NUJ Seeks End To Discrimination Against Poly, NABTEB, HND, BSC Certificates

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council has advocated for the outright abolition of official discrimination against polytechnic and National Board for Technical Education (NABTEB) certificate holders in the state.

NUJ Delta State Council Chairman, Comrade Churchill Oyowe stated this when he led members of the state executive on a courtesy visit to the office of the Commissioner for Technical Education, Rt. Hon. (Pastor) Joan Onyemaechi in her office in Asaba.

Comrade Oyowe stressed that technical education is a veritable tool for self reliance, employment and sustenance, adding that with proper attention, it is capable of curtailing unemployment and enhancing development.

He harped on the need for all stakeholders – government, parents, students and guardians to pay greater attention to technical education considering the huge multiplier benefits it would have on society.

The NUJ Chairman particularly called on governments to do away with covert discriminatory policies, especially in the civil and public sectors, which tend to promote dicotomy between conventional universities and secondary certificates from Polytechnic/ NABTEB certificates.

He expressed confidence in the capacity of the Commissioner to effect the desired change in the educational sector considering her pedigree in public service, noting that her track records at the National and State Assemblies and lately as the immediate past Director General of the Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency (DSCTDA), were very remarkable.

Comr. Oyowe said the visit was aimed at building synergy that would enhance awareness among the public and citizenry on the invaluability of technical education to the state in line with the administration’s MORE Agenda.

“As a strong voice in the State EXCO, we want you to bring the requisite change for the removal of the prevailing dichotomy between certificate holders from conventional universities, schools and Polytechnics, technical colleges.

“This expungement of dichotomy should be practically done not just by precepts. We want to assure you of our total support with your Ministry to make sensitisation possible as technical education drives self reliance and reduces unemployment”, he said.

Continuing, Oyowe said, “It is very sad that people still believe in the superiority of university certificate. We are willing to work with your Ministry in building confidence in parents, guardians and students on the importance of technical education”.

The NUJ Chairman underlined the essence of his leadership’s thrust on the POWER concept and the derivable mutual benefits for Journalists in the state and Delta in general.

Responding, the Commissioner said the initial misconception of perceived inferiority of technical school certificate is being addressed by the Ministry.

According to her, students of the technical colleges are being availed the opportunity to obtain dual certificates, the NABTEB and SSCE, to equip them to study their choice courses in any tertiary institutions of their choice.

Moreover, the Commissioner revealed that the newly created Delta State University of Technology Campus at Orerokpe, which is upgrade of an existing Technical College, is specifically designed to admit graduates from the technical colleges across the state.

She said technical education facilities across the state are becoming overwhelmed by the number of students enrollment, adding that additional facilities are needed in order to accommodate more students.

She noted that Technical Colleges in the state also intends to embark on training those beyond school age to acquire skills that can enable them fend for themselves.

Rt. Hon. Joan Onyemaechi took swipe on prevailing journalism practice, particularly the online platforms and called for enhanced ethical and professional content and delivery.

She lamented the debasement of journalism profession largely borne from knack for pecuniary inducements, while tasking the NUJ to redeem the profession from disrepute and restore its lost glory to enhance the desired patronage.

“People publish without verifying stories and there is need for the balancing of stories before going to press. You need to work seriously on your members in order for the profession to regain its respect and then it can get patronage from government. The needed support will be given to NUJ in order to embark on training of its members”, she stated.

The Commissioner expressed confidence in the capacity of the NUJ Delta State EXCO, noting that “It is going to be a welcome development for all of us to work together and we will be glad to partner with the NUJ on sensitisation”.

NAWOJ Delta Mourns Omu Anioma, Says Her Voice And Influence Will Be Greatly Missed

By Dorathy Mbasen Uba

Chairperson, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Delta State Chapter, Comrade Sonia Unobunjo on Friday 8th March, 2024 led a delegation to the Palace of HRM Obi Martha Dunkwu (the Omu of Okpanam/Omu Anioma/Nneoha), to commiserate with the Dunkwu family over the passing of their Matriarch.

Comrade Sonia Unobunjo who was accompanied by the Secretary, Comrade Tracy Ikolomi and some members of the Association, said the news of the demise of the revered ruler who was their Patroness did not only come as a rude shock to NAWOJ Delta State but also shook up the Association nationwide.

Comrade Unobunjo described the late Omu as an epitome of beauty and an emblem of wisdom, whose achievements in her short but impactful life has left a lasting legacy for the promotion and preservation of the Anioma and African cultural heritage.

According to her as the name “Nneoha” implies; the late Omu was a mother for all, a peace builder, a voice for the voiceless, a reliable confidant, and a rare gem whose pedigree has motivated many women today to build self-confidence and stand up for their rights.

NAWOJ Delta also acknowledged the late Omu of Anioma as a promoter of social justice whose firm commitment to worthy causes particularly the fight for the rights of women and the girl child as well as her numerous contributions to both national and international issues cannot be overemphasized.

The NAWOJ Chairperson said that Obi Martha Dunkwu ‘s voice and influence will be greatly missed by most Women Organizations, NGOs, and CSOs among other Human Rights groups within Nigeria and in the diaspora especially at this time ( International Women’s Month) when Women are been celebrated Internationally, she would have been everywhere actively participatory.

Delta NAWOJ sympathized with the Dunkwu family, the great people of Okpanam, the Anioma Nation, Delta State, Nigeria and the international community; adding that the Omu’s legacies will forever be in their minds and pray God to grant all the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

On his part, the biological son of the deceased, Dr. Afamefuna Dunkwu-Okafor thanked members of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists NAWOJ Delta State Chapter for coming to sympathized with their family stating that his late mother had always stood on the part of truth irrespective of who is involved.

Highpoints of the visit was the presentation of the condolence letter by the Chairperson of NAWOJ, Comrade Sonia Unobunjo to Dr. Afamefuna Dunkwu-Okafor who also represented the Dunkwu family and the signing of the condolence register.

International Women’s Day: We’re proud of Rep Ereyitomi, he’s a gender inclusive supporter- Atsenuwa 

By:Celestine Ukah 

The Chairlady/Coordinator Concern Ereyitomi Ladies in Politics, Juliet Atsenuwa Says they are proud of the Member Representing Warri Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Chief (Dr.) Thomas Ereyitomi for his gender inclusive support shown to the women of Warri federal constituency under his super representation.

Juliet Atsenuwa, maintained that Hon. Chief Ereyitomi has been a gender inclusive friendly personality from the beginning till date and that he has no comparison in Warri federal constituency for he as been a leader and mentor and father figure to the women under his Warri federal constituency and beyond.

She declared that this year’s celebration of International Women’s Day is an opportunity to express delight to Hon. Chief Ereyitomi and to also appreciate his kind heartiness in empowering women in skill acquisition programs, human capital development among others .

Atsenuwa urged others occupying sensitive positions at the Federal, State, local government and at community levels to always carry women along even as she advocates for more opportunities to be allocated to women in the scheme of things especially in governance and in the state through more appointment of
women to head some key agencies and ministries.

The international women’s day is a day set aside to celebrate women gender across the world it is usually marked every March 8, every year that of 2024 was held Friday March 8 with the theme : “Inspire Inclusion”.

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Hero of Nigeria’s democracy Funeral:  Tinubu, Oborevwori, Dafinone, Ogboru attend Kokori’s burial in Delta 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Senator Ede Dafinone and Chief Great Ogboru, prominent Nigerians on Friday graced the burial ceremony of elder statesman and hero of Nigeria’s democracy, Chief Frank Kokori at Oviorie-Ovu, Ethiope East Local Local Government Area of Delta State.

The quiet Agbon clan stood still to give last respect and final rites to their illustrious son, Kokori who passed on December 7, 2023.

In his eulogy at the funeral held at St James’ Anglican Church Oviorie-Ovu, Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state, President Tinubu while condoling the government and people of Delta State and members of the Kokori family, described the late Labour leader and elder statesman as one of the foremost nationalists Nigeria had ever produced.

Represented by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Tinubu said: “Chief Frank Kokori is one of the foremost nationalists Nigeria has ever produced. He was a man of uncommon courage, a selfless leader who put the interest of Nigeria first before his personal interest.

“Kokori was a man of proven integrity and a democrat who fought the dreaded military regime for the restoration of democracy in Nigeria.

“Even when top leaders were afraid and running away, Kokori stood and was the voice of the voiceless people, he was the voice of the less privileged people and was the voice that was heard both locally and internationally.

“The legacies of your father cannot be surpassed by anybody because in life it is not when you die that matters but the legacies you left behind.

“Frank Kokori has left indelible marks in the history of this country and what is left for the children is to carry on with the baton.

“Kokori has done his own and it is left for the children to leverage on the outstanding legacies of their father to continue to render outstanding services to humanity.”

Earlier in his sermon, the Bishop of Warri Diocese, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Rt. Revd. Christian Ide who spoke extensively on ‘Hope’, said when life seems impossible, God brings eternal hope to those who believe in Him.

Bishop Ide whose text was taken from the Bible book of first Thessalonians, Chaper four, verses 13 to 18, harped on the need to be hopeful in God for a fulfilling and rewarding life, adding that without hope, people will give up in life.

The Anglican Bishop said the late Kokori was a devoted Christian who worshipped God until the last day of his life and commended Governor Oborevwori for identifying with the deceased despite being political adversaries.

Other dignitaries who graced the funeral ceremony include; Senator Ede Dafinone, Mr Ayodele Olawande Minister of State for Youth Development, Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, President of Nigerian Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers NUPENG, Comrade Williams Akporeha, Chief Great Ogboru, Comrade Joseph Akinlaja among others.

The late Chief Frank Kokori was Secretary General of NUPENG and spearheaded the June 12 struggle for the recognition of Chief MKO Abiola as winner of the June 12, 1993 Presidential election.

Good governance: Oborewvori is Reducing cost of Governance in Delta- Latimore explains

High cost of Governance as a thing has been at the top burner for being one of the major actors crumbling our local economy and hindering growth in the country.

Gov Sheriff Oborevwori of delta state has put himself forward to ensure that he sees to the reduction of running a thriving government by minimizing wasteful spending in the state, he even goes as far as slashing over priced contracts before approval.

According to the Executive Assistant To Delta state Governor, on Orientation and Communication, Bar. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe the governor has not borrowed a kobo to fund any project but has rather managed what the state has meticulously and also increased IGR by capturing the informal sector.

He advised that it’s rather early to judge the government, rather let’s give the government some time and we will be positively amazed at how much the government can do for us.

The EA made these statements in Asaba during a media interaction with members and executives of Indigenous Correspondents Chapel ICC of the Nigerian Union of Journalists NUJ Delta State Council at its “ICC MIRROR” platform designed for expository dialalogue.

Barr Latimore Stated that “we will begin to see the manifestation of the MORE Agenda very soon and by the end of the year people will see positive changes in the state.”

While commending the press for standing by him thick and thin, he urged Journalists to be factual and not work with speculations.

He advised that Journalists should bring forth constructive criticism and precision journalism to the people and not confuse the populace even more.

Earlier speaking, the Chairman ICC, Comrade Kenneth Orusi commended the EA for visiting the ICC secretariat to be a guest at its ICC MIRROR Platform.

Orusi also assured the govt of the support of its members as always but won’t fail to call their attention in lagging areas.