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COVID-19: Okowa recounts experience, appreciates God …reinforces call for protocols compliance

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COVID-19: Okowa recounts experience, appreciates God …reinforces call for protocols compliance

[dropcap]G[/dropcap]overnor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Friday recounted his experience with COVID-19 attack and said more than three members of his family contracted the virus. The governor, at a family thanksgiving at the Government House Chapel, Asaba, said God’s mercy saw the First Family through the challenge.

Reiterating that COVID-19 was real, he said that it was ridiculous and unimaginable for anyone to think that his family was given money to declare that they tested positive for the virus, stressing that the best way to avoid the devastating disease was for everybody to accept its reality and abide with the prescribed protocols to keep it at bay.

The governor, who was with his wife, Edith and all the children, disclosed that before the pandemic infected the family, he had planned for a family thanksgiving to show gratitude to God for His goodness to him.

According to him, we planned to appreciate God for the electoral victory in 2015, five eventful years as governor, divine mercy when a heavy object fell on my head while in the office, escaping from a fire incident that engulfed our household some time ago.

“As a family, we want today, to thank God for His faithfulness unto us, for the peace that we enjoy, for the unity in our home and for His love in our lives.

“God has done so much for us and we will continue to thank Him every day of our lives.

“Sometimes, I wonder how and why we deserve His mercy; it is for His grace not because we are so righteous.

God has continued to be there for me and my family, and I will continue to thank Him.

“In my approach to the 2015 election, not many people gave me a chance but God perfected His will,” Okowa said.

He thanked Deltans and Nigerians for their prayers while the travails lasted and pledged to redouble his service to God and in governing Delta.

He disclosed that a lot had been achieved by his administration, adding however that much still needed to be done and sued for the support of all in building a Stronger Delta.

To those who are in the habit of criticising his policies and programmes, the governor urged them to base their criticisms on facts rather than fiction. He reaffirmed his zeal to pursue programmes that would move the state forward, stressing that all protocols aimed at curtailing the spread of coronavirus in the state would be enforced.

In her remarks, the wife of the governor, Dame Edith Okowa, said that thanksgiving would remain a routine by the Family considering God’s faithfulness in their lives.

In a brief exhortation, the Chaplain of the Chapel, Asaba, Venerable Charles Osemenam, said that if not for God, the first family would have been thrown into “darkness’’ by the devil.

Osemenam whose message was titled “The Lord Triumphed Gloriously” noted that anyone who believed in God would always be victorious.

In an interview at the venue, Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Mr Sheriff Oborevwori ànd the member representing Oshimili North Constituency in the Assembly, Mrs Pat Ajudua, said that the thanksgiving was apt, and called on Deltans to avoid acts capable of spreading COVID-19.

The thanksgiving service was attended by top government functionaries.

DEFAMATION: Ned Nwoko Files N2bn Suit Against Online Publisher

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DEFAMATION: Ned Nwoko Files N2bn Suit Against Online Publisher
Prince Ned Nwoko

[dropcap]F[/dropcap]ormer House of Representatives member and philanthropist, Prince Ned Nwoko, has dragged an online publisher, Azuka Jebose Molokwu, to court claiming two billion naira damages for defamation of character.

This is contained in a writ of summons obtained from Effurun High Court, Delta state on behalf of Ned Nwoko by his counsel, Ikhide Ehighelua Esq. and co dated 13th July 2020.

Joined in the suit No.EHC 99 as second defendant is Prince Chukwunonso Nwoko identified as the employer and sponsor of the first defendant,Jebose, a native of Onicha Ugbo in Aniocha north local government area of Delta state , resident in the United States of America.

According to the suit, both defendants made highly defamatory publications in several online blogs and other social media platforms”calculated to reduce the estimation of the claimant”and denigrate his reputation before right thinking members of the public. It stated that the malicious publications had continued unabated against the plaintiff in spite of warnings by his solicitors to the defendants.

Counsel to Ned Nwoko also stated that the first defendant defiantly came out openly on the social media that the cautions would not be a deterrent to his defamatory publications, prompting the legal action.

The claimant had also sought in his favour,before the court a “public apology to be published by the defendants in at least two national daily newspapers circulating in Nigeria and social media platforms” as well as an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from making any further defamatory publications against him.

Celebrating the Birthday of A Princess

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Celebrating the Birthday of A Princess
Princess Nkechi Ogoh

[dropcap]P[/dropcap]rincess Glory Nkechi Ogoh indeed is a true definition of a VIRTUOUS WOMAN. Today being her birthday, the whole world celebrate a woman who is a perfect example of beauty and  God fearing person.

She’s the pillar who makes the family so strong, love so true, joy so real, faith so firm and fear so ordinary.She is the embodiment of cerebral articulation,the epitome of intellection and breathtaking simplicity, the personification of undiluted humanness, the perfect example of leadership symbolism, the paragon of idealism, the soul humanity, the mirror of beauty , the amazon. Indeed, some Princess are born, some achieve leadership, some have leadership thrust upon them, while only very few have all three embedded in them.
Princess Glory Nkechi Ogoh is one of those very few good girl; a true woman,a woman of valour,the bringer of rain. In the gallery of great leaders and great women, she is without doubt, a rare masterpiece.

Princess Glory Nkechi Ogoh will celebrate her birthday today and to put the epochal celebration in proper perspective, she attained the midpoint of life at the exciting peak and the proper prime of her mercurial powers where, poised like the bronzed champion, glowing flamboyantly in the golden flame of her decade, prepares herself to capture and conquer arguably, the one ultimate laurel for which her superlative gifts and brilliance clamour to be manifestly celebrated with maximum educational aplomb woven into the matrix of an intrepid homogeneous ubiquity.

A true friend,sister,elegant,beautiful and unblemished in the magisterial lithe and athleticism of folkloric Queen and heroine, soft-spoken, with clear, unfettered, excellent diction and oratory, her brilliant smile like sparkling sun radiating from crystal clear eyes. Princess Glory Nkechi Ogoh is down to earth and corporate-smart, from the various experiences of home-bred grooming, ivy league sojourns in first class royal family and the inspirational influence and unparalleled, unquantifiable tutelage from a respected royal father.

A woman of immense mettle and a completely detribalized human being with a profound depth of character, whose humility, devoid of discrimination, embraces all and sundry, she soars like an eagle and exudes reverence and integrity. A pragmatic woman full of benevolence, she gives hope to the hopeless,and welfare and succor to the poor and needy. To everyone who crosses her path, she is a light.she is a friend to all, a role model to the young, a helper to many and a visionary woman bubbling with the ideals of entrenching a united, peaceful, harmonious vision for her community and the world. Honest, Transparent, Dependable, uncomplicated and full of wisdom, Princess Glory Nkechi Ogoh can change you effortlessly, with her soft spoken words.
Princess (NK),though even the sun will one day run out of fuel, our love for you shall last forever. we thank God each and every day for giving us a Friend like you. On your birthday, we want to thank you for being the best sister, friend anyone could ever hope for.You are such a great role model for every woman in the world because you are so loving, caring, protective, and supportive. Happy Birthday!

By: Ike Abiagom

Grassroots Publishers

Nigeria’s First Female Combat Helicopter Pilot, Dies at 23

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Nigeria’s First Female Combat Helicopter Pilot, Dies at 23
Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile

[dropcap]F[/dropcap]lying Officer Tolulope Arotile, the first ever female combat helicopter pilot in Nigeria, is dead. She was barely 23 years of age.

Arotile died as a result of head injuries sustained from a road traffic accident at Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base Kaduna.

Her death came barely a year after she was winged as a combat helicopter pilot in the Air Force following the completion of her course in South Africa.

Confirming the accident, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said until her death, ‪Flying Officer Arotile, who was commissioned into the NAF in September 2017 as a member of Nigerian Defence Academy Regular Course 64, was the first ever female combat helicopter pilot in the service.‬

He said: “During her short but impactful stay in the service, late Arotile, who hails from Iffe in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, contributed significantly to the efforts to rid the North Central States of armed bandits and other criminal elements by flying several combat missions under Operation GAMA AIKI in Minna, Niger State.

“The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on behalf officers, airmen, airwomen and civilian staff of the NAF, commiserates with the family of late ‪Flying Officer Arotile‬ over this irreparable loss. We pray that the Almighty God grant her soul eternal rest.”

PRINCE NED, PRINCESS REGINA – A MARRIAGE OF TWO STARS By FRED AKPEWE

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PRINCE NED, PRINCESS REGINA – A MARRIAGE OF TWO STARS By FRED AKPEWE

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he arrival of a son for Prince Ned Nwoko and Princess Regina Nwoko a while ago signaled the high point of the marriage of two stars. This most celebrated marriage in Africa has taken the media by storm and redefined the African love in a way that is both positive and esoteric.

Ned Nwoko is an accomplished businessman, Antarctica explorer, international lawyer, Politician, environmentalist and philanthropist. Princess Regina is also an accomplished star actress and film producer. She is beautiful in every sense whose face has adorned about a hundred or more home movies. She was therefore on a high social ladder and successful in her own rights before her marriage to Prince Ned Nwoko, even though this marriage has given her an upscale success on the social ladder.

Only very few celebrity marriages globally have received such media comments and glitz in recent times as the Prince Ned/Princess Regina marriage. On the social scale, other marriages on the same platform in terms of media gaze are those of Kim Kardashin and Kanye West which has paled into insignificance the globally acknowledged but botched marriage between late Princess Diana and Prince Charles of Wales.

Others are the marriage between Beyonce and Jay-Z and back home here the marriages between Omotola Jalade Ekeinde and Captain Matthew Ekeinde. We can also consider the celebrity marriage between Mercy Johnson and Prince Odianosen Okojie.

Like Princess Regina, Prince Ned Nwoko is an editor’s delight. Everything about Prince Ned is news. The global popularity and relevance of Prince Ned Nwoko has adequately advertised the Stars University, Idumuje-Ugboko even before its official take-off.

The world is focusing on Prince Ned Nwoko’s malaria Africa project because of his midas touch. Anything Prince Ned puts his hands on is instant success. As a man reputed to have ended recession in Nigeria through his role in the Paris club refund to Nigeria, he has put in so much into the betterment of humanity. With Prince Ned’s marriage to Princess Regina, the former is beginning to reinvent self on the latter.

Princess Regina has started several projects aimed at enhancing the quality of life for humanity. She is the owner of Regina Entertainment Television, RET. As a thespian, she has impacted positively on her primary constituency, the Nigerian Movie Industry. At her behest, Prince Ned Nwoko has hosted dignitaries of the movie industry and also opened doors for the use of his private jets in Nigerian movies, thereby improving their quality and global receptiveness.

Recently in a post, Princess Regina revealed that when she first met Prince Ned, she thought he was a farmer. What is the farmer in Prince Ned? Prince Ned is a lover of nature and as an environmentalist and horticulturist; he has adorned his country home of Idumuje-Ugboko with exotic trees and crops. He also rears rare birds and animals in his country home which also has a large fish pond.

Prince Ned Nwoko exudes charm just as he loves to see people around him wining and eating. Princess Regina makes us to know one rare trait in her husband. She describes him as the most honest person she has ever met. This honesty has helped Prince Ned in his business and politics, even though some people have taken advantage of his honesty and straightforwardness to stab him in the back.

As a politician, he has made his mark. He represented the Oshimili North /Oshimili South/Aniocha North/Aniocha South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives from 1999 – 2003. He has also made giant forays to go to the Senate to represent the Delta North Senatorial District. In all attempts, he has proven beyond doubt that he is a factor in Delta North Politics.

Prince Ned Nwoko is a recipient of several awards. In his kitty are the following:

Africa value award for effective leadership and youth empowerment (2018).

Peace achievers award (2019)

Delta Role models award for humanitarian service.

Prime excellence award – man of the year 2019

Abuja AR Reporters award – man of the year 2019.

Icon of Philanthropy award by University of Nsukka 2020

Doctor of letters Commonwealth University, Belize.

In 2019, Prince Ned Nwoko capped his awards when he was awarded an honorary Doctorate Degree by the University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE).

 

FRED AKPEWE is a Media Analyst and Commentator.

 

Delta Collected Over N30 Billion IGR In Six Months, As Information Commissioner Kicks Over Report

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Delta Collected Over N30 Billion IGR In Six Months, As Information Commissioner Kicks Over Report

[dropcap]D[/dropcap]eltans have raised alarm over the allege secrecy in the Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa-led administration over the state’s IGR since he assumed office in 2015.

According to the mouthpiece of the state, on the Internally Generated Revenue profile, the State government generated N7.8 billion in January, N5.3 billion in February, N6.04 billion in March, N3.9 billion in April, N3.5 billion in May and N4 billion in June, 2020.

He however allayed fears of clandestine moves in the IGR, saying that every transaction of the administration of Governor Okowa was done transparently and not in secrecy.

Meanwhile, members of the fourth estate of the ream, have been urged to always verify their facts before going on air just as they are tasked to avoid Falsehood and malicious articles.

Reacting to reports of falsehood trending in the social media deliberately intended to malign senior government officials in the state, Aniagwu, particularly made reference to one of such reports, told journalists that the linking memos to the Permanent Secretary, Directorate of Government House and Protocol, was outright misrepresentation by the online reporter, and said that memos were public documents.

He stated that the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was anchored on transparency, accountability and due process, emphasising that no government operated verbally but with memos and other vital documents.

“We need to bring certain development to your notice. We have observed that there appears to be some hirelings, particularly in social media.

“You will recall that sometime last year, I hinted to you that there are individuals who have become tools and are always willing to write and communicate issues that are, by every sense of imagination, at variance with the realities of the moment.

“At that time, if you would recall and even up till this moment, I did say that no malicious publication would deter the government from the goals that the governor had set for the administration, which at this point, is aimed at building a Stronger Delta. They wouldn’t deter us from this line nor are we going to be distracted by such report.

“We have observed in the last three weeks or a month that these same elements have gone ahead to take advantage of the privilege that they have in the social media to begin to write about memos that were used for the purpose of governance in the last five years.

“Let me make it abundantly clear that the business of government and the business of private sector operator are usually run via memos because you must communicate (write) for the purpose of evidencing what you are asking the government to do, because the money has to be accounted for. We don’t run the government verbally,” Aniagwu, stressed.

He commended journalists in the state for their support to the Okowa administration, and solicited the sustenance of the “robust’’ relationship between the media and the state government.

On the issue of property tax, Aniagwu explained that it was not a new policy, but that the state government was only strengthening it with a plan to embark on enumeration in urban areas of the state with a view to bringing more property into the tax net.

He advised residents of the state living on river banks or flood-prone areas to be at alert and relocate to upland as soon as the water level increased to avert disaster.

According to him, the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) had predicted that 18 local government areas of the state would witness flood as a result of the increase of water from the River Niger.

On COVID-19, Aniagwu noted that the state government was doing well in the treatment of confirmed positive cases, adding that persons with mild symptoms of the virus were currently on isolation in their homes and receiving treatment.

He advocated for the need for residents of the state to continue to obey all protocols put in place by the government and NCDC so as to effectively checkmate the disease.

Aniagwu, said that the recent upward review of the 2020 budget of the state after an earlier reduction due to COVID-19, was in line with economic development in the country.

Magu is yet to faced panel in days or seen copy of allegations against him

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Magu is yet to faced panel in days or seen copy of allegations against him
Ibrahim Magu

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he suspended chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has said he has not been summoned by the Presidential Committee on Audit of Recovered Assets (PCARA) for days.

According to him, he last appeared before the panel one week ago.
Magu’s counsel, Wahab Shittu, conveyed the concerns of his client in a letter submitted to the panel on Wednesday.
According to Shittu, the suspended EFCC boss has not been brought before the panel between Thursday and Tuesday. He claimed that he arrived on the mentioned days and waited from 9am to 9pm, before being taken back into custody.
He noted that the clarification became necessary after it was reported that Magu was questioned by the panel on Monday.
“The allegation that our client was grilled by the Panel on Monday, 13th July, 2020, as reported above is complete falsehood,” the letter read.
“The correct position was that our client and his Counsel (Mr. Wahab Shittu) arrived the venue of the ongoing Investigations on Monday 13th July, 2020 by 9am. Our client and his Counsel were kept at the waiting room of the venue of the sittings unattended from 9am to 9pm when our client was taken back to custody.
“This followed the same pattern on Thursday and Friday last week when our client waited for 12 hours without being called upon by the Panel to partake in the proceedings. Witnesses called by the Panel were interrogated by the Panel without the participation of our client or his Counsel in the proceedings. This was also the pattern on Tuesday, 14th July, 2020. Our client chose to wait patiently on the panel.”
Shittu also said Magu was yet to officially receive a copy of the allegations against him.
He requested the panel to ask the Inspector-General of Police to release him from custody, to enable him to prepare properly for his defence.
Magu also requested to be released so that he could attend to his health.

School Resumption: Ukah Warns CIEs, Principals, Heads Of Schools Against Sending Wrong Signals

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School Resumption: Ukah Warns CIEs, Principals, Heads Of Schools Against Sending Wrong Signals

[dropcap] O[/dropcap]gbueshi Patrick Ukah, Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education has warned Chief Inspectors of Education (CIEs), Principals and Heads of Schools to desist from sending wrong signals that does not portray the intention of the state government.

The Commissioner was reacting to rumours making the round that his Ministry has directed communities to clean up public schools within their jurisdiction or pay a certain amount of money and failure to do so, such schools will not be allowed by the state government to reopen.

According to a statement personally signed by Ukah and released on Wednesday night, the Ministry will not task anybody or community on the reopening of schools.

He stated that any CIE, Principal or School Head foisting the cleaning of schools on communities do not have the backing of the ministry and those found to be involved and those propagating the misleading information will be severely sanctioned in accordance with extant rules of the state civil service and laws on the spread of fake news.

Chief Ukah disclosed that having known that the government alone cannot do everything in the school system, the ministry’s Public Private Partnership unit is currently engaging relevant agencies, partners, organisations, philanthropic and well-meaning individuals to see how government’s efforts can be complemented.

He noted that the Federal Government recently released guidelines for the reopening of schools after Covid-19 pandemic closures and the ministry has commenced the harmonisation of the document with that of the state schools reopening strategy.

The Basic and Secondary Education Commissioner appealed to parents and the general public to be patient as the ministry is in consultations with both internal and external stakeholders including relevant ministries, all Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Public Secondary Schools, Association of Primary School Heads of Nigeria, Private School Owners Association, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Management of State Universal Basic Education Board and Post Primary Education Board with a view to building alignment on the strategies for school reopening.

Chief Ukah emphasised that the ministry will also increase communication and advocacy with the Ministry of Information, Civil Society Groups and Delta State Orientation Bureau as well as building synergy with School Based Management Committees (SBMC), Advocacy and Mentoring Committees, Parents’ Teachers’ Associations (PTAs), Transport Unions, Traditional Rulers and Faith Based Organisations, including Christian and Muslim leaders, to help educate our students on social distancing.

He emphasised that “it is pertinent to state that government is alive to its responsibility and is already taking steps to ensuring that all schools are well prepared, hygienic and adequately provided with water and health facilities as demanded by the covid-19 preventive protocols as we look forward to schools reopening soon.”

Chief Ukah added that as a responsible government, the health, safety, and security of learners, teachers and families are priorities, stressing that the state government will guarantee the public, especially parents, of the safety of schools before, during and after covid -19 pandemic.

Ned Nwoko Has Revealed That He Got Married All His Wives As Virgins.

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Ned Nwoko Has Revealed That He Got Married All His Wives As Virgins.
Prince Ned Nwoko

[dropcap]P[/dropcap]rince Ned Nwoko made the disclosure in an interview with PUNCH where he also talking about falling for Regina the first day he met her.

His words ;

Why not Regina? When I met her, I didn’t even know who she was because I don’t watch movies, whether British, Nigerian or American. Also, I am not a social media person. Up until that time, I didn’t have Facebook or Instagram accounts. So, I didn’t know about Regina until she came to my house with her family on a tour. My house in the village (Aniocha North Local Government Area, Delta State) is a tourist attraction of sorts.

I liked her when I saw her, especially when I found out that she was from that place. I had always wanted to have somebody (a wife) from my side. We were introduced to each other and one thing led to another. That was when I found out she is a very decent girl. I have always said that I wouldn’t marry anybody who isn’t a virgin and that is very important to me. When I found out that she was a virgin, it reinforced my decision to marry her. I married all my wives as virgins.

Regina Daniels on her part, explained what it felt like being married to the 59-year-old ;

I feel free. I can do whatever I want, dress how I like, live my life the way I want to. My husband is always pushing me to be a better person. He wants me to be more exposed and see the world in a different way. As a matter of fact, there are many things I enjoy about the marriage that I cannot explain.

Local vigilante groups have arrested eight persons suspected to be Fulani herders in Delta

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Local vigilante groups have arrested eight persons suspected to be Fulani herders in Delta

[dropcap]A [/dropcap]combine team of local vigilante groups have arrested eight persons suspected to be Fulani herders who are terrorizing Issele-Uku and its environs in Aniocha north local government area of Delta State.

This was disclosed Friday by the chairman, Issele-Uku Vigilante group, Mr. Nkeadi Obunwa, shortly after the combined monthly meeting of all the vigilante groups in the local government area at the Unity Hall, Issele-Uku, the administrative headquarter of the council.

According to Obunwa, the vigilante group work in collaboration with the men and officers of the Nigerians police to ensure that the free-for-all herders are having in the council was brought to an end. The police has recorded a major feat with vigilante groups across the state in the fight against criminal elements.

The vigilante boss, called on the state government to assist them with relevant materials and some kind of remuneration that would spur them into active work.

Mr. Obunwa, took the opportunity to appreciate Indigenes of Issele-Uku, who have assisted them in ensuring a hitch free operations which according to him, has yielded positive impact.

The vigilance helmsman disclosed that to achieve the desired result, the vigilante group in Aniocha north had been working together as one family, stressing that one purpose and mandate, had been their driving force to keep the local government safe for the inhabitants.

On the disbanded vigilante group in Onicha -Ugbo, he stated that members were working out modalities to bring back the group to operations with out further delay.

Issele-Uku, Issele-Azagba, Ubulu-Uku, Asaba, Ibuza, Igbodo, Agbor and many other communities in Delta north senatorial district, have had their fair share of herders killings, rape, kidnapping and other social vises.

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