Supreme Court Victory: A Win For All Deltans

By: Dennis Otu

In an outpouring of joy and relief, the people of Delta State have been celebrating since the Supreme Court delivered its verdict on Friday, January 19th, 2024, marking the end of a protracted legal saga that has gripped the state. The Apex Court’s decision to uphold the election of Governor Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori has been hailed as a victory not just for the Governor but for all Deltans.

Governor Oborevwori, whose tenure has been marred by legal challenges, faced an onslaught of 38 court cases contesting his election. However, he remained resolute and undistracted, continuing to focus on his duties as the elected leader of the oil-rich state. His unwavering commitment was rewarded when the highest court in the land affirmed his rightful position as the Governor of Delta State.

The Supreme Court’s ruling has been met with widespread approval from the people, who had chosen Oborevwori as their Governor. The streets were awash with excitement as residents celebrated the legal vindication of their leader, whose street credibility and popularity have never waned. The atmosphere was electric, with the air filled with chants and cheers, as the people rejoiced in the confirmation of their collective choice.

Governor Oborevwori’s victory is seen as a testament to the democratic process and the rule of law. It also marks a turning point for Delta State, which has been eagerly anticipating a period of stability and progress. The Governor, affectionately known as the ‘Empowerment Master,’ has been a driving force behind numerous development projects and empowerment initiatives that have begun to transform the state’s landscape.

Since taking office on May 29th, 2023, Governor Oborevwori has launched an ambitious agenda to propel Delta State to new heights of development and prosperity. The state has become a hive of construction activity, with projects aimed at improving infrastructure and public services. The Governor’s commitment to empowering the people has been evident in the numerous appointments and programs designed to uplift residents from various walks of life.

The Supreme Court’s verdict has not only cleared the path for the Governor to continue his work but has also reinforced the people’s confidence in their leader. It is a call to action for all Deltans to unite behind their Governor and support his vision for a state that stands as the envy of others across the nation.

Looking ahead, Governor Oborevwori’s administration has laid out plans for significant development projects, including major construction work by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc in the twin cities of Warri and Effurun. These initiatives are expected to bring about a wave of economic growth and job creation, further enhancing the well-being of the people.

The Governor’s holistic approach to development means that every corner of Delta State is set to benefit from an array of projects, from infrastructure to social welfare. The transformation envisaged under Governor Oborevwori’s leadership is poised to leave a lasting impact on the state, reshaping it into a model of regional development.

Speaking at a thanksgiving service at the Government House Chapel Asaba, the Governor who was joined by his wife, Deaconess Tobore, his Deputy Sir Monday Onyeme and wife, Catherine, immediate past Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and wife, Dame Edith, Governor Oborevwori stressed that God ordained him to be Governor and thanked Deltans for supporting his ambition.

According to him, “I came to this altar before I went to Abuja for this last judgment and I said God is not a man that he should lie. I have promised God that every time He gives me victory I must come here to thank Him.

“I have done it several times and I said I will also return the same day of the victory to thank God. For the Lord has redeemed me.

“This victory is not about me but about the people of Delta state. The immediate past governor said that somebody that would not recognise this altar will never be governor; God has honoured that word.

“This case made it 38 cases for me from pre-election matters to this one. Even the governors who have done eight years did not go through such number of cases.

The Governor who was earlier welcomed from Abuja by a mammoth crowd at the Asaba International Airport, said he was happy that the litigations were over, assuring that he would now concentrate in delivering on his MORE Agenda for the people.

“I was overwhelmed by the crowd and the show of love at the airport. I want to reassure Deltans that my Deputy Governor and I will continue to serve you.

“This victory is for our people to know that our God is faithful and He alone has delivered us.

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling, there is a renewed sense of purpose among Deltans. The Governor’s call for collaboration has resonated with the people, who are eager to contribute to the state’s journey toward a brighter future. The message is clear: the time for division is over, and the moment for collective effort has arrived.

As Delta State turns a new page, the Supreme Court victory is a reminder of the unity and resilience of its people. It is a celebration of democracy, a reaffirmation of the people’s will, and a rallying cry for all Deltans to work together in pursuit of common goals. The journey ahead may be challenging, but with a united front, the state is destined for greatness.

Delta State stands at the cusp of transformation, and the Supreme Court victory has set the stage for an era of unprecedented development and prosperity.

Now that the Apex Court has spoken by giving a clean bill of health to Governor Oborevwori all hands should be on deck to rally round a man who has passion for the people. We all won at the Supreme Court on Friday, January 19th, 2024 and so let us all work for the progress of Delta State because we do not have another state to call our own. We are one people and the Supreme Court Victory is for all of us.

Dennis Otu Is Senior Special Assistant (Media) To The Delta State Governor.

Insecurity in Nigeria: Police is understaffed- Rtd IGP, Okiro

By: Celestine Ukah

The former Inspector General of Police in Nigeria, Chief Mike Okiro says the insecurity bedevilling the country is as a result of understaffing of the Nigeria police lasting for years now, Areanewsng.com can authoritatively report.

Chief Okiro who was speaking in a live TV program, “Politics Tonight” on TVC news State of the Nation focusing on the policing in Nigeria, said the Nigeria police can handle any challenge if properly equipped in the country.

He noted that in order to fight crime and criminality the police must be ahead of the criminals as the criminals seems ahead of the police in the present Nigerian situation making it difficult to flush out the criminals.

Former IGP, Okiro was also the immediate past Chairman Police Service Commission, stressed that no security agency can work alone in fighting in crime in the country, he as well encouraged all the security agents to work in Synergy to succeed in making the country clean from criminals.

He advocated better welfare for police personnel in order for them to deliver effectively

Paris Club refund: Omu Anioma Lauds Senator Ned Nwoko In Abuja, As General Ochei, Nzekwu Pay Her A Welcome Visit

By Patrick Ochei

The culture colossus and renowned Omu Anioma, HRM Obi Martha Dunkwu has commended the Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Abuja, Senator Prince Ned Nwoko on his patriotic Paris Club Refund, which helped to cushion the effect of economic recession during the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

She gave this commendation at the Maitama residence of the Senator, during a courtesy visit immediately after her official engagement bordering on Niger Delta questions at the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.

Omu Dunkwu who applauded Ned Nwoko for the initiative to legally engage the Paris Club to make refunds of over deduction of debt to Nigeria, asked the Federal Government to pay him all that is due to him for services rendered in order to encourage patriotism.

The Royal Mother also commended Senator Nwoko for establishing the Sports University of Nigeria (SUN); however, she advised him to change the name to Ned Nwoko University as a legacy that would not only bear his name but outlive him in perpetuity.

She further advised well-to-do Anioma sons and daughters to establish Universities across the Anioma local government areas as a way of investing in learning to attract foreign exchange and expand the scope of academics for the advancement of Anioma Nation.

Omu Dunkwu congratulated Ned Nwoko on his election victory and subsequent swearing-in, thereby urging him to write his name in gold by performing in such a way that his name would be etched in history.

In addition, Omu Anioma commended Senator Nwoko for bringing back old values by contributing to population increase like the Anioma forebears who then married many wives and still lived in harmony. She further affirmed that it is politically expedient at this time to grow the population, especially for those of us in the Southern Nigeria as a way to check political imbalance in the system.

On a lighter mood, Omu Anioma accused the Senator for getting married to an Anioma woman (Regina Daniels) without coming to inform her. She said, “I have urged you over the years to marry an Anioma woman. Now that you have found one and married her, you did not come to inform me. You know as an Anioma Prince, you cannot be fined; however, our custom permits a Prince to fine himself where he is perceived to have done something wrong on purpose.”

In his response, the Senator appreciated the Royal Mother of Anioma for coming to visit him, describing her as highly revered and possessing the spiritual capacity to bring back the Anioma culture that had vanished and going into extinction.

“The Omu Institution was no longer fashionable and was scorned until Omu Dunkwu came on board to make it something that is now admired by all”, he added.

The Omu Anioma equally commended the illustrious Major General Raymond Ochei of the Nigerian Army and the Media Giant/Chief Executive Officer of Bridge Radio, Asaba, Dr. Henry Nzekwu for visiting her in her hotel lodge not only to welcome her to Abuja but to also discuss issues bordering on the progress of Nigeria, Delta State and Anioma Nation. As a matter of fact, Major General Raymond Ochei provided the Omu with escort vehicles for the duration of her stay in Abuja and equally, personally escorted her to the Airport until she boarded plane back to Asaba.

Omu Dunkwu commended General Ochei for his passion and dedication in promoting the culture and values of Anioma people through fluting (Akpele), which he had engaged a trainer to mentor 10 interested young persons and be rewarded with a house.

Her words to the General, “You are one person in a generation, and you are indeed in a class of your own. For the unquantifiable support you have given to the Omu Institution and our people in general, I say thank you. Your name will go down in history as one of those who ensured that the renaissance we intended for the Institution of Omu and Anioma culture came to fruition”, she said.

In her remarks to Dr. Henry Nzekwu in another development, Omu Dunkwu appreciated him for investing in Anioma land; describing his establishment of Bridge Radio in Asaba as patriotism and giving back to his people with the intention of creating a future for the youths.

In their separate accolades to Omu Anioma, they lauded her for loving her children dearly, and cheering her up for transforming the Omu Institution and putting Anioma Nation in a world map of culture.

Warri South Council, Community leaders condemn proponents of “Wado City”, ask security agencies to deal with trouble makers

Authorities of Warri South Local Government Council, the members representing Warri South Constituencies 1 and 2 in Delta State House of Assembly, Honourables Augustine Uroye and Hon. Benson Obire, respectively, leaders of Okere and Agbarha as well as other critical stakeholders, have strongly condemned proponents of the illegal Wado City as it relates to Warri.

This was the fulcrum of an emergency security meeting held Monday January 29, at the Office of the Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area in Warri, Delta state.

The crunch meeting, which was at the instance of Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Dr. Michael Tidi, also came out with a mandate on security agencies to apprehend anyone fomenting trouble in Warri , over the illegitimate and nonexistent Wado City.

The critical stakeholders, which included Delta State Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Weyinmi Agbateyiniro, Special Adviser to Governor Oborevwori on Niger Delta Affairs, Hon. Griftson Omatsuli, prominent Aides to the governor on Community Development, representatives of the Nigerian Army, DSS, Police, Okere and Agbarha Communities, noted that only billboards authorized by government, should be mounted by any individual or organizations, even as they emphasized that it is the prerogative of government and security agencies to clampdown on any form of illegality as well as maintain law and order at all times.

Abia govt bans ‘Take Away” Styrofoam foils, others citizens to discontinue its usage immediately

The Abia State Ministry of Environment has banned the use of Styrofoam foils, popularly known as ‘Take Away’.
The ministry in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Environment, Philemon Ogbonna on Saturday, said the use of the product as food containers has been banned in the state.

He noted that Take Away had earlier been banned in some states, including Lagos and therefore, advised the public to immediately discontinue the use of the foils until investigations are fully carried out on the dangers of the product to public health.

Meanwhile, some defaulters were on Saturday, arrested and sanctioned in Umuahia during the January 2024 Clean Up exercise in the State.

The defaulters, who were arrested in some parts of the State capital during the environmental sanitation hours, were caught either trading or loitering, in contravention of the government’s earlier orders.

However, the clean-up recorded a high level of compliance as many residents cleaned their gutters, while trucks provided by the State government evacuated generated wastes.

Oil & Gas Award: Delta is now Nigeria’s safest state for oil & gas investments

Delta State has won the safest state award for Oil and Gas investments in the country at the Nigeria Oil & Gas Forum and award night.

The award ceremony was organised by the founder Ms Nafisa Aliyu Haruna and sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja on Friday night.

Presenting the award, Ms Haruna stated that Delta State has contributed immensely to increased oil and gas production in Nigeria.

She stated that Delta State emerged first from the opinion pool carried out within the industry, as the safest in the oil and gas sector in Nigeria.

Receiving the award, Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori thanked the organisers for the well deserved award, saying the state government remained irrevocably committed to ensuring peace and sustainable development of the state.

Governor Oborevwori who was represented by the Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Olorogun Vincent Oyibode, dedicated the award to God and to Deltans who’s mandate was reaffirmed by the Supreme Court last week Friday.

The Commissioner stated that the achievement of peace in Delta State, particularly in the oil and gas sector, is a testament to the implementation of the MORE agenda of the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori led administration.

He further stated that in implementing the MORE Agenda, the Governor awarded roads and brought Julius Beger to construct three flyovers, cloverleaf, pedestrian bridges and road expansion at the cost of N78 billion naira.

“Upon the removal of the fuel subsidy, as a responsive government palliative was given to Delta civil servants and paid N10,000 each for three months to cushion effect of the hard economy occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy effect and were also granted rotational working days of 2-3 days in a week.

“Governor Oborevwori approved the payment of promotion arrears to civil servants of over N5 billion, payment of N40 billion pension arrears to local government workers and primary school teachers.

“Other projects include; reconstruction of Uti road, Effurun, rehabilitation of failed portions of PTI Road Effurun, rehabilitation of old Abraka – Umutu road, completion of lecture halls, auditoriums and administrative block at Dennis Osadebay University Asaba.

“The Oborevwori administration also completed Administrative block, internal roads, Vice Chancellor and Principal Officers Lodge at Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, lighting up of Warri and other towns.”

Oyibode further listed other projects to include ongoing construction of engineering faculty and faculty of Environmental Sciences at University of Delta, Owa-Alero campus, construction of ring road in Ughelli.

“Others are construction of bypass from Benin/Warri Expressway through Adagbrasa/Okan/Agbarho, ongoing Orere bridge and access road and the ongoing construction of Ughelli/Asaba road dualisation among others.

“In light of the above, the people of Delta State now see hope in the dividends of democracy and have trust and confidence in the government they voted for hence the peace we currently enjoy in the oil and gas sector.

“Indeed Delta State under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is indeed a safe haven for investors in the oil and gas sector,” Oyibode said.

2024 Dominican Republic hosting : Flamingos to clash with Central African Republic in Cameroon

FIFA World Cup bronze-medallists Nigeria will begin their quest for a place in this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup next weekend, when they take on their counterparts from Central African Republic in a second round, first leg encounter in the Cameroonian city of Douala.

The Central Africans have for many years now made Douala home, as a result of lack of an approved stadium for international matches in Bangui or any other city in their country. It was in Douala that they hosted the Super Eagles in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier in November 2021, which the Eagles won 2-0.

The match already scheduled for Sunday, 4th February will hold at the Stade de la Reunification de Douala, and commence at 3pm Cameroon time. Nigeria’s Flamingos, who won the bronze medals of the last edition of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup hosted by India, after a penalty shootout defeat of Germany, have appeared at every edition of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals bar one – the 2018 finals in Uruguay.

Already, the Confederation of African Football has appointed Tunisian official Emna Ajbouni as referee, with her compatriots Khouloud Amri, Ameni Hammemi and Asma Chouchane as assistant 1, assistant 2 and fourth official respectively. Eugenie Mbainaye from Chad will serve as the commissioner.

For the return leg in Nigeria, Moroccan official Zakia El Grini will be referee, with her compatriots Ihsane Ennouajeli Nouajli, Karima Khadiri and Sabah Sadir in the roles of assistant 1, assistant 2 and fourth official respectively. Naa Odofoley Nortey from Ghana will be the commissioner.

The second leg will take place at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Saturday, 10th February 2024.

Kano: SWAN Felicitates With Governor . Abba Yusuf On His Supreme Court Judgement Victory

Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Kano State Chapter extends heartfelt congratulations to Governor Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf on the affirmation of his victory in the Kano State governorship election by the Supreme Court. This significant milestone is a testament to the will of the people and a demonstration of the resilience of our democratic processes.

SWAN In recognition of the pivotal moment acknowledges the dedication and perseverance of His Excellency Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf and joined in prayer, seeking Allah’s guidance and wisdom as he embarks on the momentous task of governing Kano State, they added that is in unity that they offer their unwavering support and commitment to the progress and prosperity of Kano state.

According the SWAN congratulatory message released Friday January 26, 2024, signed by Muzammil Dalha Yola the Assistant Secretary
For on behalf of the state Chairman. SWAN seizes this opportunity to emphasize the critical role of sports development in nurturing the potentials and talents of the teeming youths.

The chapter appeals to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to accord sports development in Kano greater priority, and to proactively work towards providing and improving facilities that will enable our youths to engage fully in sports activities.

“We firmly believe that investing in sports development will not only harness the talents of our youth but also serve as a potent preventive measure against negative behaviors. By creating opportunities for participation in sports and enhancing facilities, the state can divert the energies of our youth towards constructive endeavors and foster a healthy and disciplined community.

“SWAN is committed to advocating for the positive impact of sports on our society, and we commend Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his continued dedication to uplifting Kano State. We trust that with his renewed mandate, he will consider our appeal and take decisive steps to bolster sports development in the state.

“As an organization, SWAN remains steadfast in our commitment to promoting sports journalism and advocating for the development of sports in Kano State. We stand ready to collaborate with His Excellency Engr.Abba Kabir Yusuf and his administration in realizing the full potential of sports as a vehicle for positive change in our community.

“We extend our best wishes to Governor Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf as he leads Kano State into a new era of progress, unity, and prosperity”.

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