is an army gun truck was pelted with bullets.

“Immediately after they fired at us, our men in collaboration with the armed personnel from the Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad(FSARS), quickly retaliated and thwarted the ambush.”

Many attacks have been made in Konduga, an area close to Sambisa forest, from the Boko Haram faction which is under the control of Abubakar Shekau.

This latest attack is coming seven months after Kashim Shettima the former governor of Borno State was attacked by the outlawed organisation as he made his way to Gamboru Ngala.

It will be recalled that former Governor Shettima spoke on his ordeal and how he was able to successfully escape from the ambush laid against him by the Boko Haram terrorists who attacked his convoy.

Flood overruns Warri, victims cry over losses

.............Tidi, Omatsuli promise government’s intervention

By Rita Ossai

The Oil City of Warri in Delta State, was on Friday September 6, overran by flood, following the rains that fell for most part of Thursday afternoon and night, till Friday morning.

Areas affected included large expanse of Ekurede-Itsekiri Community, Ubeji Community, Ugbori Community, Olomu Street, Ighorue Street, Okumagba Avenue, Okumagba Estate, Ode-Kporo Quarters Okere, Ginuwa, Esisi, Upper Erejuwa and Swamp Roads.


Worst hit was Ekurede-Itsekiri Community, where residential houses, shops, undeveloped plots and business premises, were literarily  submerged, leaving some inhabitants of the densely populated community trapped in their various homes, as they tried to rescue some of their belongings.



Observers were worried that should the prediction of heavy rains cum flood for the months of September and October by NIMET, becomes reality, then major parts of Warri would be totally submerged.



A team comprising Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Dr. Michael Tidi and the Commissioner representing Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality in the Board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Hon. Griftson Omatsuli, which went round Warri to ascertain the extent of the flood, identified causes of the flood to include blocked drains, indiscriminate dumping of wastes and erection of structures on natural water-ways.

Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Dr. Michael Tidi, while reacting to the flood situation, stated that the political will to tackle the flood was not lacking in the state government as the Okowa administration had previously set up a committee to tackle the problem.



Dr. Tidi advised those directly affected by the flood to seek temporary abodes with their relatives as efforts were on going to address the flood headlong.



Hon. Griftson Omatsuli on his part, assured that the management of DESOPADEC, will immediately deploy materials with a view to opening up blocked drains and water channels, so as to mitigate the situation. 

DTSG decries agonies of road users on Warri Benin Federal Highway

...set to intervene

The Delta State Government has stated that it will intervene on the failed sections of the Warri-Sapele-Benin road to reduce the sufferings of road users on the highway.

Commissioner for Works Chief James Augoye and his Information counterpart Mr Charles Aniagwu stated this Wednesday at Okuvo, Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State while conducting journalists round the failed sections on the road.

The Works Commissioner noted that although the road is a Federal Road, Deltans and other Nigerians depend on the road to erk a living for themselves.

He said Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was disturbed by the sufferings of the people who ply the road and decries the loss of man hour and productive time on the road.

"This Warri Sapele Benin road is a Federal Highway and as a state we actually did palliatives works on some portions of the road before now and the parts we intervened on are still very solid till today, what we are doing here is to look at the possibility of the state government intervening.

"The work here is not just maintenance or rehabilitation, it requires total reconstruction because the mud here is very clayed and it needs to be excavated to the soil base and refilled with sharp stand to make it solid so there is much work to be done here.

"Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has directed that we visit the site and see the possible way of intervention by the state government to free the masses from the sufferings on the road.

On his part, Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu said the state government was intervening because Deltans and Nigerians use the road irrespective of where they are from, because what they are going through on account of the deplorable condition of the road.

"You have seen it by yourself that it is in a very very bad condition and we are pained so it doesn't just have to be Deltans that pass through here for us to be disturbed, we are disturbed because what is happening here affects not just the economy of the state and the nation.

"The Commissioner for Works has made it very very clear that we are going to start work in earnest but we have to plead with the Federal Government to assist us in taking care of these Federal roads because it is digging very deep into our pockets as a state and the more they assist us the better for us and the better for other Nigerians that are making use of these roads," he added

The duo had earlier inspected work at the ongoing construction of the Ughelli Asaba Federal highway and appealed to the Federal Government to reimburse the State Government for previous interventions so that such funds can be deployed to other needs.

"As you can see it is taking us several billions to ensure that these roads are put to motorable condition. It is costing the State Government several billions to carry out these interventions and of course you know there are a lot of needs and other challenges that are within the direct responsibility of the State Government that requires attention but here we are investing huge sums of money to address these Federal roads because we believe that leaving it unattended will lead to untold hardship for our people.

"We are equally using this opportunity of this inspection to plead with the Federal Government to reimburse the State Government with what it has spent before on previous interventions so that we can deploy the funds to other important needs.

"The Commissioner for Works had earlier hinted that the 47.8km Section A alone is costing the State Government over N19bn and you know what that kind of money can do for us as a state," he said

"Governor Okowa is seriously troubled that all the Federal roads in the state are in terrible conditions, he is disturbed by the hectic traffic at the Head bridge leading into Onitsha in Anambra state, you will recall that at one time we wrote to the Federal Government to allow us fix that road, but they declined on the ground that they have engaged a contractor to address the failed sections of the road.

"The Asaba Benin stretch of the road has also become a nightmare and even our decision to remediate part of the Agbor Eku road is just a palliative as that road requires total reconstruction. So you can understand now why we are pleading with the Federal Government to expedite action on these roads.

"The fact is that beyond the hardship faced by commuters it's effect on the economy is incalculable." he said

Lagos, Delta and other states received N1.57 trillion Federal Allocation in 7-months

Thirty Six (36) States in Nigeria received the total sum of N1.57 trillion Federal Allocation between January and July 2019. This is according to the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) reports covering the period.

According to the reports obtained from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), this value represents the total gross amount of money disbursed by the Federal Government to states for the periods.

The top 10 States: On the list, Delta State received the biggest share of revenue in the first seven months of 2019, with N133.7 billion. This means 8% of the total allocation went to the State.

Akwa Ibom State received the second largest gross federal allocation of N106.9 billion in the period. This represents about 7% of the allocation for the 36 states.
Lagos ranks third with N97 billion gross revenue allocation.
Rivers received 6% share of total allocation to rank 4th, and this amounted to N93.7 billion.
Bayelsa State Federal allocation in the first seven months estimated at N86.6 billion
Other States that make the top 10 states include Kano (N51.1 billion), Kaduna (N41.5 billion), Edo (N41.4 billion), Katsina (N38.8 billion) and Oyo (N38.6 billion).

The disbursements: Specifically, federal allocations given to states include gross statutory allocation, 13% share of derivation to oil producing states, distribution of exchange gain and net VAT allocation.

On the other hand, the NBS disclosed that from the monthly gross allocation to states, several deductions are always made and these include external debt payment, Contractual Obligation (ISPO) and other deductions.

Hence, while states depend hugely on the Federal Government allocation on month to month basis, a fall in the Federal Government revenue has the tendencies to affect the revenue, and this may result to debt financing which most states have resolved into.

Some concerns: Despite the huge debt profile of most states, development is still at low ebb.  One major concerns that have hindered development across state is overdependence on federal allocation combined with low Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and huge debt burden.

In 2018, all the 36 states in Nigeria generated an estimated N1.1 trillion IGR. Regrettably, measuring against the N3.9 trillion debt accrued by the states as at the end of 2018. It means revenue allocation received so far is only 28% of the debt owed.

To ease-off the debt challenge and low revenue, states have been emphasizing the need for the Federal Government to review the revenue sharing formula.

Recently, there was an indication that State governors in Nigeria might request for 42% share of the total federal allocation. The current revenue allocation formula, which was designed during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, recommended that the Federal Government gets 52.68%, while the states and local governments will receive 26.72% and 20.60% of the total amount respectively.

Robbers attack The Nation driver near soldiers’ checkpoint

Armed robbers on Monday attacked The Nation driver, Mr. Akinyele Adebayo, at Moro junction, near Ile-Ife in Osun State.

He was attacked around 12pm while returning to Lagos from Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti State.

The incident, Adebayo said, occurred a few metres to a military checkpoint.

He wondered why the military personnel, who mounted roadblock nearby, allowed the robbers to operate freely.

“I suspect connivance between the military personnel and the robbers. The place the soldiers mounted a roadblock is not up to two minutes’ drive to where the robbers operated freely,” Adebayo said.

The robbers, he said, used cattle as a decoy to attack drivers.

“There were cattle on the side of the road. I slowed down and on getting towards the place, the three robbers used their motorcycles to block the road. Before I could get to them, they came down and brought out sticks and cutlasses. So I tried to manoeuvre my car so as to go, but before I could, they broke my side mirror,  windscreen and damaged the bonnet. I didn’t stop; all I just wanted to do was to escape from them because I know that is where they rob people.

“When I got to the front, I discovered that the road had been blocked with tyres and big sticks and some people were there, but they were not in uniform. They were about five. I looked back and saw the three men coming with their motorcycles.  They met me there and ordered me to stop and open the door.

“I just managed to climb the tyres and sticks and drove away. Within the next two minutes, I got to another place where some soldiers mounted a roadblock. They just checked my vehicle and allowed me to go. I didn’t bother to make a report to them because I sensed that they might be working together. Other drivers have been saying they are working together. So if they could pursue me to the first roadblock, I also believe that they can pursue me even to where the soldiers are,” Adebayo said.

He said the experience was his first since driving on that road.

The driver said the robbers spoke English and Yoruba languages.

“I don’t think they are herdsmen or people from the North. They just used the cattle as a decoy. They spoke in English and some also spoke Yoruba fluently,” he said.

He appealed to the government to draft policemen to monitor the road, putting the cost of damage done to his vehicle at N50,000.

Ifejika urges media practitioners to promote developmental journalism

The Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor Mr. Olisanyem Ifejika has charged media practitioners to contribute to nation building through developmental journalism.
Mr. Ifejika who gave this charge on Monday (2/9/19) in Asaba when he received Dr. Ejike Obeta and other staff of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Asaba, stated that journalists play an important role in the development of the nation through positive reporting and promotion of government’s policies and programmes.

“As media practitioners let us be part of the building and developmental process of government; this can be achieved by being assertive, asking the right questions, giving credible reports as well as carrying out our duties with integrity and honesty.

“Even as we hold government responsible for their duties let us also remember that we are also to be held accountable for everything that we do and report but most importantly, we have to promote the developmental programmes and policies of government.

“As a state government we are media friendly, our doors are open for questions, criticism and opinions because we believe in an all-inclusive government” he said.

Earlier Dr. Obeta said that they came to felicitate with Mr. Ifeajika on his appointment as the new Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.

“Your appointment is a befitting one and we thank Governor Okowa for finding you fit for this position; we at NAN want to give assurance of our continuous cooperation to always cover and promote the policies, agenda and programmes of this government”.

Stop meddling into issues that are not your business - Dillion caution south south Governors

By Kelvin Ohoror

Chief Oyuwe Dillion has caution the south south governors mainly of the opposition People Democratic Party, PDP, to channel their time and energy into seeing how they can govern properly their respective states and stop delving into issues of the All Progressive Congress, APC, that are none of their business or do not require their contribution.

The revered Chief whose outburst was orchestrated by the recent activity of the south south governors where they came forward to condemn the recent appointments made President Muhammadu Buhari into the governing board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, saying the President did not seek their consent or inputs before giving the go ahead on the constitution of the new board.

Chief Dillion who was interviewed by newsmen in his Igbide country home, condemning outrightly the actions taken by the south south governors who should be more concerned on how to account for the huge allocation accrued to them in the areas of development, industrialization and giving a facelift to precarious conditions their state is presently reveling in.

According to him "It beats my expectations that governors who do not seek the consent of the executive chairmen of the local governments in their respective states when constituting oil producing and development board would lament when the federal government does same to constitute federal boards within her jurisdiction."

"Let no one see the actions of these set of governors as a solidarity with the masses plea for good governance but gimmicks to destabilize a transparent system having lost out in the plot to impose their stooges on the President against the ruling party's wish, same way they did in the 8th National Assembly where they forced Senator Bukola Saraki and Hon.Yakubu Dogara against the people's wish that caused an irrevocable developmental loss and chaos having heated up the polity."

"I want to say without fear or favour that the President Muhammadu Buhari got this one right by putting round pegs in a round holes haven appointed renowned accountant and a distinguished fellow, Chief Bernard Okumagba as the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, the erstwhile deputy governor of Edo State, Dr Pius Odubu as the Chairman and our own illustrious son and Delta State Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Prophet Jones Erue as the Delta State Representative in the governing board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC."

He also affirmed that, "With these appointments made and Chief Bernard Okumagba as the Managing Director, our dear President should be rest assured the commission is in safe hands and her core mandate in meeting up to the demands of the Niger Delta region in line with the Next Level Agenda will be achieved successfully owing to the pedigree of the incoming Managing Director and his team," he said .

He further added that, it is pathetic that governors who ought to be relishing on how to cooperatively join hands with the Presidency in granting full autonomy to the local government, which is the government closest to the grassroots, is on a failed mission to truncate a transparent system that has assembled the best hands to pilot the affairs of the commission.

We will not rest until Warri rise again - Chairman

By  Ossai Rita

The Executive Chairman of was South Local Government Council, Hon. Dr. Michael Tidi, in his address says “we will not rest on our oars until Warri rise again”.

Hon. Michael made this statement during the official commissioning of the 110 lock-up stalls renovated and additional 120 open market in Ugbuwangue on Tuesday September 3, which was handed to the council 2018, by the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, to manage and boost economic activities in Warri axis.

He noted that before the handover the market was dilapidating and a refuse dump but because of his administration is determined to rehabilitate and ensure a clean safe environment for the people to trade in.

Hon. Tidi mentioned some of the projects that his administration has carried out such as, 21 water project commissioned on 20th August across the Local Government Area, the First Ever Warri Economics Summit, moribund Warri port, is to boost Economics activities in Warri and with the projects on ground both completed and on-going we are gradually arriving our destination and the second Warri Economic Summit would soon be on.

The Chairman appealed to Ugbuwangue Community and traders to ensure that they maintain and protected the things provided to them by the Government.

The Managing Director of DESOPADEC, Bashorun Askia Ogieh, said that the Economic lives of every community is what the government should put in place and commend Hon. Tidi and those who made it possible for this to be successful.

The Deputy Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party in Delta State, Barr. Ada Val Arenyeka, the Head (Olare-Aja) of Ugbuwangue Community, Prince Agindotan Yonwuren and leader of the traders in the market, Mrs. Stella Izuagie commend Dr. Tidi for bringing light into the community and assured him and those that made it possible for the infrastructure will never be forgotten.

Some of the dignitaries that witness the commissioning are: chief Clement Maleghemi, Chief Sir, P.D. Yalaju (JP) Chairman DESOPADEC Michael Diden, Itsekiri Women in Politics, led by Hon. Mrs. Rita Yoniouren Esquire, Hon. Daniel Mayuku, Hon. Griftson Omatsuli, PDP Chairman Warri South, Mr. Johnson Agbeyegbe and many others.

Okowa urges political office to be service delivery-oriented

..... As Ndokwa Youths Honour Ezechi

Delta Governor,  Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has said rendering of selfless service should be the hallmark of every political office holder.

He spoke on Thursday (29/08/19) at Kwale at a reception organised by youths of Ndokwa nation in honour of the Executive Assistant to the government of Delta on youths development, Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi. 

The governor was represented at the event by his Political Adviser,  Rt. Hon. Funkekeme Solomon. 

According to him, with selfless service, a political office holder will make his mark in the lives of the people and leave footprints on the sands of time.

“When you serve well, your people will recognise you; they will always remember you because, service delivery is the primary aim of holding political office which is held in trust for the people.

Wherever you find yourself, know that the people are watching you, taking note of your actions.

We are working for a stronger Delta to be achieved and the political office holders should assess themselves based on their performance to the people of Delta; Ndokwa is one of the most peaceful ethic groups in Delta State,” Governor Okowa said. 

A foremost political leader in the area, Chief Godwill Obielum in a message congratulated Hon. Ezechi for his achievements in the political scene and urged him to remain prayerful, focused and respectful to elders.

“I am glad that our people in the Ndokwa nation has recognised you (Hon. Ezechi) with this great honour, take it as a challenge to always improve on whatever you do for the good of the society and to the youths of our great state, know that building a stronger Delta translates to a better future, remain supportive to the government and respectful to elders,” Chief Obielum said. 

Chairman of the occasion,  Chief Fidelis Tilije who is the Commissioner for Finance in Delta thanked the youths for recognising one of their own while the Commissioner for Youths Development in the state, Mr Ifeanyi Egwuyenga said, “as youths, we must build on capacity and competence; it pays to go through mentoring; it pays to persevere.”

Hon. Ezechi in his speech, asserted, “I was overwhelmed after listening to the youths of Ndokwa nation who came with an agenda of hosting me for my performance when I was a member of the Delta State Oil Producing Area Developmental Commission (DESOPADEC).

It is my desired goal to ensure that our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gets stronger in Ndokwa nation and Delta by working with the leaders and various stakeholders.

As youths, we must key in properly into the stronger Delta programme of Governor Okowa-led government having seen a lot of projects across Ndokwa nation and Delta State at large; we must shun hatred for us to move forward,” Hon. Ezechi said.

Earlier, Comrade Anslem Nzete who coordinated the youths for the event disclosed that as a youth, Hon. Ezechi did so much with his position at DESOPADEC,  noting that the youths are proud of his achievements and that the reception was to spur him to do more as an Executive Assistant to the governor. 

Some of those who graced the event include Hon. Chika Ossai,  Hon. Nicholas Ossai, Rt. Hon. Christopher Ochor, Hon. Ejaife Odebala, Mr. Moses Iduh, Hon. Festus  Ochonogor, Hon. Amechi Juan Governor,  Hon. Chris Osakwe , traditional rulers from various clans of Ndokwa nation, among others.

Meet first-class engineering graduate who sells kerosene for a living

It’s no longer news that the scourge of unemployment in the land is largely the reason Nigeria is now infamously tagged the poverty capital of the world.

For a country embarrassingly endowed with material resources and a population that ought to provide a ready market to absorb the skills of her citizens; Nigerians over the years have had to learn to cope with hardship of the unusual variant due largely to maladministration dating back to decades of military dictatorship. Not even the return to democratic mode of governance in 1999 has succeeded in changing this sorry narrative.

Given the difficulties occasioned by the apparent lack of job opportunities in the land, many have resorted to seek greener pasture abroad, sometimes using illegal routes to their dream destinations.

But things weren’t this bad some years ago. Prominent Nigerians including literary icon, Professor Chinua Achebe (of blessed memory) and Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai in their memoirs, “There Was a Country” and “The Accidental Public Servant,” respectively painted a glorious picture of the good old days when impressive grades upon graduation from a university was a passport to a waiting job (s).

In their widely read accounts, both men had at least three jobs offers awaiting them even before completing their courses of study in English Literature and Quantity Survey at the University College (now University of Ibadan) and the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria respectively. Those were the good old days when merit was principally the yardstick in the nation’s recruitment process.

In the midst of the despondency ruling the minds of many today, a young Nigerian has chosen to make the most of the situation by selling kerosene and engaging in private tutoring to eke out a living. Welcome to the world of Musa Ibrahim Musa, a first-class graduate of Chemical Engineering, University of Maiduguri.

Musa who shortly after his National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, proceeded to the University of Lagos for his Masters says he is disappointed for not being able to get a well-paid job despite obtaining a first class in Chemical Engineering.

He tells Saturday Vanguard: “I wouldn’t say I am disappointed but truth is that Nigeria is quite below where we thought it ought to be, side by side other developing nations of the world. You take examples of what countries like South Africa, Singapore and Malaysia have been doing in education and job opportunities; we are far behind where we should be as a country. I am disappointed to some extent because I believe there are many bright minds out there who can help Nigeria. I am an engineering graduate and I feel that Science and Technology should be the driving force in our quest for nation building. However, this is not the case today.

“However, I also want to say that I appreciate the Nigerian government in one way or the other because as an undergraduate way back in Maiduguri, I was privileged to get the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Scholarship. Though the payment was slightly delayed and I would say the delay actually helped me a lot because the last tranche of payment of the scholarship scheme was what I used in starting the kerosene business. I started the business in 2013 and thank God, it is getting better but I think if we could have people come in to support what we are doing, we can even serve more customers than we are currently doing.”

Given the mileage the grant offered him to start off, Engineer Musa wants government and wealthy Nigerians to come to the aide of young Nigerian entrepreneurs by providing them with seed capital to address the growing unemployment in the land.

With the sum of two hundred thousand naira (N200, 000) being the actual sum he got from the PTDF, Musa started the business with the acquisition of a storage tank which he stationed at Jikwoyi, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory. Today, Engineer Musa has purchased additional three storage tanks, bringing the total to four.

So, how was this journey from the get-go?

”The actual amount I was given was N200, 000 but I actually invested N300, 000 in the business and that was because some other incentives were added in my final year in school. I believe government and private individuals can come in to support young entrepreneurs because finance is key but I also believe that some people have lofty ideas that they have not been able to put into practice,” he says.

Before now, the young man who hails from Itsukwi in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State has had his fair share of the pervasive corruption pervading the nation’s recruitment process in his search for job. He shares his experience this way: “I applied for the Dangote refinery job vacancy which was advertised some years back and on two occasions precisely. I applied, wrote the aptitude test but I wasn’t selected. In 2018, I applied again and I scaled through the aptitude test. I was interviewed but since then, I have not been contacted. Thereafter, I applied to teach Engineering at the Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto and the Edo State University, Iyamho but met a brick wall too.”

In pursuit of his vision to inculcate sound education to young Nigerians, Musa a few years ago founded Harvard Tutors, a first-grade teaching clinic for all categories of learners. According to him, “being a first class graduate has given me an opportunity to do many things and I thought if the job was not forthcoming, why not test the waters? I actually wanted to work in the oil and gas industry and like I said earlier, I did some applications but I couldn’t get the job. I started Harvard Tutors four years ago as a youth corps member but at that point in time, I was just doing tutorials for students at A levels and I felt why not take it to another level. So, I registered it as a business in 2016 and since then, we’ve been running it. It has been challenging but the experience has been wonderful.

“Currently we have two tutoring sites, one in Karu site and another one at Apo both in Abuja. But my plan is to expand to other places in Abuja and to other states of the federation. I have been receiving calls from some of my lecturers in the University of Maiduguri and some other colleagues and they all want me to bring centres closer to them.”

Have these two ventures in a way assisted in taking anyone off the street by way of employment? A smiling Engineer Musa says beyond his imagination, the kerosene business and tutorial classes have been a blessing. “We have four attendants manning our storage tanks. We pay them a monthly salary. This is also true of our Harvard teachers numbering 10,” he says as he struggles to curtail his excitement.

In less than three years of knowledge dissemination, the young engineer says a lot of impact has been made in the sphere of English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, French, Computer Science and other subjects at both the ordinary and advanced levels of study.

Hear him: “We have had a lot of testimonies. I must say some of the students we have tutored over the years have come to say sir you really did so well for us in so many areas. The records are there for all to see. One of them is currently studying in a foreign university and a good number of them are in Nigerian universities as well. We bring innovations into what we do.”
Much as government and corporations are overwhelmed with the increasing demand for job placement; here is one Nigerian whose dream requires a fertile ground to germinate and grow into fruition.

More vessels berth at Warri port as security improves

Stakeholders seek dredging of facility, 24-hour pilotage
No fewer than 200 vessels have berthed at the Warri facility of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) owing to the improved security in the area.

Making the disclosure yesterday at a stakeholders’ forum put together by the board chairman of the NPA, Emmanuel Olajide Adesoye, in the oil city, the management confirmed that piracy and other security breaches in axis had reduced drastically.

The event, aimed at exchanging ideas on how to revive the Delta ports, had also held at the Rivers, Onne and Calabar facilities.

Adesoye lauded the management for nurturing a cordial relationship with the host communities for the improved security and smooth activities at the port.

He pledged that the dock and other ports in Delta States would become a major hub in maritime business when their upgrading is completed.

In his remarks, the Delta Ports Manager, Simeon Okeke, said the development was on account of the remedial dredging of the Escravos channels that have enabled large vessels to access the Warri port, replacement of the critical buoys that were hitherto missing, rehabilitation of port facilities, illumination of the facility as well as the repossession and ejection of illegal occupants from the trailers’ park among others.

He enthused that towage services would be efficiently handled as the job had been outsourced with the contract already at the last lap, adding that documentation and payment processes had been revised through e-payment, e-SEN and Revenue Invoicing Management System (RIMS).

Also speaking, the stakeholders that include the host communities, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigeria Customs Service, operators and workers, highlighted the challenges at the terminal.

A good number of players deplored the shallowness of the channels within the ports which had made them unable to host heavy vessels.
They, therefore, called for their dredging to at least nine metres draft.

The general manager of one of the terminals, Henry Ajor, said: “If we are to lessen the maritime traffic at the Lagos ports by using the Warri facility, the channel within the port must be dredged to handle bigger vessels.”

Also, the Shipping Trade Group sought a 24-hour pilotage at the dockyard as obtained elsewhere.

Politician, 2 others arrested over lady's corpse found under bed in Delta hotel

The police have arrested three suspects, a politician and two others, in Delta State, in connection with the decomposing corpse of a lady found under a bed in hotel room at Sapele, Delta State.

The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Onome Onovwakpoyeya, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed the arrest to journalists.

PPRO Onovwakpoyeya did not disclose the identity of the suspects, but a top security officer told a local online media, that a popular politician in the state has been arrested in connection with the crime.

“We got him through his phone number that took us to Abuja where we apprehended him and from there we brought him back to Delta.

“The politician is currently helping us with investigation towards unraveling the true cause of the incident.

“We are detaining him at the Sapele Area Command, and we shall transfer the case to Asaba (State Police Command) once we are done for prosecution,” Onovwakpoyeya was quoted as saying.

The alleged politician, who reportedly led the police operatives from Sapele Area Command to arrest two other suspects from Benin, was tracked and nabbed in Abuja.

The trio are now in the custody of Sapele Command while further diligent investigation is said to be on course.

Sacked workers protest Okowa’s automatic job for 14 choristers

The automatic employment granted to 14 choristers by Delta Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, to mark the 28th anniversary of the state’s creation, has triggered crisis among some sacked workers.

Over 3,000 sacked workers, including the 650 Delta Line Transport Company staff, under the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees and the 3,000 members of the Association that was suspended in 2015 have cried foul.

The governor had, during an inter-denominational thanksgiving service to mark the anniversary at the Government House, Asaba, announced the automatic employment to 14 distinguished choristers.

However, chairman of the suspended civil servants, Obus Regha, on Wednesday expressed shock over the automatic employment, saying that the state government had earlier advertised job vacancies in the agricultural sector and had ignored his campaign promises to reabsorb the sacked workers.

“He granted automatic employment to his church members and ignored our suffering.

“We renewed our agitation for reinstatement last week. Instead of His Excellency to consider us for re-absorption as he promised during his re-election campaign, he went ahead to announce automatic job slots for people who never applied for it.

“He deceived us. We will take our destiny in our hands on this matter because we are Deltans, and we were recruited on merit,” Regha said.

One of the sacked Delta Line cashiers, Mrs. Patricia Okonkwo, told our Correspondent that their full entitlements, including their three-month in lieu of notice and other total terminal benefits are yet to be paid.

“Those who served the state meritoriously and were forced out of service without reaching retirement age deserve respect,” Okonkwo said.

Sierra Leone president fires his aide after she gave testimony at TB Joshua's church

Julius Maada Bio, the president of Sierra Leone, has terminated the appointment of his chief of protocol (SCOP), Fatmata Kargbo, after she went to the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) owned by Nigerian clergyman, TB Joshua, to testify of how God has favoured her.

Kargbo was featured on Emmanuel TV owned by TB Joshua, testifying of how God favored her with her recent appointment as an aide to the president and how she has been able to complete her new house which she abandoned for many years.

Showing photos of the luxury mansion she recently completed, Kargbo told the congregation that her story is now different.

“I want to thank God for blessing me with this job as SCOP to the president of Sierra Leone, ambassador at large and the blessings that come with it. If you look closely at this picture you will see the luxurious house God has blessed me with. I was living in a single room apartment. But my story is now different,”

Her testimony which was intended to show how good God is, sparked an outrage in Sierra Leone. President Bio was forced to terminate her appointment and ordered the country’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to invetigate her finances to ascertain the source of the wealth with which she managed to put up the structure within such a short time.

A letter sent to Kargbo by the AAC says it will be looking through her previous asset declarations in line with Sierra Leone’s anti-graft law that requires public officials to declare their assets three months into office and three months after leaving.

“The Anti-Corruption Commission has opened an official investigation into the conduct of the official and her testimony. We will also look at her source of wealth in acquiring her house and other properties. If it contradicts the anti-corruption act or we find instances of unexplained wealth, she will be charged to court and will be asked to pay a fine.” the AAC letter to her read

Amaechi declares free transport services for workers under his ministry

Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has declared free transportation services for staff and management of the ministry.

Amaechi said the decision was to help ameliorate the challenges faced by the staff in the discharge of their civic duties.

The Minister reportedly stated this at an interactive session with staff and management of the ministry, Monday, August 26.



Amaechi said, "knowing the background I come from, I felt that you people are spending more money having to transport yourselves to work and I'm surprised that they are collecting money from you for those buses."

Directing the Permanent Secretary to ensure the bus services are free of charge henceforth, he added, "We'll increase the number of of staff buses, fuel and maintain them ourselves."



Amaechi further assured that to improve on service delivery, training and retraining of staff personnel will be given top priority.

"We would devise a means of training and retraining our staff, be it locally or internationally; and it will be according to our resources," he said.



Amaechi also directed the ministry's Permanent Secretary to liaise with authorities of NYSC to post some doctors to the Ministry of Transportation in view of establishing a medical center for staff of the ministry.



"Let us get the NYSC to post to the ministry at least two doctors, so we can ascertain the cost of establishing a clinic for our staff. This will enable those who fall ill to get free treatment," he said.



The Minister also noted that henceforth, provision of laptops for Engineers will be included in the ministry's budget.



In her remarks, Minister for State, Transport, Sen. Gbemisola Saraki assured workers of smooth working relationship, stating that she would work together with Amaechi to improve on staff welfare.



"Whatever the Minister (Amaechi) had been doing I will follow suit, I will always be behind him and I will do my best to always ensure that we do what will promote staff welfare," she said.



Earlier, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Sabiu Zakari said the essence of the interactive session was to have a better understanding with the Ministers.



He enjoined the staff to provide support to the Ministers to achieve the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari's administration.



According to him, "the purpose of this interactive session is to have a better understanding with the Ministers. It is an opportunity for us to air our views and understand what they (Ministers) want us to do in this second term of Mr. President. It is our hope that as we gave our support to the Hon. Minister of Transportation during the first tenure, we'll give even more this second term."

Delta at 28: Okowa salutes citizens, says better days are here

Delta Governor, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has congratulated Deltans on the 28th anniversary of the creation of the State.

In a message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, the governor thanked the people of the state for their resilience, patience, cooperation and support to all administrations that had governed the State in the last 28 years.

He assured that his administration would continue to build on the gains recorded by his predecessors in order to create a stronger Delta .

Felicitating with citizens of the State on the anniversary, the governor said "our beloved State has continued to blossom in spite of challenges confronting us as a people.

``My administration appreciates Deltans for their resilience and peaceful co-existence among us.

"In the last four years that we have been on the saddle, we have continued to build on the gains recorded by our predecessors and I assure you that better days are here for all Deltans as we work towards building a stronger Delta of our dream.

"Through Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency, we have done a lot in the past four years, to make Asaba and environs a befitting state capital.

``We have initiated measures to resolve the nagging flooding in the capital territory through network of storm drainages, which are nearing completion, in addition to two new ones whose contracts were recently awarded.”

The governor restated his appreciation to the people for renewing their mandate to him through a resounding victory at the last general elections, engendered by their overwhelming votes.

``With the re-election and inauguration, we have been re-energised to vigorously deliver on our SMART Agenda drive. I assure Deltans that with their support, we will do more,” he said.

He added that to address critical infrastructural needs in Warri and Effurun axis, ``we have created Warri/Uvwie and Environs Development Agency, and we will continue to scale up development in rural and riverside communities in the state.

"The recent inauguration of road projects in Ijaw and Itsekiri coastal communities by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is a testimony of our resolve to build a Stronger Delta for our people.

"As Deltans, we have every reason to celebrate our 28 years anniversary as a State as we remain on the right trajectory to development.

``We will continue to operate within the principles of equity, fair play and friendship, which have largely created the atmosphere for peace and development in the State."

Delta and 11 other states, including Edo, were created on Aug. 27, 1991 by the military regime headed by Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.

Okowa urges FG to curb herdsmen menace

Delta Governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has urged the Federal Government to take strident measures to curb protracting clashes between herdsmen and farmers in the country.

The governor made the call on Saturday at the 21st Ogwa Ika and 17th Ika Ka Mma Annual Lecture Series organised by Onu Ika Nigeria at Abavo, Ika South Local Government Area of the state.

He disclosed that his administration was doing its best to check the havoc being wrecked by Fulani herdsmen on famers through interface with critical stakeholders.

Okowa, however, regretted that his efforts had been restrained by his limited control of security apparatus.

He decried the frequent loss of lives from herdsmen attack on defenceless farmers and other Nigerians, and insisted that the Federal Government must curb the menace.
The governor also urged the government to tell Nigerians the steps it had taken to stem the ugly trend.

On irregular migration of youths seeking greener pastures in foreign countries and increasing child-trafficking cases, he charged parents and caregivers to live up to their responsibility by openly condemning the act and restrain their children from embarking on such dangerous journeys.

 Okowa condemned the situation where parents mounted undue pressure on their children and wards to embark on journeys to Europe through the desert, saying that the lives of many promising Nigerians had been lost in the process.

He commended Onu Ika for organising annual essay competition for secondary schools in Ikaland, and urged the people to encourage government to carry out development projects through the donation of land.

Earlier, the Head, Collective Leadership, Onu Ika Nigeria, Mr Daniel Usifor, had said in an address that “for three consecutive years, Onu Ika has consistently forewarned of the devastating influx of these deadly Fulani herdsmen in our communities.

We even saw them as foot soldiers on reconnaissance mission waiting for trigger action or orders to act; we also cautioned that there is an undeclared war in Nigeria.”
He urged the government to take actions to check the menace of the herdsmen and thanked the governor for his administration's commitment to the development of the state.

OML26: Community development board empowers youths, women of host communities

By Kelvin Ohoror

Hope and joy came to youths and women of Oil producing communities under OML 26 as the beneficiaries were empowered with various starter packs and grants worth millions of naira and market money.

The starter packs are; sewing machines, hair dryers, welding machines, deep freezers, laptops and photocopy machines, generators, barbing saloon equipment, grinding machines, etc.

The beneficiaries which were drawn from host communities under Isoko South, Isoko North, Ughelli North and Ndokwa East government areas of Delta State respectively smiled home with Starter packs 254, Grants 128, Market money 151, totaling 533 beneficiaries.

 Delivering his welcome address, the Chairman of OML 26 Community Development Board (CDB), Prince Johnson Akpomalue, commended the management of NPDC/FHN26 AMT Joint Ventures for keeping to their promised by paying all outstanding GMOU fund as soon as possible.

He stated that the 3rd edition of the Capacity building Man Power Training/ Empowerment programme is targeted to enlighten and empower the beneficiaries which includes; students in secondary schools, tertiary institutions, market women and artisans that have learnt various trades including agricultures on how to manage their various trades.

According to the CDB chairman Prince Akpomalue, "Since inception of this CRC/CDB, this body has empowered in all a total of 1,146 beneficiaries as follows: Starter packs 672, Grants 323, Market money 151. This programme is financed with allocation from the OML 26 2017/2018 and first half of 2019 GMOU fund."

On his part, the Community Affair's Manager Assets Management Team (AMT), Mr Blessyn Okpowo, expressed satisfaction over the level of transparency exhibited by the CDB members in ensuring that they managed the resources given to them by the company judiciously.

He posited that, "NPDC/FHN26 AMT Joint Ventures are putting measures in place to fulfill the earlier promises made to host communities under OML 26 by providing constant power supply to them, by December this year noting that the first phase will be completed and commissioned."

Furthermore, he said, turbines that will generate the electricity through the conversion of gas in the area has been provided even as 30 hectares of land has also been donated by Okpaile community for the take-off of the electricity project, adding that, the Ellu community promised to donate 85 hectares of land for the propose industrial park by NPDC/FHN26 AMT Joint Venture.

Mr Okpowo while appealing to Aboh traditional ruler and the entire indigenes of Aboh to ensure that the community give enabling environment to the company in its operations in order for the company to fulfill its GMOU to the host community, he advised the beneficiaries not to sell the Starters packs given to them, adding that, "By the next empowerment programme, the company will give 100,000 to 10 beneficiaries who establish their various trades in order for them to expand their business."

Some of the Communities President Generals while speaking with newsmen, they had commended the Company and the CDB members over the empowerment programme, assuring the CDB members and the company that monitoring teams will be set up by the various communities to ensure that the beneficiaries put what they received into use.

Highlights of the third edition, Women and Youth Empowerment/Capacity Building Programme was two lectures delivered by guest lecturers with topics; "Nigeria at a Cross Road: Entrepreneurship the way out" by Dr Kelvin Egberi and "The need for Entrepreneurship in Record keeping and Time budgeting" by Mrs. Eloho Osevwe-Okoroyibo. As well as the distribution of the Starters packs to each of the beneficiaries.