By: Ike Philip Abiagom

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he 10th All Community Newspaper Publishers under the aegis of Association of Community Newspaper Publishers of Nigeria (ACNPN)’ Conference begins in Asaba today, with Provost Emeritus, Dr Ignatius Nwanze Ezoem, scheduled to lead discussions.

Also expected as discussants are HRM, Obi Fredrick. Egbunkony ll, Igwe of Abala kingdom and other security chiefs.

Some state governors with security challenges, including Dr Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta); and Chief David Nweze Umahi (Ebonyi), will also be part of the conversation. The conference with the theme,“2023 General Elections: The Roles of the Media and Security Agencies, Challenges and Prospects” will bring together editors and Community media owners across the country, as well as their foreign colleagues to discuss the security challenges in the country and agree on the solution to the raging strife and Vienna International Hotel, DBS Road, Asaba will be hosting this year conference.

Ezoem, Provost Emeritus, would give the keynote address that would be discussed by security chiefs.

In a statement in Asaba by the Publishers Media Week Committee Chairman, Comrade (Dr) Felida Essi, and the Secretary, Comrade Solomon Ogala, the Association of Community Newspaper Publishers of Nigeria (ACNPN), said Gov. Okowa would be the special guest of honour, while the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Umana Umana, Sir Chuks Okonji,Idewu Okeze, Dr Tony Nwaka Malam Kabiru Yusuf, would be the guests of honour.

The statement said: A doyen of Education, Professor Emmanuel Achenu, Rector, Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-uku, would chair the conference with Gov. Okowa and others, including President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and foreign ambassadors giving goodwill messages.

“The conference is to be rounded off in the afternoon with the induction of new fellows and members of the Community Publishers, Presentation of Award to personalities and the investitures of Association of Community Newspaper Publishers of Nigeria (ACNPN) Patron, the statement stated.

Over 100 editors and media owners — from print, broadcast stations and online newspapers — have registered for this year’s conference.

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Presidential candidate of All Progressive Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the party’s governorship candidate in Delta State, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege have donated N200 million to displaced flood victims in Delta State.

While Tinubu announced a donation of N50 million cash, Omo-Agege gave out N150 million worth of relief materials.

Addressing a mammoth crowd on behalf of Tinubu and himself in Effurun, Delta State on Tuesday, Senator Omo-Agege pointed out that the aviation strike halted the movement of the APC Presidential Candidate.

His words: “Today, I am here wearing two caps. The first cap I am wearing is the cap of the governorship candidate of APC in the 2023 general election. The second cap is that of the coordinator of Bola Ahmed Tinubu Campaign Organisation in Delta State. The essence of this gathering today is to welcome our incoming president by God’s grace, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. The reason for the visit is to show solidarity, empathy and sympathy with our people as a result of the devastating flood in most of our communities here in Delta State. And also to provide leadership in our fight to uproot bad governance imposed in Delta State in the past seven and half years.

“But today as you all know, because of the strike in the aviation industry, and his reason for coming here is to visit IDP camps. And you know, to get to the IDP camps today, you cannot get there by road. So we made arrangements to use helicopters to move our president-in-waiting and entourage from here to IDP camps in Kwale in Delta North, Patani in Delta South and Okwagbe in Delta Central. But we have received a message that because of the strike in the aviation sector, we are not able to get any of those helicopters to move him from here to those IDP camps. So we have decided to reschedule this visit. He has promised that he’s coming back. Within the next couple of days, he will let us know; at which time the aviation strike would have been called off and we will have access to the helicopters that will take him to those locations.

“But he has also told me to make an announcement on his behalf. That because of the empathy he feels for our people, that I should announce the donation of N50million to Deltans who have lost their homes and source of livelihood and who are currently in IDP camps. This will be made available to them through the DG of this campaign, Elder Godsdey Orubebe. We are going to sit down and work out the modality on how this N50 million will be shared to each of the IDP camps to ameliorate the conditions of our people. We know that no one man can restore the losses suffered by our people. So this is Tinubu’s own way of showing love to the people of Delta State.

“In addition to that, in my capacity as the governorship candidate of APC in Delta State and as Deputy Senate President and Senator representing Delta Central, I have also made arrangements and we have acquired relief materials worth N150 million. We have made all of the procurements, food items, cement, mattresses, rice, roofing sheets and more. And beginning on Friday, we are going to set up a committee that will move from IDP camp to IDP camp to distribute all of these materials to our people who have been displaced as a result of this flood”.

At Okwagbe, where he led the APC train to visit the IDP camps, Omo-Agege expressed sympathy on behalf of Tinubu and himself, and said the N200million donation was a heartfelt contribution by both of them to cushion the plight of the victims of the flood.

He said that the people of Delta were prepared to vote out the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, and asked the Okwagbe people to join the APC winning team

Omo-Agege’s running mate, Rt. Hon. Friday Osanebi led the mission to Kwale IDP camp, while DG of the campaign, Elder Godsday Orubebe led another team to Patani IDP camp.

Ima Niboro

Director, Communications and Media Strategy,

Delta APC Campaign Organisation.

2nd November, 2022.

By: Ike Philip Abiagom

[dropcap]C[/dropcap]ommunity Newspaper Publishers under the aegis of Association of Community Newspaper Publishers of Nigeria (ACNPN), Delta State will be holding its annual lecture/awards Ceremony with the theme: “2023 General Elections: The Roles of the Media and Security Agencies, Challenges and Prospects” slated for November 10,2022.Its Chairman, Comrade Jude Obiememyego, said this at a news conference on activities to mark the 2022 Publishers’ Media Week.

According to the Publishers Media Week Committee Chairman, Comrade (Dr) Felida Essi, she said the Publishers week is a time for Publishers to brainstorm on crucial issues of national interest and exercise their bodies through sporting activities.

Essi said a public lecture/Media awards would hold on November 10th at the Vienna International Hotel, DBS Road, Asaba and lecture would be delivered by Provost Emeritus, Dr Ignatius Nwanze Ezoem, Executive Assistant to the Governor on Education Monitoring.

The occasion would be chaired by Professor Emmanuel Achenu, Rector, Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-uku.She said dignitaries such as His Excellency, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa;Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Umana Umana,Sir Daniel Chukwudozie, CEO,Dozzy Oil and Gas, Mr Idewu Okeze, Sir Chuks Okonji and Mrs Ruby Ijeoma Okoro, Managing Director, Delta Mortgage Trust Bank, Allen Onyema, Chief Executive Officer, Air Peace, would also be recognised among many others.
The Royal Fathers of the Day will be HRM, Obuenwe Johnson Ekpechi Ulu, Ezemu of Emu kingdom, HRM, Monday Whiskey Udurhie l, Ovie of Idjerhe kingdom and HRM, Obi Fredrick. Egbunkony ll, Igwe of Abala kingdom while HRH, Obi Isioma Nwannabuogwu, Omu of Ibusa kingdom is the royal mother of the day.
Essi said the council would pay a visit to the Little Saints Orphanage, Asaba and Old Peoples’ Home, Ibusa . She called for donations of clean and decent clothing, shoes, food, books and other items for children and adults.

By: Ben Nwoko

[dropcap]D[/dropcap]elta State House of Assembly aspirant for the Oshimili North Constituency on the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM),Sir (Dr)Felix Chuks Okonji(OMELORA) says his aspiration is the best option for his constituents as the touchstone of his candidacy is competence, capacity, and experience underpinned by a strong demand for justice, equity and fairness.
In a statement he personally signed to mark his consultation and flag-off to leaders and good people of oshimili north , the foremost philanthropist, an entrepreneur, Real Estate Mogul, said, he is seeking the votes of his people to be the next state House of Assembly member because he has the capacity, competence, commitment, experience, exposure as well as deep knowledge of the expectations and the needs of his people.

Omelora said, “I am not seeking an office or a position but I am seeking for an opportunity for service. My aspiration will avail you two packages in one: a golden opportunity to serve my people and to correct a negative history of alienating the great people of Oshimili North state Constituency from serving as your representative in the state House of Assembly since our country’s independence in 1960; and a competent, experienced, selfless, responsible, well-rounded, prepared, determined, passionate, accessible, knowledgeable and loyal legislator, who will demonstrate equity and mutual fidelity to the course of the entire district without discrimination”.

He noted with delight that the Oshimili North Constituency is blessed with enormous manpower, rich arable land and other natural resources, which require proper harnessing through credible leadership and proactive representation.

“We have great hardworking people who seek opportunities to thrive and excel. I am offering myself as a vessel to fulfil these needs, using the State House of Assembly as a staging post. My mantra is an opportunity for all. Not some,” he vowed.

“I will, in conjunction with the state Government and other development agencies within and outside Nigeria, pursue the growth, prosperity, development, happiness and well-being of our people, including those who will not support or vote for me”.
He promised to synergize with relevant state government agencies, and development partners to turn around the fortunes of his constituents and run an all-inclusive government.

He warned that the stakes beyond 2023 in Nigeria are too high to be left in the hands of unstable politicians as too many unresolved national questions are still open to necessary debate and resolution in our quest for national rebirth, growth and integration.

[dropcap][/dropcap]I knew Bola Ahmed Tinubu when we were at the National Assembly as senators. He belonged to a different party (SDP) while I was in NRC. But we had a common interest when it came to telling the truth. We said it as it was then.

He knew my vision even when the June 12 issue was in the front burner. I could see the injustices and I stood by fairness because I detest injustice. You can see that I identified myself with the aspiration of Nigerians.

So we had a lot of things in common and we had been friends since then. He saw me as being straightforward, honest and sincere in all my dealings with him. Not for any material gain. In fact, when I began my legal sojourn in the Emirship tussle he also supported me in terms of advice because it was a tough battle for me. It was tough taking on the government and we had to employ the services of a senior advocate of Nigeria in the person of Wole Olanipekun.

When God made me the Emir I said this man was there when I was in dire need of help so why can’t I use my position to make him what I feel will help him in future politically. That was why I honoured him with the title of ‘Jagaban.’ Jagaban means ‘Leader of Warriors.’

By: Ike Philip Abiagom

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he APC Chairman of Oshimili North Local Government, Hon. Austin Nnabuife aka Ojeagbue , has stated that His Excellency Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, CFR, Deputy President of the Senate and Governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Delta State is our next governor come 2023 in the State.

He said with the task ahead, all APC members are also campaign coordinators, mobilizers and canvassers for the party at all levels in the State. That this – membership of the Party – was what he referred to as the “entire team”. Nothing that as faithful party members, they must be committed to the party leadership, because its decision is supreme and every member must be prepared to accept such decisions.

Nnabuife asserted that “It is only the APC that has the capacity to defeat this monster, the cabal called PDP in Delta State. The movement to form a new government in the State is not about APC members alone, but a task for all Deltans. I, therefore, charge members of the Campaign Council to ensure total victory for the party during the forth-coming general elections. The task for all of you is to make sure APC emerges victorious in all elective offices up to the Presidency.

“We must take back our dear State from Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who with his cohorts, have held our state hostage. After over 7 years of Okowa, one thing we all agree on is that there is a huge gap between the funds Delta State received, generated and borrowed; even recklessly, and what Okowa’s government has done. This has left our state seriously undermined in so many ways that are too numerous to count. Okowa misused and wasted our hard-earned resources. And when the state ran out of funds, he embarked on a reckless borrowing spree, thereby mortgaging our future and those of our unborn children.

“We all remember what happened to Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya when he dared to ask questions, when he tried to do his job and provide the checks and balances our Constitution demands. He was fired for trying to scrutinize executive actions as the legislature must do. And because power corrupts and absolutely power corrupts absolutely, we ended up with an uncontrolled state government that has since turned its back on the people of Delta State.”

He maintained that it is common knowledge to all that the present ruling People’s Democratic Party – PDP in Delta has failed woefully in bestowing credible and visionary leadership to drive the yearnings of the people. That in all development indices, Delta State under PDP cannot compete with neighbouring States in education, agriculture and quality infrastructure.

“This is a big shame for a State that had been a pace setter, first with our sister Edo, as Bendel, and even as Delta State since 1991. Delta State is the highest receiver of Federal allocation and 13 per cent derivation, yet, the State is also the second most indebted State in the country. The seemingly chaotic socio-political and economic environment in Delta State requires a leader with the necessary skills and knowledge, to work with a qualified team to address the systemic bottlenecks that have hindered the development of the State.

“This is the time to terminate the ill-conceived Okowa dynasty. So I ask you all here and every Deltan, wherever they may be right now, every resident, both indigenes and non-indigenes in Delta North, Delta South and Delta Central to get ready to work, get ready to fight for our dear state and get ready to win on the 11th of March 2023. The DPS stated.

Nnabuife pledged the readiness of the APC administration in the State to establish a strong, resilient, inclusive and prosperous economy that generates opportunity, jobs and wealth, while lifting the poor out of poverty, through the implementation of people-oriented programmes and policies.

“Our vision is to make the State a model for others. We are going to bring new ideas and innovative policy solutions, under a government that gives the people a sense of belonging. These we have summed up in our ‘EDGE to BAND’ plan.

He said his APC emphasis would be on human capital development, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, housing and other labour-intensive interventions, which are core on the Party agenda for the State. And that they are going to engage with vigour on all fronts and build a brand-new Delta.

“APC government will deliberately create an enabling environment for industries and manufacturing, establish technology hubs, set up small businesses, loan guarantee schemes, and promote skills acquisition and set up Career Development Centres for Deltans.

“Our governmemt will guarantee the rights of women and youth and invest their unique energies to drive social and economic development in the state. We will initiate a youth development programme that moves them away from the hopelessness of today, connect them to creative endeavours and generate energy for honourable work.

“We will also be making aggressive investments in modern infrastructure capable of opening up the total economic energies of our people, we will lift the State out of a mono-economic dependency by launching diversification into tech and business incubation. The Delta APC Governorship candidate stated in his inauguration speech

While urging all party faithful/ members to familiarize themselves with the EDGE to BAND plan to make their job easier, Nnabuife disclosed that their task is to get the message to the grassroots, using the various tools at their disposal to get to every potential voter out there. He encouraged all to work in synergy with every group within and outside the party for the single goal of making APC victorious at both the federal and State levels.

Hon Nnabuife, who urged all aspirants who were not successful in their bid for the party ticket in the primaries to support the party and the Campaign Council, that in the coming days, weeks and months they would all pass through sleepless nights to ensure that the APC emerge victorious in all the elections in the State. That for him, unity and sense of purpose of party members is vital to victory.

While congratulating all the distinguished men and women selected to serve the party in the Governorship Campaign Council, the APC Chairman of Oshimili North Local Government noted that the task ahead may appear intimidating but collectively they shall overcome.

“The movement to liberate the State is a collective one, and not about APC members alone, but all Deltans. I, therefore, call on all Deltans, irrespective of party platform, who love this State to join hands with us to liberate, rebuild and reinvigorate our dear State. This is a responsibility we owe the present old and young generations and generations yet unborn. We must not fail in making Delta State a better place than we met it.” He added.