The Nigerian Bar Association NBA, Warri Branch has sued  Chairman of Uvwie Local Government Council, Hon. Ramson Onoyake, before the Effurun High Court of Delta State to declare him as not fit and proper person to hold public office in Nigeria.

In the case with suit number EHC/139/2023 had Chief Oghenero Okoro, Warri Branch Chairman as the 1st Claimant, Sylvester Ediagbonuvie, Warri Branch Secretary, 2nd Claimant, Suing for themselves and on behalf of the members of the NBA Warri Branch with Onoyake and Uvwie Local Government as 1st and 2nd defendants respectively.

The Claimants are challenging the powers of the Uvwie Local Government and Onoyake for setting up Uvwie Local Government Traffic Control Body and the Uvwie Local Government Environment Taskforce in May 2023.

The Claimants claims against the Defendants in the originating summons are below:

“A Declaration that the Defendants do not have the constitutional powers to set up a Traffic Control Body and operate the same within the Uvwie Local Government Council.

“A Declaration that the Defendant does not have the constitutional powers to set up an Environmental Task Force and operate the same within the Uvwie Local Government Council.

“A Declaration that the establishment of a Traffic Control Body by the Defendants is contrary to the provisions of the 4th Schedule made pursuant to section 7 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Part III in the Schedule to the Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Act, Cap T2 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (as amended) and the same is unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

“A Declaration that the establishment of an Environmental Task Force by the Defendants is contrary to the provisions of the 4th Schedule made pursuant to section 7 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Part III in the Schedule to the Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Act, Cap T2 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (as amended) and the same is unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

“A Declaration that the 2nd Defendant, having flagrantly flouted the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Act, Cap T2 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (as amended) and his oath of office as contained in Schedule 2 to the Delta State Local Government (Amendment) Law, 2017, is not fit and proper person to hold public office in Nigeria.

“An Order directing the Defendants to disband forthwith the Uvwie Local Government Traffic Control Body constituted by the Defendants on or about the 15th day of May, 2023 as same was constituted ultra vires the powers of the Defendants.

“An Order directing the Defendants to disband forthwith the Uvwie Local Government Environmental Task Force constituted by the Defendants on or about the 15th day of May, 2023 as same was constituted ultra vires the powers of the Defendants.

“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the Uvwie Local Government Traffic Control Body constituted by the Defendants from carry out any activities whatsoever within the area or precincts of the Uvwie Local Government Council.

“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the Uvwie Local Government Environmental Task Force constituted by the Defendants from carry out any activities whatsoever within the area or precincts of the Uvwie Local Government Council.”

The Claimants are further asking the court to determine the following:

“Whether having regard to the combined provisions of the 4th Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Part III in the Schedule to the Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Act, Cap T2 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (as amended), the Defendants have the authority to establish the Uvwie Local Government Environment Taskforce and the Uvwie Local Government Traffic Control Body.

“Whether having regard to the combined provisions of the 4th Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Part III in the Schedule to the Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Act, Cap T2 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (as amended), any Bye-Law whatsoever enacted by the 1st Defendant purporting to establish the said Uvwie Local Government Environment Taskforce and the Uvwie Local Government Traffic Control Body is ultra vires the constitutional functions and powers of the 1st Defendant.

“Whether having regard to the combined provisions of the 4th Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Part III in the Schedule to the Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Act, Cap T2 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (as amended), the establishment of the Uvwie Local Government Environment Taskforce and the Uvwie Local Government Traffic Control Body is valid and constitutional.

“Whether having regard to the combined provisions of the 4th Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Part III in the Schedule to the Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Act, Cap T2 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (as amended), the Uvwie Local Government Environment Taskforce and the Uvwie Local Government Traffic Control Body have any legal authority to operate and carry out their activities within the Uvwie Local Government Council.

“Whether having regard to the combined provisions of the 4th Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Part III in the Schedule to the Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Act, Cap T2 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (as amended) and Schedule 2 to the Delta State Local Government (Amendment) Law, 2017, the 2nd Defendant is fit and proper to hold any public office in Nigeria.”

By: GodsPower Temple 

The Vice Chairman of Warri South Local Government Council, Hon. Chief( Mrs.) Divine Ann Iniovosa has congratulated the Chairman of Warri South Local Government Council, Dr. Michael Tidi as he celebrates his 43rd birthday Friday, September 15.

The Warri South Local Government Vice Chairman, Chief (Mrs) Iniovosa showered encomiums at his Boss, Dr. Tidi describing him as a man with a good heart whose service to the people will take him to great Height above in all endeavours.

She further described Dr. Tidi as a passionate politician that want people to smile and live freely with out stress , adding that with the little resources coming to the Council, he has deployed it judiciously for the grassroots benefit and development.

Hon. Iniovosa prayed God to keep him, strengthen and continually take his Boss Dr. Tidi to the next level, saying whatever honour given to him are extremely deserved.

She once again expressed her kind appreciation to the celebrant, Dr. Tidi and wished him a blissful celebration.

Chairman of BUA Cement Plc., Abdul Samad Rabiu, has announced plans to reduce the price of cement from N5,500 to between N3,000 and N3,500.

Rabiu disclosed this to Journalists after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.

He said the price crash is part of his company’s contribution to supporting the efforts of the Federal Government to stabilise the prices of essential commodities.

He however stated that this would kick start after the commissioning of two new lines of 3 million tons each by the end of the year.

Rabiu said: “Let me thank his excellency Mr. President for graciously receiving me today, I came to intimate his excellency on the affairs of our cement business.

“We have two new lines of 3 million tons each that we will be commissioning by the end of the year.

“So I explained to him that we want to support the efforts of the government in bringing down the cost of cement, by the time these lines are commissioned BUA Cement will be producing about 17 million tons per annum and with that, we intend to bring down the cost of cement from its current level of N5,000 or N5,500 per bag to maybe N3,000 to N3,500 per bag.

“Eighty per cent of the raw materials that we are using to produce cement in Nigeria are mainly limestone and gypsum and of course, energy is part of it. Of course, we have gas in Nigeria.

“So we want to support the government, we want to support their efforts in ensuring that the prices of these commodities are brought down incidentally.’’

He said the two new plants to be inaugurated by Tinubu later in 2023 would increase production capacity to 17 million metric tons.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, Friday, dismissed the interlocutory appeal filed by Social Democratic Party (SDP) Gubernatorial candidate, Chief Kenneth Gbagi against the ruling of the Governorship election tribunal sitting in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

Gbagi had attempted to tender a gazette after parties had closed their case and the tribunal adjourned for judgment. The application was dismissed by the tribunal who deemed it an abuse of Court process.

Not satisfied with the tribunal’s decision, Chief Gbagi appealed to the Court of Appeal. In its judgement, the Court of Appeal said the tribunal exercised its discretion judiciously in dismissing the application.

The Court presided by Justice Muhammed Lawal Shuaibu also held that Chief Gbagi was unable to show how the gazette was relevant to his case or the overall justice of the case.

Furthermore, the Court of Appeal was of the opinion that the gazette being a law, is one of those items that the tribunal can take judicial notice of, and there was no need for the hue and cry by Chief Gbagi in attempting to tender it.

The Court also chastised the 6th and 7th Respondents for conceding to the Appeal instead of filing a cross appeal.

On the whole, the appeal was dismissed by a unanimous decision of the three member panel.

The PDP Secretary Ward 1 Ogheye in Warri North Local Government Area, Delta state, Alfred Tosan Odume, has declared that he won and delivered all his units in the 2023 General election for his Party.

Tosan Odume made the declaration recently to counter insinuation from opposition and political enemy within and outside the area due to his admiring and sustained support from the people.

The PDP Ward 1 Secretary, Ogheye, stressed that he registered in unit 018, Etseyetoren Primary School Ebokiti where he casted all his vote during the February 25, and March general election 2023.

According to Tosan Odume it becomes necessary for the general public to be aware and continue supporting the. PDP, stating thus: This is to inform the general public mostly Delta, that I won all my UNIT RESULTS from Presidential election to Governorship election as insinuated by some people, I will continue to work against the opposition party all the time,

“Lastly,I want the general public, mostly Deltans, Warri North, Ogheye Ward 1, to disregard any rumour of anti party activities levelled against me.” He added.

Worried by the incessant cases of collapsed buildings in the country, Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has tasked members of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) to critically examine causes of building collapse in the country to avoid the disturbing development.

Speaking in Asaba on Thursday at the opening ceremony of a two-day programme: Archi- Delta Expo 2023, organised by the state chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Governor Oborevwori said everything would be done in the State to prevent cases of building collapse and implored Architects to rise to the occasion.

Represented by the Commissioner for Lands, Surveys & Urban Development, Chief Emamusi Obiodeh, the Governor said that; “Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, from the records, the Archi-Delta Expo is an annual event by the Nigerian Institute of Architects, Delta State chapter where it presents impactful lectures in the building industry, innovative products exhibition and presentation of awards to deserving individuals, consultants, infrastructural companies and government”.

The Governor further said; “I am particularly fascinated by the theme of this year’s Archi-Delta Expo 2023: ‘ Sustainable Development 111 is here again”. This theme is not only apt but also very timely. It is particularly germane, because sustainable development cannot take place in an era where building collapse has unfortunately become the norm. It is worrisome and I would like a professional body like the NIA to seize the opportunity of a gathering like this, to critically examine the causes of such ugly events with a view to providing enduring solutions to end the unfortunate development”.

Speaking further, he said, “Here in Delta State, my administration is bent on protecting the tax payers’ money by completing all ongoing projects in addition to newly initiated ones in a bid to sustain developmental objectives in our well-articulated M.O.R. E agenda to improve on the infrastructural and human capital spheres”.

“This administration has promised to continue from where the previous administration stopped in terms of infrastructural and human capital development as continuity and sustainability are key factors in development and this is the connection between the M.O.R.E agenda of this government and the theme of Nigerian Institute of Architects Archi-Delta Expo 2023”, the Governor also said.

He affirmed his belief that the NIA and the Delta state Government have a shared vision toward sustainable development, adding; “And I look forward to collaboration and synergy between the NIA and the State Government”.

The Governor commended the NIA, Delta State chapter for the well organized programme and it’s far-reaching impact and benefits to the people and government of Delta State.

“Once again, I welcome the National President of the NIA and the Executive Council members to Asaba, the capital city of Delta State and I sincerely hope that you and your team will enjoy your stay here, because Asaba is home away from home”.

The Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Delta State chapter, Architect Pius Amromanoh, had earlier welcomed all and sundry to the event.

The representative of the Governor later formally declared Archi-Delta Expo 2023 opened.

**As Ogun state pioneers CNG Diesel/fuel engine conversion usage after fuel subsidy removal 

Kano State government has commended the governor and government of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun for pioneering the conversion of Diesel and Petrol engines to Compressed Natural Gas CNG in Nigeria.

A team of engineers from the State led by the Director of Transportation, Kano State Ministry of Transport, Mahmud Musa Seriki was in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital on a mission to understudy the CNG conversion process.

It would be recalled that the Ogun State government had embarked on the conversion to eliminate the effect of the recent removal of subsidy on fuel.

The move will reduce the cost of transportation in the state and make living more comfortable.

Speaking while inspecting some of the CNG-powered buses, Engr. Seriki said Ogun State is blazing the trail in the conversion to CNG and Kano State which also has the plan to do the same, thought it wise to understudy the process.

Seriki said Kano State has a lot to benefit from the visit to the Gateway State as his team has had first-hand experience and interaction with the experts handling the conversion process, adding that all of these would be useful when Kano wants to commence similar conversion process.

“I am thrilled by what we are seeing here, particularly the likely effect on the reduction of transport fare which the conversion would have on commuters when the vehicles begin to ply the roads.

“We are pleased to have this first hand experience and we will go back to our state to replicate same with a view to making living more abundant for an average Kano resident,” he said.

The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle on Tuesday September 12, 2023, hugged a Nigerian Invictus Games athlete, Glory Essien, and described her as ‘’my Nigerian sister’ in Germany.

Meghan Markle met Essien at the 2023 Invictus Games in Düsseldorf, Germany, where she also reunited with her husband, Prince Harry, after some months of living apart.

According to Daily  Trust , the Duchess took centre stage and gave an emotional address to 1,600 competitors, friends, and family in at the event as she saluted all those attending the games, set up by her husband, Prince Harry for wounded and disabled military veterans.

This came after Prince Harry had revealed at the opening ceremony that his wife was cheering on the African nation as he discovered she is ‘43% Nigerian’.

The revelation, however, first came on an episode of her Archetypes podcast after Meghan did a genealogy test a couple years ago.

Nigeria joined Colombia and Israel in sending their first-ever delegation to the 2023 games for injured, sick and wounded veterans.

The games were founded by Harry in 2014 and have become one of his main working focus points since leaving the royal family in 2020.

The prince’s reference to his wife’s newfound link with Nigeria was met with applause and an excited reaction from the crowd, including the Nigerian delegation.

“We’re really excited to have new nations join us. Let’s hear it for Colombia, Israel and Nigeria,” Harry told the thousands gathered for the event.

“Now, I’m not saying we play favorites in our home, but since my wife discovered she is of Nigerian descent, it’s likely to get a little bit more competitive this year!”

The 42-year-old Markle has not publicly visited Nigeria during her married life, though she has said how important Africa is to her.

She has many times openly discussed her race and how she has viewed herself in the years since marrying into the royal family in 2018.

In an episode of Archetypes with pop star Mariah Carey, Meghan discussed how society views mixed-race women, saying that she never truly knew the extent of Black women’s experience until her relationship with Prince Harry became public.

“I think for us it’s very different because we’re light-skinned. You’re not treated as a Black woman. You’re not treated as a white woman. You sort of fit in between.

“I mean, if there’s any time in my life that it’s been more focused on my race, it’s only once I started dating my husband. Then I started to understand what it was like to be treated like a Black woman.

“Because up until then, I had been treated like a mixed woman. And things really shifted,” she told Carey.

Since leaving the royal family, both she and Harry have made part of their philanthropic outreach focused on supporting women of color.

**Projects to be completed in December 2025

Delta State Government has approved the award of contracts worth N78 billion to Julius Berger Nigeria Limited for the construction of three flyover bridges and road expansion in the Warri/Effurun megalopolis.

This was part of decisions reached at the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Tuesday in Asaba.

Briefing journalists at the end of the Exco meeting, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Engr Fred Edafiogho said approval of the contracts were aimed at solving the gridlock often experienced in the twin cities.

He said the contracts included the design and construction of flyover bridge at Enerhen junction to Marine Gate; study, design and construction of road expansion and improvement works on the section of the DSC/NPA Expressway from Effurun roundabout to DSC roundabout including construction of a 3/4 Cloverleaf interchange at the existing Effurun Flyover Bridge as well as two pedestrian bridges.

Others are design and construction of flyover bridge at PTI junction and DSC roundabout along the Effurun/Patani, East-West highway, Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area.

Mr Edafiogho further said that the project road expansion works on the DSC/NPA Expressway will provide two lanes of restricted carriageway at the centre for through-traffic and another two lanes of service road in each travel direction bring the current capacity of the road from four lanes to eight lanes.

He said side drains would be provided along the stretch to convey stormwater to the swamp that runs beside the road and pipeline in addition to provide free flow of traffic for a distance of 4.359km with cloverleaf interchanges and U-turns allowing for unimpeded flow.

He added that the four projects have a duration of 27 months with probable completion date of December 2025.

Commissioner for Works, (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze said Governor Oborevwori’s approval of the projects was in fulfillment of his promise to give Warri/Uvwie a face lift.

He said the justification for choosing Julius Berger was due to their experience and competitive pricing in relation to the quality of works and timely delivery of projects.

Also speaking, State Commissioner for Finance, Chief Fidelis Tilije said the contract was worth N78 billion while the state government would make 25 percent advance payment of N19.5 billion with the balance paid through an ISPO for 30 months.

Also speaking during the briefing, the Commissioner for Works in charge of Rural and Riverine Roads, Mr. Charles Aniagwu said that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was deeply worried about the deplorable nature of federal roads across the state.

Mr. Aniagwu disclosed that the state Executive Council had directed the Ministries of Works (Highways and Rural Roads) to carry out remedial works on federal roads, particularly the Asaba-Benin Expressway and the Agbor-Eku Road with a view to making them more motorable for road users in the state.

By: Ella Tarvey

Renowned Journalist cum politician Comrade Victor Otuya, has congratulated the member representing Ethiope West Constituency at the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon Blessing Achoja, on his emergence as the chairman, House Committee on Science and Technology.

In a release made available to newsmen Otuya described Achoja’s appointment as well deserved.

He said the youthful politician will bring his wealth of experience to bear in the oversight function of the committee in relation to development of the Ministry of Science and Technology in Delta State.

Otuya, prayed to God to guide and protect the politician as he focus on the task ahead.