[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Delta State Government said setting up “Operation Delta Hawk” would not stop the state from participating actively in the proposed security outfit for South-South under the auspices of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta (BRACED) Commission.

Commissioner for Information in the State, Mr Charles Aniagwu, made the clarification on Monday while addressing Journalists of Warri, Ughelli, Isoko and Sapele Correspondents Chapels in Warri.

Aniagwu noted that while “Operation Delta Hawk” would concentrate mainly on internal security of the state, regional security outfit would tackle security issues in the region. He also stated that the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa-led administration was committed to ensuring the security of lives and property in the state.

He assured that the government would continue to assist security agencies operating in the state to ensure a safer state as there would be effective intelligence-sharing among all security agencies in the state.

The Commmissioner who was accompanied by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, also, urged journalists to enlighten the people about the effects of Covid-19, noting that the fight against the virus should be collective for it to be easily eliminated in the state.

“We are here, first to show our appreciation for the enormous support the government has enjoyed from you in showcasing our modest achievements to our people and those in the diaspora about the activities of government from 2015 till date.

“We are committed to the setting up of the regional security outfit by the BRACED Commission and we are also, empowering and equipping the security agencies, even when they are federal agencies because, they are protecting our people.”

“With security, the state has become number one oil producer in the country and more businesses are springing up with the multiplier benefits in employment of labour which has also, led to the National Bureau of Statistics placing us as second in standard of living in the country.”

On Covid-19, Aniagwu emphasised that it was real and that the media should enlighten the people more on the need to adopt government set protocols to curb the coronavirus.

He noted that Covid-19 had impacted a lot on the economy of the State with attendant loss in revenue and much money being spent in managing cases of the pandemic.

“As at today, we have 83 confirmed cases of Covid-19, with 17 discharged cases and eight deaths; we do not pray that we have more cases of Covid-19 and the media should assist us to know that Covid-19 is real and can kill.”

“Maintaining government set protocols are basic ways of checking its spread.”

“There is Covid-19 in Warri; there is Covid-19 in other parts of Delta; there are well equipped hospitals in the state and more health facilities are being set up and equipped not really because of Covid-19 but, as you are aware, as ongoing projects of the government before the advent of Covid-19.”

“The contributory health insurance policy is on and while we have more than 800, 000 Deltans who have enrolled, we desire full coverage for all Deltans so that our people who have health challenges should not suffer because they do not have immediate cash at hand.”

“Our Governor is passionate about the health of Deltans and is also committed to meeting with his electoral promises and we can see what is going on with the Warri/Uvwie and Environs Development Agency.”

“A lot of roads have been completed and a lot are still being constructed. Work has gone far on the Section A, Section C1 and C2 of the Ughelli/Asaba road project; the Warri Trans Ode-Itsekiri bridge has also reached advanced stage, with several others being constructed across the state.”

“We are on course and as we approach 2023, government will not be distracted and will continue to do those things it has promised to achieve.”

“Every of our statements is backed by verifiable facts and I appeal to you to always verify your facts before going to press,” the commissioner said.

On his part, the chief press secretary thanked the media for being responsible in their reportage, assuring that Okowa’s administration was open for people to verify their stories.

“We should show responsibility of balancing our story at all times. A journalist ought to know everything about everything and something about everything so that we will be better informed and equipped to inform others.”

“I want to thank you for the responsible approach to your practice of journalism and development of the state”, Ifeajika said.

[dropcap] P[/dropcap]rophet Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere Odumeje a.k.a ‘The Lion’ Famous Onitsha-based pastor,has gone down on his knees to beg the people of Anambra State. This is coming after a report went viral on the social media that the pastor who is known with so many names such as Indabosky had declared war on communities in Anambra and Imo States.

However, Odumeje in a statement, said; “My attention has been drawn to the publications on social media over the alleged face-off between me and the good people of Awka and Arondizuogu Clcommunities in Anambra and Imo State respectively.”

“In the said posts, I was potrayed as declaring war on the people of these communities and their respective traditional festivals and beliefs, It was also alleged that I had vowed to destroy Imo-Awka festival and put a stop to the Ikeji festival of Arondizuogu.”

“Consequently, upon the above, I wish to acknowledge that the people of Awka and Arondizuogu Communities are peace loving and I have over the years come to share fellowship and service in church with a great number of them.”

“These two communities and their renouned indegenes have been known and recognised as major contributors to the development of their states, Igboland and the nation at large.”

“Awka and Arondizuogu communities have produced great men and women of integrity and pedigree and have always remained at the top of great sons and daughters of Igbo land.”

“Against this backdrop and with every humility as a Servant of the Living God, I sincerely apologise to the great people of these two communities, to the entire people of Igbo land and to my elders for my utterances. I will not make any attempts to justify my statement as even I can see that it is hurtful in all its ramifications.”

“I also want to specially apologize to the family of Mazi Pericomo of Arondizuogu who I understand until his passing was a diligent servant (Evangelist) of God.”

“I apologise and put it on record that this experience has thought me that words that speak any form of divisive conversation amongst our people MUST be checked. This is a time for unity, love and unwavering support for each other.”

“Similarly, I lend my voice to the directives of the federal and state government in observing all the COVID-19 protocols, while waiting on the Lord for the end of the pandemic.”

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer of Junic Nig. Limited, Elder Acho Godwin Nonyalim has congratulated the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa on the occasion of his administration’s five years saddle as the head of proactive government of the state, saying it has good governance,brought peace and development to Delta.

Elder Nonyalim,the trail-blazing Real Estate mogul par excellence from Ibusa made the remarks in Asaba during the observance of the 5th anniversary of the SMART agenda governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa whose transformation agenda in the areas of infrastructure,Housing, peace, human capital development, wealth creation as well skill acquisition and human capital investment as some of the things that distinguishes his administration as governor.

Elder Nonyalim urged Deltans to rally round and always show support to the Okowa’s administration which is making prudent use of the state resources in citing different projects across the state in order to do more for the people, even as he assured of working in synergy with the state government to attract more Housing Estate development to the state and local government levels.
Elder Nonyalim said the five years of the Okowa administration had recorded significant progress and the quality of life of the people had improved through the various women and youths empowerment programmes, as well as the wealth creation initiatives of the administration.

“I must commend His Excellency the Governor for his sincerity and for being proactive in the administration of our dear state for the past five years. Our people across the three senatorial districts are happy. He congratulated Governor Okowa and all his team for the success recorded for the past five years and foresee greater future of development of the state by the Okowa administration.

By: Ike Abiagom

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he administration of Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has been credited with positive change in the dynamics of governance in the state, which has witnessed massive interlinked roads, and independence of the other arms of government.

A statement by His Eminence, High Chief Celestine Okafor as the 12th Ikwele Of Isu Kingdom, disclosed that this observation was contained in a congratulatory message to the governor on his 5th year anniversary and Ist year in his second tenure, High Chief Celestine Okafor said that outside the physical infrastructures, Governor Okowa’s drive for good governance had assured that the various arms of government operated independently, all towards achieving a smartly stronger Delta.

“Your Excellency, today, we give God the glory for using you to impact positively on the lives of Deltans.

“It’s on record that your administration has changed the dynamics of governance of the state in many ways outside the physical infrastructures.

“Your drive for good governance has assured that, the different arms of government operative independently, all towards achieving a smartly stronger Delta.”

“I congratulate you on your successful completion of one year of your second term in office and pray that God will always direct your steps as you smartly develop a stronger Delta.”

[dropcap]C[/dropcap]hairman of the CPU Foundation,a Civil Engineer, who refers to himself as a “Bricklayer” Engr. Philip Ugbomah Chukwumah, A People Democratic Party, PDP chieftain,and an aspirant for House of Assembly in the 2019 election, said Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is an ordained leader with all the attributes to take Delta state to the desired destination in governance.

Chukwumah,in a statement, said the past five years of the Okowa administration had impacted significantly on every sector, even in the face of dwindling resources, adding that the well-being of Deltans had remained the cardinal focus of the state government under his watch.

The PDP chieftain recalled how the Governor set an agenda for his first tenure in office, code-named SMART and the zeal with which he used the agenda to give purposeful direction to governance, creating jobs, building bridges of peace and developing infrastructure.

He said education, health,.agriculture, sports among others, received due attention of government,.noting specifically that Delta State played host to international sporting engagements for the first time in history, while the Asaba airport operated international flights, all in the past five years of the Okowa administration.

Chukwumah noted that Governor Okowa had remained a firm, fair and just leader of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in the state, who believed in an appropriate reward system for party faithful, a situation he said had engendered unity, cohesion and stability in the party.

The CPU Foundation helmsman said prospects of a better deal abound for Deltans in the remaining three years of the Okowa administration, particularly with the Stronger Delta vision, and urged the people of the state to remain united and supportive of government to ensure all round development of the state.

[dropcap]I[/dropcap] visited the wall of Mama Annkio Briggs and saw the trash some misguided IPOB fellows released because she said she was Ijaw. So the Ijaw woman must be Igbo at gunpoint? Are these online warriors not worse than those they claim are holding them captive? All that venom because a mother said she is Ijaw and someone wants me to believe we are one? If the real Igbo don’t put that man called Nnamdi Kanu in his place, we will never be united. I reacted thus: