We’ll continue to monitor contractors for timely delivery of projects- Delta Govt

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Wednesday, said the state government would continue to monitor contractors for timely delivery of projects in line with specifications to ensure Deltans get value for the money paid for projects.

Speaking through the State Commissioner for Works (Rural and Riverine Roads), Mr Charles Aniagwu, Governor Oborevwori recalled that two weeks ago the State Government released the sum of N30 billion to various contractors to fund ongoing projects across the state.

Addressing journalists during inspection of ongoing projects in Okpe and Ughelli North Local Government Areas of the state, Aniagwu expressed optimism that a good number of the roads would be delivered before the first anniversary of the Governor Oborevwori’s administration in May 2024.

The projects inspected include rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of Ohorhe/Adagbrasa /Ugolo/Okuodiete Road with a spur from Adagbrasa – Ugolo through Ughwagba community to Okan junction in Okpe Local Government Area; Construction of Uruevwere/Ophororo/Uvwriche/Ogode/Owarovwori Agadama Road with a spur at Ogode to Oreba/Awon road phase 1 from Uruevwere to Ophororo in Uwheru clan, Ughelli North Local Government Areas of the state.

The Works Commissioner further stated that the State Government is also undertaking reconstruction of some adjoining roads to reduce vehicular traffic expected during construction of flyovers, cloverleaf, pedestrian bridges and road expansion in the Effurun and Warri gateway.

Aniagwu who was accompanied by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Festus Ahon and Director Rural Roads, Mr Solomon Aghagba said that Governor Oborevwori was desirous of completing over 100km of roads ahead of his first anniversary in office.

According to him, “we are constructing adjoining roads and detours at Effurun and Warri to mitigate the traffic challenges that may arise from the construction of flyovers and road expansion projects at the Effurun gateway.

“A detour off the Warri-Sapele Road through Adagbrasa to Okan junction through Agbarho to connect the East-West Road and for us to do that we have to clean up that corridor and we have examined Agbarho corridor to enable us present it to the Governor for approval.

“We hope to complete them in the next four months so that those who have no business in Warri will now have to pass through the adjoining roads to ease off traffic on the road,”

Speaking further, Aniagwu said: “Governor Oborevwori is confident that in 2024, a number of these projects are exited from the budget hence we are always on the road to ensure they are completed.

“It is the Governor’s commitment to ensure that we utilise the construction season to actualize a number of these projects across all sectors because the Governor doesn’t want to lose a day in the dry season to deliver the MORE Agenda to Deltans.

“Our visit today is part of efforts of Governor Oborevwori towards giving Deltans value for their money and to also ensure that the projects are completed on schedule and according to specifications”.

At Uwheru, the Commissioner commended the community for cooperating with the contractor, adding that construction of the road would link eight agrarian communities and help to connect the communities with their kits and kins in the kingdom and also contribute to the GDP of the state.

He warned that any community that fails to cooperate with contractors would lose such projects to other communities.

Tinubu Launches “The Renewed Hope Grants” For Poor & Vulnerable Persons Across Nigeria

Thousands of Vulnerable Persons Received Credit Alerts In Kogi State, As Minister Warns the public against Scammers.

As part of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, over Ten thousand vulnerable persons have received their credit alert of twenty thousand Naira grants in Kogi state.

Nigeria’s Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu who performed the flag-off of the exercise in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, said President Tinubu’s Government is all about reaching out to the poorest of the poor and the vulnerable in the society.

The Minister explained that programs are designed to lift over 50 million Nigerians Out of poverty in 42 Months.

Dr. Edu noted that the premium interest, the President places on women’s inclusion is reflected in the fact that over seventy percent of beneficiaries of the Grant across the twenty-one local government areas of Kogi State are women.

She said fifteen years percent of the total number of beneficiaries was allowed to Persons With Disabilities and Senior Citizens, saying President Tinubu is for all the citizens across party lines.

“The Grants for Vulnerable Groups Scheme is designed to provide a one-off cash grant of twenty thousand Naira(N20,000) to the poorest of the poor and most vulnerable Nigerians in rural communities.

“This one-off grant is a Kickstarter to improve your livelihood and support your small, petty trading and I advise that this opportunity should not be taken for granted or mismanaged, she added.

The Minister warned the beneficiaries of different intervention programs and the general public to beware of Scammers, saying the ministry has never asked anyone to pay money to register before they can access different programs.

Speaking at the Event, the Governor of Kogi State, Dr Yahaya Bello, who described Dr Betta as one of President Tinubu’s Good Products, said “Renewed Hope” is in Kogi State.

The Governor who announced the Creation of Both the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and the Kogi State Social Investment Programme Agency, said all procedures with the state Assembly would be followed to enable the state to benefit directly from the touch of the federal government.

Bello thanked President Tinubu for putting money into the vulnerable people’s pockets in Kogi state, saying the people are proud of the Renewed Hope Programmes of the President. Indeed “Beta don come”

Some of the beneficiaries in a jubilant atmosphere who received their alert both inside and outside the hall echoed hope renewed, promise made promise kept. They described President Tinubu as a beacon of hope for the poorest of the poor in Kogi State and Nigeria.

They said the credit alerts served as a lifeline for many of them, offering not only financial assistance but also a renewed sense of dignity and optimism as Nigerian citizens.

The Minster said the Renewed Hope Grant signifies not just a financial boost but a paradigm shift in governance that prioritizes the well-being of the most vulnerable citizens to reduce the poverty index in Nigeria

Tributes Pour In As UIAA Publicity Secretary, Johngold Buries Mother in Delta

It was a beehive of burial activities on the 2nd day of December 2023 as the Publicity Secretary of University of Ibadan Alumni Association (UIAA) Worldwide, Comrade Enitan Abel Johngold Orheruata, who also doubles as the Chairman, Federal Information Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Delta State Council, buried his mother Late Deaconess Victoria Omatie Esiorho, CSP Rtd, at Jesse Town, Ethiope West LGA of Delta State.

The occasion was graced by state and national dignitaries, officers of the Nigeria Police Force as well as representatives of Unions, associations and agency who turned up with their tributes and of which Comrade Abel Johngold is prominently a member. Conspicuous in the occasion were the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Delta State Council led by the State Chairman, Comrade Churchill Oyowe who was represented by the State Vice Chairman, Comrade Felix Ekwu, Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF) Chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Enebeli of Ndokwa Reporters, Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), the Nigeria Police Force, National Orientation Agency (NOA) Delta State Directorate led by Mr. Chris Anyabuine ably represented by the Chief Orientation and Mobilization Officer in Sapele LGA, Mrs Bridget Ede, Federal Information Chapel of the NUJ Delta State Council represented by its Secretary, Comrade Wilbet Ijeoma, University of Ibadan Alumni Association (UIAA), Asaba Chapter and Worldwide, as well as National Association of Seadogs (NAS).

The occasion also had the eminence and presence of the Chief Press Secretary of Delta State Governor, Chief Festus Ahon and the immediate past State Chairman of the NUJ Delta State Council, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu.

“In this time of mourning, there wouldn’t have been a better time time to have you all than now”; Johngold expressed, as he thanked his colleagues and associates from all ranks who came in their numbers to honour him on the occasion of his mother’s burial.

“Late Deaconess Victoria Omatie Esiorho was outspoken, hardworking and appreciated by those who loved truth, justice and fairness; a no nonsense woman who always stood by the truth; a retired Superintendent of Police who headed many divisional headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force as DTO, DCO and DPO”; Johngold remarked, as he read his mother’s biography amid hope of fulfilment of a life well spent.

“When is it ideal to die, Mummy mi?”; Johngold queried, as he made a difficult tribute of his late mother and believed that death is an eventuality and part of fulfilment in life. Johngold continued… “The Heroine of IWETA and MABIAKU Dynasties….. Mother and Friend…….You will forever remain in Our Hearts……We remember You today and Always……Rest in Peace Our Dear Mother…..Rest In Perfect Peace Deaconess Victoria Omatie Iweta Esiorho (Mrs)”.

In an appreciation message, Comrade Abel Johngold together with his elegant wife Lady Bridget Onome Johngold, on behalf of their families, expressed profound gratitude to his colleagues, friends and well-wishers for their calls, support and presence during the burial ceremony of his beloved mother, and pray God Almighty to grant them safe journey back to their respective destinations in Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.

OML 34: NEPL/ND-Western JV Puts Smiles On Faces Of Youths With Starter Packs Worth Millions After Skills Training

Operators of Oil Mining Licence (OML 34), ND-Western Asset Management Team (AMT) and Nigeria Exploration and Production Limited/Joint Venture, recently put smiles on the faces of some youths in their areas of operations with the graduation of hundreds of youths under its skill acquisition training, offering starter packs worth millions of naira to the beneficiaries.

The students who were trained at the Delta State Government owned Multi Purpose Training Centre in Egbokodo – Itsekiri, Warri South local government area of the state, were drawn from various host communities of the operational areas of the oil firm.

A Cross Section Beneficiaries & Company reps 

Presenting certificates and Starters Packs to the graduands at the exhibition/graduation ceremony, on Monday, on behalf of the Management and Staff of NEPL/ND Western OML 34 AMT, the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Mr. Eberechukwu Oji, who was represented by the Manager, Government, Community Relations and Security, said that the graduands are not just beneficiaries but ambassadors for positive change to the society.

Mr Oji called on the graduands to judiciously utilise the items and not put the Starters Packs for sale, admonishing that to utilise the training and be of good conduct as mentors to others.

He said that NEPL/ND Western OML 34 AMT, had over the years maintained cordial relationship with its host communities, embarking on various social-development programmes that would impact the indigenes positively.

According to him, the training which was deliberately brought to the centre to ensure the beneficiaries have a National Operational Standard (NOS) training as required by the National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB), was to help the state government alleviate poverty and reduce crime in the society.

In her welcome address, the Centre Administrator, Mrs Peace Oreva Okonye, expressed gratitude to NEPL/ND-Western JV OML 34 for the gesture accorded the trainees.

She said that the centre was built by the Delta State Government in partnership with UN development programme and SPDC in 2008 for promotion of human capital and sustainable development for training of youths for industrial and market needs of the society.

She said that the centre, managed under the state Ministry of Economic Planning, had 200 trainees who have successfully satisfied the requirements for graduation including SEPLAT trainees and OML 34 trainees who trained from April to September 2023 and July to December 2023 respectively.

According to her, the centre curriculum was designed to cover domestic, hospitality, construction and technical skills, maintaining that the youths through the sponsorship of the oil companies had livelihood skills which comprises of the various vocations, life skills/entrepreneurship which involves psychosocial and interpersonal skills as well as mindset change.

She admonished the graduands to justify the purpose of the training by using the items given to them judiciously to impact the society.

In his goodwill message, Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr. Sunday Ekedanyen who was represented by a director in the Ministry, Mr. Ben Nwaokolo, said that the purpose for establishing the centre is yearning dividends and thanked the oil companies for the bringing the students to the centre to harness their entrepreneurial acumen.

He thanked the graduands for be resilience in their training and congratulated them for their successful graduation and exhibition.

In their separate remarks, the President of OML 34 trainees, Charles Borke and women leader of OML 34 trainees, Bere Ogheneruemu respectively, showered praises on the oil firm for giving them to the opportunity to be self reliance, pledging to be industrious with the training acquired.

Broke said; “I can say that with what we have learnt here, none of us will go home without impacting others. What we have learnt here is highly appreciated. Here, we didn’t pay a dime, we were fed, given stipends and to crown it all, today we are leaving here with certificates and starter packs to start our own business. So we are very appreciative. This jean I am wearing was made from here and it gets to show you how much we learnt from this training program”.

In the same vein, Bere Ogheneruemu thanked the oil company for the opportunity giving to them to excel, urging the beneficiaries not to sell their starter packs but put them to use.

Speaking, the ND-Western training coordinator, Mrs. Eunice Akpourhobo, said that the programme was part of the company’s corporate social responsibility to it’s host communities, maintaining that the beneficiaries were carefully nominated by the host communities.

While thanking the staff and management of the oil company for empowering youths with various vocations in the state, she disclosed that the beneficiaries underwent vocational training in ICT, hairdressing, cosmetology, catering/hotel management, electrical installation, welding/fabrication, auto mechanical among others skills.

Over 100 Thousand Christians attended Prophet Fufeyin Rivers Inversion Crusade in PortHarcourt

**As Hundreds of testimonies recorded, shared by beneficiaries at the Crusade

By: Celestine Ukah & Rita Oramusi 

Over 100 Thousand Christians attended the Rivers State transformation and deliverance Inversion Crusade organized by the General Overseer of Christ MercyLabd Deliverance Ministries International, Snr. Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin in PortHarcourt.

Photo grid of testimonies by beneficiaries of God touch through Jesus Christ as ministered by Snr. Prophet Fufeyin

The 4-Day crusade which held at Elekahia Stadium had massive gathering of believers where the Man of God Snr Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin administered healing and deliverance on those that were sick that carried their sickness to God and in the name of Jesus Christ immediately they received answers and different testimonies abound among beneficiaries.

Concluding the crusade Sunday December 3, 2023 Prophet Fufeyin. Papa J did altar call and thousands of Christ Believers ran out enmasse to totally submit their lives to Jesus Christ and they accepted Him as their Lord and Saviour.

Massive miracles, healings, deliverances and breakthrough took place at the arena as God used Prophet Fufeyin, Papa J carry out instant healings, a woman with Five years of blindness received back her sight, leg pain of Eight years healed with clutches thrown away, lots of miracles alert, an arthritis of 10 years healed, kidney stone operation cancelled, five years of bleeding by a woman stopped among others too numerous to mention.

Billionaire Prophet Fufeyin, Papa J as usual empowered those that received healing with a cash donation in order for them to give their lives a facelift in their various communities.

Many feared Bombed at Kaduna During Maulud Celebration

Many villagers are feared dead following a bomb allegedly dropped by a Nigerian Air Force jet during a Maulud celebration at Tudun Biri, a community within Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Though details of the incident remain sketchy, preliminary reports indicate that about 30 people died during the incident on Sunday,December 3, around 9:00 pm.

Residents told Daily Trust that the bomb struck while the villagers gathered to commemorate Maulud in the village.

“They were celebrating Maulud (birth of Prophet Muhammad) when the jet dropped the bomb, resulting in the immediate death of more than 30 people,” a resident said.

There is apprehension that the death toll may increase.

When reached for comment, Samuel Aruwan, Overseeing Commissioner of the State Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, did not provide casualty figures, stating that the government would address the media in a press conference at the Government House.

“We will address the press at Government House on the situation because there would be a security meeting later. So, let’s meet by 10 am,” he said.

NAF has also yet to speak on the incident as of press time.

Oborevwori Committed to Elimination of Violence against Women, donates N5M to support fight

The Wife of the Delta State Governor Mrs Tobore Oborevwori, has donated the sum of five million naira to support the fight against gender and sexual based violence in the state.

Mrs. Oborevwori made the donation in Asaba, after recieving various women groups on a solidarity march to her office, led by the State Commissioner for Women Affairs Mrs Pat Ajudua.

Our Correspondent reports that the walk was part of the climax of activities to mark the 16 Days of Activism to eliminate violence against women.

Mrs Tobore Oborevwori, promised to collaborate with the women and relevant stakeholders to intensify efforts at reducing incidents of gender and sexual based violence to the minimum.

“I know you people cannot do it alone. I have some drinks and water, and I will support you with five million naira.”

The Commissioner for Women Affairs Mrs Pat Ajudua, explained the purpose of the 16 Days of Activism was aimed at highlighting harmful practices against Women such as domestic violence, marginalization and female genital
mutilation.

Hon. Ajudua stressed “Children are violated, they are raped everyday.

“Women are beaten up, they are abused by their husbands, by relatives.

“We are fighting against these violent practices against women and girls.

The State Commissioner for Health Dr Joseph Onojaeme, decried the suffering of women from complications of sexual and gender based violence and commended the sensitization effort.

Similarly, the State Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers FIDA Stellamaris Mejulu, described violence against Women as a pandemic, thus FIDA had been in the forefront to tackle the menace in conjunction with relevant stakeholders.

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She stated further “FIDA is and organization that never sleeps over the issues of women and children. So we are very passionate about things that matters to them.”

Meanwhile, the Coordinator of 50/50 Women Action Group Mrs Pat Gbenudu, called for and end to rape, child labor, and harmful cultural practices against women and girls in the society.

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Lagos, Kaduna, Delta Top as Most Indebted States In Nigeria (See List)

Lagos, Kaduna and Delta States top the list of most indebted States in Nigeria with Ogun and Edo States coming fourth and fifth positions respectively.

According to Statisense via DMO, here are the full list of the 10 most indebted States in Nigeria in 2023.

MOST INDEBTED STATES – JUN 2023

Lagos: ₦1.97 trillion
Kaduna: ₦525.9 billion

Delta: ₦511.3 billion

Ogun: ₦379.2 billion

Edo: ₦325.1 billion

Cross river: ₦322.0 billion

Rivers: ₦290.2 billion

Imo: ₦280.8 billion

Bauchi: ₦278.7 billion

Akwa Ibom: ₦233.1 billion

10 Most Indebted States In Nigeria 2023

Chief Ereyitomi now Chairman House Committee on Petroleum Resources Training Funds

By: Celestine Ukah 

The member Representing Warri Federal Constituency at the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Chief Dr. Thomas Ereyitomi JP has been appointed as the Chairman House Committee on Petroleum Resources Training Funds.

Hon. Ereyitomi Got the new appointment Friday December 1 as it was announced by the Speaker of the House of Reps Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abass among the new committees set up by the Green Chamber.

The Warri Federal lawmaker who’s a second time member and also high ranking Reps member was the Chairman House Committee on Aviation Technology until his other appointment as the Chairman House committee on Petroleum Resources Training Funds.

While welcoming the new portfolio given to Hon. Chief Ereyitomi with excitement, a staunch supporter of the Warri federal constituency member and a Chief from Egbema Kingdom in Warri North, Chief David Seikiri Ugedi described Chief Ereyitomi’s feat as well deserved.

Chief Ugedi congratulated Hon. Ereyitomi for always displaying competent leadership sagacity, saying ever since the three Warri LGAs that make up the federal constituency elected him into the House of Representatives he has shown robust representation and that the people are happy and  proud of him.

Political Tension In Kogi As Gunmen Attack Residence Of INEC’s Electoral Commissioner

In the early hours of Friday, December 1, 2023, around 3.30am, gunmen attacked the residence of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Lokoja, Kogi State.

The armed men according to the chief press secretary to the INEC chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, engaged the security personnel in a gun battle for over 30 minutes until reinforcement arrived.

Oyekanmi said While no lives were lost, property was destroyed in the ensuing gun battle.
He a team of combined security personnel have been deployed to protect the residence.

This incident occurred a day after a mob besieged our state office.

The INEC spokesman said the commission has called for a thorough investigation and enhanced security protection for the personnel and assets in Kogi State.