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ENDLESS AGONY, AS GRIDLOCK GROUNDS LAGOS

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ENDLESS AGONY, AS GRIDLOCK GROUNDS LAGOS

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Lagos roads has become synonymous with unending traffic gridlock. Commercial activities were paralysed yesterday at Costain Roundabout, Iganmu, Ijora, Funsho Williams Avenue and other areas in Lagos Mainland, as trucks blocked highways, forcing commercial drivers to increase fares by 100 per cent.

The Grassroots Publishers reports that it was bedlam, especially at Iganmu, as articulated vehicle operators and other motorists drove against traffic, causing logjam. Lagos, Nigeria’s economic hub, has experienced traffic chaos in recent years, caused by lawlessness on highways and an apparent inability of traffic managers to enforce rules to check lawlessness.Analysts have blamed the situation on what they describe as poor governance in a mega city dotted by poor roads and bubbling with human activities.

Speaking to our reporter on the gridlock, some commuters lamented the inability of the Lagos State Government to find a solution to the problem.A commercial motorist, Okorie Offor, described driving from Costain to Orile as a nightmare because of motorists driving against traffic.

“I’m sick and tired of Lagos. Do we still have a government in this state?’’, he asked as hoodlums, popularly called area boys, extorted money from him to allow him passage.“I don’t like driving against traffic because sometimes it can be fatal, but with no other road to my destination, I’m forced to do so,” Ajayi said.

Another motorist, lsmaila Ahmadu, who plies the Ojuelegba to ljora highway route, said the gridlock had ruined the business of many commercial motorists because their daily trips had been reduced.

“My tricycle is on hire purchase. I have to pay to own it, but with this gridlock, I don’t know what to do.“I am tired of this hardship.”A transporter, Mr. Femi Oke, said he endured a long wait at Ojota bus stop in her bid to get a bus going to Orile.“I woke up around 5am to buy food stuff from mile 12. Going home is now difficult because transporters are breaking the journey to collect double fare,’’ she said.

A truck driver, who simply gave his name as Danjuma, told Grassroots Publishers that truck drivers resorted to blocking the roads because traffic managers were forcing them out of Lagos bridges.
“Traffic managers have gone tough on us. They chased us from parking on the bridges and since we have no alternative, we have to park in the middle of the road.”

Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) Chief Executive Officer Mr. Chris Olakpe said the agency was on top of the situation.He said it had been working hard to tackle the gridlock.

2019: Obasanjo storms Delta, endorses Okowa for second term

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2019: Obasanjo storms Delta, endorses Okowa for second term

[dropcap]A[/dropcap] former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, has urged Deltans to give Governor Ifeanyi Okowa the opportunity to continue with his good works in the state by voting for him in 2019.

Mr Obasanjo made the call on Monday while commissioning series of landmark projects executed by Mr Okowa’s administration in the state. Some of the projects commissioned include the dualised old Lagos/Asaba road, from Emuhu junction to Agbor-Obi junction, the dualised Owei-Ekei/Owa-Alero road, from old Lagos/Asaba road to Owa-Alero roundabout and the main bowl of the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.

“As an elder statesman, whatever I see and heard, my mouth will talk about; where I came from, we are always looking for good things and when we have good things, we hold on to it; when you have good leaders, hold on to them; this governor (Ifeanyi Okowa) from what I have seen and from what I have heard, he is a good product and when you have a good product, you don’t throw it away, I know that this governor is a good governor, I will hold on to him because he has started well and we must give him the opportunity to consolidate on his good works,” Chief Obasanjo said at the commissioning of Owa-Ekei/Owa-Alero road.

He emphasised, “the people of Delta State should not throw away a good product, better make good use of the opportunity you have, Governor Okowa is my brother, the performing Governor of Delta State and he is following with good steps.”

Also, at the commissioning of old Lagos/Asaba road, Agbor, the former President reiterated, “I want to congratulate all of you in Delta State for the progress you have achieved, we should continue to achieve progress through what God has given to us through the instrumentality of Governor Okowa.”

“I am from the part of the world where if you have a good thing, you don’t change it; because the known is better, you don’t change the known for the unknown, and Governor Okowa is the known and he is working,” Chief Obasanjo said.

Governor Okowa in his speech thanked the former president for coming to the state to commission projects, disclosing that the projects executed by his administration dot different parts of Delta State including riverine communities that were described as difficult terrains before his emergence as Governor.

The Chairman of Delta State Traditional Rulers Council who is also, the Obi of Owa, Emmanuel Efeizomor, had thanked former President Obasanjo for coming to the state to commission projects, stating, “our son, Governor Okowa has done very well, it is a fact that all the governors that ruled Delta State did two terms, Governor Okowa cannot be an exception, we should rally round him for him to complete eight years as Governor,” he stated.

The Chairman of Ika South Local Government Area, Victor Okoh, and his counterpart in Ika North-East Local Government Area, Victor Ebonka, observed that Governor Okowa has done very well to touch the lives of the people positively.

N30,000 Minimum wage: Buhari, governors’ meeting deadlock

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N30,000 Minimum wage: Buhari, governors’ meeting deadlock
Buhari with the governors in Abuja on Monday

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian Governor’s Forum, NGF, to resolve the raging dispute over the proposed N30,000 National Minimum Wage ended in a deadlock on Monday in Abuja.The meeting took place at the Presidential Villa. The Chairman of the NGF, and Governor of Zamfara State, Mr Abdulazeez Yari, led a smaller team of governors to the meeting to speak for the Forum.

Those at the meeting included Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode; Kebbi State Governor, Mr Atiku Bagudu; and the Enugu State Governor, Mr Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. Punch reports that the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, was also at the meeting.

The 36 state governors had recently taken a position that they could only afford to pay N22,500 as the new minimum wage.

They had also stated that the other options were for them to reduce their workforce or the Federal Government would have to review the revenue sharing formula to make more money available to the states.The Ekiti State Governor, Mr Kayode Fayemi, is one of the key proponents of a revenue formula review.Signs of a deadlock at the meeting was noticed when the governors emerged wearing long faces and refused to formally address State House correspondents.

One after another, Yari and his colleagues declined to talk.

Similarly, the President’s Media Office, which earlier promised to brief reporters on the outcome of the meeting, also kept mum after the meeting.As of the time of filing this report, the media office had yet to respond to any inquiries.

However, findings indicated that pressure was put on the governors to move up to N24,000, a middle course the federal government was said to be disposed to as the New Mininmum Wage, according to Punch.

Abuja 2019 : My declaration will spell doom for all rivals-Hon. Austin Ekene Ituwe

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Abuja 2019 : My declaration will spell doom for all rivals-Hon. Austin Ekene Ituwe

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]f humans are truly fair to what comes from their mouths about Austin Ekene Ituwe’s (a.k.a Baba-Rere) humanitarian gesture, the hope of those trying to fake reality to get support in fulfilling their political aspirations, are definitely sealed up ahead of the 2019 elections.On the other hand,if winning elections are based on passion to curb hunger, thirst and practical demonstration of love for development, love for others and doing good with one’s hard earn resources, Austin Ekene Ituwe’s simply has no rival within and outside as his humanitarian lifestyle spells doom for all his rivals’desperation.
Perhaps, a man’s hunger and thirst for making a difference or adding value to the lives of people,is not largely measured on the basis of his privileges and access to power, control, possession or linkage to governmental finance base, but his actions with the little he has. The later is typical of Austin Ekene Ituwe’s being a fanatic of the dictum, “it pays to be good”.Before stepping into the House of Representative contestation upon plea by the people, a careful analysis of his lifestyle, evidently shows that, doing good and being good are natural qualities that have kept him on constant check in his inter relationship which internally propels him to ensuring that smiles are put in the faces and hearts of those around as well as those who come in contact with him. This no doubt, earned him respect and love of the people as a man after their heart.
Beside his push by the people to join the 2019 House of Representative contest and rescue the good people of Osodi/ Osolo constituency II from bad representation, the name Austin Ekene Ituwe rings bell in the light of well doing, hence, to very many, “Austin Ekene Ituwe” is synonymous with kindness, humility and good doing.To others, he is a symbol of love, affection and kindness. From the growing mass support he enjoys from the day of his call by his people, his acceptance and up till now, its a conviction that, no man forces himself to be loved or wins his way into the hearts of men. Following his unconditional free -handedness, cheerful giving, care and concern for development dating to his days of little beginning until now, widows, the aged and grassroots people across the constituency have in addition, nourished his House of Representative quest with praise and prayers to succeed and to expand his scope of love through effective and purposeful representation. In this interview with Grassroots Publishers, a unionist and Entrepreneur and also House of Representatives aspirant, Austin Ekene Ituwe, explains why he is in the race.

Excerpt:

Can we meet you sir?

My name is Austin Ekene Ituwe (a.k.a Baba-Rere). I hail from DeltaState but was born and brought up in Lagos State. I have lived almost all my life in Lagos, so I can as well say I am from Lagos state.After my primary and secondary education, I proceeded for my first degree program all in Lagos and after which I went for myMasters Degree program at Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso where Istudied Information Technology. I also have HND in ElectricalElectronics (Telecom option). Sequence to now i worked with a multinational company called S.C Johnson as- Improvement Engineer and an Entrepreneur too.

You seem to have interest in politics. What really encouraged you?

Yes, you have said it right. I have interest in politics because I have come to realize that “Politics is a dirty game” as always said by many Nigerians most times does not play out as said because we still have genuine and Godly personalities who are into politics in this country. That has encouraged me to succumb to my people’s plea to represent them in the Green Chamber. You see, in politics, the first principle of unalienable rights recognizes that everyone is naturally endowed by the creator with certain rights that cannot be infringed or given away. Amongst these rights are life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. A politician is involved in influencing public policy and making decision in government. He is concentrated voice of the people that make all efforts to improve his constituency and peoples’ welfare; someone who considers himself as a servant and people his paymaster. This is how I see politics and these are my watchwords. I can now say that I am a politician because I have come to see how I can add value to my constituents.

Sir, back to your political ambition, on which platform are you contesting the election?

I am contesting under the platform of Providence People’s Congress (PPC).

Sir, Is PPC visible in Lagos State?

Yes it is. I can assure you that PPC is visible.

Does PPC have the capacity to dislodge the APC?

The PPC has the capacity politically to dislodge the APC or any other political party in a free and fair contest. It also has the capacity to bring the of dividends of democracy to our grassroots people.

Sir, Which position are you contesting?

I am interested in the House of Representatives for two reasons: One is that it is the more vibrant of the two chambers in the National Assembly. This is in tune with my own orientation as a trade unionist,a freedom fighter and Human right crusader. I realised that it is in the House of Representatives that people express themselves most and it affords you the opportunity to meet and network with fellow Nigerians from various backgrounds and competencies and also across gender as well as age groups.That is where the strategic population is also concentrated because that’s where you have the youngest people with multi-disciplinary backgrounds, exuding energy and knowledge on how the country could be properly governed. As I said earlier, I am Providence Peoples’Congress (PPC) candidate vying for seat in the House of Representative for Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II in the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

Sir, you really hammered on encouragement. Can you throw more light on that?

By encouragement, I mean that my people’s plea and pressure to represent them in the Federal House of Representative has become a thing of honour to me. That inspired my aspiration; I never knew that they have been monitoring my activities and lifestyle. Even when some stakeholders from the ruling party, SDP and PDP told me of their intention for sponsorship because of my antecedents, I was shocked and dumbfounded. These are my source of courage. Though during my school days, I have had the opportunity to represent the students as the President of Students Union Government but I felt that was a small office to hold as at that time but I have always come to realize that each time there is need to proffer solutions to some issues, they always resort to me for advise and solution. I never took note of that until I got into the industry; I was approached by my HR to be the President of our Trade Union as at that time. I felt I was just a junior staff and cannot be in control of senior staff in the office.
But after much persuasion, I took up the task and after four years unknown to me; I recorded tremendous transformations in the union. My distinguished and glowing performance while at the industry made the staff to change my name from Austin to “Baba Rere”. So, these antecedents and more are what I want to offer to my people and I promise not let them down if elected.

As we all know that election in Nigeria is an expensive venture, how prepared are you financially?

By the grace of God, I am well prepared. I thank God I am not a pauper. As I told you earlier, my coming into politics was through the efforts of my constituents. In my constituency, I have people who cut across parties like PDP, APC, professionals, and Intellectuals, who have what it takes to sponsor this agenda financially. As I speak now, I am almost 100% financially ready to kick-start my campaigns because I know the caliber of people who are supporting for this race.

What agenda do you have for your people?

Over time, this constituency has had poor representation and the people have not benefitted from the dividends of democracy. That is why I have come to change the order of this representation in a democratic way. In this constituency, we cannot boost of tangible projects done in this constituency. I want to assure you that I will change the system of representation and bring the democratic system into play. I won’t start mentioning my agendas one after another but one thing I believe is that action speaks louder than voice. One major problem this constituency has is erosion because I have gone round and seen that most of these link roads have been washed off by erosion and the representative we have has done nothing about them. This is one of the reasons why I solicit for my people’s vote to enable them enjoy the dividends of democracy.

What is your message to your people?

My message to the people of the constituency to continue to toe the line of peace, remain calm and focused throughout the election campaign. I promised that if given the mandate by the good people of Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II, I will initiate policies and programmes that will put smiles on the faces of the people of my constituency The youths should desist from election thuggery and avoid anything that will lead them into crime. I also sincerely urge them to troop out in their large numbers in the forthcoming 2019 general elections to vote for their candidate under Providence Peoples’ Congress, (PPC) for the Federal House of Representative for quality representation and better health, youths empowerment and town hall meetings. Let’s join hands to build our constituency.

By: Grassroots Publishers

SAHCO, Arik Air renew handling contract

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SAHCO, Arik Air renew handling contract
L-R: Mrs Boma Ukwunna, Executive Director, Cargo Services and Operations, Skyway Aviation Handling Company PLC (SAHCO); Mr Olaniyi Adigun, Executive Director, Sales and Marketing (SAHCO); Mr Basil Agboarumi, Managing Director/CEO, SAHCO; Captain Roy Ilegbodu, Managing Director, Arik Air; Mr Ayodeji Ilesanmi, Chief Finance Officer, Arik Air; Mr Murat Ozkan, Vice resident,Operations and Customer Services,Arik Air.

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Managing Director/CEO, SAHCO, Mr. Basil Agboarumi, during the renewal of ground handling service agreement with Arik Air at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos promised to deliver quality and improved ground handling services to all its clientele across the nation’s airports especially as it acquires more state-of-the-art equipment for operations.

Basil disclosed that some new ground handling equipment of the company would in the next few weeks arrive the country, saying that this would further improve the quality of its service to its clients, including Arik Air.

According to him, since the company was acquired by Sifax Group of Companies about nine years ago, the board had strived to improve the quality of services to its clients, stressing it would continue to grow its services especially as the company is enlisted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

On the renewed agreement with Arik Air, Agboarumi emphasised that it portends endorsement and credibility on the services of the ground handling company. The agreement was renewed for another three years.

He said: “Today is unique for SAHCO. The Initial Public Offering (IPO) for SAHCO begins today (Monday) and we are signing this contract with Arik Air. Arik Air has been with SAHCO for several years and we have witnessed the growth of the company over the years.

“We are happy that the new management has established the airline on the right path. Arik Air is a good company to do business with. We are very proud to associate with the airline. Wherever Arik Air is mentioned, we will stand up for you. We have new equipment coming in. Some of them are on the high seas, while others are with us here already in the country.

“We have warehouses in Port Harcourt, Kano, Lagos and Abuja and we are ready to build warehouses wherever they are needed. You have to understand that we are business people. If there is need for business expansion to any airport in the country, we will not hesitate to do that. Not just in Enugu, but across Nigeria. As long as business is expanding to those sides, you will see SAHCO there.

“You will understand that we are the only ground handling company that operates in all commercially operated airports in Nigeria. So, when it comes to warehouses and we are sure that it will be utilised to the fullest capacity, we will be there.”

Also, the Vice President, Ground Operations, Arik Air, Mr. Murat Ozcan, expressed excitement with the renewed agreement with the ground handling company.

Ozcan also said that the airline had for the past five years developed a mutual relationship with SAHCO.

He explained that the renewed agreement would run for three years, adding that the management would be willing to constantly renew its contracts with the ground handling company.

He posited that equipment of SAHCO had improved over the years and urged the management to constantly invest in state-of-the-art equipment.

“We have a very long standing relationship with SAHCO and they have always been there for Arik Airlines. For the past five years, we have had a very great experience with them and I am happy to say that we have signed for another three years for SAHCO to provide ground handling assistance for our networks.

“It is a very happy day for us and we will be looking forward to work with them for the next three years as well as many more years to come.”

SAHCO is an Aviation Ground Handling company, offering services in Passenger Handling, Ramp Handling, Cargo Handling and Warehousing, Aviation Security, Baggage Reconciliation, Crew Bus and Executive Lounge Services and other related Ground Handling Services.

FG lose billions of Naira in accruable customs duty due to the parlous state of the Lagos-Badagry-Seme Express way

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FG lose billions of Naira in accruable customs duty due to the parlous state of the Lagos-Badagry-Seme Express way

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Federal Government of Nigeria will continually lose billions of Naira in accruable customs duty due to the parlous state of the Lagos-Badagry-Seme Express way. A top customs agent, Dr. Emma Oparah stated this in an interview with Grassroots Publishers in Lagos.

He also attributed the very low cargo trade in the Badagry-Seme Border Customs zone to government’s heavy taxes and severe devaluation of the Naira while describing the Lagos-Seme-Benin Republic expressway as the most dilapidated road linking two countries in Africa.

Oparah, once the Chairman of Seme Chapter of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) noted  that the Federal Government had become unbelievable and inconsistent when it rubbished all the tenets of the ECOWAS Treaty by placing a ban on virtually every commercial product traded between Nigeria and other West African countries and which passed through the Seme border.

”It is the Nigerian Government that is the number one signatory to the ECOWAS Trade Treaties which essentially encourage free movement of goods between the countries of the sub-region. But it is the same Nigerian Government that placed a ban on all import and export goods thereby killing the last vestiges of any sort of relationship with these neighbours,” noted Oparah.

The ANLCA chieftain said Nigeria’s self destruct by over devaluing its Naira such that what used to exchange at a hundred Naira to a thousand CEFA now exchanges at N610 to 1000 CEFA. This, he said, had tilted the balance of trade in favour of the Beninoise but nonetheless  discouraged import or export by either side.

Speaking further, Oparah rued the alleged petty ego tiff between the incumbent governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and his immediate predecessor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola who is now the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, which has reportedly led to the abandonment of the reconstruction of the Lagos-Seme expressway.

According to Dr. Oparah, ”we were told that Governor Ambode proposed to the Federal Government to allow him to take over the repair of the road, but the Federal Ministry of Works said No.  Even the so called ECOWAS-FG partnership has not worked. It is sad that ECOWAS were reluctant to release their counterpart funds for the road to Nigeria. We hear all this but don’t know which to believe.”

The erstwhile ANLCA Secretary General declared that because of the bad road many truck drivers had lost their lives in accidents, many importers had quit the routes while both licensed customs agents and the Customs had lost billions of Naira as potentially accruable revenues to the command.

Oparah was distraught by the Federal Government inability to solve what he called easily surmountable problems which bad roads and truck traffic gridlock represented. ”Who would have believed that roads leading to Apapa and Tin Can ports could collapse this much? Look at truck line up everywhere. This is a thing that can easily be solved, but not this government.”

Speaking in a similar vein, Seme Chapter Chairman of ANLCA Alhaji Lasisi Fano advised the Federal Government to lift the ban on importation of vehicles through the borders to stem a loss of much needed revenues running into billions of Naira monthly.

”The ban on vehicle importation through the border has made life very difficult for thousands of our members, even the customs find it difficult to meet target, they work extra hard, under very difficult situations to meet duty target. They could do better. For instance, sadly, a member dropped dead only yesterday, and why, stress and difficulties caused it,” explained Lasisi.

The Chairman wondered why the Federal Government could be so unconcerned about the parlous state of the Lagos-Seme road while, ironically, expects billions as generated customs duty from Seme Customs. ”It is as if Badagry zone is not part of Nigeria any more. The road is worse than a gutter and laden trucks fall there every day. A road that one should normally ply in thirty minutes now takes six hours. All efforts we made including advert in the media – radio, newspaper have not yielded any result. The government is unconcerned. But we will not give up. I will liaise with the ANLCA national and come up with another line of action,” lamented Lasisi.

In his reaction, the Public Relations Officer of Badagry Customs Command, Siadu told newsmen that the bad state of the road posed a great challenge to trade facilitation ”but nonetheless the Controller and his able team have been creative and resourceful enough  to achieve set target in line with the vision of the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali.”

NLC: Vote out governors against new national minimum

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NLC: Vote out governors against new national minimum

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged electorate in the country to vote out en masse any governor that does not approve of the new agitated national minimum wage of N30, 000 monthly. This position was canvassed over the weekend at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos by Comrade Amaechi Asugwuni, the Vice President of the union during the inauguration of the new National Administrative Council (NAC) of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE).

Asugwuni insisted that the electorate had the power to vote out such governors in the forthcoming general elections in 2019 and urged them to use their power for such. He insisted that there was no reason for governors not to pay the new minimum wage as soon as all processes had been concluded.

According to him, some governors had officially written to the NLC that they would implement the new minimum wage as soon as it went through the required processes, stressing that no governor should decline the payment of such amount of money to its workers monthly.

He said: “I am telling Nigerians that any governor that undermined the payment of minimum wage should be voted out. They are hiding under the governors’ forum not to pay, but they have confirmed to us and written us that they can pay the minimum wage.

“N30, 000 is not even the money that can take anybody home. The President as a matter of urgency should transmit that minimum wage document to the National Assembly.”

Asugwuni declared that there was no going back on the new minimum wage and urged workers to gear up for the great battle ahead in order to ensure that the struggle continued without hindrance should any of the governors or even the presidency refused to pay. He called on the newly inaugurated executive of NUATE to put their house in order and forge ahead, saying, that the aviation industry remained one of the strongest affiliates of the NLC hence the president of the NLC visited the new NUATE President within a month after election.

Asugwuni said he had confidence in the new executive to ensure that the welfare of workers in the aviation sector remained paramount and urged that everybody be carried along in decision making.

He noted that some unions after elections would disintegrate, but noted that NUATE had remained stronger after the election, indicating that there was unity among them.

The NLC boss urged all the elected officers to continue to work with the president as he alone could not steer the leadership of the union to greater heights without the cooperation of all.

Comrade Ben Nnabue, the new President of NUATE, responding after the inauguration, promised to carry everybody along by remaining focus in executing his programmes.

Nnabue assured that no worker would be allowed to be victimised by the management under his regime and warned that issues affecting members would be handled with utmost care.

He remarked that with the inauguration of NUATE NAC that the union was set to commence action on its activities.

While thanking the NLC Vice President for honouring the invitation, he assured that the executive would strive to play according to the rules, insisted that the new excos would not betray the confidence reposed on them.He also urged all workers to cooperate with the new team in order to lift the aviation industry and the union up.

Okowa’s $25000 Eagles Reward: Delta PDP Replies APC: “Your Statement Is A Case Of Sour Grapes”

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Okowa’s $25000 Eagles Reward: Delta PDP Replies APC: “Your Statement Is A Case Of Sour Grapes”

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Delta State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has taken the Delta State chapter of APC to the cleaners over their criticism of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa cash reward to the Super Eagles, saying that a confused, scattered and disorganised party like APC, deserved no response.

PDP State Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ifeanyi Michael Osuoza in a statement on Sunday, said that “silence is the best answer for people whose penchant for tom-foolery and provocation is well known”.

He said that for the seek of the reading public, the Press Statement by Barr. Sylvester Imonina, APC Publicity Secretary is not only foolhardy, unpatriotic and sadly unnecessary but diversionary.

Osuoza said that it was uncharitable, uninformed, unpatriotic and sadly unnecessary and diversionary, for APC to launch attack against Okowa at a time when Nigerians are celebrating the joyful accomplishment of Super Eagles for qualifying to participate in the 2019 African Cup of Nations tournament in Cameroun.

He however likened the APC statement as a case of “Sour grapes,” given the very fact that the wonderful feat of the Super Eagles was achieved with the considerable contributions of Governor Okowa.

He said that the wonderful feat achieved by the Super Eagles was accomplished by Governor Okowa, who displayed admirable national patriotism.

According to him, Governor Okowa, besides providing the ultra-modern, state-of-the-art Stephen Keshi International stadium in Delta State as preparation camp and home for the Super Eagles, equally provided the great incentive of cash reward for each goal scored, which according to him, “no doubt motivated the boys, as was obvious in their play for those who watched the game, to a well-deserved result and ultimate qualification for the AFCON 2019”.

The PDP image maker said that it is a shame that the Delta APC is actually challenging a contribution, which has brought pride and praise to the inept, unfocused and retrogressive APC-led Federal Government.

The statement however said that the position of Delta APC is no doubt “a clear reflection of the anti-people, anti-Nigerian policy of the APC; a party that does not want to see Nigerians happy and has done everything to make our people suffer in poverty, sadness and unhappiness to the point that they will even quarrel with the victory of our Super Eagles”.

“Something must be wrong with a political party which does not see anything good in what others have done but will choose to criticize unnecessarily because it wants to be heard always, the statement added.

The statement further queried why the unflinching commitment of Governor Okowa to support the effort of the National team should be an issue for criticism for Delta APC.

“The Super Eagles scored only one goal in the match against South Africa, which means that they will get N10,000,000 according to the APC calculation. The question we want to ask Deltans is this: Is N10million too much to give to our National team for the glory and happiness they have brought for Nigeria and Nigerians?

“Lest we even forget, our Delta son Amaju Pinnick is the Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF and some of our Delta sons are shinning stars in the Super Eagles squad, so has Governor Okowa done wrong or “committed squandermania” by supporting our own to achieve this national victory?

“And as for the issue of N30,000 minimum wage, Governor Okowa has pledged that he will address the matter appropriately when we get to that bridge. But suffice it to note that Delta State is only one of the few States in the country that has continued to pay salaries regularly and up to date and has even recently cleared the huge inherited backlog of salaries owed to Local Government workers.

“The Delta PDP is quite happy to note that the Delta State APC has in their own words urged “Deltans to dust their PVCs in preparation for sacking a government that does not think of their welfare/interest, but the interest of few persons in the corridor of power”.

“This is exactly what the Buhari and APC government represent for Nigerians and Deltans will not only sack them in the 2019 elections, but will make sure that the PDP and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa achieve landslide victory over a confused, scattered and disorganised party like APC, which cannot even put its own house in order and yet want to bring their lies, confusion and misinformation to government”.

NFF President Hails FIFA Approval Of Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba For Int’l Matches

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NFF President Hails FIFA Approval Of Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba For Int’l Matches

[dropcap]P[/dropcap]resident of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr Pinnick Amaju has commended FIFA for the approval of the Stephen Keshi Stadium for international football championship, adding that it was also a thing of pride for the Super Eagles to travel through the Asaba International Airport.

“When it was announced yesterday (Saturday) that we are boarding and flying to Asaba, it gave me great joy, it shows that God rules supreme in Delta State, we have qualified for AFCON and we are going to Cameroon to make great impact,” Mr Amaju said.

He however said, “on behalf of NFF, I thank the Governor and the good people of Delta State for their show of enthusiasm since the Super Eagles came, that stadium is wonderful and the Super Eagles will beat Uganda in their friendly match, remember that the Ugandan Team has also qualified for AFCON.”

Special Project Director of Asaba International Airport, Chief Austin Ayemidejor, in an encounter, said, “I feel excited, we give God the glory for using the Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa to achieve this great fit; what is more important is that we have been upgraded to Category C airport, which allows bigger aircraft to land.”

Meanwhile, Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has described the first international flight into the Asaba International Airport as momentous as it brought back the Super Eagles from south Africa after qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The Governor spoke Sunday morning while receiving the Super Eagles on arrival at the Asaba International Airport after their qualifying match for AFCON with the Bafana Bafana football club of South Africa.

Okowa who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Tam Brisibe, stated, “this is momentous bearing in mind that the flight successfully took the Super Eagles to South Africa and came back without hitches.”

“It is more gratifying to note that the Super Eagles trained at the Stephen Keshi Stadium before leaving for South Africa through the Asaba Airport; they went to South Africa and qualified for Cameroon 2019,” the governor said.

He added, “the principal thing was qualifying for Cameroon and by God’s grace, we have qualified for AFCON, we congratulate the Super Eagles for making Nigeria proud.”

2019: Group drums support for Austine Ekene Ituwe

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2019: Group drums support for Austine Ekene Ituwe

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]HE Inspired Youths, a formidable group in Oshodi/ Isolo Federal House of Representative, Constituency 2 has drummed support for the election of Austine Ekene Ituwe for the Oshodi/ Isolo Federal House of Representative, Constituency 2 seat come 2019.

Austine Ekene Ituwe: running as (PPC) Oshodi/ Isolo Federal House of Representative, Constituency 2, according to the list of cleared Federal House of Representative aspirants released ,The group who spoke through their leader,Yinka Omo, reiterated that they are prepared to mobilize thousands of their supporters who are mostly youths and women from across the Oshodi/ Isolo Federal House of Representative, Constituency 2 come 2019 elections, especially as it has to do with their representation in the lower chamber of the National Assembly.

The group said they have not felt the impact of democratic dividends for a long time, but in 2019, things will be different as they are looking forward to a quality representation with Austine Ekene Ituwe (aka Baba Rere) at the National Assembly.

They also disclosed that one of the reasons they are prepared to follow Austine Ekene Ituwe (aka Baba Rere) is that he is synonymous with excellence. “He is not only a hard worker but a master planner whom observers believe stands a better chance with the growing strength and popularity of the Providence People’s Congress(PPC) in the state.

Austine Ekene Ituwe (aka Baba Rere) commands respect amongst all the ethnic groups in Oshodi/ Isolo Constituency 2, so it will be difficult for his opponent to defeat him” she said.

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