By Ike Philip Abiagom

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n a move to encourage students in  Ike-Onitcha, of Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State, a Philanthropist, and an indigene of the Ike-Onitcha, Mr. Augustine Chukwuma,The Permanent Secretary, Delta State Post Primary Education Board (PPEB),a Peace Ambassador,has indicated that he has donated  exercise books,school bags, shoes and other educational materials to the pupils of Ado Primary School, the school he attended for his primary education.

Speaking to Grassroots Publishers, Mr Chukwuma said his decision was borne out of the desire to ensure that no child would have any reason to drop out of school.According to him, it had been part of his mission to give hope to the less-privileged students, noting that the writing and reading materials would help develop the pupils as well as assist indigent parents who may not be buoyant enough to purchase necessary books for their wards.

He said that his gesture to provide the educational materials was geared towards adding value to the lives of the children, adding that the support would encourage them to take their studies seriously and actualize their dreams in life.

Earlier, the chairman of the occasion, Ogbuiji (Hon.) Aneke Ifemeni , who lauded the Okowa administration for prioritising the education sector in the state, appreciated the sponsor, Mr. Augustine Chukwuma for the donation of the educational materials.

Ogbuiji (Hon.) Ifemeni who is a former majority leader of the Delta State House of Assembly in the state admonished every individual to emulate the Permanent Secretary in order to enhance the educational wellbeing of the children in the area.

In his remarks, the Education Secretary, Ndokwa West Local Government Area, Rtn Comr. Alexander Osamene said that the state government had constructed modern classroom blocks and had provided boreholes in the school, noting that chairs would be distributed to Ado Primary School in a couple of days from now.

Rtn Comr. Osademe advised parents to always guide their children through the positive part, saying that the school and the community should protect the facilities in the school from being vandalized.

Receiving the educational materials, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Augustine Oghoro, who was represented by the Director of Schools in the ministry, Mrs. Clementina Ojumah enjoined teachers in the state to always show love and be more committed to putting their best so as to impact more positively on the pupils academically.

Oghoro said that the education of children was the responsibility of every individual, stressing that all should contribute in one way or the other towards giving the pupils a better future.
One of the beneficiaries expressed delight, saying the kind gesture extended to them by Mr. Augustine Chukwuma was a major inspiration they needed to fulfill their dreams. Miss Ifeoma Okobi, a student of the school,said: “I am happy to be celebrated and given this educational materials today,and I pray that God will continue to bless him.

Mr. Augustine Chukwuma is a father,the man of the people, gift from God to all students in Ike-Onitcha. We will always remember him as our pillar of educational empowerment,a beneficiary said.

[dropcap]W[/dropcap]ike also said the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, would not give its presidential ticket to any candidate who would serve only the interest of the wealthy few in Nigeria, adding that desperate politicians who will not serve the interest of many, rather the interest of few are already scheming to be candidate.

The governor made the assertion at a grand reception organised in his honour by the people of Kalabari ethnic nationality at the Abalama School field in Asari Toru Local Government Area on Saturday, according to a statement by his Special Assistant on Media Kelvin Ebiri.

The governor was conferred a traditional title of Se- Ibidokubo of Kalabari land (He who does good things for Kalabari people) and was performed by the Amayanabo of Abonnema, King Gboko Desreal Bob-manuel.

He reiterated that the stakeholders in Southern will soon make a declarative statement concerning 2023 presidential election.

Wike said: “The day the South will speak, Nigeria will shake. We believe in the unity of this country, but nobody can threaten us. Nobody should threaten us. We believe in the unity of Nigeria and unity of Nigeria must continue.”

The governor said no amount of gang up will make the PDP to compromise its stand on integrity.

He said: “His word: “No amount of gang up can make PDP to give somebody who will want to run election for the interest of some big men, and not for all Nigerians.

“Anybody who wants to be candidate of PDP must be candidate for the interest of Nigerians.”

He expressed concerns over the fact that some companies in the country continue to post annual financial profits regularly in a downing national economy to the detriment of the poor.

The governor lampooned Rivers politicians serving in the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for their gross inability to attract federal government projects to the State.

Concerning the next governorship of Rivers State, Governor Wike said everybody is entitled to aspire to be the next governor ,but such person must show capacity for that office and be well disposed to protect the interest of the State.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Rivers State Elders Forum, Chief Ferdinand Anabraba, said the grand reception is significant for two reasons; of its critical importance to them as a people and also because of the unity of purpose engendered among them under the Wike’s administration.

He said it is that kind of reception organised for prominent sons and friends who have impacted the Kalabari people.

Chief Anabraba noted that Governor Wike has systematically fulfilled all promises made to them including those of development projects and appointment of Kalabari people into his administration.

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, has decried attempts by some persons he described as political jobbers bent on polarising the umbrella body of the Anioma nation – the Anioma Congress in Delta State.

In a statement signed by the Senator who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, including the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, corroborating the position of the Asagba of Asaba, Professor Chike Edozien, on the matter, Nwaoboshi said, nobody can whittle down the strength of the Pan Anioma socio-political group, the Anioma Congress.

He described Anioma Congress as the mouthpiece and the nucleus of the people of Anioma nation and denounced the workings of those he said are bent on retarding the growth of this established body.

The statement reads: “I read with great interest the statement credited to our revered Asagba of Asaba, Asagba (Prof) Chike Edozien, CFR condemning the attempt by some political jobbers to proliferate groups aimed at whittling down the relevance of highly Successful Anioma Congress which has for ages remained the mouthpiece of the entire nation.

“Under the umbrella of all traditional rulers of Delta North, the Anioma Congress under the leadership of Asagba of Asaba have remained apolitical whilst speaking truth to power and protecting the interest of Anioma people generally.

“This is to wholeheartedly endorse the position of the Asagba of Asaba condemning any attempt to weaken the mouthpiece of Anioma people by establishing another competing organ. As the Senator representing the Anioma nation, I am opposed to the Establishment of any other movement and warn that any attempt to proceed on that tangent for political reasons must be resisted by all well-meaning citizens of the Anioma Kingdom.

“I will in due course pay a courtesy call on the Anioma kingdom’s traditional rulers to commend them for standing strong in the face of political overtures detrimental to the well-being of the Anioma people.” The highly accomplished legislator stated, noting that nobody can toy with the progress of Anioma people anywhere in the world.

By: Ike Philip Abiagom

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Senator representing the good people of Delta North Senatorial District, Most Distinguished Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi(SPON) has Congratulated Engr. Omeni Sabotie on his inauguration into office as the Delta State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Senator Nwaoboshi in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja yesterday said the emergence of Engr. Omeni Sabotie and other state officers would give the Delta APC the much-needed renewed vigour and focus required to rescue Delta. He added that with him as the chairman, the party is prepared to boot out the ruling party in Delta State which he averred, has brought governance to its knees in its stranglehold on the jugular of progressive politics thereby drawing the state into underdevelopment.

Elder Sobotie, Nwaoboshi noted, is a team player with the required mental and psychological capacity to drive the process of peace and unity among party faithful for a more vibrant and all inclusive participation of all stakeholders of the party saying, with him in the saddle, all is set for mass mobilisation of Deltans to usher in positive change and accelerated development in the state and in governance stressing that the common denominator of the party is to achieve victory across board in 2023.

Engr. Omeni Sabotie and other Delta State APC Executives, party officers were elected unopposed by affirmation through the voice votes to the accredited delegates drawn from the 25 Local Government Areas of the state on Saturday 16th October 2021 at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba venue where the Congress took place.

Senator Nwaoboshi urged Engr. Omeni Sabotie to ensure that he carries every aggrieved member along in all the Senatorial districts of the state. Also Congratulated other APC party Executives that emerged. He commended the APC electoral Committee led by Sen. Bashiru, Delta APC party leaders, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, Olorogun O’ Tega Emeron,Chief Frank Kokori, Hon. Waive and others for peaceful conduct of the Delta APC congress.

“The first task before the inaugurated state officers is to work with the incumbent party leadership and elders to extend hands of fellowship and assuage party members, who are aggrieved for one reason or the other.
“We are one big family and the larger national and party interest should always prevail, especially at a time like this when the nation is seriously threatened”.

He wished Sabotie and his team a highly successful tenure.