[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Federal Government on Wednesday announced plans to ensure the return of toll gates on federal highways in the country. The decision came after being phased out more than a decade ago.
The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, stated this while briefing State House Correspondents on the decision taken at the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa Abuja.
Fashola, flanked by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said there was no law that stopped the government from having toll gate on federal roads.
He said, “There is no reason why we can’t toll, there was a policy of government to abolish tolls or as it where, dismantle toll plaza but there is no law that prohibits tolling in Nigeria today. We expect to return toll plazas, we have concluded their designs of what they will look like, what materials they will be rebuilt with, what new considerations must go into them.
“What we are looking at now and trying to conclude is how the bank end runs.”
Fashola said that government was also considering to eliminate payment of cash by introducing electronic mode of payment.
FG Announces Plan To Return Toll Gates On Federal Highways
Minimum Wage: Labour Issues 7-Day Ultimatum to FG to Conclude Action
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union (TUC) has given federal government till next week Wednesday to reconvene and conclude negotiation on consequential adjustment for the new minimum wage.
In a communiqué issued at the end of a meeting between NLC, TUC and the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC-Trade Union Side) in Abuja on Wednesday, the labour movement rejected the offer by government for salary adjustment of 11 percent for public workers on salary grade level 07 – 14 and 6.5 percent consequential increase for public workers on grade level 15 – 17.
.It said that the proposal was not realistic and therefore not acceptable to the workers.
“We demand the reconvening of the meeting of the committee negotiating the consequential adjustment with a view to concluding the process that started on May 28, 2019, within one week,” labour said.
In the communiqué, organised labour reeled out economic indices which it said had watered down workers’ pay package since the previous N18,000 minimum wage was Implemented.
The communiqué was jointly signed by the NLC president, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, TUC president, Quadri Olaleye and JNPSNC, chairman, Simon Anchaver, and Secretary, Slade Bashir Lawal.
Labour said since the last national minimum wage of N18,000, workers had suffered astronomical hike in the prices of essential goods and services.
Furthermore, it said petroleum price had been hiked from N87 per litre to N145 per litre, a 60 percent price increase.
It also said that electricity had been increased by 60 percent while Value Added Tax recently increased from.5 percent to 7.2 percent.
Labour blamed the government negotiating team for its insensitivity to the sacrifices being made by Nigerian workers, adding that such uncooperative attitude had led to the delay in reaching a deal on the implementation of the minimum wage.
Rampaging flood kills Polytechnic graduate in Delta
[dropcap]A [/dropcap]polytechnic graduate by name Chinedu Igboke who resides in Asaba, the Delta state capital has been killed by ravaging flood in the metropolis. The victim was reportedly swept away by the rampaging flood on Monday evening in the state capital.
Asaba is prone to flood due to torrential rains that often pound the capital city for hours non-stop. This is coming few months after a 12-year-old girl was swept away by flood in Okpanam community of Delta State after heavy rains, which lasted several hours in same manner.
The latest victim of flood water death who is said to be in his thirties, hailed from Ebonyi State.
He was working as security guard in a private school along Shekinah Love Assembly Street, Off Ralph Uwechue Way, Okpanam Road, Asaba.
Grassroots Publishers online understands that the victim had volunteered to control the traffic jam which built up on the Shekinah Love Assembly street owing to heavy gridlock along ever-busy Okpanam road when he mis-stepped and fell into a deep uncovered paved gutter along the earth road.
Our source disclosed that the spot where the victim was said to have fell was almost over grown with weeds.
“The gutter was filled with running water when Igboke fell into it, our source said, adding that “before help could come, he had already floated into the deep tunnel which channels storm water from the area into Anwai River.
“When he fell into the water, he slammed his head against the concrete walls of the gutter. So he might have lost strength to swim against the tide before being floated helplessly into the tunnel,” the source said
According to the source, the school authority where Igboke worked as security guard, mobilised divers and swimmers to comb Anwai River in futile search of the body.
“We suspect that the body maybe hanging somewhere along this tunnel because of of blockade inside. We went with them to the river but they could not recover his body,” the source added.
Meanwhile, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, during his independence anniversary broadcast on Tuesday, expressed sympathy with individuals, communities and families of flood victims in the state, saying that government was doing its best to tackle the scourge and check future occurrences.
“Fellow Deltans, I like to use this opportunity to sympathize with communities and individuals, particularly those who are suffering various degrees of setbacks following consistent flooding these past few years during rainy season.
“I need to re-emphasize that those still in flood prone areas should relocate to higher grounds.
“We are committed to checking future occurrences through the institution of modern planning regimes for cities and the construction of drainage systems and embankment in the riverine areas of the State.
“I therefore, appeal to all residents to avoid building houses and kiosks in unauthorized places to avoid blockage of natural water-ways, with its attendant disasters.
“We are coming to a point where those who deliberately build on water channels will be denied compensation if their structures are pulled down”, the governor warned.
By: Emeji Kelechi Noble
Mass Communication Class 93 of Auchi Poly ,Honours Aniagwu
[dropcap]M[/dropcap]ass Communication Students Class 93 of Auchi Polytechnic ,Delta Chapter has honored their classmate and the State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu with an award in appreciation of his commitment to the growth of the alumni body.
The award was presented to Mr Aniagwu in his office in Asaba by the Vice Chairman of the group, Mr Emeke Ikemefune, flanked by the Public Relations Officer, Comrade Nkem Nwaeke and three other members of the Delta Chapter of the association.
Mr Ikemefune who stood in for the Chairman of the Delta Chapter of body, Mr. Boniface Onyedi, said the award was in recognition of Mr Aniagwu’s contributions to the programs of the Auchi Polytechnic Mass Communication Students, Class 93 both in the state and national levels.
Mr Ikemefune disclosed that the award was to be presented to him at the reunion party held on Saturday 28 September 2019 and attended by seventh members and their spouses, but for his absence.
He assured Mr Aniagwu of their unflinching support and commended his dedication to duty as Chief Press Secretary to the Governor and now Commissioner for Information.
Also speaking, the Public Relations Officer of the body, Comrade Nkem Nwaeke, while felicitating with Mr Aniagwu, informed the Information Commissioner of the election of a seven member executive to run the affairs of the Delta State Chapter of the association.
Comrade Nwaeke told Mr Aniagwu that he was elected an ex-officio one of the body which has Mr Boniface Onyedi as Chairman, Emeke Ikemefune, Vice Chairman, Bertrand Ojeh, Secretary, Comfort Folunsho, Treasurer, Nkem Nwaeke, PRO and Joseph Ikupa as ex-officio two.
Addressing the delegation, Mr Charles Aniagwu regretted his inability to make it to the reunion party despite efforts made to be there, but promised to be present at future gathering of the group, stressing that he had looked forward to the gathering of classmates after twenty six years.
The Information Commissioner expressed gratitude to have been so honored by his peers and solicited their continued support in building a stronger Delta as envisioned by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
He further enjoined the colleagues to intensify the campaign against societal ills, and pledged to give his maximum support towards the advancement of society through the activities of the group, even as he urged the members to move in one direction to achieve greater goals.
The Public Relations Officer of the alumni body, Comrade Nkem Nwaeke had in a statement, said the then representative of the class, Mr Joseph Ikupa and the Delta State Chairman of the group, Mr Boniface Onyedi, had during the reunion party, expressed gratitude to God for the grace of meeting again after twenty six years and for the life attainments of most members.
They congratulated two classmates, Mr Charles Aniagwu who is the Commissioner for Information, Delta State and Mr Sunday Aghaeze, Personal Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Photography on their appointments, even as they urged the duo to remain good ambassador of Auchi Polytechnic Mass Comm Students Class 93.
Ikupa and Onyedi stressed the need to embark on programs that will impact positively to the society, particularly the alma mata.
Excitement as High Chief Agbamuche Nelson Celebrates New Yam Festival
[dropcap]E[/dropcap]xcitement reigned supreme in Akwukwu Igbo Kingdom,the Local Government Headquater of Oshimili North Local Governemnt Area in Delta States,as he Celebrated his Annual New Yam Festival as Custom and Tradition demands with his people at his palatial residence.
The traditional ruler of the Akwukwu Igbo Kingdom His Royal Majesty, Obi David Azuka, who was accompanied by prominent traditional chiefs and indigenes of the community attended the event.
Our Oracle turned Miracle of Nigerian Politics,Senator representing the great people of Delta North Senatorial District; in the National Assembly and Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs,32attended the event with other personalities like Dcn Moses Dickson Iduh, Chairman PDP Delta North Senatorial District,Olorogun Arthur Akporowho, Honourable Commisioner for Urban and Rural Development,Honorable SA to Distinguished Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi,Hon.Luka Igbonoba,Ogom Nwaoboshi,Chairman, Zitas World Ltd,Ogbueshi Dada Okonji,chairman,PDP Oshimii South,Hon. Louis Ndokwe,Executive Chairman,Oshimili North Local Govt. Area, Chief Peter Okocha, PDP Youths Leader Oshimili North LGA,Hon.ken Mafua and other top government functionaries, political gladiators,friends and well wishers.
The New Yam Festival is an annual cultural festival celebrated by the Akwukwu Igbo Kingdom at the end of the rainy season. The celebration is popularly known as Iwa ji festival and is also celebrated in other Anioma nation and beyond.
At the beginning of the festival,tubers of yam are offered to the gods and ancestors first, before distributing the yams to the people. The ritual is performed either by the king of the community or by the oldest man in the community.
This celebration is an important event in the calendar of Igbo people all over the world, as the festival is an epitome of the people’s religious belief. This year’s New Yam festival was no different as it was a highly captivating event.
Prior to the event, the Odoziani Ani of Akwukwu Igbo Kingdom,High Chief Agbamuche Nelson in a statement made available to journalists had disclosed that the people of Akwukwu Igbo would witness another exciting moment in the kingdom.
According to him, “Iwa ji is an annual event that we observe to promote the culture and tradition of our people.It brings us together as a community to celebrate and also brainstorm on way forward of our community.
“As the Odoziani of Akwukwu Igbo Kingdom, I extended the New Yam Festival invitation to sons and daughters of Akwukwu Igbo,indigenes of Oshimili North LGA and Oshimili South, friends and well wishers in Delta and beyond and it was honoured”. At the event, Distinguished Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi donated the sum of N20,000,000 (Twenty Million Naira) to His Royal Highness, Obi David Azuka for the maintenance and upgrade of his Palace .
Odoziani Ani of Akwukwu -Igbo Kingdom,High Chief Agbamuche Nelson used the opportunity to thank his mentor and political father, Distinguished Senator Peter Nwaoboshi for his love and respect towards the custodian of Akwukwu Igbo culture. The Iwa-ji festival was turned to a carnival, as different dance groups danced to the admiration of the guest.
Congratulations the true son of Akwukwu Igbo!!!
By: Ike Abiagom 
New Ogbogonogo International Market with over 1,412 lock up shops nears completion.-Mrakpor
[dropcap]C[/dropcap]ommercial activities in Asaba, the Delta State, is set to get a major boost as the new wing of the Ogbogonogo International Market with over 1,412 lock up shops nears completion.
Already, subscription to the shops is recording remarkable response from the business community with the Delta State government pledging to use the market as a launch pad to transfer Asaba into a major commercial and business hub, leveraging on its proximity with other commercial centres in the southeast.
The Director General, Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency, Hon. Mrs. Joan Onyemaechi Mrakpor, stated this while on an inspection tour of the project site.
Conducting Mrakpor round the site, the contractor handling the project under public-private partnership, Chief Ekwe Ogidi, said apart from the 1,412 lock-up stores, an open space section provided in the market will accommodate 500 traders.
Ogidi who is the chairman of Ekwe-Ogidi Integrated Resources Ltd, the company handling the project, pledged to complete the project on schedule.
Speaking to newsmen, Mrakpor who was accompanied on the tour of the project site by top officials of the agency, expressed satisfaction with the execution of the project.
“I have been here before but I needed to meet with the man in charge, Ogidi, the developer. The last time we were here, he wasn’t here. We had a meeting in the office and we agreed to come back.
“Now, we have come back here and we have gone round. I think I am impressed, first with the speed of work and second with the quality of work”, she said.
She commended the contractors for following the design of the project which was given to them by the DSCTDA.
On the strategy to tackle the problem of street trading, Mrakpor said it will be taken care of by the structure that is being put in place at the new market.
“I believe that when you have a proper structure for people, they will do the proper thing. The Consultant Engineer has assured that they have taken care of that with open spaces for them to do their trading”, she said.
She frowned at the level of adherence to environmental standards at Ogbogonogo Market, noting that it is not just the problem of only the traders, but also that of the government.
” If I say don’t dump your refuse here, I should provide a place for you to dump it elsewhere. So, when government does the needful, I believe that they will do the needful”, she said.
By: Emeji Noble
Gov. Okowa commissions infrastructural audit of public schools in Delta
[dropcap]D[/dropcap]elta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has commissioned a comprehensive school infrastructural audit and mapping of all public primary and post primary schools in the state.Acho Nonyalim giving back to his Community …Donates books,school sandals, pens to Students in Ibusa
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he true worth of a man is in the way he treats people who are absolutely in need. If you care about people in need, you are actually making a contribution to the development of the nation. We need to give life back to the people.We need to see how we can use the available resources for everybody; create opportunities for all and care, especially for those who are truly in need. The gap between the rich and the poor should be bridged. Those of us blessed with material resources need to share with others. We must strike a balance with our resources.” This is the Philosophy of Elder Onyeachor Nonyalim.It is certainly impossible to gloss over the attributes for greatness of Elder Acho Nonyalim, the founding Chairman,Junic Group of Companies, the trail-blazing Real Estate mogul par excellence from Ibusa,Delta State. Acho’s rise to the top was not a one-step movement. It was a humble beginning for a humble man. The inter play of factors that would establish him as one of Nigeria’s reputable real Estate mogul shaped Acho’s principle and philosophy of life and business-humility, honesty and hard work. His unassuming nature and infectious humility explain why he does not trumpet his numerous philanthropic gestures.
Elder Onyeachor Nonyelim is inevitably turning out to be news-maker in every sense as it concerns Ibusa and it’s people.He has embarked on another programme Tagged “JUNIC Back to School Empowerment programme” that has never been seen or heard of in Ibusa history since he started this project few years ago, He has decided to make this an annual package for the people of Isieke and Ibusa in general.Elder Acho felt that most parents always find the beginning of the first term tasking with so much demands from schools, he decided to alleviate their plights by distributing items ranging from exercise books,school sandals, pens,and English and Maths text books to the children in the community and He also disclosed that he had paid for WAEC, NECO and JAMB fees of numerous students from his community and Ibusa. Elder Acho told Grassroots Publishers in Ibusa that the JUNIC Back to School Empowerment programme” was part of efforts to support the educational development of youths in his community and he promised to continue to do more 
for 
his people. By: Ike Abiagom
I waited for 15 years after wedlock to give birth – Dickson’s wife
[dropcap]D[/dropcap]r. Rachael Dickson,the wife of the Bayelsa State Governor at the weekend said she waited for 15 years for a child after her wedlock with Dickson and God rewarded her patience with quadruplets. She described the moment she was delivered of her quadruplets in the United States of America three years ago as visitation by God.
Rachael, who spoke during a thanksgiving service at the King of Glory Chapel, Government House, Yenagoa, said God showed up after 15 years of waiting for fruits of the womb.
The thanksgiving service was part of activities marking the third year anniversary of the quadruplets. She described her children as bundles of joy and prayed God to bless, prosper and equally use them to bring him glory.
She said: “First I want to thank this great God of heaven because today we are marking the third anniversary of this special gifts from God.
“After fifteen years, he turned away our captivity. When men thought it was over, he, God, said it was not over”.
“I stand before this great God to say there is no other God like him. Today I stand before him to say our joy is full. Today I stand to say this great God of heaven can never fail”.
The governor’s wife also expressed appreciation to family members, friends, associates and the clergy for attending the service as well as for making the day memorable for the children. A reception for guest was also held at the Governor’s Lodge with over 200 children in attendance amidst fanfare.
Some dignitaries in attendance include the PDP governorship candidate, Senator Douye Diri and his wife; his running mate Senator Lawrence Erhuwjakpo, top government functionaries and the clergy.
Culled from Nation
Nigeria-Benin border closure causing economic crisis
[dropcap]F[/dropcap]armers and traders are distressed after Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari closed all neighbouring borders around the country with a plan to end Nigeria’s economic dependence on oil, by developing domestic agriculture and industry.
The border closure means Nigeria is choked off from supplies until the next harvest by local farmers.
“These tomatoes are rotting in the field because the border is closed and our customers have stopped coming to buy them. Everything rotted in the field and this means we end up being in debt,” said Parfait Glokpo, a Farmer.
However, the borders with all neighbouring countries were shut down completely this September.
With Benin still smuggling subsidized fuel in Nigeria, the border closures are also difficult for traffickers to deal with.
Some of the traders in the region say they don’t have other means of sending their children to school and that they are unable to repay back loans.
“It is so difficult with the closure of the border, smugglers go through the bush with two cans each time they cross,” said Anon, Contraband petrol courier.
According to official figures, Nigeria has been ramping up rice production, with local output rising by 60% since 2013. But at 4.8 million tons last year, local rice production was still not enough for the 190 million Nigerians.
By: Emeji Noble
