VIRAL VIDEO: Tompolo denies making Election statement

 By Akpokona Omafuaire

EFFURUN - HIGH Chief Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a Tompolo has denied viral video credited to him over the just concluded presidential election.

The refutal was contained in a statement Wednesday signed by Dr Paul Bebenimibo, Media Consultant to Tompolo in Effurun.

According to the statement, "The attention of High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo has been drawn to an alleged viral video on the 2023 general election, where some online media quoted him to have hailed the outcome of the election. 

"For the avoidance of doubt, Tompolo did not do any video of sort. Tompolo has not said anything on the outcome of the Presidential election. He is not an enemy to any of the Presidential candidates as well as the governorship candidates. 

"He is a friend to all. And so, he has not asked anyone to use his name to campaign for any of the candidates. The general public should beware of characters that are out there to smear his name."

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ELECTION: Obi storms Abuja court to tackle INEC

By Akpokona Omafuaire

With the application of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to the Court of Appeal to vary the restraining order granted to the Labour Party, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi today has decided to storm the court.

This was revealed by him on his verified twitter handle @PeterObi

According to him, "I am supposed to commence our whistle-stop campaign for our various Labour Party Governorship and State Assembly Candidates today. Initially, my trip was to take me to Nasarawa, Lagos, Enugu, Abia, Delta, Edo, Rivers, Plateau, Borno, etc.

"However, following INEC's refusal to allow our party to inspect the materials (including BVAS) from the 25th February presidential elections, I am personally heading to the Court today with our lawyers.

"As we pursue due process and defer to the rule of law, I urge all the OBIdients in the various states to continue campaigning for our candidates, namely, Gbadebo Rhodes Vivour in Lagos, Chijoke Edeoga in Enugu, Patrick Dakum in Plateau, Alex Otti in Abia, Ken Pela in Delta,

"Ibrahim Mshelia in Borno, to name just a few. It is also imperative that Obidients vote for candidates with Competence, Character, Capacity, and Compassion. I remain committed and will give more attention to our mission of retrieving our mandate. A new Nigeria is possible! -PO." He said.

Election: Nigeria needs a prudent leader - Obi

By Akpokona Omafuaire

THE Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, His Excellency, Peter Obi has called on Nigerians to vote for a prudent leader as the country was in a crossroad.

Obi made the call in a passionate appeal days to the election on his verified twitter handle.

According to him, "Fellow Nigerians, it’s 3 days to go and in my quiet moments I know that Nigerians are wondering what Peter Obi is thinking. I will share my thoughts here because I have Nigeria on my mind!

"We are currently at a crossroads. We need a leader to show us the way forward. We need a prudent president, a principled president who has what it takes to lead.

"As we say in Naija: “We need person who sabi road; a person we go follow make this country better.” A new Nigeria is possible. We can make it.

"We have national elections coming up next Saturday, on the 25th of February 2023. The presidential election is the most critical because we will be electing the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

"It is the only chance to elect a leader of our choice. We must choose someone who can solve our problems. This is an essential and existential election. It is a make-or-break moment in our history. Future generations will not forgive us if we make a wrong choice.

"The person of your choice must have these four qualities minimally:

"Character: A person with a proven record of fairness, honesty, and trust. We need an honest person with a verifiable background: We must know his real name. We must know where he said he schooled.

"We must know people who knew him then. We must know where he has been, what he has done, what he has said, and what he has been doing these past months during the campaigns.

"Competence: Someone who has the proven capability and the drive to move us forward. The person must have the required skills and must show the physical and mental ability to manage the affairs of Nigeria.

"The president we need must present the correct image of Nigeria abroad and stand tall among his peers at the United Nations and other international forums.

"Commitment: We need someone who is committed and has the capacity to stop official corruption in this country. We have heard far too many talks about change. Enough of empty promises! We are tired of hearing sorry stories.

"We want real changes, not endless pity parties and porous pledges.

"Compassion: We want a leader who is concerned about the welfare of Nigerians, not his clique of praise singers. Our fellow citizens are in IDP camps. I spent Christmas and New Year with them.

"They should be home. People die daily, kidnapped, killed, and raped. No one in government offers actionable concerns. It must end. We need a leader with the courage to do whatever it takes to bring relief to our citizens in distress.

"Let us perfect the federation of our forefathers. Every generation is destined to make the country better. The post-Independence generation has arrived. This is our turn. This is our time. This is our chance to make a difference.

"Making the same old choice will yield the same result. We are Nigerians. We are rational citizens. We make rational decisions. Let us keep a date with our destiny. Let us make a new nation for future generations.

"The world is watching. We must take our destined position as the giant of Africa. You and I know the right thing to do. The greatest lie one can tell is a lie to one’s soul. If you are still undecided, please talk to yourself. Allow your conscience to guide you.

"No one is perfect but, ask yourself, “Should I choose someone I do not wish as a role model for my children?

"Be introspective. Ask: Could I live with myself for making the wrong choice just for few new naira notes or because of my region and my religion?

"I believe you will make the right choice and vote Labour Party: LP (Mama. Papa, and Pikin): The election is not about Obi and Baba-Ahmed. This election is not about our ethnic groups, African traditional religion, Christianity, or Islam.

"It is not about our sacred churches, mosques, and shrines. The election is about the future of this land that God gave to our great generation.

"Why Labour? I will tell you.

"We want to move our economy from importing and consuming products to producing, consuming less, and exporting more. That is the essence of Consumption to Production.

"Datti and I will work hard every day and with everyone. Many things went wrong in the past 24 years. There are enough blames to go round. We will not share blames. We will share hope. No more excuses. In life, what matters more is not what happened to us; it is what we do with what happened to us. Honesty is the best policy. We must be truthful to ourselves. Truth is the essence of life. I pride myself in striving to be an upright citizen.

"I endeavour to do the right things. Fairness is the golden rule: do unto others as you wish them to do unto you. When I fail, I learn.

"Our revered Chinua Achebe stated that our humanity depends on the humanity of others. We are in this word with great gifts. Our world presents challenges and opportunities. Challenges stimulate our creativity.

"We will use the opportunity of vast resources in our God-given earth to meet those challenges confronting humanity. The welfare of one is the welfare of all.

"My modesty is not words of mouth: I live it. We can feed off each other’s simplicity. By producing more and consuming less, we can balance our needs, not wants,and make society more equitable. It makes no sense fighting over issues that require rational thinking & good conscience.

"I love this country. It is not perfect. Nothing is perfect. Perfection is a continuum. The labours of our heroes past must not be in vain.

"Please come out and vote for Labour Party (LP) Please subscribe to success, to the triumph of a tested, trusted, and verified leadership. Do not renew the subscription to suffering, to the sorrow of tomorrow.

"A new Nigeria is possible. Let’s make it happen like a TEAM: Together, everyone achieves more.

"These past months have been quite a journey. I have met millions of fellow Nigerians from all walks of life: men and women, young and old, rich and poor.

"I thank our vice-presidential candidate, my brother, my friend and partner for coming with me on this journey. I thank the Obidients and my core team. History will record this campaign as the best: focused, friendly, mega rallies with no shịshị, respectful, and zero violence.

"Salute to all of us!

"We all made it happen: organically structured, passionate, united, and verified!

"I ask you, my people, to empower me as your president and commander-in-chief. I will be in charge. I have the requirements for correct leadership: character, competence, commitment, compassion, hard work, honesty, humanity, and humility.

"I have the courage and the heart with which to deliver the dividends of democracy freely and fairly to our people. Where we fail, hold me responsible; where we succeed, kudos to you. We can change this country. If it takes us making the supreme sacrifice, let us make it for a greater tomorrow.

"I am most grateful that you found me worthy to take the torch and lead. I would not have come this far if you did not follow me. You are my strength, the wings that power the historic Obidient movement.

"Let us make it for a greater tomorrow.

"I am most grateful that you found me worthy to take the torch and lead. I would not have come this far if you did not follow me. You are my strength, the wings that power the historic Obidient movement.

"On behalf of all our dedicated team, I promise to deliver on all core values." He added.

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These are my thoughts. This coming Saturday, let us promote the Family Value – by voting for the Labour Party—LP: Mama, Papa, and Pikin.

Vote Labour correctly, peacefully, and hopefully. Labour Party: Forward Ever! -PO

Election: Akpomudje charges Olomu Kingdom to maintain peace and vote right

By Akpokona Omafuaire

AKPERHE - THE Akpile/Akpohor if Olomu Kingdom, Olorogun Albert Akpomudje SAN Thursday call on all Olomu people to maintain peace and order during and after the election, urging them to vote right.

The Learned Silk gave the charge in his release to the Olomu people, a copy of which was obtained by ok he reporter.

According to him, "My dear people of Akperhe, Eyavwien Ruling House and Olomu generally, I humbly appeal very passionately that the Saturday election and that of the Governorship election on 11th of March 2023 should not be a do or die game.

"Am aware that Akperhe and the entire Olomu generally is sharply divided between the the three or four major political parties. In the past it was a sad story to see fellow Olomu people fight themselves during election.  

"Let us resolve that this election must be different from sad stories of the past when we attack each other just to elect our leaders. Vote for the candidates of your choice without intimidation fear or favour.  

"However vote WISELY if you want this country called Nigeria  must move forward from the economic woes, suffering and hardship befallen us all today in our country. 

"Let us be wise this time around and know that no politician is worth a drop of the blood of any Olomu person. 

"We don't want to hear of any violence or crisis in our community and Olomu generally as a result of the election." He added

Stay safe vote WISELY and maintain the peaceful co existence among us..I wish all of us a successful free fear safe and peaceful election come Saturday this week and the 11th March. May God bless us all and all our communities in particular and Nigeria as a whole 

Your Humble Servant. OLOROGUN ALBERT AKPOMUDJE SAN   AKPILE/AKPOHOR OF OLOMU KINGDOM

NBA condemns attack on banks in Udu

 By Akpokona Omafuaire

UDU - THE Nigerian Bar Association, Udu Branch has condemned in strong term the recent wathom destruction of banks assets and Point of Sales (pos) outlets in the area under the guise of protesting the hardship caused by the Naira swap policy.

In a statement yesterday signed by Kingsley Asagba Esq, Chairman, and Lawrence Ayewa Esq, Secretary, the Branch deprecated such action as unproductive and retrogressive.

According to the statement, "It is with heavy heart, we received the news of the attacks on banks in Udu area by alleged aggrieved customers over the unavailability of the new Naira notes.

"Such act in the 21st century is randomly condemned in it's entirety. It is deprecated with all equanimity as the banks are victims of not well executed policy of government.

"In any case, there are several civil ways of expressing grievances. But going to destroy property, committing arson and endangering people lives is babaric and unacceptable.

"The Branch commensurate with the banks over their unfortunate losses and injuries suffered by staff members. We advocate for a better approach to resolving this lingering financial issues.

"We use this medium to call on the government to expedite action to assuage the suffering of the people while calling on all citizens for understanding and be law abiding.

"We charge everyone to ensure they vote right and vote credible leaders that will take the country and state forward." The statement added.

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Asagba emerges Chairman of Chairmen of NBA Forum of Delta State

 By Akpokona Omafuaire

ASABA - THE Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Udu Branch, Kingsley Asagba Esq has been elected as Chairman of the Forum of NBA Chairmen of Delta State in a keenly contested election at the State Headquarters, Asaba.

Our reporter had it on good authority that Asagba won in the election presided over by the Chairman of Asaba branch, Precious Nwadimuya, Esq as Electoral Committee Chairman with his Ughelli counterpart Augustine Osume Esq as Electoral Committee secretary. 

The Asaba NBA Chairman, Nwadimuya also emerged as the Secretary of the Forum of NBA Chairmen of Delta State.

In a Statement by Udu NBA Secretary, Lawrence Ayewa Esq, he said, "The Secretariat wholeheartedly celebrates our Chairman Kingsley Asagba Esq on his emergence as the Chairman of all Chairmen in Delta State. 

"He was in contest with Chairman Warri and scored 7 votes to 0 votes of his fellow contestant. Congratulations sir, Udu branch is going places.

"It means therefore that the Chairman, NBA Udu branch is now the official mouth piece of the Nigerian Bar Association in Delta state." The statement added.

Asagba in a chat with the media said, "I am grateful to God and my colleagues who found me worthy to be the Chairman of the Forum. It's a family contest, we are all victorious.

"I will do my best to ensure that we get the best for NBA during my time. I call on all branches to be more knitted so we can speak in one voice. I thank my very senior colleagues for their continued support and every members of NBA.

"Together, we will make NBA proud." Asagba added.

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Tompolo bags newspaper Achiever's award

 

By Akpokona Omafuaire

EFFURUN - HIGH Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, a.k.a, Tompolo has been nominated by the Board of Editors of Independent Newspapers as the "Independent Landmark Achiever of the Year 2022, "due to the successful execution of the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to his company, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

The Independent Newspaper's team led by Steve Omanufeme, Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, including Mr. Donatus Okere, Editor and Yemi Adebisi, Editor, Saturday presented the notification of award as Landmark Achiever of the Year 2022 to Tompolo's media consultant, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo at his office in Effurun, Delta State.

Independent Newspapers noted that, before Tantita Security Services swung into action, Nigeria recorded production loss of more than 500,000 barrels per day of crude oil in the Niger Delta region.

They described Tompolo as the stone that the builders rejected, hence became the cornerstone.

"Your recognition is in line with the philosophy of this award: celebrating trailblazers and exceptional Nigerian." They added.

The Independent Newspapers has expressed its recognition of Tompolo laudable national achievement and wish to celebrate it with an award presentation on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotel and Suites, in Lagos.

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Go and do exploits, Okowa charges DESOPADEC graduands

 

By Akpokona Omafuaire

EFFURUN - THE Delta State Governor,  Sen. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, has charged graduands of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC Skills Academy to go into the world and make Delta State proud by exhibiting the various skills they have acquired.

Okowa represented by the Chief of Staff to the Government, Rt Hon Festus Ovie Agas, gave this charge yesterday at the convocation ceremony of the 173 Trainees of DESOPADEC Skills Academy.

He urged DESOPADEC to set up a monitoring and mentoring committee that will see to the full utilisation of the Starter Packs given to the graduands. 

The Governor congratulated DESOPADEC for organizing and sustaining the programme, which is aimed at complementing the Human Capacity Development agenda programme of His Excellency, Sen Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa administration in Delta State. 

Earlier in his address, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the DESOPADEC, Bashorun Askia Ogieh JP, said that, "At the inception of our board, three years ago, we found it imperative to key into his vision knowing that it is aimed at enhancing the prosperity of our citizens for a Stronger Delta.

"This realization gave birth to the DESOPADEC Skills Academy which we have now institutionalized to reinforce the impact of the State Government on the youth of our mandate communities."

He expressed delight that DESOPADEC Skills Academy, has once again fulfilled its aims and objectives of re-skilling, upskilling, equipping and empowering a good number of our young persons to pursue a life of productive engagement, financial independence and self worth.

In his words, "The the graduands comprises of 50 men and 123 women, which were trained in Welding and Fabrication; Electrical Installations and Repairs; Information and Communication Technology, ICT; Health, Safety and Environment Services; Interlocking, P.O.P and Tiling in Building Services; Hairdressing and Makeover; Fashion Design; Catering and Confectionery; Cosmetology and Makeover; and Shoe Making.

"The commission is completing its own side of the bargain by providing you the comprehensive Starter Packs for your various business areas and N200,000 each for set up.

"Totalling 504 graduates so far from the three batches, our feedback from the first and second batches makes us very proud of the impact of the programme and we believe that the alumni of this batch would achieve even greater success in the DESOPADEC Skills Academy programme which was started 2020 with 157 Trainees in its first  batch.

"As our tradition, we are also awarding the sum of N200,000 to the Best Trainee in each skill category and the sum of N500,000 to the Overall Best Trainee.

"Having made these investments in you, we are hopeful that you will  realize, at the end of this ceremony, that your ball is now in your court to play. We pray for you and look forward to your achieving a resounding success in your businesses and vocational careers."

He commended all the Trainers and Mentors we have engaged for sharing in the zeal to help build our people, and also congratulate the graduands for the determination and discipline with which they have conducted and comported themselves through the training and mentoring periods. 

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Okowa frustrating appointment of new judges, NBA cries out

 By Akpokona Omafuaire

WARRI - THE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Warri branch has accused Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of frustrating the appointment of the already screened and cleared persons as judges of the state judiciary.

The Branch, rising from its monthly general meeting called on Governor Okowa to also address issues affecting the judiciary in the state.

The Branch is further angered by the recent approval of the appointments of nine additional judges for the Federal High Court and eighty-six others for various state High Courts across the country by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

NBA Warri in a signed statement by the Branch Chairman, Chief Oghenero Okoro and the Secretary, S.G. Ediagbonuvie, said, “Unfortunately, our dear State Delta, is not one of the states for which the National Judicial Council appointed judges. 

"This is despite the fact that we have very acute shortage of judges in the Delta State High Court and the fact that recently, the National Judicial Council screened and cleared five persons for appointment as judges of the High Court of Delta State.

“Investigation by the Branch reveals that the reason the five screened and cleared persons were not appointed among the 86 others from other states is that the Governor of Delta State, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa failed, refused and/or neglected to make available the official vehicles of the Judges to be appointed which is a sina qua non for the said appointment and thus, truncated the appointment. 

"In other words, the appointment of Judges for Delta State this time around was frustrated and truncated by the act of Governor Okowa’s failure, refusal and/or neglect to make available the official vehicles necessary for this appointment which is very sad.

"This incident is even more painful considering the acute shortage of Judges in Delta State. Presently, many of the High Courts in the state have no presiding Judges resulting in the few Judges we have being perpetually overstretched.

"Some Judges cover two divisions far from each other, driving to and fro daily. Apart from the Asaba Division, the other Divisions in the State have no residential quarters for Judges and our Judges are made to commute daily from wherever they have their private residences to the Divisions where they are serving which in most cases, are more than one.

 "Again, this is very gruelling for them and impacts very negatively on their health and general wellbeing.  This shortage of Judges also impacts on Legal Practitioners and Litigants who have to suffer long adjournments with their cases taking longer than necessary to conclude as many of these Courts do not sit daily as our Judges have to shuffle from one Division to another to preside.

"As a matter of fact, the need to have more Judges appointed in our state is now an emergency and for Governor Okowa to fail to do the needful when we have the opportunity of having some Judges appointed this time, is not only a gross dereliction of his duty but an exhibition of the continued shabby treatment and disregard of the Judiciary as an arm of government in Delta State by the successive Government in the State. 

"It is on record and as a Bar, we have continuously drawn the attention of the state government to the very poor and parlous state of judicial infrastructures in the state. Our courts are decrepit, ragged, unkempt and very embarrassing. 

"When you see the state of court buildings in our neighbouring states of Edo, Bayelsa and Anambra, you will be ashamed to be a Deltan and this is despite the fact that our state earns much more higher than these neighbouring states from the federal allocations and 13% derivation.  This is also in the face of the recent gale of huge borrowings by the Okowa government reportedly for infrastructural development.

"The Warri High Court building that the state government deliberately demolished since 2008 under the guise of constructing a more benefitting one has remained a hubris of debris despite repeated agitations by our Branch.  As a result, the Warri High Court has been made to squat in makeshift buildings not befitting of a Magistrate Court.

“It is very painful that the Delta State government is shameless and disgraceful over the state of her judicial infrastructure. Most of our Courts have no power generating plants and judges sit in small, crowded and stuffy court halls with many of our Judges carrying hand fans when there is no power supply from the electricity distribution company.

"Our Judge’s official vehicles are arguably the worst in the entire country. While local government chairmen, members of the House of Assembly, Commissioners and political aides of the governor who are in droves and thousands cruise around in the latest Toyota Land Cruisers and Prado Jeeps, our Judges are condemned to Kia Mohaha and Hyundai Tuscon which are not even replaced, even when their state, as well as their ages and functionality, becomes embarrassing to the status of a Judge. We will not even talk about their squalid Chambers which they are forced to furnish at their personal cost to make it manageable. We also will not talk about the case of the Magistrates in Delta State. Their case is simply pitiable.

“Thus, we hereby call on Governor Okowa to, as a matter of urgency, not tomorrow or the day after tomorrow but today, make available the said official vehicles to the National Judicial Council so that the persons already screened and cleared by the National Judicial Council are immediately appointed and sworn in so as to reduce the pains and sufferings of Legal Practitioners and Litigants while making preparation for another round of appointment soonest.

“We equally hope that whoever will take over from governor Okowa will take radical and surgical steps to revamp the decrepit judicial infrastructures in the state. We cannot continue like this.”

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ELECTION: Former MEND leaders root for Atiku

 By Akpokona Omafuaire

WARRI - FORMER Commanders of the Defunct Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) and members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Dreams of Niger Deltans (MADND) have called on Nigerians to vote for experience and capacity rather than age in the coming elections.

This was contained in a statement signed by Mr. Josiah Oyakonghan a.k.a Commander Oyimi, Chairman, Sokere Ekpos, Secretary General, and Freeborn Ochuko alias Pressure, PRO.

The MADND leaders said that age should not be determinant as capacity and ability to savage the country should be the focal point.

According to the statement, "As former MEND Commanders, we find it very important to counsel Nigerians, particularly the young Nigerians, with regard to this month presidential election. 

"Given the significance of this election, it therefore behove for us as Nigerians to ensure we get it right. 

"We admonish and appeal to Nigerians, particularly young Nigerians not to look at the age of any presidential candidate for the 2023 election, rather than to focus on their physical and mental fitness as well as their capacity to rule and precipitate good governance that will not endanger our national patrimony, but rather than to foster unity, peace, development and progress of  Nigeria. 

"With the litany of challenges our country is besieged with, we need not to focus on age, instead our attention should be who has the capacity, physical and mental fitness, coupled with the experience that will proffer meaningful solutions to our plethora of problems.  

"We must do away with age because there are some people that are young and old, who are occupying exalted offices in this country, and they performed below expectations. 

"Nigerians need Atiku Abubakar in this perilous time because he has what it takes to lead Nigerians in the right direction. Atiku is physically and mentally fit, capable to rule and has leadership quality. 

"Atiku's vision to become Nigeria president is very clear. He is to rescue, restructure and make Nigeria a better place to live. His mission is to revive the lost glory of Nigeria. Atiku doesn't want to just be a president, but he wants to be president to create a positive record for this our generation and generations yet unborn.

"We state categorically that age is not a yardstick for effective and visionary leadership, for example, President Joe Biden of America, is 80 years and above, and he is performing creditably well, unlike other young presidents that have not been performing. 

"Indeed, President Joe Biden leadership style is loved by the world because he is displaying his leadership quality in handling terrible issues that are troubling some parts of the world.

"Nigeria needs Atiku Abubakar, who has a clear track and proven record for things to turnaround for good."

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Relocate NDDC to Presidency, Delta Monarch charges Buhari

 By Akpokona Omafuaire

IDJERHE -  THE Paramount ruler of oil-rich Idjerhe Kingdom, His Majesty, Obukohwo Monday Whiskey, Udurhie I, yesterday called on the President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently relocate the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to the Presidency, as it was before 2019.

The monarch said, this will save NDDC from "undue interference" from bureaucrats thus enabling the interventionist agency to effectively actualise its mandates.

The revered Monarch made the call while addressing journalists at a press conference in his palace.

The traditional ruler also tasked the newly constituted Board of NDDC to revisit the abandoned projects in Idjerhe kingdom, and also put in place plans for new ones so that the benefits that are associated with oil that my kingdom is producing can be visibly felt.

Udurhie I lamented that the NDDC, as a Federal Government interventionist agency, has in the past three years failed to live up to their corporate social responsibilities for the oil producing communities.

The Journalist turned monarch however blamed the scenario mainly on "a lot of undue interference orchestrated by the leadership of the Federal Ministry of the Niger Delta Affairs."

According to him, "In essence, therefore, I have no hesitation in calling on Mr. President to, as a matter of urgent national importance, relocate NDDC from the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to the Presidency as it was before 2019 because, before 2019, the NDDC was domiciled in the Presidency, and at that time, interference were very minimal.

"Returning NDDC to the Presidency, as it is currently done to the North East Development Commission, a sister agency of the same equal status with the NDDC, will restore sanity in the Commission. 

"We all know that North East Development Commission is working perfectly well now that it is domiciled in the Presidency.

"So, there is no tenable reason why NDDC should now be domiciled with the Federal Ministry of the Niger Delta Affairs, to allow for this undue interference.

"I believe that the current Board of the NDDC will work better if they are answerable to the Presidency and not answerable to one politically inclined individual.  

"That is the issue.  That is the analogy.  Take NDDC back to the Presidency for the purpose of ease of administration." He stated.

The King while urging the newly-constituted NDDC Board to be seen as hitting the ground running tasked the Board members to put in their best in carrying out the agency's mandates.

He also appealed to NDDC's funding partners, notably the international oil corporations who are helping to fund the Commission, to continue to keep their own side of the mandates "as NDDC needs adequate funding to enable it carry out its very many responsibilities, especially executing the abandoned projects."

The monarch further said, "So much money have been kept aside in view of what has happened in the past three years. All those money that have been kept aside for the Board should be released now that the statutory board has been constituted.

"I call on the Federal Government to urgently wade in and release to the current NDDC Board all funds due the agency so that they can go to sites almost immediately.

"A lot of abandoned projects are lying waste in the various mandate areas due to scarcity of funds which made contractors not to return to sites.

"Releasing those funds to the current Board will help the Commission greatly in a hieving the desired result for which the agency was set up."

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PTI to become Regional Centre of Excellence

 By Akpokona Omafuaire

EFFURUN - THE Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun, Delta State is at the verge of becoming African Petroleum Producers' Organization (APPO) Regional Centre of Excellence for training barring any last minute obstacle.

This we can disclose after a powerful delegation of APPO leaders visited the institution for facility assessment.

APPO is the association of all the African Countries that produce Petroleum collaborating to better harness the natural resources.

According to Dr. Henry Adimula, PTI Principal the intentions of APPO to establish Regional Centre of Excellence is to develop capacity of Africans in the oil and gas business.

Adimula who is optimistic of the breakthrough said, "They are visiting the institution to assess facilities they will use as Regional Centre of Excellence for training, and PTI based on our track records, the history of our past achievement is being considered.

"If found suitable which I believe, then we will be designated as a Regional Centre of Excellence and those kind of training can be domiciled here.

"So the advantages of that is enormous because it will make this place an International centre where people from all over African continent and other parts of the world would come and to get their trainings." He said.

On his part, Dr. Taher Najah, Director, Research Division APPO who lead the team expressed satisfaction with the achievements of PTI.

Najah emphasized that their mission is to see capacity and capability of the institution with a view to making it a Regional Centre.

According to him, "We are here to see the capacity and capability as we want to establish Regional Centre of Excellence for training.

"We have many options of how we are going about establishing these centres. First of all, the general scope is collaboration amongst our members on training.

"This is the whole idea, so we are looking at what capacity exist and how they can train our people."

Najah lead Mrs. Temilola George, Head of Hydrocarbon Studies/Data Unit; Mr. Tchananti Tiattl, Head of Capacity Development, Mr. Serge Kohemun, Downstream Industry Analyst and Mr. Isa Muazu, Consultant for the tour of the vast facilities in the institution.

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Vote massively for Obi, Omoroh charges Olomu people

By Akpokona Omafuaire

OLOMU - OLOROGUN Jerome Omoroh, a Niger Delta financial expert has charged his Olomu people of Ughelli South Local Government Area to turn out largely to vote for Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party for President.

Omoroh gave the charge Sunday while addressing party faithfuls at Ovwodokpokpo Olomu during a strategic meeting of the party.

The financial guru noted that both the ruling party at the federal and it's counterpart in the state has offered the people nothing.

He pointed to the general underdevelopment and hardship as catalyst the people needed to enthrone Obi who he said is the most credible and most qualified.

According to him, "Today, we are backward without jobs for our youths, no roads, no industries, no hope, no fuel, no money. Our people are suffering, are you not tired already, let's vote for Obi for a better Nigeria.

"Our movement is for redemption of the future, our purpose is to change Nigeria to a production nation. Obi is the only answer." He added.

Omoroh told the people to ignore parties that will want to induce the voters with stolen monies and food items to curry their votes.

On his part, Olorogun Austin Etata, Olomu Ward 2 Labour Party Chairman earlier in his address said that since the other parties have failed, the people have to redeem their future by voting for Obi as President.

Etata revealed that the ruling party have succeeded in taking the country backward and should not even campaign.

He urged the people to avoid the temptation of financial inducements and fake promises of the ruling party.