[dropcap]F[/dropcap]ollowing the Coronavirus Pandemic outbreak and the subsequent lockdown order by the Delta state government, Persons consisting of adult males and females have taken over ATM Centers in Asaba  to beg for alms from bank Customers who come for cash withdrawals.

It was gathered that these beggars often well dressed, are seen around unsuspecting Customers as most cases they Join the queues as if they want to make cash withdrawals only to beg for money from selected Persons Investigation in Asaba revealed that these beggars have no shame as they usually target Persons who look well to do as part of their antics to gain financial favour with sympathy appearance and are armed with nylon bags containing food items such as rice, beans or garri begging aloud that since the lockdown they have not been feeding well especially as unemployed Deltans and residents.
For the females, further investigation revealed that they offer themselves to any available men with GSM Contacts after Collecting money from their targets to ensure their feeding while they disappear into the thin air  Some Customers who spoke to Journalists in Asaba on Condition of anonymity described the situation as pathetic adding” We have been embarrassed by these Corporate beggars at the ATM machines, they are educated but they claimed to be unemployed, have no money to feed because of the lockdown order, the situation is really unfair and unfortunate”
At Eco bank ATM Center by FMC Asaba, these Corporate beggars were seen milling around the Customers who were at the center to withdraw cash as they shameless demand” Bros hunger dey, please give us something to feed, Okowa no dey look our direction and we are hungry terribly, we are graduates but no Job and there is lockdown order, how do we feed ourselves and others”? Asked if don’t have relations, these beggars will scream” relations at this Coronavirus Pandemic era, nobody wants to help, we want money to buy food items and eat hence we are the banks’ ATM machines to ask for Survival”

But the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya who Confirmed this incident, said that the Police have been drafted to ATM machine Centers to monitor these beggars who may hide under begging to rob, adding that no arrest has been made but warned that the Police will henceforth arrest anybody who have no business at the ATM Centers and be Charged to Court Apart from the Corporate beggars found around ATM machines, youths are found around desolated markets searching for dumped Akpu ( Fufun ) for their parents to reprepare for their meals as they are ubiquitous around summit road, Ezeni avenue among others Some of the beggars who spoke to Journalists on condition of anonymity said” we don’t have any money because we are not working, instead we be begging until the lockdown order is over and we will resume our daily bread in the market,but for now nothing for us and we want to feed instead of doing Ashawo in the streets, and Police will be pursuing us ups and down , we are not ashamed at all”

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Chairman of  CPC Construction LLT.  Engr. Philip Ugbomah Chukwumah,has commended Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for his decision to make the wearing of face masks in public places compulsory for Deltans as a measure to curb the spread of the coronavirus in the state.  Engr. Chukwumah noted that the health of Deltans was of paramount importance to Governor Okowa and his team hence the directive on the wearing of face masks by all Deltans in public places.The Chairman of CPC Construction LLT. promised to mobilize all staff and CPU Foundation Coordinators to help monitor compliance with wearing of the face masks to ensure that the purpose of the measure was achieved.

Chukwumah advised Deltans and other residents of the state not to see the relaxation of the lockdown as an opportunity to live and act recklessly, but to continue to maintain Social and Physical Distancing and as well as wear face masks in public places as this is the surest way to prevent an escalation of the situation. At times such as this, we must all make the sacrifice to overcome.

The full compliance with the stipulated precautionary measures could guarantee healthy living for the people in the face of the COVID – 19 pandemic and commended Deltans for their perseverance during the 28 days lockdown period in the state.

“Finally we should intensify our prayers that God in his infinite mercy saves us all. After all, he assured us in 2 Chron. 7:13-14 “If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” God hears our prayers!” he added.

[dropcap]H[/dropcap]is Eminence, High Chief Celestine Okafor is a fine gentleman,who parades very rich intellectual,traditional and moral pedigree. Anyone who encounters him would love to associate with him for his candour, courage and forthrightness. As a human being, his humility and modesty is second to none. As an traditionalist, he is sound and engaging.

Greatness is a property for which no man can receive credit too soon; it must be possessed long before it is acknowledged.”When one of the world’s greatest thinkers, Ralph Waldo Emerson handed down the above words of wisdom, those he had in mind were certainly the likes of High Chief Celestine Okafor, the 12th Ikwele Of Isu Kingdom! .
For the trail-blazing traditional mogul from Ibusa, Delta State, it is certainly impossible to gloss over his attributes for greatness.He is the embodiment of cerebral articulation, the essence of unparalleled philanthropy,the epitome of intellection and breathtaking simplicity, the personification of undiluted humanness, the perfect example of traditional leadership symbolism, the paragon of idealism, the soul of humanity, the heart of warrior, a perfect gentleman. His Eminence,High Chief Celestine Okafor is a man of qualities, he is a father, grassroots man and a traditional Juggernaut,He is a grassroots mobilizer and a lover of Ibusa tradition.

His Eminence, High Chief Celestine Okafor as the 12th Ikwele Of Isu Kingdom,he means different things to different people; to his wife and children, he is a loving husband and a kind daddy, while to us his admirers he is known as the Digital traditional Strategist but his detractors always erroneously see him as an Obstacle because of his rising profile and acceptance by the grassroots.
His Eminence, High Chief Celestine Okafor is not only the Pride of Ibusa Kingdom but also the Pride of the People of Oshimili North for whom he had waged countless traditional wars for and won virtually all, just like the Greek mythological Odyssey who fought and won difficult battles in History, the grassroots traditional mobilizer of our time also fought and won many battles even those considered as herculean in nature for his people.He occupies one of the most important thrones in Igbuzo Kingdom but doesn’t make a fuss of it.High Chief Celestine Okafor is officially the spiritual leader and custodian of Igbuzo. He is the only living Igbuzo man that has the ears of the gods and the ancestors even as he relays the messages of our gods to the living.
As his greetings (Owouta….means The one who wages the arrows) connotes, he has the sole responsibility of protecting Igbuzo and her children from the negative spiritual arrows fired at the town and her people – a duty he performs every second of the day! The Ikwele institution is the engine room of Ibusa traditional system ,Ikwele of Ibusa is the only man who initiates the warlords in the town before the the senior diopka and Obuzor chalks any of the warlords – Odogwu Of Igbuzo, Iyase Of Igbuzo and the Uwolo Of Igbuzo, the occupant-to-be must pass through the spiritual powers and endorsement of Ikwele who prepares him for the onerous task ahead.

Ikwele of Ibusa is not a political position nor influenced by position in the society but strictly a spiritual affair and
the umbilical cord from the first Ikwele to the recent Ikwlle has remained unbroken. Let us not forget that
the Ikwele Institution is the only seat in Igbuzo that can not be politicized, because Ikwele Igbozu is “god among men” As the 12th Ikwele of Ibusa , You have really voiced out and fought for your people’s common goals,You remains the only traditional authority who knows the plight, feelings and desires of his People and Youths. High Chief Celestine Okafor has achieved in Ibusa and he has been able to touch the lives of the Youths like never before and also proved himself a force to reckon with among frontline players of Ibusa traditional system.

Indeed the birthday celebration of this digital traditional warlord of Ibusa of our time had been useful and Resourceful for his service to humanity.Therefore today let me on behalf of the Grassroots Publishers in Delta State join the rest of my beloved Ibusa kingdom,Oshimili North LGA, Deltans and Nigerians at large to Celebrate our traditional iconoclastic Ikwele of Igbuzo, to thank Almighty God for adding another year to your life and to pray that he continues to bless you with robust health and imbue you with his continued guidance, protection, and enduring provision.Your reign shall bring prosperity and peace to Ibusa and your family.

Happy birthday to the regent,Ikwele of Igbuzo kingdom, a great lover of our tradition.

Owouta! Owouta!! Owouta!!!

By: Ike Philip Abiagom

[dropcap]C[/dropcap]hief Ambrose Elofu-Dike,The Chairman of Umudike Farms Limited and Hotel De Espana,Asaba,has pledged support for the state government’s efforts at cushioning the effects of the Corona virus pandemic in the state.He made the pledge while donating to destitute, Motherless Homes,and groups in Delta State as part of measures to address the issue of hunger in the locality.

The Chairman of Umudike Farms Limited and Hotel De Espana,Asaba, has called on Deltans to stay safe, stay at home as the novel Coronavirus pandemic nears its peak.

The Farmer urged his constituents to comply with instructions issued by the government and the National Center for Diseases Control (NCDC), by observing Social and Physical Distancing, noting that this is the surest way to prevent an escalation of the situation.

Elofu-Dike in a phone chat with Grassroots Publishers online,titled;“Clarion Call on Our People to Stay Safe,” he pleaded with his Deltans stay at home and manages whatever resources that are available.

According to him; “The rampaging COVID-19 seems to be near its peak if we all can stay safe. Those who expressed disbelief initially are now coming to terms with reality. This is the time for all of us to comply with instructions issued by the authorities. Otherwise, an avoidable prolongation of this pandemic looms.

“I call on our people to Stay Home and observe Social and Physical Distancing as this is the surest way to prevent an escalation of the situation. At times such as this, we must all make the sacrifice to overcome. Available evidence shows that societies that refused to observe self-isolation had significant proportions of their populations wiped out. God forbid!

“Please let’s all stay at home and manage whatever resources are available. We should wash our hands regularly with soap and running water and avoid touching our eyes, mouth or nose. Sneezing must be to the elbow and causes of illness reported to Public Health Facilities disclosing true position.

“Finally we should intensify our prayers that God in his infinite mercy saves us all. After all, he assured us in 2 Chron. 7:13-14 “If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” God hears our prayers!” he added.