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Massive Potentials in Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy: Ijaws have vowed to Harness resources in it

Massive Potentials in Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy: Ijaws have vowed to Harness resources in it

By: Tari  Joseph

With the Massive Potentials abound in the Marine and Blue Economy of Nigeria, the Executive Director- Operations & Technical, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited Captain Warredi Enisouh says the Ijaws are ready to take advantage of the opportunities surrounding it.

Captain Enisuoh, in a meeting recently stated thus”we are here to discuss the way forward to engage the youths in different skills to use our natural resources, mostly the oil sector, Agriculture, and the Marine and blue Economy,

“Captain Enisuoh stressed the need for rehabilitation of our Ijaw youths In the Niger Delta because it will engage them meaningful in job creation”.

He notes that the use of drone Camara in checking of the pipelines is helping the society in guiding the oil facilities.

The security expert also used the medium to appeal to the government and relevant authorities to use the vegetation technology (Cabon) for gas flering in the Region.

Addressing journalist shortly after a pre-Summit 2024, organized by the Steve Azaiki foundation with the collaboration of the Ijaw National Congress INC
Professor Steve Azaiki, the President of the Foundation pointed out that the time has come for the ijaw man to step up and get out from the present economic situation.

Also, Mr Ebi Egbe,CEO Moni Michelle in charge of spots facilities Construction urged the Ijaws, and the government to build spots academies in various local government areas to engage the youths on spots activities to stop youths restiveness in the society, he stated these when he was interacting with news men at the event.

Delta Police Denies Declaring Nkeweshe, Community leader Wanted

Delta Police Denies Declaring Nkeweshe, Community leader Wanted

 

Delta State Police Command has denied declaring Chief Jerry Nkeweshe a.k.a Babies wanted for murder of a town crier at Onicha Olona in Aniocha North Local Government Area of the State.

This clarification was made by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe who simply said “That is not police gazette”.

Our Correspondent decided to investigate the matter when the picture of Chief Nkeweshe surfaced on the internet as a wanted person for murder, only to discover that it was the handiwork of mischief makers and individuals who are deliberate on tarnishing the image of the grassroots politician and business man.

However, we discovered that there had been a pending land transaction dispute involving some sections of Onicha Olona community which Chief Nkeweshe was part of.

According to our source from Police Zone 5, Benin City, and SCID Asaba, “no matter of such was reported to us for investigation.

“The case of Murder was not part of the case we are dealing on. Fine, we are handling a land matter at Onicha Olona, but not that someone was beaten and he died. We only learnt from speculations that someone went to beat the gong and it was collected from him and after a few days the man died. It was never reported that he was beaten, hospitalized or murdered; if there is such, they should come up to the police with such complaint so we can investigate”, the source explained.

Meanwhile, efforts to reach the parties involved in the matter had continued to prove abortive until now.

Minimum wage: Oborevwori’s immediate approval reaffirms his love for Deltans- Dr. Agbolaya

Minimum wage: Oborevwori’s immediate approval reaffirms his love for Deltans- Dr. Agbolaya

 

Special Adviser to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State on Community Development, Amb. Dr. Toyin Orighomisan Agbolayah JP, has described the immediate approval of the new National Minimum wage to be paid to Delta Civil Servants as a reaffirmation of the Governors love to all Deltans and its residents.

Dr. Agbolaya commended Governor Oborevwori for his kind heartedness in making sure the people continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy in his administration as the workers under the state civil service are expected to get alert of the approved template increment this October salary payment.

Amb. Dr. Agbolaya a seasoned professional administrator and grassroot politician, while lauding Rt. Hon. Oborevwori notes that the new update will surely motivate workers and encourage them to cope with challenges that may hinder their productivity especially in the energy crisis the country is in currently experiencing.

According the Governor’s Special Adviser on Community Development, “this decisive action by the Governor would no doubt contribute largely to help in maintaining peace and phenomenal growth of infrastructure as well as unity across the state.

“Governor Oborevwori’s commitment to the welfare of the people, especially workers has once again shined through, as he remains a labour friendly leader and a promise-keeping Governor”, he stated.

Dr. Agbolaya appealed to the Organised Labour to continue supporting Governor Oborevwori’s good governance prowess in improving the wellbeing of workers and all in Delta State.

RMAFC Board: Nigerian Senate Confirms appointment of Oti, Fanda, Egharhevwe 18 others as Commissioners

RMAFC Board: Nigerian Senate Confirms appointment of Oti, Fanda, Egharhevwe 18 others as Commissioners

 

The Senate on Wednesday confirmed the appointments of 21 federal commissioners for the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission.

The upper legislative chamber confirmed the nominees after Yahaya Abdullahi, senator representing Kebbi north, presented a report.

President Bola Tinubu appointed the nominees in August and therefater sought the senate’s confirmation.

The former majority leader said with these appointments, every state in the country is represented on the RMAFC board.

“That the senate do confirmation of the 21 nominees that makes the commission to be of its full complement,” he said.

“That means every state now has a representation at the board.”

The new commissioners are:

Linda Oti (Abia)

Akpan Effiong (Akwa Ibom)

Enefe Ekene (Anambra)

Prof. Steve Ugba (Benue)

Chief Eyonsa (Cross-River)

Aruviere Egharhevwe (Delta)

Nduka Awuregu (Ebonyi)

Victor Eboigbe (Edo)

Wumi Ogunlola (Ekiti)

Ozo Obodougo (Enugu)

Kabir Mashi (Katsina).

Adamu Fanda (Kano)

Dr. Kunle Wright (Lagos)

Aliyu Abdulkadir (Nasarawa)

Bako Shetima (Niger)

Samuel Durojaye (Ogun)

Nathaniel Adejutelegan (Ondo)

Saad Ibrahim (Plateau)

Modu-Aji Juluri (Yobe)

Bello Garba (Zamfara)

Mohammed Usman (Gombe).

 

Alema Of Warri Extols Delta Ex-Governor’s Sacrifices To Fatherland At 70, Calls Him Man Of Great Integrity

Alema Of Warri Extols Delta ExGovernor’s Sacrifices To Fatherland At 70, Calls Him Man Of Great Integrity

 

Former Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, on Monday earned huge commendation for inspiring the people, creating a paradigm shift in humanitarian activism in Nigeria and maintaining cordial relationship with the traditional institution across the country.

‘’You are a man of great integrity and a rare gift to the fatherland’’

He was also applauded for promoting the rights and welfare of minors, encouraging women participation in politics and building bridges of hope.

‘’As a governor, you created an enabling environment for sustainable development, showed uncommon commitment and patriotism on issues bordering on the Niger Delta region and its development. opened a new vista for commercial and economic prosperity of the state, demonstrated unusual knack in the pursuit of education, expanded the frontiers of the dividend of democracy to the people, encouraged citizens to embrace entrepreneurship skills, invested in electricity and housing and provided cheap, comfortable and affordable means of transportation’’.

In a statement on the joyous occasion of the ex-governor’s 70th birthday and his achievements, the Alema of Warri, Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan, described the former governor as ‘’a peace promoter and a bridge builder’’.

‘’You delivered in your three-point agenda: peace and security, human capital and infrastructural development of the state’’.

He also described his 8-year tenure as the executive governor of Delta State as glorious and memorable.

‘’You pursued the unity and development of Delta State with all sense of patriotism and passion, embarked on massive construction of roads in the three senatorial zones, created special economic zones and industrial clusters, touched on the lives of several Deltans especially by your free maternal health care programme for all pregnant women in the state, free health service for children, scholarship scheme for students, micro credit and agricultural schemes’.

‘’In areas like tourism, sports and housing, you stamped your feet and left legacies that would continue to bear up in many years to come’’.

Alema of Warri who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Webster Group of Companies highlighted the ex-governor’s impact as Commissioner for Health.

‘’As Commissioner for Health, you made a mark that cannot be rivaled. You constructed and upgraded several health centres, provided special rehabilitation funds for hospitals across the state and established remarkable industrial peace in the sector through improved welfare packages. No progress-loving person can deny your character of discipline, integrity and passionate commitment to the sector.

The Warri High Chief emphasized Uduaghan’s administrative experience and political sagacity.

‘’As Secretary to the State Government, you left your name in gold. You brought your vision and vast experience to bear on the purpose-driven administration of Chief James Onanefe Ibori. Indeed, you did the job with dignity, grace and generosity of spirit’’

He also underscored the ex-governor’s natural tendency for open door policy and participatory management style.

‘’You deserve to be honoured for your unique ability, uncommon administrative ingenuity, the work that you did for the people of Delta State and the example you set for the Itsekiri Nation. You also deserve to be celebrated for your vision, forthrightness, sophisticated bearing, knack for solving the most complicated problems, exemplary leadership, immense contributions to humanity and the good name that you built for the family by your excellent conduct in the private and public sector’’.

Ending the statement, Uduaghan said ‘’ On behalf of myself, my family and the good people of Abigborodo, I join all well-meaning Nigerians to felicitate with an astute and upright leader on the joyous occasion of his 70th birthday and I pray to Almighty God to protect him, grant him more wisdom, strength and good health to continue to serve mankind’’

With Proper Strategy, PDP Deserves To Take Ondo – Adigwe Opines

With Proper Strategy, PDP Deserves To Take Ondo – Adigwe Opines

 

The Deputy National Organizing Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP and former House of Representatives member, Hon. Pascal Nwaoranine Adigwe has said that with proper strategy and persistent prayer against evil machination of the federal ruling party and electoral umpire, the PDP deserves to take Ondo State in the forthcoming Governorship Election.

Adigwe made the assertions while briefing the press in Ondo State during a visit of the party to the Deji of Akure amidst concerted effort of the PDP to regain power in Ondo State.

He said whilst the party leaders and stakeholders of PDP, of particular mention the Governors are making efforts to unite the party to stand strong for the coming off-cycle elections, he insisted that recent indices indicated the possibility of the PDP winning Ondo State, barring all external interferences especially manipulative tendencies of INEC which must be resisted.

According to him, “With proper planning, PDP will take Ondo State. All we are asking is for our leaders and members to remain peaceful, united and vigilant in all their conducts. Those fighting must sheathe their swords in the interest of harmony in the biggest political party in Africa to avert the dangers the party faced in Edo.

“For Ondo State Governorship Election, if the Delta State model of zoning is strictly applied, the PDP has all the chances to win big in the election”, Adigwe predicted.

Meanwhile, the candidate of the PDP in Ondo State, Mr. Agboola has alluded to the concerns of Hon. Adigwe by saying that “It’s the turn of the South in Ondo State, that is the Ilaje/Okitipupa area to produce the next Governor of the State. We must borrow the detailed model that has always helped the PDP in Delta State to remain unbeatable”, Agboola stressed.

Establish Fed. Min Of Shoreline Protection For Niger Delta, Aguariavwodo Appeals to President Tinubu

Establish Fed. Min Of Shoreline Protection For Niger Delta, Aguariavwodo Appeals to President Tinubu

 

The Senior Political Adviser to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to establish a Federal Ministry of Shoreline protection to address the perennial issue of flooding ravaging parts of the country especially riverine communities in the Niger Delta.

Senator Aguariavwodo made the call on Monday 14 October 2024 when he visited Bomadi and Patani Local Government Areas of the State in continuation of his tour to interact with political appointees and stalwarts of the PDP in the 25 Local Government Areas.

The SPOLAD said the call on the Federal Government has become necessary because the Niger Delta Development Commission that is saddled with the responsibility of developing the area cannot fund the project stressing that it is only the Federal Government that has the capacity and wherewithal to execute such gigantic project.

Senator Aguariavwodo said that there are over one hundred communities along the shores of the River Niger that have submerged or are being threatened by the fast flowing river which is washing the communities away adding that the situation has led to loss of lives and property in the affected areas thus further impoverishing the people of the Niger Delta.

According to Aguariavwodo the Federal Government depends on the Niger Delta for it’s sustenance stressing that such a Ministry can incorporate the Ecological Fund from the federation, adding that other communities threatened by river or gully erosion in other parts of Nigeria can also benefit from the new Federal Ministry.

The SPOLAD noted that our economy is configured to foster near absolute dependence on the government with very few industries in the Niger Delta pointing out that such economic design breeds hunger and starvation. So the consequent restiveness in the land can only be tackled if there are more genuine efforts in addressing the problems of the Niger Delta peoples.

Senator Aguariavwodo said that the plea of the people are well articulated and germane, he however appealed to them to be patient with Governor Sheriff emphasizing the total commitment of Governor Oborevwori to the development of the riverine communities in the state even with the establishment of the new Ministry of Riverine Infrastructure promising that “our” pragmatic Governor will increase its political patronage of the people and execute projects that will enhance their social and economic lives.

Earlier, in their respective addresses, he Chairman of Bomadi Council Area, Hon Dagidi Andaye and his Patani counterpart Hon Isaac Aguanah applauded Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for the MORE AGENDA work he is implementing across the state.

Hon Andaye especially thanked Governor Oborevwori for his approval of the Bomadi-Orhoro road construction stressing that the project on completion will boost the local economy through its multiplier effect.

Hon Andaye said the council has embarked upon several transformative initiatives that
are aimed at providing basic amenities that will improve the quality of life and unlock the potentials of the people of the local government area.

Meanwhile, the people of Patani Council Area in a well enunciated piece Commender Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for the approval for the construction of the Uduophori Secondary Commercial School road. They however appealed to the Governor for more political patronage and to award the Patani-Eruwa-Abari road, the Patani-Agoloma Toru-Angiama-Uduophori roads among others.

The meetings which were well attended included member representing Patani in the state House of Assembly Hon Engr Emmanuel Sinebe, Barr Funyei Manager Commissioner for Special Duties and the state Commissioner for Youth Barr Thankgod Trakriowei, Hon (Prince) K.P. Penawoa and other top officials of government.

Minimum wage: Oborevwori approves immediate payment of 77, 500 for Delta Civil Servants

Minimum wage: Oborevwori approves immediate payment of 77, 500 for Delta Civil Servants

 

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has approved the payment of the new minimum wage to workers in the state with effect from October.

Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu, disclosed this, Wednesday, October 16, 2024 during a meeting of the Committee of the new minimum wage with leadership of the Organized Labour in Delta State, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), to discuss the implementation of the new minimum wage.

Emu said the meeting was at the instance of Governor Oborevwori, who he stated has directed immediate payment of the new minimum wage starting from the month of October.

“The minimum wage committee earlier agreed that we can’t make payment until the National Income Salaries and Wages Commission sends the chart. We have now received the chart and we have in the last three sessions gone through the consequential adjustments and implications on our cash flow.

“Even though we have not been able to determine all the ramifications of the consequential adjustments on the future cash flow requirements of the State, the Governor directed we go ahead to pay because he feels the pains of the people as a labour friendly Governor.”

Responding, Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress NLC, Comrade Goodluck Ofobruku commended Governor Oborevwori for the prompt approval, adding that he had made the work of labour easier.

“The Labour movement in Delta State appreciates Governor Oborevwori for graciously approving the implementation of the 2024 minimum wage in Delta State without stressing us.

“He has made the job of labour to be less difficult. Before the National Income and Salaries Wages Commission released the chart and consequential adjustments, the Governor did assure labour and workers in the state that he will pay any time the chart is out.

“Some people thought he was making a political statement but today he has proved that his promise was not just a political statement.

“We thank him for giving the go ahead to implement the payment while we correct any discrepancies later.”

Ex-Agitators fingered Kuku, Boyloaf, Shoot-At-Sight as those in desperate plot to destabilize PAP

Ex-Agitators fingered Kuku, Boyloaf, Shoot-At-Sight as those in desperate plot to destabilize PAP

 

A group, Forum of Concerned Niger Delta Ex-Agitators based in Okosugbene Community of Delta State has exposed a desperate plot to destabilize the Presidential Amnesty Programme by some bitterly disposed and criminally intended night soil individuals, aimed at pulling down the Amnesty Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro.

The Ex-Agitators in a Press Statement at the weekend fingered Kingsley Kuku, Boyloaf and Shoot-At-Sight as those in a desperate plot to destabilize the Presidential Amnesty Programme and pull down its Administrator, Dr Otuaro.

The Press Statement signed by Chief ( General) Otegha Ayebi ( The Last Don), General Benjamin Ekeremor ( The Opu Abadi) and General Adowei Binaebi, they that the appointment of Dennis Otuaro as Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme rocked the existential monolith of disquieting revisionism and accepted attitudes represented by Messrs Kingsley Kuku, Ebokabowei Victor-Ben (Boyloaf), and Bibopri Ajube (Shoot-at-Sight), who unfortunately do not understand the mandate and stewardship of the Presidential Amnesty Programme

These individuals, according to the group, imaged in quasi literal term as pale dots continue to suffer split in their personality, easily forgot that they were part of the league of night soil men who had mistaken the Amnesty Programme as opportunity to expand their vagrancy and criminal misappropriation of Amnesty Funds for their personal gains, and who in their frustration and resigned tone of fatalists and in the manner of mysterious breed of dogs, mews like cats as dogs, and as much like foxes as cats, are in an uninspiring mission, to throw spittle on the renewed Hope agenda that is at the core of the Administrative philosophy of Dr Dennis Otuaro, the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

They held out that there is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human concepts than the isolated chicanery and divisive cynicism of these men to seek to distract the noteworthy inroads the present Amnesty programme leadership has made to the hearts and minds of the impacted community of former agitators.

They added that it underscores their poverty of character and irresponsibility to draw themselves into a scorch earth battle, with the present leadership of the Amnesty programme for denying them the free funding they have become accustomed to, saying; “In the past, they had intimidated and harassed Amnesty administrators to get their way, but have met a dispassionate and candid Dr. Otuaro who would not yield to their non deterministic old antics”.

They said that Dr. Dennis Otuaro himself was a discernible front row leader in the days of youths restiveness in the Niger Delta, adding that; “He can’t fall to the cheap sophistries and blackmail of these desperate and trounced individuals”.

“To be sure, Kingsley Kuku, a former fugitive, who escaped the shores of the country, just before the inauguration of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration for fear of being apprehended for looting Amnesty Funds, while he Administrator of the PAP, recently returned to Nigeria, wrecked, immobile and torn financially. His case file is still at the Economics and Financial crimes commission registry.

Mr. Kuku’s investment of looted Amnesty Programme’s funds, in airline business which failed miserably, as his then trusted ally, hijacked the investment, leaving him stranded, deeply indebted and vulnerable”, they wrote.

They also wrote that; “Today, he is not sure when the next meal would come. Feeling frustrated and beaten from his huge financial loss, Kingsley Kuku now surreptitiously resorts to want to undermine the present Amnesty leadership. He would only succeed to the point that his recent criminal misrepresentation of the PAP is dead on arrival.There is no more free monies for him and his cohorts at the Amnesty Office. His inglorious days that were steeped in barefaced thievery are over”.

They revealed that Kingsley Kuku, Boyloaf and Ajube (Shoot-at-Sight) have recently recruited one Jude Gbaboyor, an established illiterate, to discredit Dennis Otuaro and the Amnesty programme through media interviews.

“Gbaboyor’s recent poor showing on ARISE Television Network on Friday, October 11th, where on prime time television he continues to exhibit sheer ignorance and absent mindedness. He had a script hidden between his thighs from where he was reading to misrepresent the PAP leadership.

It is laughable and disheartening that Gbaboyor, who was previously sacked from the Amnesty Office for official misconduct, looting of the KAIAMA TRAINING CENTER and leaking official information has become the willing tool for these individuals. He should hide his head in shame.The refusal of Dr. Dennis Otuaro to reverse his dismissal, that apparently infuriated him. He is livid and angry that he could not return to the Amnesty Office to resume as conduit to his benefactors”, they stated.

According to the group;”His main godfather, Boyloaf, is notorious, serial , unapologetic betrayal – having been dismissed and evicted from the Niger Delta struggle abinitio “CAMP 5”for his jekyll and Hyde demeanor and for his being a mole and informant. Boyloaf’s history of being a blackleg, turncoat and deceptions are well-documented, including his betrayal of his leader and benefactor MUJAHID ASARI DOKUBO, TOMOOLO, FARRAH DAGOGO & finally HENRY Okah, who now languishes in a South African jail.Boyloaf and his lackey, Gbaboyor, were never in the mainstream of the Niger Delta struggle. They are are not known. Shame on Ajube (Shoot at Sight), who never seems to grow up from his petty witchcraft, childishness and crooked ways of earning a living. He jumps from one racket to the other just to collect ransom from government institutions”.

They urged Kingsley Kuku , Boyloaf and Mr Ajube to seek for alternative funding sources for their opulent lifestyle, saying that; “Dennis Otuaro’s message is clear: the Amnesty Fund is no longer available for exploitation by those who feel privileged and entitled.The programme now serves only ex-agitators to bringing peace and stability to the Niger Delta region”.

The implored Otuaro to resist blackmail and intimidation, and to ensure the programme doesn’t revert to its dark past under Kingsley Kuku’s leadership, adding that; “Kingsley Kuku should relinquish his feeble siege on Dennis Otuaro and allow the Amnesty Programme to flourish. His term ended years back. It is time to move on. We hope he didn’t forget anything at the Amnesty office?

“It is important that Dr. Dennis Otuaro should not succumb to these subtle blackmails. He should rather fight back beecause he knows them to their homes, and he should not be scared of anyone from that group.So far, so good, we are happy with Dr Otuaro’s leadership styles. He should keep taking the right steps, regardless of whose ox is gored. We repose utmost confidence in his leadership”, they said.

Here Is The Full Statement By The Group:

EXPOSING A DESPERATE PLOT TO DESTABILIZE THE PRESIDENTIAL AMNESTY PROGRAMME BY A PALE DOT OF BITTERLY DISPOSED AND CRIMINALLY INTENDED NIGHT SOIL INDIVIDUALS TO WIT: KINGSLEY KUKU; BOYLOAF, SHOOT-AT-SIGHT IN A DELUSIONAL FREE FALL TO PULL DOWN AMNESTY ADMINISTRATOR, DR. DENNIS OTUARO

The appointment of Dennis Otuaro as Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme rocked the existential monolith of disquieting revisionism and accepted attitudes represented by Messrs Kingsley Kuku, Ebokabowei Victor-Ben (Boyloaf), and Bibopri Ajube (Shoot-at-Sight), who unfortunately do not understand the mandate and stewardship of the Presidential Amnesty Programme

These individuals, imaged in quasi literal term as pale dots continue to suffer split in their personality, easily forgot that they were part of the league of night soil men who had mistaken the Amnesty program as opportunity to expand their vagrancy and criminal misappropriation of Amnesty Funds for their personal gains, and who in their frustration and resigned tone of fatalists and in the manner of mysterious breed of dogs, mews like cats as dogs, and as much like foxes as cats, are in an uninspiring mission, to throw spittle on the renewed Hope agenda that is at the core of the Administrative philosophy of Dr Dennis Otuaro, the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme

There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than the isolated chicanery and divisive cynicism of these men to seek to distract the noteworthy inroads the present Amnesty program leadership has made to the hearts and minds of the impacted community of former agitators. it underscores their poverty of character and irresponsibility to draw themselves into a scorch earth battle, with the present leadership of the Amnesty program for denying them the free funding they have become accustomed to.

In the past, they had intimidated and harassed Amnesty administrators to get their way, but have met a dispassionate and candid Dr. Otuaro who would not yield to their non deterministic old antics.

Dr. Dennis Otuaro himself was a discernible front row leader in the days of youths restiveness in the Niger Delta. He can’t fall to the cheap sophistries and blackmail of these desperate and trounced individuals.

To be sure, Kingsley Kuku, a former fugitive, who escaped the shores of the country, just before the inauguration of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration for fear of being apprehended for looting Amnesty Funds, while he Administrator of the PAP, recently returned to Nigeria, wrecked, immobile and torn financially. His case file is still at the Economics and Financial crimes commission registry.

Mr. Kuku’s investment of looted Amnesty Programme’s funds, in airline business which failed miserably, as his then trusted ally, hijacked the investment, leaving him stranded, deeply indebted and vulnerable.

Today, he is not sure when the next meal would come. Feeling frustrated and beaten from his huge financial loss, Kingsley Kuku now surreptitiously resorts to want to undermine the present Amnesty leadership. He would only succeed to the point that his recent criminal misrepresentation of the PAP is dead on arrival.

There is no more free monies for him and his cohorts at the Amnesty Office. His inglorious days that were steeped in barefaced thievery are over.

It is to be noted that Kingsley Kuku, Boyloaf and Ajube (Shoot-at-Sight) have recently recruited one Jude Gbaboyor, an established illiterate, to discredit Dennis Otuaro and the Amnesty programme through media interviews.

Gbaboyor’s recent poor showing on ARISE Television Network on Friday, October 11th, where on prime time television he continues to exhibit sheer ignorance and absent mindedness. He had a script hidden between his thighs from where he was reading to misrepresent the PAP leadership.

It is laughable and disheartening that Gbaboyor, who was previously sacked from the Amnesty Office for official misconduct, looting of the KAIAMA TRAINING CENTER and leaking official information has become the willing tool for these individuals. He should hide his head in shame.

The refusal of Dr. Dennis Otuaro to reverse his dismissal, that apparently infuriated him. He is livid and angry that he could not return to the Amnesty Office to resume as conduit to his benefactors.

His main godfather, Boyloaf, is notorious, serial , unapologetic betrayal – having been dismissed and evicted from the Niger Delta struggle abinitio “CAMP 5”for his jekyll and Hyde demeanor and for his being a mole and informant.

Boyloaf’s history of being a blackleg, turncoat and deceptions are well-documented, including his betrayal of his leader and benefactor MUJAHID ASARI DOKUBO, TOMOOLO, FARRAH DAGOGO & finally HENRY Okah, who now languishes in a South African jail.

Boyloaf and his lackey, Gbaboyor, were never in the mainstream of the Niger Delta struggle. They are are not known. Shame on Ajube (Shoot at Sight), who never seems to grow up from his petty witchcraft, childishness and crooked ways of earning a living. He jumps from one racket to the other just to collect ransom from government institutions.

We urge Kingsley Kuku , Boyloaf and Mr Ajube to seek for alternative funding sources for their opulent lifestyle.

Dennis Otuaro’s message is clear: the Amnesty Fund is no longer available for exploitation by those who feel privileged and entitled.

The programme now serves only ex-agitators to bringing peace and stability to the Niger Delta region.

We implore Otuaro to resist blackmail and intimidation, and to ensure the programme doesn’t revert to its dark past under Kingsley Kuku’s leadership.

Kingsley Kuku should relinquish his feeble siege on Dennis Otuaro and allow the Amnesty Programme to flourish.

His term ended years back. It is time to move on. We hope he didn’t forget anything at the Amnesty office?

It is important that Dr.
Dennis Otuaro should not succumb to these subtle blackmails. He should rather fight back beecause he knows them to their homes, and he should not be scared of anyone from that group.

So far, so good, we are happy with Dr Otuaro’s leadership styles. He should keep taking the right steps, regardless of whose ox is gored.

We repose utmost confidence in his leadership

SIGNED:
CHIEF. GENERAL OTEGHA. AYEBI
( THE LAST DON).

GEN. BENJAMIN EKEREMOR.
( THE OPU ABADI)

GEN. ADOWEI BINAEBI.

There Is A Serious Conspiracy Against Women In Niger Delta Region — Omawumi Urhobo Declares

There Is A Serious Conspiracy Against Women In Niger Delta Region — Omawumi Urhobo Declares

 

Dr. Omawumi Evelyn Urhobo is the Founder/President of Morgan Smart Development Foundation. In Interview with a select Journalists in Warri, Delta State, recently, she speaks on varied issues, including the day she stormed the American Congress where she wept. Do you want to know why “THIS LITTLE GIRL” from Okere Warri burst into tears in America? Find out this and other things she spoke about in this unputdownable interview.

Happy Reading:

Question: May we meet you briefly?

Answer: My name is Dr Omawumi Evelyn Urhobo, Founder/President of Morgan Smart Development Foundation. I am retired now from government service where I spent 32 years. I got to the rank of a director with the NDDC when I retired at the age of 60 in 2012, So I retired over 12 years ago. I retired, and of course, not being tired. I’m still running my NGO and also running a Bank and an Hospitality Business in Lagos

Question : What is the latest Development now?

Answer: The latest development now is that because I want to leave a legacy for when I’m gone. I’ve endowed a trust fund in my name Omawumi Evelyn Atsiangbe-Urhobo Education Trust Fund, for which I’m in town to give out the scholarship to the first Set of eighteen students from financially challenged homes. It is on record that on my Seventh birthday, I did a public presentation of the book I wrote, an autobiography which I titled *I Spoke At The American Congress the little Girl from Okere Warri. I have always seen my life as been a phenomenon. I don’t know how people rank their lives, but when I look back at the experiences I’ve had over time, I just thought I got to capture it all in the book for posterity and to inspire the younger ones especially the girl child that if you believe and work hard, everything is possible and your life can become phenomenal too.

Question :Tell us about this little girl from Okere.

Answer: The little girl from Okere, Oki street. I always remember a product of a young Mother and a young father, where I lived in a communal environment with aunties and uncles and everybody, where everybody cared for you, but nobody actually particularly interested in you. So I grew up in a communal environment, but I was fortunate. My mother was there, and most importantly, her eldest sister was there, and my father too who left a great impression in my life. Because my father and my mother were not getting on too well, at a point, the family insisted that they be separated. So my father left for ibadan to join his mother, with my little Sister, and my mother was taken by his Uncle to Lagos. I was now left behind with my auntie, my auntie Nadi, bless her, who now brought me up, literally speaking. So like every young girl, little Omawumi that grew up in Okere in a communal life but with her Aunty Nade watching over her like a hawk. In Okere, when it is time to go to school, you go to a township school, what was later known as government school, I think it is now called Nana school, or something like that. I walk to school every morning with my cousins and Come back and enter any house where there is food. You have this crowd of families just living a communal life, and I think a very happy one. That was the the little girl from Okere.

Question : To tell us about your experience at Hussey College, where you went to school from 1965 to 1971.

Answer: I am for ever grateful for that privilege of going to that elite school, because the truth is that it was an elite school, very expensive one and it wasn’t meant for an ordinary little girl from Okere kind of person, but my mother, while she was working in Lagos, was very specific about what she wanted for her child. She had two daughters, okay, when my father left for Ibadan, he died in 1971. Yeah, so she now took full responsibility for bringing up her two children, but she was very particular that I go to Hussey College, and looking back, I will have wondered why she will say that when she couldn’t even afford it, everybody was going to Our Ladies High School or UCC and all those other schools But then you say Hussey College, where they pay so much money, I think the school fees was like 20 to 23 pounds a term. We’re using term that time. But she did insisted. She told my auntie she’s going to work out the money so I should go sit for the exams. Of course, I sat. I passed I got admitted. So that’s how I got into Hussey college. And of course, it was a totally different world where you are now hobnobbing with children from rich homes and all that, and trying to get your bearing, you know, looking at how people do things and do it without being laughed at that this bush girl from Okere, kind of thing. Then, you know, our culture in Okere, we are very aggressive. So as a child, I’ve always watched out for myself, watched out for people who are being oppressed, the children who were less advantaged, so I carried that up to the school where I was always fighting. You know, if you punish a student, and I think an injustice have been done, even like a junior girl, I will fight. So all the time I was cutting grass as punishment. In fact, I will tell you, yeah, bring the portion. So that is what it was. But then something miraculous happened. I was found to have athletic capacity, because when we went to do our first or second inter-house sport, all the regular people who were running the 100 meters. I beat them flat. And that was when I became a discovery that, wow, this little girl can run. So becoming a sports girl in Oshowode house then, put me at the advantage that I became a pampered child by the authority. My Rector, Chief O N Rewane, bless his soul, was the Principal but called Rector then. So I started having a lot of privileges, because I was an athlete, of which the best was when I was made a Perfect in form four, in a School where there was Higher School Certificate Students, there was O levels and A levels, but I was made a prefect, and guess what? Why did they do that? They said they wanted to let me know that I cannot just be let loose like a cannon, been fighting and being irresponsible all over the place with so much Okere energy. They want to teach me to be responsible. I remember Mrs Ewerokoma Chief Begho younger sister who the teacher in charge of the girls saying to me, “Urhobo you will be the first prefect that is going to be punished, because prefects are supposed to have decorum in their behavior. So suddenly I was now trying to behave properly, and I think that’s where all this leadership qualities started building up. They saw something in me that I didn’t know I possess. Once we had a triangular sport meet between Hussey College, Govt College Ughelli and Federal Govt College Warri and a dinner was held in the evening for all the participating students and suddenly I heard Rector called out, Urhobo stand up and give a speech or vote of thanks. I wanted the ground to open to swallow me up that night. For God’s sake, how do my Rector want me a form 4 student who was a Sport Perfect to stand before the crowd and make a speech?. Till this this day I can’t remember what I said but I did make a speech. That is how Hussey College nurtured me.

So these are the kind of exposure I had in Hussey college that built me up. But of course, the academic side too, I was not slacking, because even with all the sporting activities that I had to attend our of School, including attending the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1970, I was still doing well with my academics. My school cert result was very good. All my results were always very good. So by the time I was in upper Six in 1971, they actually made me the Head Girl of the School. So Hussey college actually built me in totality, gave me the platform which I used to achieve me the kind of life I led till today.

Question: So then, now moving from Warri and you went to Lagos, where you attended the University of Lagos, from 1972/1975. We just want to know how the experience was like.

Answer: Of course, I went to Unilag like everybody wanted to go to Unilag like everyone to go to go to Eko for show. For sure, it never crossed my mind to go to any other university, because looking back, University of Ibadan was supposed to be a citadel of learning, where everybody aspired to go to. I never I wanted to go to UI I wanted to go to Unilag, because they said that’s where it happens. And of course, again, I was lucky. I wanted to read political science, but I had to have a mathematics as one of the requirements, and I didn’t have mathematics. so my mother took me to a professor for counseling, and they said, Okay, I can study sociology. And I said, What is sociology? Honestly, didn’t know what sociology was all about. Instead, I knew about politics. I did government in A levels. So I was now made to study sociology, and interestingly, that’s what brought out all the humanity in me, because I now took course in social welfare as part option in taking a course of study of Sociology. Taking Social welfare as an option, exposed me to visits to Approved Schools, Remand homes and all that in the course of our studies, and from what I saw, I developed strong empathy towards wanting to take care of these children who, by no fault of theirs were packed into crowded accommodations in these Remand Homes and Approved Schools in Lagos State, you know.

While I was in UNILAG, I attended Nigerian University Games NUGA in Nsukka. I also attended the West Africa University games in Kumasi Ghana. But the truth is that I really didn’t want to continue with the sports. I thought I’ve had enough of that. It was too stressful. I had a natural ability to run, but I never used to make any effort to run. It came naturally, because I hate those gruesome trainings that I was made to go through. It always makes me so miserable. So when I finished with sport in Unilag, I never look back to my sporting days again. I had a lot of options. Oh, I should have gone to the US. For, like, almost all the people I was doing sports with, they all moved to the US to continue their sporting activities and study. But I was not interested. I wanted my own life, because I think God was always directing me in the path I should go. So I was never interested in going to America to go and further my Study. Our coach Debia, was recruiting everybody. I said, I’m not interested. I don’t want to go to America. I want to stay here, because I think God has a purpose for me in my country.

Question: Your work with the international university Exchange Fund IUEF and Your involvement with the South African Liberation Struggle in South Africa. We want to know about this.

Answer: Like I had earlier said, with my training as a Social welfare came through my reading sociology, has actually built a lot of empathy in me. In fact, it’s not even that time. It started from township school. I was always fight people all the time. Immediately I see that you are oppressing a small child, I will come after you. So when I started work at the Federal Ministry of Social Development, Youth and Sports, and a colleague was told of a job opening as the federal government was bringing some South African students to the country to study, and they were looking for a Student counselor. My colleague Banke is her name said her brother told her about the job but she told her she was not interested but that she knows who will be interested in that kind of job so she told me about the job opening and of course I jumped at it. I had to go to the Cabinet Office which the Presidency used to be called. I met with Thabo Mbeki who was the ANC Chief Rep in Nigeria in 1977 who eventually became president of South Africa. It was the wife, Zanele Mbeki, who eventually, of course, became the first lady, was the IUEF representative who where bringing the students to Nigeria, and also bringing the fund, but they needed school placement in Nigeria and the person to take care of them. Now here come the very young girl Evelyn Urhobo, just one year out of National Youth service. I was just 23 years then and they’re looking for a job to take care of 250 South African militant students who have just fought the South African system with the Soweto uprising in 1976 and because of the brutality of that revolt, a lot of the students now run into exile to Botswana, and South Africa was threatening Botswana that if they don’t move these people, they come in to bomb them. So in the process, they had to look for where to move them. We had a Nigerian ambassador, a woman, I still remember her, Hajia Muhammad. She was the Nigerian High commissioner in Botswana, She now linked up with President Obasanjo, who was the military president and made a case for the students to Nigeria, and he approved that they come to Nigeria to Study in 1977. interestingly, looking back now Zanele, said to me later, that when she saw me then she felt weary because she was looking to recruit a Coordinator and Student Counselor for 250 militant Students that just took up the Apartheid Regime in Soweto uprising. She said she took one look at me and said, Man, if this girl know what she’s trying to get herself into. Not only were they militants, they were all about my age too. when they told me all about it, I said I was interested. Why don’t they give me a chance? And they said, okay, for one year they were going to try me out, and they now recruited me. When I got back to the office, and I told my boss, the director in charge of women, and my colleagues, that I was going to resign from government work to take up a one year contract job with international university exchange fund, They people didn’t believe it, Banke my friend that told me about the Job could not believe I will want to leave a government job that I will work and retire on with a pension , to go and take a one year contract job. And I said, I know what I’m doing. If you don’t try some of these things, you never make progress. To start with they offered me a salary that was twice what I was earning in Govt. My Govt Salary was N3400 per annum and IUEF offered me N7600. Why won’t I move. I told them that going to work for them I will so impressed them that they will not have an choice than to renew the contract at the end of the one year. I know the students, are going to be around for maybe four or five years to complete their study. So all I need to do is to work myself out and so impress them that after one year, they will review my contract. And that is what they did.After one year, the IUEF Headquarter in Switzerland was so happy with my output that they increased my salary to N14,000 which was in dollars. when I went back to my friends, I said to them, “Una see unaself now, you people are still earning 3400. I have the privilege of earning my money in dollars now I said to them. So that’s where you have to dream. You have to aspire. You have to be forward looking. You have to take chances and utilize opportunities. You have to go the extra mile, which I did, and that gave me the backing of what I am now. Later on by the time the IUEF was infiltrated by the South African government, the people the Scandinavian countries who were funding the program withdraw their funding and IUEF was disbanded after five years operation in Nigeria, I had to move on. Though IUEF left, there were still a lot of the South Africans students still left in Nigeria. At this the Federal Govt had set up the Southern African Relief Fund SARF to take charge of taking care of the students still in the Country. I then transited from the international university exchange fund to the Southern African Relief fund as the Executive Secretary where I worked and even brought more south African, Zimbabwean, Mozambique and Namibia Students, and was later moved to the National Committee Against Apartheid NACAP till South Africa got their independence in 1985 and I re-join the Federal Public Service.
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Question: The story of your life is going to be incomplete without telling us your 30 years in public service.

Answer: Yeah. It really amazes me, because just recently, I was interviewed where I said that when I joined public service, I did not intend to stay more longer as necessary, because I didn’t think that my future was in public service. People work in public service because they are thinking of the job security and the retirement benefit they will get. How can you start a job and you’re thinking of retirement, you should go there and actualize yourself. I’m not interested in whatever retirement they’re going to pay me, as I have the capacity to work my retirement for myself. But again, God had a plan, because when I started work with the South African Relief Fund, it was under The Presidency itself. So it was a government parastatal. So when in 1985 South Africa became independent, they deployed all of us working with the Fund back into the service. So I was now back in the Service I had earlier left, and I went on to spend the next 32 years in Public Service from where I retired when I turned 60 years in 2012. The truth was that all the time I spent, every day I was planning to leave. I was always planning to leave because I really believe that my future was not in government service. Will in the Govt Service, I set up my foundation, Morgan Smart Development Foundation. I and a group of friends set up the Okere Community Bank, that metamorphosis into the Coastline MFB. You know, I was doing so many other things that was sort of making up for just being a civil servant. But one thing I’ve always said to myself, any day, they query me that I was doing these other things, I was going to resign and leave the service. I’m not going to be intimidated, because I have enough time working with government to do this extra thing that I’m doing so my Government work was not suffering in anyway. But for the 32 years, nobody queried me. So I worked in the day, and do all these other work at night. And it was the one of those times that I was working for which was my NGO, even while in service, that I got invited for a one month Global Women in Management GWIM Workshop in Washington DC, when I got the opportunity to speak at the American Congress Briefing on the Role Of Women in Strengthening Global Economy. I took a month leave from my Govt Job to attend the workshop. So the truth is that if I’ve been intimidated by my purely government work, I wouldn’t have done all these other things that I did. The secret is that to be successful, you must be multitasking. I was on multitasking fellow if there was one.

Question: When your mates were going to the US to study, you refused to go, but on a good day, you were not in America. You need to get from Okere and stood up before the crowd and address the world in the Congress. Tell us about the experience?

Answer: I cried. You know, they were so official about the whole process. We were there for one month women in leadership training program sponsored by ExonMobil Foundation, during the course of the training, they found out that not only was I a government worker, I was running a Bank and I was running an NGO that was working with women in the Niger Delta so they found that my exposure was amazing. So when the three Women legislators sponsored a Briefing on the Role of Women in Strengthening Global Economy. They needed some women from the women leadership program that was going on in Washington that time. And guess what happened? I was one of the two that was nominated to address the Congress briefly, and the whole process was amazing, if you see the way they took the preparation on what we were going to be speaking about. I had to talk about the fact that for any genuine development, it must start from the grassroots, because that is where development is, and they are mostly the women in the informal sector driving development with what they do. They are the engine room. If you look at it till tomorrow, if you go into the creeks tomorrow, you are seeing the women picking wrinkle, hawking water in boats, cutting firewood to sell, burning wood to make charcoal to sell, moving goods on their heads to sell and doing all sorts of things. And the irony is that most times they are also the breadwinners in their homes. They are the engine room so I said, for any government that is serious about development, they must invest in them at the grassroots. This was what I actually talked on. So we got the speech prepared and that day we were taken in a Limousine into the Capitol Hill, and we had to take the elevator to the floor where the briefing was to take place. And what was going through my mind all the whole was, you mean, Senator Hillary Clinton who was my idol any day entered this elevator. Then, of course, Senator Obama who later became US President also went through this elevator. See me. I’m walking through the lift where these people actually walked me, this little girl from Okere. They kept us two ladies to make our presentation aside an adjourning room and when all the Guests were seated, they escorted us into the Room where we were introduced to the legislators and other top dignitaries present. After other introductory speeches were made, I was introduced and I made my presentation standing on a podium with the US insignia and American flag behind me to deliver my speech. When we finished and we got back to the training center, I was suddenly overwhelmed with emotion and burst into tears. I couldn’t really continue this anymore, because what keep flashing through my mind is how, how me from Okere, I stood with an American Congress flag behind me, with insignia of the American symbol on the podium, that’s where I stood to talk, to address and important people were actually listening to me. I remember one of my colleagues from Guyana, who came to me and said girl I know how you feel. I think you’ll be doing good if you actually capture this experience in a book. That was when the issue of writing a book was planted in my mind, but it took me some other 14 years to write the Book but I did it.

Question: Tell us briefly about Morgan Smart Development Foundation and the Okere Community Bank, just tell us.

Answer: Well, for the bank, the idea of the bank came from the professional itsekiri women group in Lagos that I belong to trying to see how we can bring about some development in our home Front. When Community Banking was introduced by the babangida administration, We thought this was a very good way to go, so we went about raising the funds and get the approval to set up the Okere Community Bank in 1992/1993. I happened to be the President of the association at that time the Itsekiri Duccess Society. So naturally, the responsibility fell on me to make sure that the Bank project becomes a reality. For me anything I do, I put my heart to it. I saw the future prospects of the Bank and gave it my all to make it came on stream. I remember being accused then that I was carrying the Bank on my head, and my response was that if I did not carry it on my head it will not work. 30 years later, the bank is still and now as Coastline MFB. I had carried the Bank on my head, not necessarily because of any financial gains, but the desire was to make credit available to poor women at the grassroot and this we have done for over 30 years now. The Morgan Smart Development Foundation, which I endowed over 20 years ago in memory of my late father Kidzo Morgan was the desire to have a platform to use to be able to help women generally and the youth also. The poverty of the Women was very excruciating for all to see everywhere you go in the Niger Delta and I had this strong desire to help ameliorate the suffering that they were going through. This happened about the time I got appointed as the Delta State Coordinator of the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC.. I was actually to come into the NDDC as a Deputy Director because I was already an Assistant Director in the Public Service but the position of Delta State Coordinator was an Assistant Director position and I opted for it. I actually demoted myself for the higher good. Apart from doing my job as a coordinator, I will inaugurate my Foundation, I will be on ground to run the Bank and also close on ground to take care of my old mother.And that is how it worked for me. So what happened? I do my work, government work during the day, at night, I do my bank and my foundation work, and I tell you that has distorted my sleeping pattern till today, as I sleep very late at night. I have to be awake to do a lot of things. I think best at night. My friends are not surprised when they keep receiving WhatsApp chats and text messages late at night and they will ask “you no dey sleep.” But I’m so used to it. These are the time that my brain functions best. So that’s how I combined the NGO and the Bank thing and other things I am interested in.

Question: Our women in the Niger Delta region are passing through a lot. Tell us what is this thing about the conspiracy of silence against the women in Niger women.

Answer: I call it a Conspiracy of Silence Against the Women of the Niger Delta. It is a conspiracy, because the problem is looking at us in the face, but nobody is seeing it or want to talk about it. The women are the breadwinners in most of these communities in the Niger Delta but the men insist on speaking for them. They breed the children, they take them to school, they feed them and everything whenever they are going to have what you call it government gathering or something, they will say the men, the youth are the one they listen to. Nobody talks about the women. And it’s a general thing. You take an overview of the present situation even in the country today. The best is some kind of tokenism. No concrete legislation that provides or protect these women making out a living in the rural or riverine communities especially in the Niger Delta. They don’t so I actually consider it as a conspiracy of silence. Why is anybody even when I’m at a meeting, when this thing comes up, the men will say, now our wives, now that we will talk for them. Do you bother to know what she’s going through? Have you taken the time to cross check to know what her feelings are? You know, hey, they’re not supposed to get feeling. We’re supposed to know wetin they need, which is a big, big mistake, and that is why we are having serious challenge in the Niger Delta till tomorrow. The women who are the engine room in development in Niger especially the Niger Delta, is they tell me it’s happening all over the country, but to me, my interest, in the Niger Delta, nobody called when they are having meeting, they will tell the women to stay by the window. They hang out by the window to listen in. That is if they let you come. Or sometimes they hold their meeting in the shrine, in the shrine where they don’t want women to and they say, you know, women can’t go into shrine, you can’t have meeting in all deliberately to alienate the women and not bring them in. You know, it’s so frustrating. But one thing I know, I was able to successfully advocate for these marginalized women during the meeting of National Council on the Niger Delta under the Ministry of the Niger Delta. I have a friend there who was working with the Ministry of the Niger Delta. He said to me, I’m going to give you an opportunity to go to that council meeting to make your case for the Niger Delta women. And he did, because they now made me a member of the National Council of the Niger Delta representing civil societies, And at the 2nd meeting of the National Council of the Niger Delta held in Akure, Ondo State in the year 2018. During the meeting in Akure, it was even a problem scheduling me to make my presentation at the technical committee meeting. Come and see the wahala to get them to schedule me to even talk. Wetin, you won’t talk about women. We know their problems, I told them you don’t know their problems. At his time at a point, I stood up and threw a tantrum that I must speak. And God bless the Director of Niger Delta Ministry who was the chairman of that session, he said, why don’t we just give her a chance? Give her a chance. Now, even if it’s two minutes, let her make her presentation . In the end they said they give me five minutes to make my presentation. That was when I was able to address the technical committee of the National Council of the Niger Delta, if you must know, this Council is suppose to comprise all the State Governors of the Niger Delta or their representative, the petroleum ministry, Federal Ministry of Finance, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, CBN and all the oil companies operating in the region, The NDDC and representative of civil societies of which I had the privilege to be appointed. By its composition, t’s supposed to be a very high powered body that is supposed to supervise the development in the Niger Delta, but I won’t go there, because all the flaws are there. But I did make my power point presentation graphic photos, for 15 minutes, and the whole crowd was silent, and when I finished the Chairman said to me, “Madam, he says, when you were talking. I remembered my mother, how she worked and how she died.” There were a large number of members of the committee who came later to congratulate me and tell me stories of their mother’s experiences. My friend, Dr Mulade I think he is with the Maritime University now who was representing the Youths, He came to me and embraced me and said, Thank you, because nobody sees it the way you just said it. I showed pictures of women in the creeks who wake up at 6am in the morning. They are picking Periwinkle. They are cutting wood to sell yet, nobody recognizes them. Nobody acknowledges them. To men that is what they are meant to do. When they do all this, one they put on the table. At the end of the day, the man doesn’t know where the food is coming from. He eats it. Then, of course, he gets her pregnant. But when they want to talk about how to improve on the life of the women, nobody talks for them. So it’s a paradox of what is happening. But I know that no matter how long it takes, one day, but that particular presentation I did at the National Council for the Niger Delta is on record, that a decision was taken to set up a special Fund to cater for the women in the rural and riverine communities and even though it is yet to be implemented till this day amongst other decisions taken to ameliorate their suffering, it will be implemented. It is there in that report. And I said, for me, I think I’ve done my own bit. They might not do anything about it now, but one day, a woman might become the minister in charge of the Niger Delta and she will see that approval, and she’s going to implement it. I look forward to that day

Question : So while we’re waiting for that, what is your final message to women?

Answer: They must not give up. I didn’t give up. I was a little girl from Okere that had everything against me, but with iron will, determination that I used to say, I will not end up selling pepper in the market, I will not end up selling pepper in the market. I must be able to do something. And I’m surprised that actually you didn’t even ask me that, because my private life it now say, why didn’t you get married? And I used to say I didn’t need to get married because that was going to limit myself in terms of being able to impact society. They say, when you walk alone, you work better. I took myself out of poverty because I worked hard and empowered my community, and I’m still doing it till tomorrow. If I’d had a husband, Well, forgive me. I’m sorry. I’m talking to the men. They’re going to limit you. They’re going to pull you back, if not, trying to discourage you. They become jealous that you are too outspoken. They will come up with all form of accusations. And I didn’t have the patience for all that. I was focused. I knew where I was going that I have to impact. And by the grace of God, I think I’ve done so well for my people, my mother and Morgan Smart Development Foundation. Come on Saturday, you come there, out of the 180 that we’ve trained in the last 10 years, we are awarding Excellence Award to 10 of them for outstanding performance, because some of the students came in first class electrical engineering, first class microbiology, First Class agric engineering, second class upper in Public Administration etc. These are children that we took from financially challenged home who made us so proud The Objective of my Foundation is to bring brilliant children from financially challenged homes and provide them with a leveling ground to excel, and we have the result to show case. Several of the students are reading medicine, Architecture, Pharmacy, Agriculture, Petroleum Engineering, Education etc. Morgan Smart suspended further award of Scholarships after ten years in 2022, because of lack of fund. However with the encouragement of a friend I have endowed during my 70th Birthday in 2022, a Trust Fund, the Omawumi Evelyn Atsiangbe-Urhobo Education Trust Fund in my name, and this time even when I’m dead, my Trust Fund will continue to award scholarships to brilliant students from financially challenged homes in perpetuity. Though my grandson has told me that I will live till I am 100 years. It is all in God’s hands. But I am definitely going to leave part of my worldly properties to sustain the Trust Fund for when I am no longer around. The Omalyne Edu -Trust will be inaugurating her first set of Scholarship Award in 2024, by awarding Scholarship to 18 students from financially challenged homes on Sat 5th Oct,202 And this one is going to be first one that will go on and one into perpetuity by the special grace of God because even if I die, the money will be there, for it to still go on. And I think I would have really achieved why God created me and put me in this world. Thank you so much.sir.

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