Home Blog Page 182

Fight Against Poverty: Osinbajo, Okowa call for collaborative

Grassroots Newspapers Publishers Network
-
0
Fight Against Poverty: Osinbajo, Okowa call for collaborative

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and Governor of Delta State, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, have advocated strong collaboration among the three tiers of government in the fight against poverty in the country.

They made the call on Friday 11th October, 2019 at the 18th Joint Planning Board and National Council on Development Planning meeting in Asaba, Delta State.

Osinbajo said that synergy among federal, state and local governments was imperative so that citizens could be productively engaged and lifted out of poverty.

He also urged States in the county to improve tax administration and widen tax nets to make it easier for people to pay taxes and spur development.

The vice president commended the organisers for the theme of the meeting – State Fiscal Sustainability and Economic Diversification in Nigeria, saying it was timely and at the core of governance at all levels.

He said, “Over the years, the level of funding at the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) has fluctuated and federal revenue, including annual internally-generated revenue cannot meet the needed development in the states.

“So, states must overcome these fiscal challenges that they face by engaging in fiscal strategic planning and identify areas they have comparative advantages.

“They should also take advantage of the entrepreneur skills of Nigerians by empowering economic clusters of small businesses with infrastructure, tools and equipment.”

On his part, Okowa said that it was imperative for state chief executives to imbibe the culture of fiscal discipline, pointing out that without such, there could be no fiscal sustainability.

He stated that observation of fiscal rules was the first step to achieving fiscal sustainability, adding that annual budgets of States must be derived from the Fiscal Strategy Paper in line with Fiscal Responsibility Law.

“In Delta State, we have adhered strictly to this law and all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are required to align their projects and programmes with available resources in short, medium and long term.

“This will eliminate deficit and restore the health of our public finances.

“Most importantly, we have kept the size of the budget realistic and realisable while projects are embarked upon based on their economic and social value.

“It is a continuous exercise with us to match our expenditure commitments to projects with existing revenue streams,’’ he said.

The governor added that citizens in the state were “imbibing the principles of skills acquisition and entrepreneurship as a viable employment option based on our entrepreneurship programmes.

“They are now looking beyond and outside their academic certificates for employment and livelihoods as owners and managers of skills-based enterprises.

“This cuts across all segments of the society – unemployed youths, workers, micro, small and medium enterprises, pensioners, widows, Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), students, traders and farmers.”

By: Emeji Noble

Fire destroys shops, goods in Sapele market

Grassroots Newspapers Publishers Network
-
0
Fire destroys shops, goods in Sapele market

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he fire, which started around 10.32am, destroyed two warehouses where provisions were kept and another shop said to be housing books. Grassroots Publishers gathered that the fire was caused by a power surge in one of the shops when the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, suddenly brought power.

One of the women who claim to be at the scene when the fire broke out told Grassroots Publishers “the inferno then gradually spread to other part of the shops before fire fighters came in.

She stated, “I was inside the market when the fire started around 10.32am. We suddenly heard people shouting fire fire when we got to the scene of the incident, we found out that the fire was as a result of a power surge when BEDC brought light. We had to reach the market management committee to call the fighters.

“At first, it was just one warehouse that was burning then it spread to other ones before firefighters came”

One of the affected traders, Mrs FejIro Onosiagbe, pleaded with the government to come to his aid, adding that her business meant tgd whole life to her.

“I am one of the owners of the affected warehouse. I was away when my girls called me that the warehouse was burning so I ran down, only to discover that my things were on fire. All my life is here, the government should come to our aid o ” she cried.

Comrade Benson Okorodudu, a member of the market committee who also spoke on the incident narrated how at first the terrain were not accessible for fire trucks and the role traders played to evacuate some wares “before the fire service trucks came, some of them tried to do the best they can and with the arrival of fire trucks from Seplat and the state fire service, the inferno was brought under control”

He said, though, the cost of the goods destroyed cannot be immediately ascertain, a committee will be put in place to do that and prevent a future occurrence.

Commenting on the issue, the chairman of Sapele Local Government area, Hon Eugene Inoaghan commended the prompt response of the fire service, adding traders should be safety conscious when they handle electrical appliances, he however promised to provide assistance to the affected shop owners to cushion the effect of the loss.

It is far cheaper to pay for tolls on good roads than spend money on maintenance of your cars- Okowa

Grassroots Newspapers Publishers Network
-
0
It is far cheaper to pay for tolls on good roads than spend money on maintenance of your cars- Okowa

[dropcap]G[/dropcap]ov. Okowa spoke while fielding questions from newsmen during the quarterly media interaction held at Government House in Asaba, the state capital on Tuesday,He said that the nation’s economy was going down “and with competing needs, there is need to provide for toll gates in functioning roads.

He said Federal Government should concession these roads to competent companies and the money made should be ploughed back to continue the maintenance of the roads where the toll gates are located.

“It is far cheaper to pay for tolls on good roads than spend money on maintenance of your cars, with the attendant delays and inconveniences as a result of bad roads.

“We would have preferred that Federal Government either repaired the roads or made refunds when states reconstruct the roads, because most of the roads have started to fail, more so, when bigger heavy duty vehicles are on roads not envisaged during design and construction.”
The governor however lamented that roads were failing across the country and that the Federal Government was overwhelmed.

Contrary to rumors that the next governor of Delta State had been anointed by powers-that-be to come from Delta Central senatorial district, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa says he didn’t know who will be his successor.This is in departure from political permutations that with power rotation pattern of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in which Okowa emerged in 2015, the next governor is expected to come from Delta Central.

Okowa said that only God will appoint his successor since it is only Him that appoints Kings.

According to him, “I can’t give verdict on who become governor in 2023 in Delta State. I’m not God, so I don’t know my successor now, only God knows who will take over from me so when we get to that bridge, we will know how to cross over it”, the governor resorted.
Speaking on the worrisome poor state of electricity in the state, Okowa expressed doubt if the Benin Electricity Distributions Company, BEDC has the finances to shoulder the power crisis.

“I am in doubt if BEDC has the finances to run the outfit, he said adding that the persistence problem of power supply should be traced to lack of finances to tackle the challenges of electricity in the state.

He also disclosed that his administration was giving a boost to tourism, saying “there are things that we need to do to encourage the people to improve on activities that will make families more comfortable.

“So, we are looking forward to building a Pleasure Park which will be on the Ugbolu-Asaba road, and we are also putting up a film village to encourage our budding artistes as Asaba has become the hub for movie locations.

“The new Secretariat Complex we are building in Asaba is coming on strong; I am very satisfied with the level of work being carried out and it is one of the biggest secretariats in the country.

“We thank God that at the end, we will have a reasonable accommodation for our workers”.

By: Emeji  Noble

Man falls off speeding truck on Third Mainland Bridge

Grassroots Newspapers Publishers Network
-
0
Man falls off speeding truck on Third Mainland Bridge

[dropcap]A[/dropcap] stranded man hanging on to a truck on Sunday fell off the speeding truck on the Third Mainland Bridge but was rescued by Rapid Response Squad (RRS)officers on the bridge.

The young man, identified as Lookman, according to sources, was stranded around 2:00am on the mainland before hanging on to a truck enroute Lagos Island.

Meanwhile, Lookman, noticing that he was being driven beyond Adekunle Bus Stop jumped down while the truck was on speed.

He lost his balance and crashed on the middle of the road.

He was rescued by RRS officers and given first aid before he was handed to Police Officers from Adekunle Police Station.

Private School Owners Back DTSG’s Drive To Shut Down Illegal Schools

Grassroots Newspapers Publishers Network
-
0
Private School Owners Back DTSG’s Drive To Shut Down Illegal Schools

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Chairman of National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Delta State Chapter, Deacon Monday Ifoghere, has said the Commissioner for Basic Education, Delta State, Mr. Patrick Ukah, was quoted out of context by journalists, adding that the association supports the intended cleanup of private school business by the Delta State Government.

Ifoghere said this while responding to questions during an exclusive chat with newsmen .

Some online media platforms had reported that the Delta State Government was opposed to registration of new private schools in the state.

The Chairman said: “What the Commissioner said was that those schools that were given provisional approval and over the years have not been able to improve on their facilities would be shut down and that henceforth no provisional approval will be given to any school.”

According to him, this policy statement was an offshoot of their cries to him to do something about Illegal schools in the state.

He said: “We pay tax, levies and whenever the government wants anything they come to us, but at the end of the day, illegal school owners do nothing but just make profits.

“Let’s assume that we have 5000 schools in Delta State, more than 3000 are not approved. In a community where there are five approved schools, you have about 20 not approved that we can call illegal schools and these ones are making life miserable for the ones approved.

“What the commissioner actually said was in response to our cry to him for help to curb the trend of running illegal schools in the state. Private school owners also suffer multiple taxation. We have different government agencies coming to us to either pay for tenement rate or fire service or monies for Board of Internal revenue. Even now, the Ministry of Women Affairs is trying to claim ownership of Nursery schools so we can also pay money to them. They want to frustrate private school owners.”

He added: “According to the commissioner, a new school that is starting has just two years to get approved; and that the government will no longer allow a school to pick up a registration form, do nothing and start operating for as long as 10 years as an illegal school without approval.

“The Commissioner told us that he is working with the Directorate of Inspectorate to work out the modalities to see that all schools that have not followed the approval process steadily to a logical conclusion within the next few months will be asked to shut down and never open again.

“He did not say that new private schools will not be opened in Delta State again. He was quoted out of context. All he said was that illegal schools that are not doing anything about getting approved will be asked to stop operation.”

Schools he said could be shut include those in uncompleted buildings or a rented house, as he advised all school proprietors to work to move to their permanent site.

Speaking further, he said that those in dilapidated buildings are to put their structures in order to make it safe and healthier for pupils and students, adding that school owners must endeavour to employ qualified teachers and use the right curriculum to also avoid been shut down.

Continuing, he said some school owners have ramshackle structures and though have licenses they do not have pupils and students but only wait for examination period and have become only mere examination centres.

He urged such schools to wake up or wind down, noting that “if those with provisional approval are finding it difficult to exist then the ones that have not even been approved at all but have been in existence have a very slim chance to escape the wrath of the state government.”

Ifoghere continued: “In our meetings now we will tell our members the truth so they can be quick about coming up to standard, he stressed.

“For those that at least can meet up to the basic requirements, but cannot meet all of them, when we see their efforts, we will know what to do.”

He however opined that NAPPS as an association has majority of her members that are duly registered and approved.

 

By : Emeji  Noble

Mercy Wins Big Brother Naija

Grassroots Newspapers Publishers Network
-
0
Mercy Wins Big Brother Naija

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]s the curtains dropped on the Big Brother Nigeria (BBN) reality television show yesterday in Lagos, 26-year-old Mercy Eke, won the coveted grand prize. After spending 99 days in the house, the winner,  Eke, also fondly called Lamborghini  went home with N30million cash prize and other gifts worth N30 million including a brand new Innoson Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV).

Eke was Nigeria’s choice out of the five finalists- Mike, Omashola, Seyi and Frodd and 21 other housemates who went into the house for a shot at the top.

This year, the show aired from June 30 and was  tagged ‘Pepper Dem’, saw many twists, strikes, disqualification, evictions and introduction of five new contestants- Joe, Venita, Enkay, Elozonam and Cindy.

Over 99 days that the show lasted, the housemates were evicted in this order:  Avala and Isilomo, then Ella, Tuoyo, Nelson, Thelma, Jeff, Joe, Enkay, Gedoni, Jackye, Esther, Sir Dee, Venita, Khaki, Cindy, Elo, Ike and Diane.

Meanwhile, the events that led to grand finale started at exactly 7.20 p.m when Ebuka Obi-Uchendu walked up the stage to a loud round of applause.

By 7.26pm, Obi-Uchendu crossed over to the house to give the housemates a message from ‘Big Brother’, who urged them to revel in their growth as they go forth to shine in the world.

A musical interlude saw Tiwa Savage perform her two singles to the delight of the teeming crowd.

At 7.50pm, Obi-Uchendu announced Mike Edwards as the overall winner of the Bet9ja Friday Night Games which earned him N2million.

At 7.47 p.m, Obinna from Deloitte walked in with the envelope with the names of the housemates in their winning order.

Seyi Awolowo was the first housemate to be evicted at 7.53p.m. and he was followed by Omatshola at 7.57p.m., making them the fourth and third runner ups respectively.

They were respectively taken down memory lane from their first day in the house till the present, as well as a general recap of some of the major happenings in the house within 99 days.

Another musical interlude saw Jude Abaga popularly known as M.I thrill the guests before another eviction saw Frodd leave the house at 8.27p.m, making him the second runner up.

At this point, dance hall singer, Patoranking  took to the stage with his dancers, who wowed the crowd with their dance moves.

The next agenda saw the remaining two housemates leave the house for the last time and head for the live stage, where the winner would be crowned.

At exactly 9.29pm, Eke was announced winner having scored 41.77 per cent, while Mike scored 19.94 per cent and Frodd, Omashola and Seyi scored 16.46 per cent, 11.58 per cent and 10.25 per cent respectively.

Aside the N30million cash prize and N25 million SUV, she will be rewarded with a Travelbeta trip to Dubai, a Scanfrost electronic home make-over, a year’s supply of Pepsi, Indomie and Munch it.

The winner will also get One Africa Fest VVIP experience, a brand new Oppo mobile smartphone and a bonus prize of two VIP Tickets to watch a European Football final game LIVE, courtesy BET9ja, the major sponsor.

 

 

By : Emeji Kelechi Noble

Okowa Rewards 12 Teachers With Cash, Cars

Grassroots Newspapers Publishers Network
-
0
Okowa Rewards 12 Teachers With Cash, Cars

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]s the World celebrated this year’s World Teachers’ Day on Saturday,October 5, 2019, 12 teachers in Delta received cars and cash rewards for outstanding performance in their duties.

The state governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, announced the rewards at a Dinner and Awards night organised by Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education in conjunction with Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) for teachers in the state.

Recipients of the awards were principals, head teachers and classroom teachers at primary and secondary school levels, who emerged from a selection process.

Okowa charged teachers not to only teach but develop the attitude and moral traits of  their pupils.

“I want to congratulate the awardees and to let them know that the reward of teachers is not only in heaven.

“This type of recognition will touch the hearts of our teachers and make them to work harder in the development of our children.

“The teachers, just like parents, play an important role in the development and upbringing of the child.

“We need to continue to give care to our children and guide them aright because it is at this foundational level that we can mould their character.

“We need to get the moral development of the children aright at this level, so that it will be well with our nation.” he said.

The governor urged the awardees to redouble their commitment to the upbringing of the pupils, reminding them that “teaching is a passion that genuinely flows from the heart”.

He commended Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education for organising the event and NUT for its tremendous support and partnership in improving the education sector in the state.

Earlier, Mr Patrick Ukah, Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, had in his speech, said that the awardees were selected from a process that involved over 49,000 teachers and students in 470 public secondary schools and 1,126 primary schools in the state.

Delta Teachers Bag Cars and Cash Awards

He congratulated the awardees and said that the assessment was done and vetted by a team of academics drawn from various tertiary institutions in the country.

The awardees are Messrs Asanuvwe Elizabeth, Owumi Onome, Omotie Phoebe (Best Primary School Teachers); Oyemike  Andrew, Ogwara Gabriel, Esiedafe Doris (Best Head Teacher); Imarah Georgina, Eseimokumoh Charles, Ikeh Bridget ( Best Secondary school Teacher); and Ominiabohs Adeline, Adiri Jonathan, Okolafor Fidelis (Best Principal).

My Government Will Continue To Partner With NUT, Says Okowa

Grassroots Newspapers Publishers Network
-
0
My Government Will Continue To Partner With NUT, Says Okowa

[dropcap]D[/dropcap]elta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has said that the state government will continue to partner with teachers because of the enviable roles they play in the upbringing of children in the society.

The governor, represented by the state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Chief Patrick Ukah, stated this in his office in Asaba on Thursday 3rd October, 2019 when the state Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Delta State wing, Comrade Titus Okotie, led members of the Executive Council on a courtesy visit.
He said that the partnership will be in such a way that teachers will be proud of their profession as they will be
celebrated from time to time as an appreciation of their contributions to the educational development of the children.
Governor Okowa disclosed that the annual Teachers Award ceremony, initiated by his administration, will hold this
weekend as a way of encouraging them to strive to do better in their chosen profession.

According to the governor, it is because of the importance attached to the teaching profession that his administration
insisted that the 1000 teachers recently employed by the state government had relevant educational qualifications.

While acknowledging the fact that more teachers are needed in the education sector, he said that efforts will be stepped up to get more National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to be deployed to schools to bridge the shortfall. The governor promised to look into some of the issues raised by the union as it affects its members promising that necessary actions will be taken to resolve them as quickly as possible.

Earlier, Comrade Okotie enumerated the giant strides recorded in the education sector since the governor was elected and thanked him for his all-time commitment and support to the union in carrying her teeming members along.He conveyed the goodwill of the National Leadership and Elders Forum of the union and revealed their decision to bestow on him a National Award at an appropriate time which will be communicated in due course.

Ohaneze Youths Accuse Nigeria Custom Officials Of Sabotaging Igbo Traders

Grassroots Newspapers Publishers Network
-
0
Ohaneze Youths Accuse Nigeria Custom Officials Of Sabotaging Igbo Traders
Col. Hameed Ali (rtd)

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Ohaneze Youth Council has accused officials of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) of extorting Igbo traders.
The group alleged that the NCS officials have been carrying out, relentless extortion and exploitation of Igbo traders
and businessmen in the country, particularly Lagos state.
The council stated that it is embittered by the rampant extortion, intimidation, and harassment of businessmen going
about their legitimate businesses.
The group led by Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, has also called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly
to investigate the activities of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) and his field officials in
the Lagos area over their alleged bid to strangulate Igbo businesses.
The group said the rot that has eaten deep into the very fabric of the NCS whose officials no longer hide their
inclination to extortion and corruption perpetrated especially against Igbo traders doing legitimate business.
It said through verified complaints, officials of the NCS has continued to request some undue and illegal levies from
Igbo importers as a condition for clearing goods.
“They also stop Igbo traders on the roadways and demand illegal fees. They employ the use of coercion, threats, closure
of shops and seizure of goods, to unlawfully extract money from their victims,” part of the statement read.
Recall that the group recently charged prominent Igbo leaders to unite and ensure the region gets presidency in 2023.

Ossai’s Suspension: No Cause For Alarm – Charles Aniagwu

Grassroots Newspapers Publishers Network
-
0
Ossai’s Suspension: No Cause For Alarm – Charles Aniagwu
Mr. Charles Aniagwu, Chief Press Secretary to Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa

[dropcap]H[/dropcap]on. Charles Aniagwu ,Delta State Commissioner for Information has said that there is no cause for alarm following the suspension of a Special Assistant (SA) on Special Duties to Governor Okowa, Mr Ossai Ovie Success who is reported to have broken information protocol of the State Government.

Speaking to Journalists at a post Exco briefing on Wednesday, October 2, 2019 at the Press Centre, Government House, Asaba, Mr Aniagwu bemoaned diverse interpretations of the suspension, explaining that, “when a Staff is not progressing according to certain rules, it is natural that some certain decisions are taken for the purpose of ensuring that individuals come back to line.”

Adding, “I don’t want us to make a heavy weather out of this issue. If as a Commissioner, I progress in error, it behoves on the Governor to also take certain steps, to make me conform to those rules that will be to the aspirations and policies of the government.

“There are those who have been reporting wrongly that because he is talking about the…, it is very far from it. What we believe is that, individuals; not only Ossai, anybody who is in this administration, who does not realise that there is what they call line of reporting and that you must conform in such a way that you don’t embarrass the government, we will take similar action.

“Ossai reports to the Chief Press Secretary, and should also clear from me if he is should also deal with the media. He is not entitled to issue statements because when we begin to have different statements being issued from different offices, you cause more trouble in the system.

“Even when you are a Commissioner, you can only speak in respect to your ministry. You cannot issue statement for the entire government. By the virtue of my position, I am the only one on the side of government that can issue statements across ministries because I speak for the government. The CPS can also speak on any State issue because any issue that touches the government, also touches the governor.”  Aniagwu informed.

He however maintained that, Mr Ossai who had been part of Okowa’s government since 2015, is still a member of Okowa’s government. “So, there is no cause for alarm. He is still a member of this government.”

It would be recalled that, Mr Ossai Ovie Success, the youngest appointee in the Okowa administration, was slammed with a two-month suspension without salary due to a publication on his Facebook Profile where he posted that the O5 Initiative Foundation of Dame Edith Okowa, had received a financial grant of N3.5bn from a United States based non-profit organisation, the Initiative for Global Development.

A publication which seemed offensive to the State Governor Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and swiftly issued him a suspension via a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Chiedu Ebie.

Meanwhile, Dame Okowa has denied the receipt of such financial grant for her foundation explaining that, there was no financial commitment accorded O5 Initiative by the Initiative for Global Development.

1...181182183...344Page 182 of 344