Local Government Autonomy not needed in Nigeria - Idimi, guber aspirant

By Akpokona Omafuaire 

WARRI - A 2023 Delta State  Governorship aspirant and President/CEO of Exerneum Resources Limited, Ediri R. Idimi (UBIOMOR) has stated that the idea of Local Government autonomy being advocated for in Nigeria will not solve the problems facing the Country but rather complicate it.

Idimi stated this while addressing the media in his home town of Ituru in Elume District of Sapele Local Government Area of Okpe Kingdom, Delta State. 

According to him, "What is needed is restructuring of Nigeria to a true Federal State with resource control. Nigeria structure of Government should be modeled after that of Canada, USA and other countries since we have the same demography. If we must succeed, local government should be under state government authorities and the state should have powers to create new local government areas for effective development of the state, as the state government understand better the history of the people and the natural and tribal boundaries.

“The idea of Local Government Autonomy being advocated by some persons from certain part of the country is to advance the olonization ideology of some ethnic nationalities in Nigeria and the Niger Delta people in particular. It is not designed with the intention to develop the grassroots, but further divide the people through 'divide and rule strategy'. 

"Local government should be under state authorities just as it is done in other parts of the world. Autonomy of local government system has been the major cause of crisis in different parts of the country, which include the Warri Crisis between the Ijaws, Itsekiri and Urhobo due to creation of Warri South West Local Government Area by the then Federal Government of Nigeria. The crisis was resolved by the Delta State Government which created from the 3 Federal Government Local Government, 15 Community Development Center (CDC) which is like States own form of Local Government along natural tribal boundaries and kingdoms of the warring tribes. 

"The Sapele Local Government Area and Okpe Local Government Area of Okpe Kingdom are divided into 13 Districts, each of the districts should be made Local Government Area for effective grassroots development. Canada with about 40 million people has about 4500 Local Government Area and then Nigeria with about 200 million people can develop its grassroots with just 774 Local Government Area?

"Local Government Autonomy that is advocated by some persons mainly from  Northern Nigeria is to continually foster ethnic conquest through a centralized command and control of the powers of Government. These people created far more Local Government in the North with a strategy to get more revenues from resources coming from the South. 

"It has to be totally condemned by all Indigenous People of Niger Delta advocating for true Federal State with resource control. We have put forward ideas to restructure Nigeria to a true Federal State with Resources Control and that is the one antidote the country needs to solve the many socio-economic, socio-political and socio-cultural problems we are facing, which include the problems of insecurity."

The vibrant young entrepreneur addedfurther, "Nigeria model of Local Government Autonomy is such that revenues generated from local Governments in Delta State is unfairly collected by a Central Government and bulk of the money shared to Local Government in Northern States. It is not Local Government Autonomy to collect VATs from sales of alcohol in Lagos and other parts of Southern States and share lion share of it to Local Government in North that even prohibit the sales of alcohol in their states.

"The type of Local Government Autonomy needed is the type that will enable the State create the desire Local Government Areas along with tribal and natural boundaries needed for revenue generation, Mobilization and grassroots development. The autonomy that will empower the Local Government withhold a certain percentage from all resources and revenue generated from its territory and the State takes the outstanding and then remit certain percentage of it to the central Government. The revenue sharing structure should be from down to up as in Federal States philosophy and not from up to bottom as in Unity System of Government of the current awkward arrangement in Nigeria." He added.

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IOM mourns former DG

By Akpokona Omafuaire 

THE International Organization for Migration (IOM) weekend lost its former Director General and longtime US diplomat, William Lacy Swing, who died in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, aged 86 years.

IOM Director General António Vitorino in a message on Saturday said, "It is with a heavy heart that I learned of my predecessor's passing today.

"His was a life of service to his country and humanity, and a source of inspiration to us all."

Swing was born in Lexington, North Carolina in the United States in 1934. He entered the Foreign Service after graduating from Yale University (1956) and completing postgraduate studies in Germany (1960).

Over four decades, his diplomatic career included six US Ambassadorial postings, in the Republic of the Congo, Liberia, South Africa, Nigeria, Haiti and the Democratic Republic of the Congo before retiring from the US Foreign Service in 2001 and embarking on a second career with the United Nations.

Swing often told the story of arriving in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, as a junior foreign service officer in 1963 as Nelson Mandela was being transferred to Robben Prison. He returned 26 years later as Ambassador to witness Mandela's release and subsequent presidency over post-Apartheid South Africa and cited that transformation as an example of the seismic changes that can occur over the course of a single lifetime.

Prior to joining IOM Swing served as United Nations Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in Western Sahara (2001-2003) and the DRC (2003-2008). He was elected Director General of IOM in 2008, steering the Organization for the next decade through its greatest period of expansion since the organization’s foundation in 1951.

Under Mr. Swing’s stewardship, IOM grew into an agency with an annual operating budget of an estimated USD1.5 billion and more than 10,000 staff working in over 150 countries worldwide. IOM currently has 174 Member States.

Swing felt strongly that IOM's future lay in formalizing the well-established working relationship between the Organization and the United Nations system. In September 2016, then-DG Swing and Secretary-General Ban-Ki Moon signed the agreement that established IOM – UN Migration – as a related organization of the UN.

As UN Migration, IOM became the point of reference in the global debate on the social, economic and political implications of migration in the 21st century.

Shortly before to his retirement in 2018, Swing heralded the completion of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration as an important milestone to improve international cooperation on migration. 

“This is not the end of the undertaking but the beginning of a new historic effort to shape the global agenda on migration for decades to come,” he said at the time.

IOM staff around the world are deeply saddened by the news of Mr. Swing’s passing and extend their deepest condolences to his family.

He has a son, Brian, and a daughter, Gabrielle, and has lived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with his wife Yuen Cheong since his retirement.

Urhobo-Isoko Unity: Urhobo and Isoko greats storm Effurun Saturday to form a common front

By Akpokona Omafuaire 

WARRI - THE two oldest ethnic nationalities in Delta State, Urhobo and Isoko will  hold a one-day  unity confab tagged: ‘Those Things That Bind Us Together’ on Saturday June 19 in Effurun Delta State to form a formidable force going forward. 

This was contained in an announcement made by High Chief Lucky Esigie and High Chief Hope Abovi Erute in Warri on Friday.

According to the annoucement, Major General Paul Omu  (Rtd.) and Brigadier Dominic Oneya (Rtd.) will chair the epoch-making unity conference at the Petroleum Training Institute, PTI, Effurun, Delta State.

The President General Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, Olorogun (Dr.) Moses Taiga and Prof. Christopher Akpotu, President General Isoko Development Union, IDU will be Special guests of honour.

The great event will have Prof Emewvo Biakolo, Prof Rev Mano-Ben Okpevra, Bishop .O. Itehere and Rev Father Oghenejode Abaka as Speakers.

The centenarian Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom and Chairman, Delta Central Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Majesty, Ovie (Dr.) R.L Ogbon, Ogoni-Oghoro 1, and His Royal Highness, Okpuzo R Ejimememe Inana 1 of Owhe Kingdom will be fathers of the day.

BREAKING : Urhobo and Isoko hold unity conference on Saturday

By Akpokona Omafuaire 

WARRI - THE two oldest ethnic nationalities in Delta State, Urhobo and Isoko will  hold a one-day  unity confab tagged: ‘Those Things That Bind Us Together’ on Saturday June 19 in Effurun Delta State to form a formidable force going forward. 

This was contained in an announcement made by High Chief Lucky Esigie and High Chief Hope Abovi Erute in Warri on Friday.

According to the annoucement, Major General Paul Omu  (Rtd.) and Brigadier Dominic Oneya (Rtd.) will chair the epoch-making unity conference at the Petroleum Training Institute, PTI, Effurun, Delta State.

The President General Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, Olorogun (Dr.) Moses Taiga and Prof. Christopher Akpotu, President General Isoko Development Union, IDU will be Special guests of honour.

The great event will have Prof Emewvo Biakolo, Prof Rev Mano-Ben Okpevra, Bishop .O. Itehere and Rev Father Oghenejode Abaka as Speakers.

The centenarian Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom and Chairman, Delta Central Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Majesty, Ovie (Dr.) R.L Ogbon, Ogoni-Oghoro 1, and His Royal Highness, Okpuzo R Ejimememe Inana 1 of Owhe Kingdom will be fathers of the day.

2023: APC 'll win Presidency in 2023, Waive predicts

By Akpokona Omafuaire 

WARRI - THE member representing the people of Ughelli North/Ughelli South & Udu Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Ejiroghene Francis Waive Sunday said that the All Progressives Congress, APC will win the 2023 Presidential election, just as he says more governors and prominent leaders of  the opposition Peoples Democratic Party will revamp in due time.

He called on the party members in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State to be united ahead of the 2023 elections in the State.

The lawmaker spoke when he paid consultation visit to a leader of the APC in Ughelli South, Engr.(Olorogun) Ogbarode Napoleon Ogbon at his Bendel Estate abode in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area.

Waive assured the party members that he will not be sectional or divisive in handling their affairs.

He said, "We want to build a strong party. Let's come together not to spite leadership. Not to spite fathers or create confusion and divide."

Waive predicted that the APC will win the presidential election come 2023.

According to him, "Whether you like it or not, am in a position to tell you that APC will win the Presidency come 2023. Go and write it down."

While noting that majority of the federal lawmakers and some governors have decamped to the APC, Waive said more are yet to join the party before the election proper. 

He said members of the party should position themselves well ahead of time.

The leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Ughelli South Local Government Area, Engr. (Olorogun) Ogbarode Napoleon Ogbon welcomed the lawmaker and also stressed the need for the leaders to carry their followers along in anything they do.

Ogbon also urged the party faithfuls to be more united as well as work as team.

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NDDC ULTIMATUM : Tompolo calls for calm, reluctantly accedes to Akpabio's plea

By Akpokona Omafuaire 

WARRI - HIGH Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo a.k.a Tompolo has reluctantly acceded to the prayers of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio to constitute the board of NDDC before June ending, just as he calls for calm.

Tompolo premised his stance on the aftrmath of the consultative meeting held in Oporoza in Gbaramatu Kingdom of Warri South Area of Delta State by leaders, youths and stakeholders from the region and not any form of inducement.

The Ibe-Ebidouwei of Ijaw nation revealed the new position on Saturday in a press statement signed by himself sent to Journalists.

Read the statement below.

RE: PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI AND SENATOR GODSWILL AKPABIO SHOULD AS A MATTER OF URGENCY CONSTITUTE THE SUBSTANTIVE BOARD OF THE NIGER DELTA DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (NDDC)

I issued a seven-day ultimatum on the above subject matter on Monday May 31^st 2021. There were a lots of concerns expressed by Nigerians on this matter within this period, hence machineries were put in place for consultations among Nigerians, especially from highly placed individuals and organizations from the Niger Delta region, including the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

As I expressed in my press statement of Monday May 31^st 2021, I came into this matter because of love for the region and Nigeria. I make bold to say that I cannot be compromised by money and other material things.   However, the only thing one can do for Nigeria in this trying times, where all the six geopolitical zones are in turmoil, is to pray to God for peace and tranquility, particularly for the economic hub of the country, the Niger Delta region.

Therefore, I welcomed the consultative meeting of our revered Traditional rulers from the region, Delta State Government, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) led by its President, Professor Benjamin Okaba, leaders from the Itsekiri, Urhobo, Isoko, Ndokwa and other Nationalities with the Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Akpabio in attendance, at the traditional headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Oporoza town on Thursday June 3^rd 2021.

The outcome of the meeting has been made known to the public by the Minister. He promised profusely to start the process of the constitution and inauguration of the substantive board of the NDDC immediately (from Friday June 4^th 2021), and that he should be allowed to drive the process to an end on or before the end of June 2021.

As it stands now, I have accepted the outcome of the meeting reluctantly. It is pertinent to state at this juncture that, I do not want anything to disrupt the relative peace we are enjoying in the region. It was on this premise that I accepted the outcome of the meeting. The ultimate goal in this issue, is for the Minister to abide by the promise he has made to start the process of constituting the NDDC board now. Government shenanigans must be put away in this matter as constituting the NDDC board is very dear to the heart of the people of the region.

I wish to thank all our revered traditional rulers for their fatherly role they played in the matter, my father, ground leader of the Ijaw Nation and elder statesman, Chief E. K Clark for his concern and intervention in this matter, the Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and his Deputy, Barr Kingsley Burutu Otuaro for their intervention, The President of Ijaw National Congress, Professor Benjamin Okaba, The Commander of Operation Delta Safe, Rare Admiral A. Hassan, Leaders of the various Ethnic Nationalities for their solidarity, Youths of all the Ethnic Nationalities from the region, Women groups and others too numerous to mention here. I say a thank you to all.

It is my pray that the needful be done to develop the Niger Delta region as seen in advance climes.

Signed:

High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo)

The Ibe-Ebidouwei of Ijaw Nation

BREAKING : Suspected armed robbers shot club manager in Udu

 WARRI - SUSPECTED armed robbers this evening shot a club Manager on the leg at Ekete Inland, Udu Council Area, and cart away an unspecified sum of money.

The event which occurred about past 8 pm near the busy Ekete Inland caused scare with people running for their lives.

An eyewitness who gave his name as Mike who spoke in confidence said, "We were drinking when the boys entered the place and shot sporadically.

"Everyone took to their heels, they requested the Manager to bring all the monies they have, immediately they shot his leg, he has been rushed to an undisclosed hospital in Udu area."

A police source also confirmed the incident, but could not give details. According to him, "We just got the information now, but we don't have much details but no one died."

As at the time of this report, the club has been deserted.

More details later......