[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers has appealed to the Federal Government to fix federal roads in delta state which are in deplorable conditions. The monarchs made the plea in an eight point communique issued at the end of their meeting in Asaba.

The chairman of the council, Dr Emmanuel Efeizomor 11, who was flanked by the first vice Chairman, Major General Felix Mujakpuero, (retired) Orhue 1, and 2nd vice Chairman, kalanama V111, said the call had become imperative in view of the economic contributions of Delta State to the development of the Nation.

The Council also asked the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, embark on the dredging of waterways in Delta State to facilitate the free flow of water and avert perennial flooding in parts of the stste.

The traditional rulers appealed to applicants to kingship stools to do so through the right channel, saying that the presentation of  official staff of office to any deserving traditional ruler – elect and coronation should be done in the open and in the full glare of the people  to restore credibility and avert friction.

The royal fathers congratulated  the Federal and Delta State Governments on the successful completion and commissioning of the President Goodluck Jonathan Railway Station, Owa OyIbu in Ika north east  local government area.

Disturbed by the level of destruction of major and rural roads in Delta state by heavy duty Dangote trucks, the monarchs tasked the Dangote group to, as a matter of urgency, set up State Zonal discharge points from where lighter distribution vehicles could meet the needs of rural communities.

The Delta monarchs congratulated the Delta State Government on the effective dissemination of its policies and programmes, particularly on radio but urged government to focus attention on improving facilities on the state owned  television station in order to adequately showcase the great achievements of government in all its ramifications.

The meeting was attended by traditional rulers from across the state.

[dropcap]L[/dropcap]ike the saying goes, “It is easier to pull down than to put up; easier to destroy than to build.” The current agitation by a large section of the country to dissolve the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) leave a bitter taste in the bud.

It is pertinent to buttress that Nigerians, being attuned to the vestibules of Democracy, have a right to air their views and opinions, but that should be exercised in proper way and manner, obeying the rule of law and adhering to the precepts of decorum.

The drift into violent destruction of properties (Public & Private), molestation and manhandling of Security Personnel is tantamount to a breach of peace, which could incur the wrath of the law. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) a man attuned to the yearnings and aspirations of the hoi polloi, responsively disbanded the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.

[dropcap]G[/dropcap]overnor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has said, the ongoing nationwide #ENDSARS protests over police brutality in the country was a reflection of leadership and family failures over the years.

Okowa stated this while addressing the protesters at Government House, Asaba, on Tuesday, said that there wouldn’t have been the need for the protests if leaders were accountable to the people.

He told the protesters that as youths of the nation, they had every right to organise themselves to protest against societal ills.

The governor announced the constitution of a five-member Police Complaints Committee, with two representatives of the youths as members.

He commended the youths for conducting the protest peacefully and acknowledged that some of the issues raised by the protesters were germane and would be addressed.

“I want to appreciate all of you for ensuring that you are conducting a very peaceful protest; there can be nothing better than peace and that gives me a lot of feeling that our youths can be better organised.

“I am glad that you have gathered yourself nationwide to protest this injustice as regards police brutality.

“I know that through social media we are able to organise ourselves, but I can see a lot of maturity in your organisation and I must commend you for that.

“On our part as leaders we acknowledge the gap and that we have failed even as parents. In my own home, when my children spoke concerning this protest, I realised that they were as pained as you and that is the same pain that every Nigerian youth is going through,’’ Okowa said.

He added that “as leaders, this protest has also brought to the fore that we have failed ourselves.

“Your voices have been heard loud and clear; SARS has been banned but I assure you that we are not keeping quiet.

“When I commended the IGP for disbanding SARS, I did acknowledge that it was not enough; there is a need for further reform and re-orientation of the entire Police Force.

“The issues of adequate remuneration, training and discipline of the Police Force must be looked into critically in the reform process.

“It is about the reformation of the entire police and it is about ensuring that our nation is peaceful.

“We do realise that the police have a role to play in ensuring democratic governance, but they must be played in such a manner that is in favour of the civil defence.

“Unfortunately, some of them have put the name of the police in a bad light.’’

The governor pleaded with the protesters to remain peaceful and calm while governments at all levels engaged with the police authorities and other stakeholders to meet their demands.

“I plead that you organise yourselves better in the best interest of our nation, Nigeria, where youths will be able to go out without being harassed or exploited by security agencies.

“I appeal to you to counsel others to remain peaceful and be law-abiding as you go about your daily activities.

“Having made your voices heard and having made our elders realise that we have failed as leaders, please give us some time to work things out with key stakeholders,” the governor further said.

Earlier, Spokesman of the protesters, Mr Emmanuel Udezua, had said that youths across the nation were “in pains’’ over the brutality of policemen on them, and urged the governor to use his good office to prevail on all stakeholders to end the excesses of police personnel.

“On behalf of the youths of Delta, we have come to express our anger and grievances at the incessant molestation of youths by the police nationwide.

“We want a better Delta and a better Nigeria where youths can go about their normal activities without the brutality of the police.

“Stop the exploitation and the oppression of youths. Use your power everywhere you can to end this for us, sir,” he said.

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A. Adamu, NPM, mni has, yesterday, 13th October, 2020, in accordance with Section 18 (10) of the Police Act 2020, ordered all personnel of the defunct SARS to report at the Force Headquarters, Abuja for debriefing, psychological and medical examination.

Statesman Nigeria reports as disclosed by the FPPRO, DCP Frank MBA in a statement in FCT, Abuja.

The officers are expected to undergo this process as a prelude to further training and reorientation before being redeployed into mainstream policing duties.

The medical examination will be carried out by the newly set-up Police Counselling and Support Unit (PCSU), a Unit, which henceforth shall engage in psychological management, re-orientation and training of officers of the Force deployed for tactical operations and other duties. The Unit, which is domiciled with the Force Medical Department and coordinated by the Force Medical Officer, has its membership drawn from amongst psychiatrists, psychologists, medics, pastors and imams, Public Relations practitioners, Civil Society and other Human Rights groups with relevant qualifications and expertise.

Meanwhile, the IGP has set up a new Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team that will fill the gaps arising from the dissolution of the defunct SARS. Prospective members of this new team will also undergo psychological and medical examination to ascertain their fitness and eligibility for the new assignment.  They are to commence training at the different Police tactical training institutions nationwide, next week. While personnel from the Police Commands in the South-East and the South-South will be trained at the Counter-Terrorism College, Nonwa-Tai, Rivers State, those from the  Police Commands from the North and the South-West will be trained at the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ende, Nasarawa State and the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ila-Orangun, Osun State, respectively.

While reaffirming his irrevocable commitment towards the successful and holistic implementation of the Police reforms, the IGP enjoins members of the public, particularly protesting citizens to exercise restraint and allow measures being put in place to come to fruition and engender a Police Force that would meet the yearnings and aspirations of the citizenry.

[dropcap] S[/dropcap]enator Peter Nwaoboshi, Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly has been commended for his avid commitment and unflinching resolve towards the realization of the creation of Anioma State.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Executive Chairman of Oshimili North Local Government in Delta State, Hon Louis Ndukwe gave the commendation and said that Senator Nwaoboshi has continued to be at the forefront for the creation of Anioma State.

Hon Ndukwe said that Senator’s steadfastness with some other notable Deltans, was instrumental to the submission of a formal application for the Anioma State creation to the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, led by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.

He noted that the presentation of the application where the demand of the people was made known to Nigerians through the Senate by Distinguished Senator Nwaoboshi, remains the height of his representation of the wishes and aspirations of the Anioma People of Delta State.

“Distinguished Senator Nwaoboshi has continued to show leadership; he has by all standing, remained resolute in his commitment towards ensuring that the dream and aspiration of Anioma People to have their own State is realized.

“Anioma people are indeed happy with his purposeful representation for the fact that the creation of Anioma State will, no doubt, give the indigenes of Anioma nationality, a definite sense of belonging which to a greater extent, will bring about Socio-political and economic enlargement,” Hon. Ndukwe stated.

Ndukwe also noted that, the formal presentation of the application for the creation of Anioma State by Senator Nwaoboshi to the Senate Constitution Review Committee, was not only welcomed and commended by the people of Delta North Senatorial zone, but is also a source of delight to many eminent Deltans that included the Senate Deputy President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and Professor Sam Oyovbaire, amongst others.

“With this kind of support and nobody arguing against it in the Senate, that means, it is going to be a sure pass and it gives me a great sense of gratitude and appreciation to the Distinguished Senator Nwaoboshi for being at the forefront toward the realization of this great dream of our people.”

The Council boss lauded the efforts of the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, the Former Deputy Governor of Delta State, Chief Benjamin Elue, an illustrious son of Delta State and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Professor Epiphany Azinge as well as Delta North traditional rulers amongst other sons and daughters of Anioma, who he noted, made it possible for the formal presentation of the application to the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review on Tuesday 13th October, 2020.

[dropcap]P[/dropcap]rivate school owners in Delta State have been warned against the resumption of academic activities for nursery/pre-primary (KG 1-3) pupils as anyone who goes contrary to the directive of the state government will be sanctioned appropriately.

Handing down the warning in Asaba in a statement today (13/10/2020), the state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Patrick Ukah, said that officials of the ministry have been ordered to visit private schools in the state to fish out defaulters.

He noted that the state is implementing phased resumption of schools because of the Covid-19 pandemic and critical stakeholders in the education sector are of the opinion that nursery/pri-primary pupils will resume academic activities in January 2021.

[dropcap]G[/dropcap]movernor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state on Tuesday said that the people of Rivers have suffered and were killed more by the disbanded SARS than any other state in Nigeria.

He told a crowd of protesters at the state government house that when he was crying against SARS, many Nigerians were saying he was politicising the issue, he said now it is clear to everyone that he was not playing politics.

He added that now that other states are receiving the sledgehammer of SARS and they are now weeping, he will not join them to weep, because when he called no one listened to him.