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Asaba residents cries out over BEDC Failure to Provide Light … demand non-renewal of Funke’s license

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Asaba residents cries out over BEDC Failure to Provide Light … demand non-renewal of Funke’s license

[dropcap] A[/dropcap]saba Residents under the aegis of Young Nigerians Right Organization on Wednesday ignored the directive of the Delta state police command, and embarked on a groundbreaking protest against poor services of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) across some streets of Asaba the Delta state capital.

The command had unsuccessfully attempted to stop the protest on the ground that it might be hijacked by cultists to cause mayhem in the capital city following abdisturbing post on facebook by an indigene of Asaba.

But the protest which commenced with the mobilization of residents to the Inter Bau flyover was generally peaceful and achieved a much needed result.

The placard carrying protesters marched through Anwai road, and had a brief stop over at the Asaba office of BEDC before marching to government house where they were addressed by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s Chief of Staff, David Edevbie.

Inscriptions on some of the placards include ‘Funke must go’, ‘God said let there be light and BEDC said there must be darkness’, ‘Provision of meters must be addressed’, ‘Stop estimated billings’, ‘Bonsaac community donated transformer to BEDC, Funke refused to give approval for installation’, ‘BEDC is incompetent company, therefore, its license must not be renewed’, among others.

Coordinator of the rights group, Victor Ojei who led the protest lamented the lack of electricity in Asaba and its environs, saying that BEDC lacked the capacity to deliver on its mandate.

He said the company has continued to extort consumers with outrageous estimated bills for non-supply of electricity, and called on the federal government not to renew the company’s operational license.

Ojei added that BEDC has deliberately refused to maintain facilities which it inherited from the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), pointing out that consumers now take it upon themselves to fix faulty BEDC equipment or even provide new ones.

Another leader of the protesters, Kingsley Okpuno stated that residents of Asaba and its environs were now suffering as a result of the poor services of BEDC, lamenting that the development has provided disincentive for artisans operating in the metropolis.

Okpuno said communities have resorted to self help by contributing to provide transformers, lamenting, however, that BEDC refused to install such transformers on grounds of accumulated bills.

He said the people have resigned to fate by buying fuel at high cost on a daily basis to power their generators.

Addressing the protesters, Edevbie assured that their grievances will be channeled to the appropriate quarters for action, and advised to remain law abiding in their activities.

Meanwhile, the Head of BEDC in Delta state, Fidelis Obishai had at the peace meeting convened by the state police command, assured that the company will investigate allegations of extortion, and urged consumers to pay bills in order to get improved services.

 

By : Emeji Noble

Okowa: 60 Garlands For An Indefatigable Performer

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Okowa: 60 Garlands For An Indefatigable Performer

[dropcap]“G[/dropcap]reatness lies not in ruling a people, it lies in being the cause of happiness in their lives.” ― Abhijit Naskar

As Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa celebrates his Diamond jubilee, today (July 8, 2019), all attention is focused on a man who has given his all to create peace, happiness and progress for the people of Delta State and Nigerians in general. Gradually, the Governor is stepping into the elders club. As he ages, it is never a dull moment for a man who has spent the greater part of his life to rendering selfless service to humanity. Describing Okowa as a child of circumstances with a great destiny is like stating the obvious. It is often said that some were born great, while others achieved greatness. For Okowa, it is a combination of being born great and working hard to achieve greatness.

To Okowa, the ideal celebration would not be to organize an elaborate feast, to bring friends and well-wishers together for a mother of all feasts. Doing so is not in his character. If there would be a get-together at all it would be with his immediate family as he has done in the last four years as the governor. Therefore, It’s only appropriate to seize the occasion of his birthday to examine his relentless work schedule that has benefited the state and provided prosperity for all Deltans in the last four years.

At 60, Dr. Okowa has garnered in that relatively old age, a record of achievements that is the envy of his peers. Born on July 8, 1959, to his Owa-Alero and Abavo parents in Ika North East and Ika South Local Government Areas of Delta State Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State. His aged father Pa Arthur Okowa who was recently installed as the Okpara-Uku of Owa-Alero and his beloved mother Mrs Victoria Okowa of blessed memory wouldn’t have imagined the great heights their then little child was destined for. But as Lydia Sweatt puts it, “Successful people don’t become that way overnight, it is the result of hard work and hustle over time”.

Dr. Okowa worked his way to success when he enrolled into Iroro Primary School, Owa-Alero, and later attended Edo College Benin between (1970-1976) and then went on to the prestigious University of Ibadan where he studied Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) degree where he graduated in 1981 at a record age of 22 years. After his National Youth Service Corps, Dr. Okowa started his working career with the Bendel State Hospitals Management Board as a Medical Officer and later entered private practice as Director, Victory Medical Centre, Igbanke in 1986.

Dr. Okowa began his political career as Secretary to the Ika Local Government and then pioneer Chairman of Ika North-East Local Government Council (1991–1993). He was Delta North Coordinator of the Grassroots Democratic Movement (GDM). He joined the PDP in 1998 and assisted in Governor James Ibori’s campaign in 1998/1999. He served as a Commissioner in the Delta State government for Agriculture and Natural Resources (July 1999 – April 2001), Water Resources Development (April 2001 – May 2003) and Health (September 2003 – October 2006).

Okowa resigned to contest in the 2007 Delta State PDP governorship primaries but did not win the governorship primaries. In June 2007, he was appointed Secretary to the Delta State Government. Against all odds, he was elected Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District in 2011. As a senator in the seventh National Assembly, he was ranked among the best senators for sponsoring 10 bills, including the National Health Bill, a feat many acknowledged as ingenious, legendary and laudable despite his short stint in the red chamber.

In April 2015, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa was elected Governor of Delta State and was inaugurated on May 29, 2019. His steady progress did not just start today, as those who know would not easily forget how he rode on the back of humility, through his professional and political career, to his present status as governor of Delta State.

As Governor, he met serious challenges but as Lydia Sweatt puts it again, “Sometimes we are tested not to show our weaknesses, but to discover our strengths”, Governor Okowa showed his strength amid economic crunch occasioned by low crude oil prices, insecurity and destruction of oil installations and eventually economic recession. Despite all of these challenges, his administration through the Ministries of Works, Urban Renewal and the Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency, embarked on a total of 455 projects comprising 1,269.42 kilometres of roads and 517.34 kilometres of drainage channels. As at April 30 this year, 263 of these roads, covering 638.23 kilometres of roads and 295.71 kilometres of associated drains have been completed.

Beyond road construction, one of the major policy planks of the Okowa led administration is Wealth Creation. In the first term, the state government devoted substantial resources, time and energy to build a knowledge-based economy and a critical mass of skills for entrepreneurship and business competitiveness. Over 20,000 persons benefited from the flagship Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP), Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP) and similar programmes undertaken by the Ministries of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Commerce and Industry, Women Affairs as well as the Delta State Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency.

The last four years was also a period of economic boom for artisans, petty traders and suppliers in the construction industry. With the completion of the Asaba Township Stadium (now Stephen Keshi Stadium), which has been hosting international football matches and other games, the hospitality industry in Asaba witnessed an increased level of patronage and prosperity.

As a health professional, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa brought his wealth of experience to bear in the State’s health sector with Delta State becoming the first state in the country to commence Universal Health Coverage with the establishment of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission in February 2016. The Commission commenced healthcare service access to enrolees on the 1st of January 2017. As of May 15, 2019, the total number of enrolees stood at 530,664. Providing services under the scheme are 110 primary healthcare facilities, 65 secondary healthcare facilities and 52 private healthcare facilities spread across the 25 Local Government Areas in Delta State. Healthcare service access has also been provided to employees of the State at the Abuja and Lagos Liaison offices.

Because of his superlative performances as Governor, he was honoured as ‘Man of the year 2017’ by the Independent newspaper at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos. The award was presented by Alhaji Ismaila Isa Funtua. He also won other awards including the NUPENG’s Award for Peace in recognition of his contributions to peaceful oil and gas exploration in the Niger Delta region. Silver bird Governor of the Year 2018, Independent Governor of the Year 2018, Vanguard Newspapers Governor of the Year 2018.

In 2017, he also bagged the highest award of the University of Ibadan, Ibadan-Nigeria as the Alumni of the year 2016, where he successfully delivered a lecture titled “Good Governance for Wealth Creation and Sustainable Development: Experience and Lessons” at the 2017 edition of University of Ibadan Alumni lecture organised by the University of Ibadan Alumni Association. In October 2017 he was also conferred with the University of Nigeria, Nsukka highest award as the Dignity of Man Award at the 57th Founders’ Day celebration of the university.

A man of great faith, enviable impacts and of flawless reputation, Governor Okowa was described as a man of unquestionable integrity by Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar due to his roles in organising credible PDP National Conventions that saw the emergence of Prince Uche Secondus as National Chairman of the party and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar emerging as Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP with other aspirants accepting the outcome of the conventions as most transparent and credible.

Former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark in his goodwill message to mark the Governor’s 59th birthday anniversary, described him as a worthy ambassador of the upper legislative chamber. Senator Mark noted that Okowa’s silent revolution in terms of infrastructural development in Delta state is a testimony that he is effectively combining legislative and executive experiences to develop the oil-rich state.

Looking back the past 60 years, his family and indeed his associates and admirers do have cause to be grateful to the Almighty God for having granted him a life of great accomplishments and abiding fulfilment.

Ekwueme (one who does what he says he will do) is his traditional title and for him, the nobility of birth in a predominantly peasant milieu was more of a challenge than the comfort it provided. In fact, it was this outlook that has become the fulcrum on which his life and leadership style revolves. In Delta today, the citizens are rightly rich in expectations from the Okowa administration. This, in all honesty, is not unfounded because of his pedigree and passion for service.

Through consensus-building, thorny political issues have become free of tumult, acrimony and bad blood. This was made possible by Okowa’s calm persona on a very volatile system. By entrenching core values of selflessness and integrity, he has effectively earned the confidence and trust of his friends and foes alike. He has re-defined the concept of leadership and effective governance by effectively re-orientating the mindset of the political class to see politics as a call to service.

As he clocks 60 years, his track-record in politics and in the leadership of Delta state sure sets him apart as a selfless and passionate leader who burns to put his state on the world developmental map. He detests waste because he is confronted daily by the lack that dots the socio-economic landscape of Delta State. That is why since he came into office, he requested that friends and well-wishers should not place goodwill advertorials in the media. He rather urged them to convert such resources to assisting the needy.

Okowa, a grandfather and a man of impeccable character and unassailable integrity is married to his beloved heartthrob and founder of the 05 Initiative, Her Excellency, Dame Edith Okowa. Their union is blessed with four children and three grandchildren.

As this astute administrator celebrates his birthday today, I join other teeming Deltans and Nigerians to wish him a happy birthday and pray that God grant him more strength to lead a stronger Delta that will usher in better days for our people.

Happy birthday sir!

Aniagwu is the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okowa.

New Delta education commissioner Cautions School Heads, Teachers Over Late Coming

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New Delta education commissioner Cautions School Heads, Teachers Over Late Coming

[dropcap] C[/dropcap]hief Patrick Ukah, Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education has admonished school heads and teachers in public schools in the state to show more commitment to their duties in other to justify the state governments huge investment in the education sector.

The commissioner gave the warning when he paid an unscheduled visit to Osadenis Mixed Secondary School and Onyeobi College, both in Asaba.

Chief Ukah, who expressed his displeasure at the attitude of the teachers and students of Osadenis Mixed Secondary School towards late coming, said he was surprised that at 7:45am only a few teachers and students were in attendance at the early morning assembly, which he said was not acceptable as the teachers who are supposed to set good examples for the students were also the ones flouting the rules while stating that any teacher who was not on duty by 7:30am would be severely punished.

Chief Ukah also advised the teachers to see themselves as parents and mentors to the students as this would bring them closer to the students.

He urged school heads across the state to work with the Parents Teachers Associations of their various schools in other to build a synergy that would be beneficial to the schools, parents and students which would go a long way in curbing the vices been experienced in the schools.

The commissioner also charged the students of Osadenis Mixed Secondary School to shun acts capable of damaging the image of their school as it might end up affecting them in future.

The Vice Principal Administration, Mrs. Joy Nwagbo, who spoke on behalf of the staff and students, apologised for their coming late and promised that henceforth both teachers and students would be punctual.

The commissioner also visited Isioma Onyeobi College, where he commended the principal and teachers for being punctual and also for keeping the school environment clean, and urged them to keep it up.

The Principal of the school, Mrs Victoria Briki-Okolosi, thanked the commissioner for the visit and promised that she and her team would ensure that they maintain a high standard of learning in the school.

Esv. Esiovwa thanks God for Reinstatement in office

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Esv. Esiovwa thanks God for Reinstatement in office

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he General Manager, Delta Development Property Agency (DDPA ) Esv. Charles M. Esiovwa , was  joined by colleagues , Friends , top government functionaries, staff of Delta Development Property Agency (DDPA ) at a special thanksgiving service  for his reinstatement in office .

Esv. Charles M. Esiovwa said he was dedicating his reinstatement in office to God and he assured Deltans that his agency would continue to work equitably for the state irrespective of tribe.

He promised to be magnanimous in triumph, saying that his reinstatement in office is a victory for the unity and progress of the whole state as there was really no victor no vanquish.

Esv. Charles M. Esiovwa  said: “We have come here  to give thanks to God because, we are a praying state and whatever victory or success we have recorded is as a result of his benevolence. During my trial time few months ago, we heard all manners of stories but, we trusted in God and those who led the prayers on my behalf trusted in God and I want to appreciate everyone of them.

“I must publicly appreciate our SMART Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa  and my colleagues for being very firm and fair and doing what they ought to do as agency. We must continue to grow and know that whatever we do, it should be in the best interest of our dear state. I want to appreciate my families for standing for fairness; and I must thank my religious leaders for their prayers and mobilization. We are all victorious together. It is a victory for justice, equity, fairness and a victory that will bring better love in Delta Development Property Agency (DDPA ) and Delta State.

“There is no loser, but this is the time to join hands together and build a greater Delta Development Property Agency (DDPA) and support our amiable governor Senator Ifeanyi Okowa to build a stronger Delta State and I also seek for your prayers. We must work hard to take Delta State to greater heights; we need to be peaceful because, with peace, we will achieve a lot.

Customs: Why Smugglers Worry Over The Two Muhammeds

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Customs: Why Smugglers Worry Over The Two Muhammeds
Comptroller Mohammed Uba Garba
CAC, Seme Customs Command

[dropcap]F[/dropcap]or years, officers and men of the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, at the land Border stations  across the country  have been very tolerant of the Economic Community of West African States , ECOWAS, Trade Liberalisation  Schme,  ETLS, goods as a way of boosting trade among member nations.

The deployment of Muhammed Uba Garba, by Hameed Ali, a retired Colonel and Comptroller General, Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, to Seme Command  appears to have exposed most of the Commission  member countries which may have taken advantage of the Nigerian large market to push repackaged made in Chni products  into the country. The Command aggressive anti-smuggling officers  under the close watch of Adahunse Rashid, a Deputy Comptroller  and Head of the Enforcement Unit  were said to have made a spectacular seizure of 14 cartons of Nitro femine soap smuggled into the country from the West African country of Ghana. Valuation experts put the duty paid Value, DPV, at about N169,855.00.

The  smuggler may have been have been having  his way over the years in smuggling the famine soap  into the country and smiling to the bank  over the years until luck ran out of him recently  when the Command patrol team swooped on him in his hideout to dispossess the criminal element of the items.  The Seme Customs Area Comptroller confirmed that femine soap are common in the Ghanaian market which may have forced the dealers to explore the Nigerian market.  The seizure of the femine soap may exposed the Command Customs personnel  to be more thorough in  checking mating the approved  ETLS goods  entering the country  going by the abuse of the scheme by me by member countries.

Mohammed Aliyu: Comptroller FOU. Zone A, Ikeja

More worrisome was the Command patrol teams  seizure of expired bags of foreign parboiled rice, an indication that most of the foreign rice  shipped into the Republic of Benin Port of Cotonou but smuggled through illegal routes   had expired . The Command had intercepted  13 bags of such expired foreign parboiled rice from smugglers  in the Badagry Creeks and waterside axis.  This should be source of worry to Mohammed Aliyu,  Comptroller Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Zone A, as virtually  all the patrol teams in the Command  are now involved in making rice seizures from smugglers.

Only recently the Command Strike Force, Headed by Ahmed . A.. a Superintendent was said to said to have  transferred three trucks loaded with rice intercepted from different locations in Ogun and Oyo states.  The large quantities of rice transferred by the Strike Force team to the Command premises may have added up to the over  25,000 bags of ”50” bags of which the Command had made in the last three months.

There are fears that substantial quantities  of   the ”50” Kg bags of foreign  rice may have  expired  which inform the reason why experts from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration, NAFDAC,should   be sent to the Command  to assess the intercepted foreign  parboiled rice before Ali, the Coustoms Comptroller General,  give approval for the allocation of the items to the Internally  Dislaced Person, IDP, Camps, in the north easternstates of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe including the IDP Camp in the south-south state of Edo.

Maritime watchers believe that this is the only way to avoid supplying the IDP Camps or Orphanage homes  expired rice in the guise of giving assistance to them.  Perhaps, what should gladden Ali, the Customs Comptroller General’s heart , in the seizures made by the Command  Operations and Lagos Roving team, Headed by Riks Lura, a Chief Superintendent of Customs, CSC,   regarded in Customs circles  as fearless, was seizure by the team of  347 cartons of Codeine, a prohibited Pharmaceutical  produced should into the country through the seaport  valued by experts at about N46 million.

Another major seizure from a private location in lagos was a smuggled bullet proof, 1919, model, from the Republic of Benin valued at  about  N140  million.  The Duty  on the bullet proof  vehicle  alone, according a Valuation expert  was N49 million while the Duty Paid Value, DPV, was 189 million.

This is in addition the seizure by the team of 820 sacks of donkey skin in a warehouse allegedly operated by a Chinese Company  who has agents all over the country sourcing for the  animal skin which are used for the production of Pharmaceutical products  for curing of High Blood Pressure, HBP, and types of sickness , for export to the Asian country. According to Valuation experts,  the market value of the intercepted animal skins loaded in a ”40” Container was about N1.9 billion.  Aliyu may have sent a warning signal Chinese Donkey skin agents  that the game is up as they would never have any opportunity of exporting t the animal skin to their country with the assistance of their Customs Collaborators  on the export Seat to their  home country, China.

The seizure of the animal skin by  Riks led Operations and Lagos Roving team  indifferent parts of Lagos and Oyo state, may have forced many of the Chinese donkey skin  agents and the Nigerian dealers to go underground for fear of falling into the waiting hands of the team personnel who have a network of informants.

The FOU, Zone A, Customs Comptroller have been convinced that he had made adequate seizures of different merchandise goods including exotic vehicles and a bullet proof, 1919 model, that when Joseph  Attah, a Deputy Comptroller and Customs Spokesperson  in-charge of the government revenue  generating agency, sponsored Customs Duty proposed to do a coverage of his activities in the Command in the last two months, he did not hesitate in giving him the approval.

On Thursday, July 4, 2019, Attah, and his Customs Duty Crew members, from Abuja, were at the Command where he handed them a long list  of the seizures made by the Command worth  over N14 billion. The Customs image maker was said to have left for another Command with Lagos a fulfilled person that coming to Lagos to do part of his official work was not a waste.

Many believe that the FOU, Zone A, Comptroller, is using Attah, as a link to sell himself to Ali, the Customs Comptroller General because of his direct access  to him as Customs  Image maker.

Culled from The Value News

Senator Abbo arraign before Zuba magistrates’ court over assault by Police

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Senator Abbo arraign before Zuba magistrates’ court over assault by Police
Senator Elisha Abbo

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Police have brought Senator Elisha Abbo to the Zuba Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, for arraignment for assault. The lawmaker is expected to be arraigned on one-count charge of assault today.

The police filed criminal charge against Abbo for assaulting a nursing mother at an adult sex toy shop in Abuja earlier this year. The Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory Police Command, Bala Ciroma, confirmed that Abbo had been taken to the court. He said, “They (police officers) have taken him to the Zuba Magistrate court for arraignment. They are on their way now.” It was gathered that Police detectives had established a prima facie case against the People’s Democratic Party lawmaker representing Adamawa North Senatorial District in National Assembly.

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command had interrogated the lawmaker last Thursday and subsequently detained him for less 24 hours.

By : Emeji Noble

Four Incredible players of 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup

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Four Incredible players of 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup has come to an exciting and thrilling end with the defending Champions, USA retaining their title after beating Netherlands 2-0 at the Lyon Stadium, central-eastern France.

Here is to shine a light on these four incredible footballers who made a huge impact on the entire tournament of which three were tremendous in helping their teams get to the finals.

1. Megan Rapinoe (USA)

Striker and captain of the USA team, Megan Rapinoe is the winner of FIFA Women’s World Cup Golden Boot. Her goal via a penalty kick in the 61st minute helped her side beat the Netherlands 2-0.

With that goal, the 34-year-old Rapinoe finished the tournament with six goals and three assists. Rapinoe also won the Golden Ball, awarded to the tournament’s Best Player.

The baller led her team in tough wins against both Spain and host France before helping to win against Netherlands. Little wonder she was given a hero-like reception by the 57,900 crowd when she stepped up to receive her awards.

Since beginning her professional career in 2009, Rapinoe played on women’s national teams that won the World Cup in 2015 and again in 2019. She also has an Olympic gold medal in her trophy case.

Rapinoe scored her first goal of the tournament in the 13-0 thrashing of Thailand in USA’s Group F opener.

2. Alex Morgan (USA)

Like her team-mate Rapinoe, Alex Morgan also scored six goals and provided three assists in France, but Rapinoe took the award on minutes per goal (428 to 490).

Morgan who co-captained USA team won the tournament’s Silver boot.

Morgan plays professionally as a forward for Orlando Pride in the US National Women’s Soccer League.

Morgan opened her scoring for the tournament by splashing 5 goals in the 13-0 thrashing of Thailand in USA’s Group F opener.

3. Sari van Veenendaal (Netherlands)

Sari van Veenendaal is the winner of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Golden Glove which is handed to the best goalkeeper. She put up superb displays for the Netherlands side that finished runners-up in the tournament.

Sari kept clean sheets by conceiving no goals in the knockout stages against Sweden and Italy, as well as in the opening group-stage match against New Zealand.

The experienced stopper caught the eyes of many in the World Cup final on Sunday, making numerous saves in the first half to keep the United States at bay.

The 29-year-old is already leaving Arsenal after four years at the club to a yet to be confirmed club. With her series of impressive performances on the international stage, this summer will certainly put her on a good spot for an attractive contract.

4. Lucy Bronze (England)

England’s defender, Lucy Bronze finished runner-up to Rapinoe, earning the Silver Ball award of the tournament.

Bronze starred for England at right-back, playing every minute in all seven matches, as the Lionesses reached the semi-finals for the second consecutive World Cup, but she was pipped to the Golden Ball award by USA’s Megan Rapinoe, who was on the scorehseet as USA beat Netherlands 2-0 in Sunday’s final to retain their World Cup crown.

England lost the third place match to Sweden on 2-1.

Bronze wrote on Twitter that she is “humbled” to receive the award, even if it was not the one she wanted.

5. Jill Ellis (Coach, USA)

Jill Ellis is the head coach of the United States women’s team and is the development director of the United States Soccer Federation.

Although Jill is not a player in this tournament, shining a light on the woman that coached the USA team to win the 2019 World Cup is deserving. She deserves the accolades.

Delta CP To Meet With BEDC And Protest Organisers

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Delta CP To Meet With BEDC And Protest Organisers

[dropcap]F[/dropcap]ollowing a planned peaceful protest by residents of Asaba and neighbouring communities being spare headed by the Young Nigerians Rights Organization over epileptic power supply and other sharp practices by the BEDC, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Adeyinka Adele, has scheduled a meeting with both parties in his office in Asaba.

The meeting will hold on Monday ( tomorrow ) at the Police Headquarters on Okpanam Road at 12noon. The CP has asked that journalists be present at the meeting to ensure transparent, fair and credible deliberations.

The Young Nigerians Rights Organization says it is committed to fighting injustice and oppression of any kind and the untold hardship brought upon the people by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company BEDC is not an exception.

PRESS CONFERENCE BY DISTINGUISHED SENATOR PETER NWAOBOSHI ON SUNDAY, 7TH OF JULY, 2019

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[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he attention of the Distinguished Senator Peter Nwaoboshi has been drawn to online publications purportedly to be court order on forfeiture of his properties and bank accounts and has deemed it necessary as a law-abiding citizen to address his constituents, Nigerians and the world.

In unequivocal terms, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi (herein after referred to as SPON) has no 22 bank accounts neither does he OPERATE 22 bank accounts even though there’s no law in the Federal Republic of Nigeria that forbids such. In fact, of the 22 bank accounts purportedly published to be forfeited, more than half belong to companies he has no interest in. SPON described the actions of Okoi Obono-Obla as rascal, scandalous and a deliberate attempt to tarnish his good image before his constituents, Nigerians and the world in a calculated attempt to please his paymaster, Ned Nwoko.

SPON described Okoi Obono-Obla as a failure during his days in the law school while also challenging him to publish the names of shareholders of the companies whose accounts were purported to belong to him.

On the issue of properties, SPON made reference to an Asaba High Court judgement delivered by Justice Okon Abang where a delivered was delivered on the ownership of Summing Electrical Company Nigeria Ltd. In the judgement delivered by justice Okon Abang. SPON further submitted that the petition from the above judgement is what Okoi Obono-Obla hinges his rascality just to please Ned Nwoko whom he defeated both in the Primary Election of Delta North Senatorial District and the Court of Appeal.

SPON further disclosed that every sense of reasoning demands that Okoi Obono-Obla ought to approach the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to reveal directors and stakeholders of the companies listed as well as banking institutions to verify the true signatories of bank accounts.

Speaking further on the 22 bank accounts, SPON submitted that twelve (12) of those accounts belongs to companies he has no interest in. Of the remaining ten accounts, five (5) accounts have been dormant in the last ten years – facts Okoi Obono-Obla would not reveal to Nigerians. In fact, SPON further disclosed that one of the accounts published by the Court is a salary account where all his salaries and emoluments are domiciled. In fact, another of the account is an estscode account which every serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is entitled to. SPON further challenged Okoi Obono-Obla and the SPIP to publish the cumulative balances in all of the listed accounts.

Narrating the rascality of Okoi Obono-Obla and his desperate attempt to please Ned Nwoko, SPON revealed how his Abuja home was ransacked by men of the SPIP, stormed the National Assembly complex in a commando manner, laid siege at a hotel in Abuja and even arrested and harassed one of his Aides in an attempt to prevent him from being sworn-in as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Whilst addressing the pressmen, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi made reference to a court injuction from an Abuja High Court on the 10th of June which was served Okoi Obono-Obla, the Inspector-General of Police and published on the 12th of June barring the agency or any of their associates from harassing him and to maintain status quo ante from 31st of May, 2019 pending when the suit before the Court has been substantively determined even as it was further revealed that Okoi Obono-Obla never revealed these facts in the Court.

Similarly, SPON deposited that the so-called Chief Legal Officer in the office of the Attorney General of the federation who purportedly signed the legal documents on the alleged court order was an impostor who’s not even a staff of the the Ministry of Justice and promised to take legal actions against such.

Finally, SPON expressed his readiness to approach the court and have the order fraudulently obtained by Okoi Obono-Obla vacated.

Quizzed as to whether his open support for the emergence of Senator Ahmad Lawan as Senate President was for his political ‘sins’ to be swept under the carpet as has been muted in some quarters, SPON submitted categorically that he was more interested in an efficient and effective Senate of the 9th Assembly and openly supported the emergence of Senator Ahmad Lawan because, of all the contestants then, only Senator Lawan, base on experience in the National Assembly, has all what it takes to drive the Senate forward. SPON went further to narrate how he openly endorsed the emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki as the President of the 8th Assembly and his actions where justified following sterling performance by Senator Bukola Saraki.

Asked whether if his political persecution might have some backing from any quarter especially within Delta State, SPON affirmed that he has no reasons whatsoever to harbor such in mind. He described himself as one of the pioneer leaders of the party in the state, having served as the pioneer secretary of the party and later became the party’s chairman in Delta State. SPON also submitted that he has served the Delta State Government in various capacities starting from the old Bendel State and will continue to be a proud PDP stalwart.

Owelle Awele Onokwai Snr

Media Aide To Distinguished Senator Peter Nwaoboshi

Why PDP Suspend Elumelu, Ikpeazu, Others

Grassroots Newspapers Publishers Network
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Why PDP Suspend Elumelu, Ikpeazu, Others

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Peoples Democratic Party has suspended seven of its members in the House of Representatives for one month. The suspension notice was contained in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, who said the decision was reached after a meeting of the National Working Committee of the party.

Those suspended were Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, Hon. Wole Oke, Hon. Lynda Ikpeazu, Hon. Anayo Edwin, Hon. Gideon Gwadi, Hon. Toby Okechukwu and Hon. Adekoya Abdul-Majid.

They were suspended for their roles in the crisis rocking the House of representatives over the choice of Minority Leaders.

While the PDP sent the name of Kingsley Chinda from Rivers State as the Minority Leader, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, announced Elumelu for the position. The PDP kicked against this, but the Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, Senator Walid Jibrin, backed Elumelu against the party.

The PDP then summoned Elumelu and the others for a meeting over the issue.

Ologbondiyan said in the statement on Friday: “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) met today, the 5th of July 2019 and reviewed issues surrounding the Minority Leadership of the House of Representatives.

“The Party noted the roles played by the under-listed members which resulted in the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, reading another list for Minority Leadership of the House other than the list submitted to him by our party, the PDP.”

Ologbondiyan who went ahead to list the names of the suspended members, added that after preliminary examination by the NWC, it was evident that the roles played by the affected Reps bordered on indiscipline, insubordination and disobedience of party directives contrary to Section 58 (1)(b)(c)(f)(h) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017), which provides that: “Subject to the provision of this Constitution, the Party shall have power to discipline any member who says or does anything likely to bring the party into disrepute, hatred or contempt; disobeys or neglects to carry out lawful directives of the party or any organ or officer of the party; engages in anti-party activities; or engages in any conduct likely to cause disaffection among members of the party or is likely to disrupt the peaceful, lawful and efficient conduct of the business of the party.”

He said: “Consequent upon this, the above mentioned members of our party are hereby suspended for one month and this matter is hereby referred to the National Disciplinary Committee of our party, in keeping with Section 57(3) of the PDP Constitution.”

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