[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), has dismissed the planned move by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to have the Supreme Court to reverse its judgment which ratified the election of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The APC which described the move as “no surprise”, said that the PDP is made up of “jobless characters” who should “consider taking up rice farming.”
Kola Ologbodiyan, PDP publicity secretary had told journalists on Monday that the party’s demand for a review of the Supreme Court verdict is hinged on the request by the APC for the Supreme Court to reverse itself on governorship elections in Zamfara and Bayelsa states.
The opposition party is also set to challenge the apex court judgment that revalidated the election of Governors Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Abdulahi Ganduje (Kano), Aminu Masari (Katsina) and Adegboyega Oyetola (Osun) – all of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The PDP said: “Our National Working Committee, after comprehensive consultations, states that our party has no choice left, given the manner with which the APC has conducted itself, than to ask for a review of the judgment of the presidential election petition tribunal, where the issue of certificate forgery and or presentation of false information in aid of qualifications was clearly established against the APC and her presidential candidate.
“The same applies to the judgment on the Katsina governorship election petition, where lawyers also established similar issue of certificate forgery.
“We equally have no choice than to ask the Supreme Court to review the Kano, Kaduna and Katsina election judgments, because of manifest violence and substantial non-compliance with our electoral law.
“We also ask the Supreme Court to review its judgment on the Osun governorship election in view of manifest, complete and total disregard to our electoral rules in the conduct of the elections.”
PDP accused the APC of desperate attempts to subjugate and intimidate the Supreme Court, for the purpose of annexing the apex court over its judgments on Bayelsa and Zamfara governorship elections – all delivered in favour of the PDP.
“Our nation is already aware of the desperation by the APC to annex the Supreme Court, subjugate and browbeat the justices and direct judicial determinations to suit their selfish ends.
“The public space is already awash with reports of how the APC has been threatening and piling pressure on the justices of the Supreme Court to force a reversal of valid judgments already delivered on the Bayelsa and Zamfara governorship elections, where the party (APC) suffered self-inflicted losses.
“Nigerians know that the APC has been going through a hemorrhage since the Supreme Court delivered valid judgments on Bayelsa and Zamfara and as a result, they are no longer interested in the logic of these judgments.
“They have since thrown caution to the wind to destabilise our nation and destroy our hard-earned democracy, especially the judiciary. The APC Federal Government is leading all forms of battles against the rule of law and constitutionalism.
“The PDP holds that our sacrifices for the sustenance of democracy, as demonstrated in our patriotic comportment towards the verdicts of the court on the presidential election as well as Osun, Kano, Katsina and Kaduna governorship elections tribunal, subsist”.
The party considered it “ludicrous, ridiculous and insulting to the sensibilities and respect “of the Supreme Court justices for APC to “hurriedly and malevolently” head to the apex court to attempt to “arm twist” the justices to effect a forceful reversal of the “valid, flawless and faultless” judgments on Bayelsa and Zamfara state governorship elections.
But in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, the APC said: “The call by the PDP, asking the Supreme Court to review its judgement on the presidential election and governorship elections in Osun, Kano, Kaduna and Katsina states, has, once again, exposed the joke the opposition party has turned itself into in our nation’s political space.
“Never in the history of our democratic journey has a political party made mockery of what a responsible opposition politics entails. The PDP’s call has once again, reinforced our belief that the PDP has become a clog in the wheels of our country’s political evolution.
“For the APC, PDP’s latest antics is no surprise. Nigerians would recall that we have consistently reiterated that the opposition party, having been overwhelmingly rejected at the polls in 2015 and 2019, has been exhibiting strange behaviours.
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he sports personality profile in this edition, focuses on the exploit being made by the leaders of thought in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State where the Chairman, Hon. Chukwugozie Oseme, has devoted his time and energy to build a sustainable system that will overtime, be self-energizing as a result of the constant derivable benefits that will be regularly reproduced.
The Chairman, with an open heart and spirit, welcomed the unit to his place and expressed gratitude to God for the peaceful disposition of the people of Aniocha North who are very hard working despite the lack of much financially-inclined establishments or organizations.
To him, it is not a very easy task to lead the people whose needs are not easily met because the wherewithall is far fetched from reach. But much is being done in the area of sports development as lack of inspiring spirit would demean the possibility of desired progress whether the facilities are there or not. “For where there is a will, there is a way” he asserted.
Speaking on the concept of sports development, he observed that the level of sports development in the country sports wise was modest,but this does not rule out the fact that efforts are being made to see that there is pronounced progress in sports as one of the leading factors for youths in the local government.
To this end, he acknowledged that while all that glitters may not be gold, some items that glitter are indeed gold and the exploit in his area is yielding results and positive ones for that matter.
“The level of sports development in my Local Government Area has been improving by the day as a result of the people’s consciousness of what they stand to benefit from such activities.
“Several factors have enhanced sports development , including awareness of numerous benefits that are derived from active participation. You will observe that beyond participating to win trophies and financial benefits in some cases, people are now adequately informed on the other benefits of healthy living which is most often enhanced by exercising the body from time to time. So, they do not engage in sports for the prizes alone but to also keep fit, which is the most rewarding benefit any individual can get in sports”. ‘This is indeed the most valuable part of sports contribution to humanity’, he said.
Beside the health advantages , he said, Aniocha North had been performing creditably in sports competitions in the state be it School sports or inter local government sports competitions because they have been very activities in different games at different times.
“If you look at the sports competition records in the state’s activities both for the Local government and Schools Sports, you will eventually discover that the people from my area are doing fairly because they are not the most prominent ones but they are also among the first 10 teams in most cases. Those in School sports know that these pupils and students are improving on their records and when the level of improvement is constantly progressing, then you can infer that it is on the progressive tilt.
The world today, does not only need you to be in assured core lucrative professions or businesses to make name or be financially strong and of great fame; rather, it is being diligent in the chosen disciplines to the point of going beyond making a living out of it but becoming a source of encouragement to others who move around you.
Young talents who are making exploits in sports may not be so vast academically but many are obviously deluded to see those who by their understanding or feelings are not good enough, doing very well in other fields and sports is one of such very often areas where they excel. It helps to teach the world that the issue of intelligence is relative in every sense of it; as young talents who are making exploits in sports may not be so forceful in their academic drive but they have become household names in their professions as footballers, basketball players, golf players, distant race or fast sprinters in the likes of Usain Bolt, Ben Johnson.
The Okochas, Kanus and Taribos may not have graduated from Cambridge or Harvard University but that does not make them of less value because they met the world’s needs and are living up to their ratings; they have become household names in soccer expeditions. Just like others who have become very much known due to their participation in one sport or the other. Nduka Odizor became popular because of tennis, Stephen Keshi was the second African who won the African Cup of Nations both as player and after as a coach; Blessing Okagbare is still doing well in sprint as an athlete and many others of their kinds who became notable persons in the society because of their exploits in sports.”
But the council Chairman believes that these dreams would not be achieved if the mechanism to motivate the people into such enduring ventures are not in place, hence the Council has proposed to establish a sports centre where all sports activities will be constantly practiced; using professionals in the various fields to run the affairs in order to produce good results.
“It is only when you have such a sports centre in a centralized place, where people with different games’ interests can come together and participate in their various events, that you will be able to develop them faster. So, it is our interest to develop a sports centre in any of the communities (preferably the Local Government Headquarters) where people will have events of interest being practiced and we will ensure that facilities in these different sports are put in place so that we will achieve the aim of establishing such a centre. It is, therefore, not exactly the way many would want to believe because we are very well informed of all the numerous benefits that are derivable from the development of youths in one sport or the other”, he emphasized.
Oseme explained that it is a matter of time as the essence was to help the younger generation develop over time. But there would be read to equip such a centre with facilities to enable participants perfect their skills in any of the chosen games. He, however, explained that the centre had not come on board because of some challenges principal among which is the financial concerns that will help making the centre meet with the desired goals.
His words, “Anyhow you look at it, sports development cannot be very effective if there is no financial provisions for the facilities to be made available as and when needed and this local government is predominantly agro-based where you have peasant farmers who do not seem to understand why you are not able to meet their basic requirements, despite the provisions from the Federal Government and there are no industries that will attract much funds to the area. Thus, this made the Council to fall back mainly on the allocations, which, again, are already assigned for basic roles, including the payment of monthly wages for both Council and primary school workers after which, there is little or nothing left for the desired projects to be executed and extra efforts are put in place to maintain some facilities like link roads from one community to another and any other one that will be of utmost need to the people”.
With all these challenges, the council is barely able to survive and they need funds to get sports programming started.
It is lack of funds that has kept many programmes unattended to and this, he said, accounts for their inability to make proper use of their ideas that would make then the best in sports across the state. Oseme said the Council does not count on individuals to get things done; Aniocha North Local Government is actually blessed with many well-to-do people that would have supported in the provision of some of the needs but they are mostly in Diaspora and reaching them can be herculean.
The summit will be well organized to enable it yield the desired positive results in terms of establishing organizations and industries in the council areas that will not only make them financially viable but also as source of relief to the high level of unemployment in the area.
With the entire area made up of few farmers, there is nothing to serve as a means of income but if there are industries and organizations through which council can generate revenues, visions and goals automatically become attainable and there will be more support for sports development.
“You will agree with me that sports engagement needs a lot of funds to get it well established and attractive; if there is no such money, the facilities, no matter how small, would not be made available and when the means of making these facilities are not in your possession, it will be difficult to manage and this is the problem facing the council. We are not as viable as we desire sports wise, due to lack of capital.
“It is our hope therefore, that we are able to get major sources of income and we will enhance the sports horizon in the area.
“Sports blossoms when the economy is in good state but when it turns out sour, the reverse is always the case which is not the delight of any well leader because every leader wants to leave a landmark to show that he or she passed there at a particular time and nobody wants to go without a good history as your history can only be told publicly by your performance while on duty in a particular position”. Oseme explained.
He explained that the school sports in the council area had been equally progressive as have been seen over the years as he added that the instruction of the state government that all school must do their annual inter house sports competition every year was being fully adhered to in the area, and the results are speaking boldly.
Oseme noted that the various schools were doing it and talents were being discovered just as it is in other events. The school sports are now developing rapidly under the current administration of the state government, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa because he has a foresight that those who would not meet up with the academic task could be able to make exploit in another areas and many of such students are actually doing well in sports.
He said that outside inter House sports competitions, there are other sports activities in the school system that the council has not been quiet about.
“The school sports festival being organized by the state government is an avenue to develop students and the local government authority has been supportive in ensuring that the schools in the area participate and, by the grace of God, they are not performing poorly since the game started”.
He also spoke on the Principals’ and Headmasters’ cups that had been brought back and introduced respectively by the present governor in his first tenure and the effort had eventually taken over the school sports with high prizes for victorious schools as well as best players in different departments, noting that he has been encouraging the students from the area to play their best at every given time as that was the only way they will get it right all the time.
He stated that the facilities for proper development might not be adequate at the moment, the schools were putting in their concerted effort to see that all hands were on deck for them to excel and the council was not ignorant of the efforts but would be adequately addressed in a short while going by the programming of priorities in the council.
The Chairman asserted the need to develop females in sports ‘because there has been much concentration on the male players.’ Oseme sees it as one of his main goals as he was very much aware of women who had done very well in sports.
“Across all sport events, these women doing very well and our ladies can be developed in it so that they develop more interest and possibly excel in such sports.
“We should have female football teams in the various communities such that while men are playing at the end of every year, women should also play theirs either at the same period in a well organized schedule that will make them add beauty to the season and the communities”, he said.
On the effort of Prince Ned Nwoko contributing to sports development, Oseme expressed delight in the will power and might Ned Nwoko had expressed in sports development by building a sports university that would kick off very soon as well as the Ned Nwoko Golf Tournament that had now been done consecutively for about three or four editions.
“It is most encouraging to have somebody like Ned Nwoko who is ever willing to develop our youths and is now building a sports university that will not only provide education and enlightenment to the people but will also provide job opportunities for youths and adults, including fresh graduates.
“Prince Ned Nwoko’s effort towards humanity is unquantifiable from every angle of his contributions. He is not thinking of what he will gain as a person but what will help the people around him and the world over. “Ned is the person that stands out on an issue that he is convinced is right and would not bend irrespective of the number of persons or forces that might object to his views. His contribution to the well being of youths is immense and I am happy that he is seriously into sports development and the Golf course at his home town in Idumuje-Ugboko has become a cause for people to learn details about the game of golf because it is generally seen as the game of the wealthy and not for low income earners but he has demystified it by bringing it down to the level where youths and even those who can’t ordinarily afford the clubs are now developing interest and are indeed playing with provided facilities and this has boosted the development needed in the games” the chairman highlighted.
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he National Working Committee (NWC) of the Igbo National Council (INC), an Igbo socio-cultural group has issued a 90 days ultimatum to the governors of the southeast zone to inaugurate their own regional outfit.
Reading a communiqué after a meeting well attended by members from 20 states, the National President of INC, Chilos Godsent said that the group also condemned what it described as the “naked cowardice exhibited by the governors of the South-East geopolitical zone on the failures to establish and officially inaugurate the highly-demanded South-East regional security outfit like their contemporaries in the North-West and South-West geopolitical zones.
Also, Godsent disclosed that INC rejects the view of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP)’s proposal for community policing for South-East geopolitical zone.
“We wish to inform the people of the Igbo race that the proposed community policing by the IGP is meant to officially aid the framework for intelligence gathering and invasion of Igbo communities by the jihadist.
“On the foregoing, the Igbo National Council requests the governors of the South-East, South-South and North-Central geopolitical zones respectively as a matter of urgent necessity to establish and officially inaugurate their regional security outfits like the South-West (AMOTEKUN) and North-West (SEGE KA FASA) within 90 days from 29th February 2020 as a sign of patriotism and commitment to the security and welfare of their citizens, part of the communiqué reads.
“We note that failure for the governors of the aforementioned geopolitical zones to adhere to this call, the self-determination groups in those geopolitical zones maybe compelled to take their destiny into their own hands in other to protect their citizens from the rampaging Fulani jihadist.
However, Godsent pointed out that INC supports in its totality the call by the National Assembly, urging President Muhammadu Buhari to sack all the service chiefs with immediate effect.
He averred that the reality on the ground has clearly shown that the present crops of service chiefs in the country can no longer protect the lives and properties of Nigerians who he claimed are daily slaughtered “like cows and chickens by Boko Haram, Fulani herdsmen, and Fulani jihadists.”
The group also condemned the wanton arrest and arbitrary detention of the elders and people of Ifite-Ogwari community in Anyamelum Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State.
“We condemn this arrest; they are simply defending their community from Fulani herdsmen who has continued to attack and kill members of the Ifite-Ogwari community in their ancestral land.”
On the foregoing, INC urge the Government of Anambra State to rise up to the responsibility of protecting the lives and property of the people of Anambra State.
It also urged the Federal Government to be very sensitive of the untold hardship the people of southern Nigeria are passing through because of the border closure.
“On the above, INC, therefore, requests the Federal Government to reopen the southern border or otherwise close the porous northern borders where too many smuggling activities have been taking place since the politically-motivated closure of the southern borders.
“Finally, the Igbo National Council wishes to advise the leadership of Miyetti Allah in Nigeria to urge its members who now camp in many forests in South-East and South-South geopolitical zone to immediately vacate those forests or regret their deviancy,” Godsent stated.
[dropcap]A[/dropcap] 40-year-old man has died after taking sex enhancement drugs in Anambra State, police have said. The incident happened on Monday morning, around 3.am in an Onitsha hotel.
Police said the man died after having sex with a woman in the hotel.
Police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed, confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday.He gave the man’s name as Paul Okwudili. The incident, Mr Mohammed said, happened at Plus View Hotel, Onitsha.
According to the spokesperson, Mr Okwudili had lodged in the hotel with the lady, whose identity was not revealed in the statement. But, later that night, the lady raised an alarm that the man had collapsed. This attracted the attention of the hotel’s management.
The management was said to have rushed the man to a hospital where efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.
He was later pronounced dead by doctors on duty at the hospital.
The spokesperson noted that investigation so far suggests that the man might have taken some sex performance enhancing drugs, which may have contributed to his death.
Meanwhile, the corpse of the man has been deposited in the morgue while the police have continued investigation to find out the remote and immediate causes of his death.
Mr Mohammed’s statement reads: “On February 24 at about 03.am, the manager of Plus View Hotel in Onitsha reported at Central Police Station, Onitsha that one Paul Okwudili ‘m’ aged about 40 years, of Ogboliolosi, off Awka Road, Inland town, Onitsha allegedly took a lady to the hotel and lodged.
“Minutes later, the lady came out shouting for help and the hotel management went to the room and discovered the man gasping for breath and rushed him to St Charles Boromeo Hospital Onitsha for medical attention, where the victim was later confirmed dead by a medical Doctor on duty”.
A 40-year-old man who died after taking sex enhancement drugs in Anambra State,
“Meanwhile, scene was visited by Police detectives attached to CPS Onitsha and photograph of the victim obtained.
“No marks of violence on the deceased body but some drugs were discovered in the hotel room, reasonably suspected to be enhancement drugs.
“Corpse deposited at the hospital mortuary for autopsy. The lady was arrested while investigation is ongoing to ascertain circumstances surrounding the incident, please.”
The spokesperson added that the lady has been arrested and is helping the police in their investigations. He, however, did not disclose the lady’s name.
“The lady is 30 years old. She alleged that the man promised to marry her when she takes in. She also claimed that the victim’s organ refused to stand initially, so he took drugs in her presence and that after sometime, the male organ got erected and they started.
“But, while having the intercourse, she noticed that the man was behaving strange(ly), hence she ran out and shouted for help,” Mr Mohammed added.
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Federal High Court, Abuja on Tuesday found the Peoples Democratic Party’s, PDP, former Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh guilty of N400 million money laundering
Ruling on the first count in his judgement, Justice Okon Abang ruled that a former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, unlawfully transferred the sum of N400 million to the defendants in November 2014.
Abang held that Metuh and his firm. Destra Investments Limited reasonably ought to have known that the sum of N400 million paid to them formed part of the proceeds of the unlawful activity of the ex-NSA because they had no form of a contractual relationship with the ONSA.
The judge averred that Dasuki transferred the money to the defendants “in breach of public trust.”
Abang dismissed the contention of the defence who argued that the defendants could not be convicted for the money laundering offence because Dasuki, who is currently being prosecuted, had yet to be convicted for the predicate offence of breach of trust and corruption.
He added that contrary to the argument, the predicate offence and the money laundering offence were intertwined.
The judge stated that the success or failure of the predicate offence did not determine the success or failures of the money laundering offence.
[dropcap]N[/dropcap]igeria’s Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered a probe into the death of Tiamiyu Kazeem, a football player allegedly killed by operatives of Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Sagamu, Ogun State.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday, triggered protests on Monday, leading to the deaths of at least three others.
In a tweet on Monday, Adamu said, “Unfortunate death of Tiamiyu Kazeem in Sagamu, Ogun state: The IGP orders DIG FCID to take over investigations.”
The soccer player with Remo Stars Football Club was said to have been pushed from a SARS van on motion and onto a speeding car, which eventually killed him.
This was shortly after SARS operatives allegedly seized him from his car and labelled him an Internet fraudster (Yahoo boy).
Media Officer of the football club, Dimeji Oshode, in a statement confirmed that the incident occurred on Saturday.
Residents of Sagamu, who spoke with our reporter on Monday, said that the entire town remains tensed following the incident.
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]wo officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, have been reported dead on Sunday from a ghastly road accident in Akwa Ibom State.
It was reported that the yet-to-be identified officers died while their van was chasing a Toyota Sienna bus, suspected to be conveying rice at Urua Ita, Oron axis section of the East West Road in Akwa Ibom State.
According to eyewitnesses, the Customs Officers suspected that the Sienna was smuggling foreign rice from Oron local government area and heading to Eket local government area of the state.
One of the eyewitness, Comrade Ben Asuquo, who spoke with this Reporter, said apart from the two Customs officers that died, two other persons from the Toyota Sienna also sustained major injuries.
“The NCS officers were on duty patrol and on sighting a Sienna bus, they suspected it was carrying foreign rice in it, so the officers made a U-turn and started chasing the bus with their van.
“The driver of the custom vehicle, Strike Force Zone C lost control, collided and smashed the Sienna and the Custom vehicle somersaulted severally.
“Two custom officers died at the spot and others were seriously wounded.
“On searching the Toyota Sienna vehicle, no single bag of rice was found”, Asuquo said.
Asuquo lamented further while blaming the driver of the Sienna bus for the cause of the accident that: “I don’t really know why a man who claimed was coming back from church was running away from custom officers.”
Efforts to reach the NCS spokesperson in Akwa Ibom State proved abortive as at the time of filing this report.
Recalled that the Federal Government have banned the importation of foreign rice, the reason for the boarder closure.
[dropcap]A[/dropcap]braka town in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State was agog as Professor Andy Egwunyenga,thanked God over his emergence as the 7th Vice Chancellor of the institution from Professor Victor Peretomode on the 1st of December, 2019.
As a man of wisdom, the new vice-chancellor’s first point of action was to commence his glorious tenure with a thanksgiving ceremony at Saint Paul’s Catholic Chapel, Abraka, before proceeding to Convocation Arena in Site III of
the campus for the reception. Despite the sunny weather which felt as if Abraka community was sharing boundary with hell fire, people still came out in their large numbers to celebrate with Egwunyenga. The reception center(Convocation Arena in Site III of the campus), where his thanksgiving reception held, was filled to capacity . People from all spheres of life including various cultural groups in the institution were seen dancing and chanting his name and at a time, it seemed like a coronation ceremony. Clearly, his ascension to this coveted position indicates the dawn of a new
era in Delta State University. The ambience perhaps tells of the quality of leader he is.
As the State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa graced the event and other Dignitaries that graced the ceremony include: Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA), Hon. Pat Ajudua, Chief Whip, DTHA, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, Chairman, Governing Council, DELSU, Abraka, Chief Fidelis Tilije, Commissioner for Finance, Prof. Patrick Muoboghare, Commissioner for Higher Education, Olorogun Arthur Akpowowo, Commissioner for Urban Renewal and Mr. Patrick Ukah, Commissioner for Basic Education.
Others are Odogwu of Igbuzor and Chairman,Lifeguard Securities Ltd. Chief Charles Okonkwo, O.C. Majoroh and Chief Benard Edewor, Leader, People’s Democratic Party, Ethiope East, Chief Ambrose Elue-Dike , Elder Anene Chigbue and Dr Austin Obidi, Chairman, Delta State Hospital Management Board .
Some of the traditional rulers present at the event are HRM Dr. Emmanuel Efeizomor II JP OON, Obi of Owa and Chairman, Delta State Traditional Rulers’ Council,Obi Prof. L.C. Nwoboshi, Obuzor of Igbuzor, HRM Akpomeyoma Majoroh Ojeta II, Ovie of Oruarivie Abraka Kingdom, Orodje of Okpe, Orue I, represented by Prof. (Chief) Emmanuel Oyibo, HRM Ambassador Donald Ejechi Ekeruche, the Ebu of Umuebu Kingdom, Obi Chukwumalieze, Obi of Onicha-Ugbo, Obi Kikachukwu, Obi of Ubulu-nor and HRM Paul Ifeneziuche, the Igwete of Amai Kingdom.
Meanwhile,Delta Governor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, has challenged Nigerian universities to produce graduates fit largely for self-employment. Gov. Okowa charged Prof. Egwunyenga to look into ways of considering paying attention to
courses that are focused on Information Technology.According to him, graduates of Nigerian universities should not only compete favourably with their peers in the world and should also be innovative in creating jobs.
He congratulated Egwunyenga on his emergence as vice chancellor, saying “I must appreciate all of you for the solidarity and I congratulate you on your emergence as the Vice Chancellor of DELSU.
“I am aware that you understand the level of challenges on your table and should work to ensure that those who leave the university gainfully employ themselves and are innovative.
“For the Vice Chancellor to succeed, the academic community and the non-academic staff must cooperate with him.”
Furthermore, he assured the new management of the state government’s willingness to partner with the new administration to help actualize his dreams for the university.
“It’s a daunting challenge, but I am sure that you will do well as VC,” Okowa averred.
In his address, Professor Egwunyenga, said that he was overwhelmed with joy, seeing the large turnout of persons that came out to join him in appreciating God over the smooth takeoff of his administration.
He added: “Seeing all past Vice Chancellors here and the crowd from the university environment attests to the fact that I will enjoy the support of stakeholders in DELSU. I promise not to disappoint all those that have high hopes in my capacity to deliver.”
While promising to promote peace in the university, Egwunyenga assured the staff and students of the university that he will be guided by the laws of DELSU and vowed to embrace best practices that will move the tertiary institution forward.
He commended Okowa for his commitment to the development of the university.
[dropcap] S[/dropcap]enator Godswill Akpabio,Minister of Niger Delta Affairs has inaugurated the enlarged Interim Management Committee of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and charged them to cooperate with forensic auditors to audit the operations of the Commission as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
President Mohammadu Buhari, had on Wednesday, 19th February, approved the enlargement of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the NDDc from three to five.
The five members of the Committee are: Prof Kemebradikumo Daniel Pondei, Acting Managing Director replacing Barrister Joi Nunieh; Chief Ibanga Bassey Etang, Acting Executive Director (Finance and Administration); Dr Cairo Ojougboh, Acting Executive Director (Projects); Mrs Caroline Nagbo (Member) and Cecilia Bukola Akintomide (Member.)
Inaugurating the new Acting Managing Director and Members on Wednesday, Senator Akpabio said President Buhari enlarged the Interim Management Committee to inject new blood into the Commission for better service delivery.
According to Senator Akpabio, change was inevitable in a Commission like the NDDC. He said the NDDC was passing through a phase that would soon be over and thanked President Buhari for giving the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs the responsibility of supervising the NDDC.
“The story of NDDC in the last 19 years has not been so rosy. The NDDC, we believe could have achieved more. You have a stunted child who could have been a six-footer. We need to find out the reason why the child could not grow. Is it that the child was not given enough nourishment?
“And then the country is looking at the fact that a lot of money has gone into the NDDC but we could not see commensurate result. I am not saying this to deride any particular person. I am not saying this to bring down anybody. I am not saying this to make a political point. I say this from the point of truism.
“I am a Niger Deltan and I believe in the Niger Delta. God has put us in the Niger Delta to make a difference. I had the opportunity of being a Governor in the Niger Delta and I left my mark behind. Nobody can deny that there was uncommon transformation of Akwa Ibom State.
“I will like to see the NDDC build specialist hospitals. I will like to see the NDDC provide light to communities in darkness. I will like to see the NDDC support industrialization and food sufficiency in the Niger Delta. These things are possible, it is a question of commitment.
“I want to thank President Buhari for the interest he has shown in the Niger Delta region. That is why he ordered the forensic audit of the Commission. As soon as the forensic auditor was appointed, there was need to inject new blood into the Interim Management Committee. The NDDC must change and we will all work together to achieve that,” Senator Akpabio said.
Speaking further, Senator Akpabio advised the Interim Management Committee members to work as a team to achieve the goal set for them by President Buhari. He said as the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, he was not interested in running the NDDC but he would be interested in how the NDDC is run.
The Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Omotayo Alasoadura emphasized on the need for a synergy between the Ministry and the Commission. He said since President Buhari had in his wisdom asked the Ministry to supervise the Commission, the NDDC had no option than to work and deliver on their mandate with absolute cooperation between the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and the NDDC.
In his response, the new Acting Mangaing Director, Prof Pondei thanked President Buhari for the confidence reposed in them to manage the affairs of the NDDC and see through the forensic auditing of the Commission.
He promised to work together with other members of the Interim Management Committee to achieve the goal set ffor them. He solicited the cooperation of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and said they would leave the Commission better than they have met it.
Senator Akpabio had earlier administered the oath of allegiance and oath of office to the new Acting Managing Director and Members.
The two new members are Cecilia Akintomide who is from Ondo State and Caroline Nagbo who is from Rivers State.
Mrs. Akintomide is said to be a strong ally of Senator Tayo Alasoadura, Minister of State in the Niger Delta Affairs Ministry and Sen. Akpabio’s deputy, while Evang. Caroline Nagbo, who incidentally hails from the same Senatorial axis with ousted Dr. Joi Nunieh, was the former APC Woman Leader in Rivers State and a staunch follower and loyalist of Transportation Minister, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi.
[dropcap]A[/dropcap]braka town in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State was agog as Professor Andy Egwunyenga,thanked God over his emergence as the 7th Vice Chancellor of the institution from Professor Victor Peretomode on the 1st of December, 2019.
As a man of wisdom, the new vice-chancellor’s first point of action was to commence his glorious tenure with a
thanksgiving ceremony at Saint Paul’s Catholic Chapel, Abraka, before proceeding to Convocation Arena in Site III of
the campus for the reception. Despite the sunny weather which felt as if Abraka community was sharing boundary with
hell fire, people still came out in their large numbers to celebrate with Egwunyenga. The reception center(Convocation
Arena in Site III of the campus), where his thanksgiving reception held, was filled to capacity . People from all
spheres of life including various cultural groups in the institution were seen dancing and chanting his name and at a
time, it seemed like a coronation ceremony. Clearly, his ascension to this coveted position indicates the dawn of a new
era in Delta State University. The ambience perhaps tells of the quality of leader he is.
As the State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa graced the event and other Dignitaries that graced the ceremony
include: Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA), Hon. Pat Ajudua, Chief Whip, DTHA,
Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, Chairman, Governing Council, DELSU, Abraka, Chief Fidelis Tilije, Commissioner for Finance, Prof.
Patrick Muoboghare, Commissioner for Higher Education, Olorogun Arthur Akpowowo, Commissioner for Urban Renewal and Mr.
Patrick Ukah, Commissioner for Basic Education.
Others are Odogwu of Igbuzor and Chairman,Lifeguard Securities Ltd. Chief Charles Okonkwo, O.C. Majoroh and Chief
Benard Edewor, Leader, People’s Democratic Party, Ethiope East, Chief Ambrose Elue-Dike , Elder Anene Chigbue and Dr
Austin Obidi, Chairman, Delta State Hospital Management Board .
Some of the traditional rulers present at the event are HRM Dr. Emmanuel Efeizomor II JP OON, Obi of Owa and Chairman,
Delta State Traditional Rulers’ Council,Obi Prof. L.C. Nwoboshi, Obuzor of Igbuzor, HRM Akpomeyoma Majoroh Ojeta II,
Ovie of Oruarivie Abraka Kingdom, Orodje of Okpe, Orue I, represented by Prof. (Chief) Emmanuel Oyibo, HRM Ambassador
Donald Ejechi Ekeruche, the Ebu of Umuebu Kingdom, Obi Chukwumalieze, Obi of Onicha-Ugbo, Obi Kikachukwu, Obi of
Ubulu-nor and HRM Paul Ifeneziuche, the Igwete of Amai Kingdom.
Meanwhile,Delta Governor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, has challenged Nigerian universities to produce graduates fit
largely for self-employment. Gov. Okowa charged Prof. Egwunyenga to look into ways of considering paying attention to
courses that are focused on Information Technology.According to him, graduates of Nigerian universities should not only
compete favourably with their peers in the world and should also be innovative in creating jobs.
He congratulated Egwunyenga on his emergence as vice chancellor, saying “I must appreciate all of you for the
solidarity and I congratulate you on your emergence as the Vice Chancellor of DELSU.
“I am aware that you understand the level of challenges on your table and should work to ensure that those who leave
the university gainfully employ themselves and are innovative.
“For the Vice Chancellor to succeed, the academic community and the non-academic staff must cooperate with him.”
Furthermore, he assured the new management of the state government’s willingness to partner with the new administration
to help actualize his dreams for the university.
“It’s a daunting challenge, but I am sure that you will do well as VC,” Okowa averred.
In his address, Professor Egwunyenga, said that he was overwhelmed with joy, seeing the large turnout of persons that
came out to join him in appreciating God over the smooth takeoff of his administration.
He added: “Seeing all past Vice Chancellors here and the crowd from the university environment attests to the fact that
I will enjoy the support of stakeholders in DELSU. I promise not to disappoint all those that have high hopes in my
capacity to deliver.”
While promising to promote peace in the university, Egwunyenga assured the staff and students of the university that he will be guided by the laws of DELSU and vowed to embrace best practices that will move the tertiary institution forward.
He commended Okowa for his commitment to the development of the university.
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[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), has dismissed the planned move by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to have the Supreme Court to reverse its judgment which ratified the election of President Muhammadu Buhari.
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he National Working Committee (NWC) of the Igbo National Council (INC), an Igbo socio-cultural group has issued a 90 days ultimatum to the governors of the southeast zone to inaugurate their own regional outfit.
[dropcap]A[/dropcap] 40-year-old man has died after taking sex enhancement drugs in 
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Federal High Court, Abuja on Tuesday found the Peoples Democratic Party’s, PDP, former Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh guilty of N400 million money laundering
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]wo officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, have been reported dead on Sunday from a ghastly road accident in Akwa Ibom State.
[dropcap]A[/dropcap]braka town in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State was agog as Professor Andy Egwunyenga,thanked God over his emergence as the 7th Vice Chancellor of the institution from Professor Victor Peretomode on the 1st of December, 2019.
[dropcap] S[/dropcap]enator Godswill Akpabio,Minister of Niger Delta Affairs has inaugurated the enlarged Interim Management Committee of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and charged them to cooperate with forensic auditors to audit the operations of the Commission as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
