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Senator Nwaoboshi condemns killing of Military Personnel in Delta

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Most Distinguished Senator Peter. O. Nwaoboshi(SPON)

[dropcap]M[/dropcap]ost Distinguished Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi(SPON) has condemned the gruesome murder of 16 Army personnel attached to ‘Operation Delta Safe’ in Okuama community of Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.

Reacting to the killing of the army personnel during a peace mission between two warring communities on Sunday, the Senator said the culprits must be made to face the full consequences of their actions.

In the statement signed by the SPON Media, Senator Nwaoboshi noted that the sacrifices made by the Commanding Officer and three other senior officers as well as 12 soldiers during the distressing incident would be forever remembered.

The statement extended the deepest condolences of the lawmaker to our President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, HIS EXCELLENCY Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Nigerian Army and officers and men of Operation Delta Safe – over the tragic loss of the officers

The officers are believed to have come under attack by some youths during a peace mission to Okuama Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
“Sixteen is not a small number. To think that they were on a peacekeeping mission makes it further depressing. Delta state is known for its relative peace. Such an occurrence should be the last of its kind,”Nwaoboshi said.

“Whatever led to the killings could have been handled with dialogue. These are people who defend our nation and must be accorded all the respect they deserve. This must be investigated, so we know the root cause of this sad development. The culprits must be caught and prosecuted.

Senator Nwaoboshi, passionately appealed to the Nigerian Military to temper justice with mercy, and not to embark on reprisals attacks as a result of the ugly incident. He advised against executing vengeance on the entire community, but rather they should fish out the culprits and allow the law take its course.

“I extend my condolence to the family of every soldier who lost his life.”

2024 Budget: You can’t take credit for Tinubu’s works, APC stalwart, Elueme tells Sen Nwoko

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2024 Budget: You can’t take credit for Tinubu’s works, APC stalwart, Elueme tells Sen Nwoko

[dropcap]A[/dropcap] chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Delta State Chapter, Mr Philip Elueme, has admonished the Senator representing Delta North Senatorial district, Senator Ned Nwoko to desist from seeking to take credit for what he described as a painstaking efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to expend N3.5bn vote for the Delta Senatorial district in the 2024 budget in many sectors.

The party Chieftain gave this insight in Abuja over the weekend noting that a closer perusal of the 2024 budget for the Delta North district has the imprint of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, adding that the President is conscious of the need of the people of the district saying Senator Nwoko shouldn’t feast on the budget of the APC-led administration to “mislead and misinform the now wiser constituents” who he said can not be deceived again having been represented until recently by Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, Sen Ifeanyi Okowa, late Sen Osakwe, who served without taking undue credit ingloriously. Elueme asserted: “UmuAnioma are seeing through the contradictions inherent in the current misadventure of the scheming, over hyped, Senator-do-nothing.”

With the benefits of hindsight, Elueme noted that there were unfinished jobs that his predecessors over the years were handling in the Senate that culminated in the huge sum allocated to Delta North Senatorial district in the current budget a more reason he said Senator Nwoko should give credit accordingly rather than conjure cheap credit in what he described as unnecessary self adulation.”

In his reaction to the list of projects announced to have been attracted to the district, by Senator Nwoko, Mr Elueme who has been in and out of the National Assembly cum Presidency, administratively over the years stated that: “The projects your camp published goes beyond his constituency projects to include majorly, APCs President Tinubu led Renewed agenda projects for Delta North in 2024, in the water, roads and educational sectors, etc.
“Curiously Nwoko’s media team, who are claiming that some Nigerians want Prince Ned to run for Presidency in 2027 (hence challenge President Tinubu) have been propagating the notion that Mr President and APC have little or nothing to show.

“Happily, the same false propagandists against Mr President, laughingly ‘hijacked his projects’ in Delta north as their minority PDPs member attracted cum lobbied projects, meaning that Nwoko’s camp cum party can fallaciously go ahead de-branding APC and Mr President as ineffectual.” The vociferous party leader and Anioma activist stated as he advised Senator Nwoko and his team that: “For good governance to thrive we must abide by the principles of integrity and transparency particularly when we communicate to the public’s. I am afraid that this angle by Nwoko’s camp is not acceptable within the norms of ethically oriented good governance mantra.

“Federal projects largely of President Tinubu in Delta North will not be allowed to be misappropriated, that is like falsely de-branding Mr President and his party as having done nothing for Delta northerners…it’s abysmally fraudulent and we call for a change of attitude in the above context. Nwoko should work harder to attract projects to the Constituency and exit his penchant for cheap publicity.” Elueme enthused.

Pointedly, Elueme called on Senator Nwoko to caution his handlers who he noted are eroding his integrity in their unwarranted vilification of President Tinubu arguing that: “The alter egos of APC’s President Tinubu in Delta State are the APC State Executives led by Olorogun Sobotie, RT Hon Omo Agege, APC leaders in Delta North Sen Peter Nwaoboshi, Hon Victor Ochei, Lady Madam Olejeme, Engr Hon Doris Uboh, APC reps candidate for Ndokwa Ukwuani Federal Constituency in the last election, Sir Opone, Evangelist Moses Kamaya, and all the others too numerous to mention would not allow for some elements to cast slur on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria either in the state or beyond.

“These are the owners of these APCs President Tinubu renewed agenda projects, largely spread all over Delta North. These are the APC Federal presence projects. Senator Nwoko of PDP minority will not be allowed to take over APC President Tinubu renewed agenda projects in 2024.

Prince Ned Nwoko is openly arrogating some of President Tinubu renewed agenda policy projects in Delta State to himself as if he is the President.”

Culled from Vanguard Newspaper

Nigerian Army Continues Siege On Delta Community In Search of Killers of 16 Soldiers, Set Buildings Ablaze

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Nigerian Army Continues Siege On Delta Community In Search of Killers of 16 Soldiers, Set Buildings Ablaze

[dropcap]N[/dropcap]igeria’s military on Sunday, continued their siege on Okuoma community in Ughelli South Local Government area of Delta State in search of the killers of four officers and 12 soldiers who were on a peace mission to the community. Hide original message

Security sources said the heavily armed soldiers were unrelenting in apprehending the perpetrators inspite of the fact that the community was deserted.

It was however gathered that some buildings, allegedly owned or occupied by suspected perpetrators were set ablaze by the angry soldiers.

“Yes. Soldiers are still in the community. They are looking out for the perpetrators of that dastardly act. They will definitely get them as more arrests were made between Saturday and today (Sunday).

“Some houses were set on fire but I can’t say who set them on fire and when. We came in to join the troops and noticed that they were on fire”, the security sources said.

It was learnt that partial peace had returned to the community though it was deserted but elderly men and women were seen sitting down Infront of their homes looking dejected.

Senator Joel-Onowakpo Condemns Killing, Calls For Calm

Meanwhile, the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas has condemned the gruesome murder of 16 soldiers in Okuama Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.

Senator Joel-Onowakpo, representing Delta South Senatorial district while reacting to the death of Nigerian soldiers, who were on a peace mission in a statement signed by him, said it was a crisis taken too far.

While commiserating with the military and the immediate families of the slain soldiers, he called for an holistic investigation into the remote causes of the crisis that led to the unwarranted killing of innocent soldiers.

Senator Joel-Onowakpo stressed the need for the security agencies to go after the masterminds of the heinous crime.

The Senator, who also sympathized with the families of those who may have lost their loved ones as a result of the crisis, sued for immediate intervention of both the state and federal governments to avoid further escalation of the crisis.

He stressed on the need for the military to tactically deploy intelligence in the pursuit of the masterminds to avoid killing of innocent children and women of Okuama community who may not know those behind the dastardly act.

Mutu Condemns Action, Decries Linkage With Ijaw, Urges Arrest, Prosecution of killers

Member of the House of Representatives, representing Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency of Delta State, Nicholas Mutu also condemned Thursday’s killing of 16 soldiers by some irate youths of Okuama community , an Urhobo enclave in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state.

Mutu, who is the Chairman of the Gas Committee in the House, described the action as “barbaric and inhuman.”

Mutu, who is also the Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Caucus in the House  of Representatives, made his position on the tragic incident known in a statement issued by his Media Office on Sunday.

The federal lawmaker in the emotion- laden statement, said the killings of the 16 solders, including a Lt. Col, two Majors and one Captain of the Nigerian Army, on a peace keeping assignment in the Urhobo community was “senseless and embarrassing.”

Mutu challenged all relevant security agencies to work round the clock to fish out the killers and bring them to  justice.

He warned that the criminals should not  escape justice in order to serve as deterrent to those who may be planning to indulge in such heinous crime in the future.

He condoled the families of the fallen soldiers, the Nigerian Army as well as the Armed Forces on the tragic development and prayed God to grant the repose of the souls of the gallant soldiers, who were gruesomely murdered while performing patriotic national assignments.

The lawmaker,  however, frowned at distortion of facts of the incident in a section of the press, which linked the fate of the soldiers to Ijaw militias in Okoloba, an Ijaw community in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta state.

“This is far from truth of the incident. The Ijaw is not in anyway linked or connected  to this unjustifiable barbaric and inhuman and  condemnable act.

“The facts of the matter are with all appropriate security agencies and they are in fact in public domain. The indigenes of Okuama are responsible for these senseless killings. Two contigents of troops of Nigerian Army who were deployed separately on peace keeping mission in Okuama, particularly to investigate the killing of an Okoloba boy, were ambushed and  wilfully murdered in cold-blood in Okuama.”

“Their headless and dismembered remains were recovered in the waters of Okuama Community , which is the scene of the crime. It’s therefore callous and indiscretionary to link the Ijaw to this heinous crime, which is a national embarrassment. It’s wrong for a section of the press to link the  innocent Ijaw people to this crime and I seize this medium to debunk such irresponsible reports on the incident.

“I condemn the reports linking the Ijaw with this crime and call on the authors of such falsehood to retract them and apologise to the Ijaw nation, forthwith. I also wish to implore all relevant security agencies to ensure that no stone is left unturned to arrest these criminals and prosecute them to attone for the sins they have committed against humanity”, he said.

CDC of Niger Delta Oil and Gas Decries Killing of Soldiers in Delta Community

Also the leadership of the Community Development Committees of Niger Delta Oil and Gas Producing Areas (CDC) condemned the killing of the soldiers of the 181 Amphibious Battalion of the Nigerian Army over a communal clash describing it as unacceptable.

“There is no justification for this type of barbaric behaviour of a people against officers and men of the security forces”, it stated.

CDC, in a statement issued yesterday and signed by it’s Chairman, Board of Trustees, Joseph Ambadekerimo declared “We cannot allow this ugly incident to continue to happen in our communities. The region should not be made to become a hot bed of insecurity.

“We have enjoyed relative peace and we enjoin all and sundry to key in to continue to provide the atmosphere of peace and tranquil togetherness in our communities. We have pride the Niger Delta region as the most peaceful of the country and we urge it remains so”, it added.

The group expressed sadness that peace keepers now became targets while trying to maintain peace and provide security to lives and properties noting that the culprits must be fished out and made to pay the highest price.

“Certainly this is the act  of criminal elements taking refuge in these communities therefore the leadership in these communities must be held to account untill the actors are found”, it stated.

CDC however appealed to  President Bola Tinubu and the military high command  to restrain themselves from any form of  reprisals attack on the communities noting that doing so would only compound the already dire situation and it will only be the innocent ones that will suffer from such reprisal attacks.

Culled from ARISE NEWS

Nigeria’s Defence Chief Declares Manhunt for Killers of Lt Col, Two Majors, Captain, 12 Soldiers in Delta

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Nigeria’s Defence Chief Declares Manhunt for Killers of Lt Col, Two Majors, Captain, 12 Soldiers in Delta

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, on Saturday day ordered the arrest and investigation of the killers of a commanding officer, two majors, one captain, and 12 soldiers, deployed to quell a communal crisis in Okuoma community in Ughelli South Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State.
Delta State Governor, Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has also condemned, in very strong terms, the unprovoked killing of officers and soldiers attached to 63 Brigade at Okuama community.

This is just as the senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Ede Dafinone; human rights activist, Femi Falana (SAN); Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI); and the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), have called for an investigation into the incident.
While the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) confirmed that 16 officers and men were killed, community sources put the death toll at 22.
It was gathered that the military personnel were surrounded by some community youths and killed on Thursday, March 14, 2024.

Confirming the incident in a terse statement issued yesterday, the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Brig Gen Tukur Gusau, said the CDS, General Musa, has ordered the arrest and investigation of all those involved in the killing.
He said the incident was reported to the Delta State government.
The statement titled: ‘Situation Report on the Attack and Killing of Military Personnel on Peace Mission By Okuoma Community’, said the defence chief ordered the immediate arrest and investigation of all those involved.

“The troops of 181 Amphibious Battalion, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State while on a peace mission to Okuoma community in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State were surrounded by some community youths and killed on Thursday, 14 March 2024.
“The unfortunate incident occurred when the troops responded to a distress call after the communal crisis between the Okuoma and Okoloba communities both in Delta State,” it said.
“The reinforcement team led by the commanding officer was also attacked, leading to the death of the commanding officer, two majors, one captain, and 12 soldiers.

“The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has directed the immediate investigation and arrest of those involved in the heinous crime.
“The occurrence has been reported to the Delta State government,” it said.
The statement affirmed, however, that the military remained focused and committed to its mandate of maintaining peace and security in the country.
“So far, a few arrests have been made while steps are in place to unravel the motive behind the attack,” it said.
THISDAY gathered that the events leading to the killings began on Wednesday when the Bomadi Division of the Joint Task Force (JTF) led by a major embarked on a rescue mission to the Okuoma community to free a kidnapped youth said to be an indigene of the neighbouring Okoloba community in Bomadi LGA, who was abducted over the lingering land dispute between the two communities.

However, on the following day, another team of military personnel led by the commanding officer, a Lieutenant Colonel, went to the community to rescue the youth held hostage by the armed group but were all killed.
According to one of the survivors of the attack, a civilian who was in the military team, as well as the commander and his men were taken unaware while on their way back to the waterfront after a deadlocked roundtable discussion in the Okuoma community hall over the fate of the kidnapped youth.
“We were coming back to our boats after the unfruitful discussion to release the kidnapped victim from the Okoloba community. Suddenly, there were rains of bullets coming from all directions and some of us managed to escape. Many people were killed during the ambush, including a former lawmaker from the Okoloba community, who reported the matter to the JTF.

“But the commander and other officers were held hostage and taken to an unknown destination towards the creek opposite the community”, he explained.
It was learnt that 22 military officers and men, including the Lieutenant Colonel, two majors, one captain, and 18 soldiers were later confirmed dead.
Meanwhile, the lifeless body of the kidnapped youth has been recovered from the River Forcados, near the Ayakoromor community.
“Like other victims, he was blindfolded with hands tied behind his back,” said a community source.

 

FRSC nabs 31 motorists for traffic violations in Deltas

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FRSC nabs 31 motorists for traffic violations in Deltas

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Delta State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps RS5.2 in compliance with the Corps Marshal’s directives for the commands to stem RTC, on Friday, arrested a total of 31 traffic violators were arrested,
for a total of 42 offences and booked.

The operation led by the Sector Commander, FRSC Delta State Command, Udeme Bassey Eshiet, was carried out along the ever busy Asaba-Benin and Asaba Onitsha highway.

Commander Eshiet, disclosed that it was Sector Commander’s Special Intervention Patrol along Asaba-Benin and Asaba Onitsha highway held Friday 8th March , 2024, in collaboration with armed policemen from Delta State police command to stem the tide of traffic impunity by Motorists which can lead to crashes if not checked.

Eshiet while speaking to journalists after a successful operation, said the operation was led by him, adding that a total of 31 traffic violators were arrested, for a total of 42 offences and booked.

“It was the 1st Sector Commander’s Special Intervention Monthly Inter-Agency Patrol Christened, “Operation Crash Negative Road Use Behaviors,” in Asaba Delta State .””

” A total of 31 traffic violators were arrested, for a total of 42 offences and booked. 8 vehicles were booked for not installing speed limiting device(SLD) to regulate their speed, which is one of the major causes of RTC in Delta, 1 State highways, 1 vehicle for Overloading, 1 vehicle booked for projected load in excess of prescribed limit (PLE) while 1 mini truck carrying goods and passengers was also arrested.”

” Highlights of the operations included : Operation beyond the road where the Blood Pressure, Sugar Level and other vital signs of arrested motorists were checked.
Offenders public enlightenment before payment. Enforcement with officers of the NPF. “

Commander Eshiet emphasized that the exercise was able to reawaken road safety consciousness in motorists along Asaba-Benin highway, adding regretably that many overloaded vehicles passed through the town to evade arrest.

“I therefore urge all road users to reawaken their proper road use safety consciousness and comply with traffic laws and regulations so as to minimise if not eradicate RTC on our highways.”

Lucky Abuah Foundation distributes free petrol in Obior and its environs

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Lucky Abuah Foundation distributes free petrol in Obior and its environs

[dropcap]A[/dropcap] non-governmental organisation, Lucky Abuah Foundation(LAF) has embarked on a 1-day free petrol distribution to motorists and commercial motorcycle riders. One of Lucky Abuah Foundation’s team leaders, Oby Edward, who supervised the distribution of the premium motor spirit (PMS) at a station in Obior, said this was the organisation’s way of giving back to the society.

“We were able to give a lot of people free fuel, putting smiles on the faces of Nigerians,” she said.

Since the announcement of the removal of petrol subsidy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on May 29 to allow market forces to determine the price, the pump price has risen from N197 to N539 in May, and to N617 in July and presently to N700.

“Beneficiaries of the Lucky Abuah Foundation project empowerment nationwide put their money together for this purpose,” another leader in the organisation, Benson Nwoko, told DBS.

Nwoko said the exercise was to augment the organisation’s monthly “operation feed the family project”, especially during the current economic hardship facing many households across the country.
He said, “Though the government cannot always do everything, I wish they could do more because there is a huge gap for them to fill in terms of easing the hardship Nigerians are going through. There is so much poverty in the land. He also said the free distribution of fuel by foun­dation’s proprietor  was not a display of wealth but because there is so much poverty  and hardship in the land today, especially those of the less-privi­leged.

The exercise led to an influx of motorists and commercial motorcycle riders as observed by Delta Broadcasting Service (DBS) Asaba and other journalist at fueling station where the exercise was being carried out.

Joyous beneficiaries showered encomiums on the Lucky Abuah Foundation for what they described as the apt intervention.

Senator Nwaoboshi Buries Mother-in-law in Grand Style

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Senator Nwaoboshi Buries Mother-in-law in Grand Style

By: Ike Philip Abiagom & Benson Nwoko

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Christ The King Catholic Church, Ibusa was filled to the brim yesterday as families, friends , well wishes, notable Politicians and business moguls gathered to bury the mother- in- Law of Most Distinguished Senator Peter Nwaoboshi. The remains of Golden Mother Maria Nwabualor Nwangugu(JP) were committed to mother earth at Okponta, Ibusa, in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, recently.

The colourful ceremony brought together her children, sons and daughters in-law, relatives, friends and well-wishers who came from near and wide to bid her farewell and pay their last respects.

The burial activities commenced with her children, family members and friends converging at the Mortuary for a long motorcade procession to Okponta, Ibusa.

Golden Mother Nwangugu(JP) lived a life of purpose. She was a good mother, grandmother and a friend to many. Though her demise came to many as a shock, but mama was indeed a virtuous woman. She was loved by the people of Ibusa town and her sterling straightforward, honest, trustworthiness and kindness distinguished her among her peers in the town.

The solemn funeral service was conducted at Christ The King Catholic Church, Ibusa. At the conclusion of the service, the body of Golden Mother Nwangugu was interred at the late Pa Cyprian Nwangugu family compound, Okponta Quarters, Ibusa.

After the interment, there was a reception for guests at Anioshe Primary School, Ibusa. The reception began with the traditional presentation of wedged kolanut and drinks by the children and family members who ignored the heavy rain to ensure that the guests were well attended to.

This was followed by the singing of one of mama’s favorite songs, the hymn – All Things Bright and Beautiful. Amidst music that was supplied by ace-Ibusa traditional music. The climax of the ceremony was in-law’s greeting in accordance with native laws and customs.

Mama Nwangugu was survived by children; sons/daughters in-law, grand-children and sisters, as well as other relatives and friends who enjoyed unalloyed love and support from her throughout her sojourn on earth.

In a tribute to his mother in- law, Most Distinguished Senator Peter Nwaoboshi described his late mother in law as a good mother that cared for all. He said she was a mother of all mothers in view of her love and kindness to all her children, all her in-laws and the members of her community.

Senator Nwaoboshi prayed to God to give the soul of his late mother- in- law eternal rest.

Mama Aso passed away on December 2023 after a brief illness at the age of 82.

Other members of the dignitaries that accompanied their Senator Nwaoboshi to the event were Prof. & Prof. Mrs Epiphany Azinge,(SAN);Triple Chief Austin Izagbo, Ide of Ibusa, Engr Omeni Sobotie, APC State Chairman, Ogbueshi Adizue Eluaka, Delta North Senatorial Chairman of the All Progressive Congress [APC],Former Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Right Hon Peter Onwusanya, Eluaka Sualeze Paul,2023 State House of Assembly aspirant, Hon. Austin Nnabuufe (JP) aka Political Ojeogbue, APC Chairman, Osimili North LGA, Hon. Ben Iwezue, Hon. Pat Mozeah, Hon. Henry Mordi aka Ojoko, Hon Leo Nkeaka, Comrade Promise Ogumu and host of others.

APROKO ONLINE TV STUDIO UNVEILED IN ASABA

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APROKO ONLINE TV STUDIO UNVEILED IN ASABA

[dropcap] A[/dropcap]proko Online Television broadcast studio of Asaba-based has been unveiled with a call on beneficiaries of  empowerment programmes to utilize the opportunities offered them by benefactors to build their future.

The Chairman of Oshimili South Local Government Council, Chief (Dr) Kelvin Ezenyili, who made the call at the unveiling ceremony on Monday, said the benefits of empowerment programmes should not end up in flamboyant lifestyle without recourse to what the future held for the beneficiary.

He commended Mr Austine Odiachi, popularly called Aproko, for acknowledging the contributions of benefactors to the realization of the Online TV broadcast studio and for wisely saving towards the project.

The Council Chairman advised the media outfit to give equal opportunity to people with different shades of opinion to air their views if it must enjoy the public’s acceptance and patronage and engender cohesion.

In separate live interviews in the broadcast studio, the member representing Oshimili South in the State Assembly, Hon Bridget Anyafulu, the Council Chairman, Chief (Dr) Kelvin Ezenyili and Obi Onyemanogeme Ajufo, who was the father of the day, re-emphasized the need for youths to utilize every available opportunity to stabilize themselves and impact on society.

They noted that some persons had been empowered in the past but had nothing to show for what they got, stressing that Aproko had not only realized his dream of an Online Television through hard work, his resourcefulness was also worthy of emulation.

Earlier, Mr Austine Odiachi, a.k.a. Aproko, said establishing the online broadcast studio had been a long standing dream, pointing out that he found himself in the media world not as a trained hand, but was able to make an impressive mark out of passion.

Aproko stated that he started on a very small scale before favour smiled at him through the Council Chairman, Chief (Dr) Kelvin Ezenyili, Hon Bridget Anyafulu, Obi Ajufo and other benefactors, who all contributed to his success in the media business and the actualization of the broadcast studio project.

He promised to use the studio to promote professionalism in online TV broadcast,, as well as unity and cohesion in the state and society at large.

Local Government Election Coming Soon – Delta Govt

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Local Government Election Coming Soon – Delta Govt

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Friday, said with the expiration of the tenure of Local Government Council Chairmen on March 8, elections into the Local Government Councils would hold soon.

Governor Oborevwori stated this in his remarks at the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stakeholders meeting at the Unity Hall, Government House Asaba. He urged leaders and party stakeholders to be ready for the Council election following the expiration of the tenure of the current Council Chairmen next week.

He said: “The local government council chairmen will exit this coming week and l want to assure you that very soon, we will do election into local government councils. A date will be announced for the election; it will not be too long.

“I just want to put you on notice that the wards should continue to bubble, let our Local Government continue to get stronger. PDP is a party that you cannot beat.

“We are still more united across the South South; Delta State is firm, the party is strong. We are united and there is cooperation everywhere. Nothing to worry about. Even at the national, we are doing our best.

“We know very soon that the congresses at the wards, at the Local Government Areas, at the State and even including the zonal, all will be held this year. So, once we meet at the NEC meeting, decisions would be taken. So, nothing to worry about.

“In terms of appointments, despite the challenges, we have also appointed those people that were nominated from the wards. In less than seven months, we were able to do it and that has made our people to smile across the local government areas.

“When we came in, we also did the appointment of Commissioners and board members and there are some few boards that have not been inaugurated but very soon, we will do that. Those ones expired few months ago and some even expired last month.

“So, we want to assure you that we will continue to work together for the sustainable growth and development of the state.

“Our leaders, l will continue to count on your support and l want to assure you that as we settle in, we will not neglect you; we will not neglect your local government and we will not neglect the people.

“Like l promised that l am governor for all Deltans; all of us will continue to work together. What is good is that l have received prayers from my predecessors and they have said that they want me to do better than them. So, we cannot afford to fail them.”

Governor Oborevwori commended party leaders for their support for his administration, assuring that he would be equitable to all local government areas across the state.

“I want to appreciate all of you for standing by me and this administration. You people have done very well. I can even walk tall now anywhere l go outside the state.

“As a government, we have done our best across the three senatorial districts. We have awarded contracts across the three senatorial districts and we are building on the foundation laid by the previous administration.

“All the jobs that they have awarded are all on track as l have promised Deltans that l will not abandon anyone.

“There has been impressive cooperation from the legislature and also the judiciary. So, we are working together; we are on the same page and that is why you see that we are doing our best,” he said.

In their separate remarks, former Governors of the State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan and Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, urged leaders of the party to continue to work in one accord for the sustainable victory of the party in subsequent elections.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, State Chairman of the party, Chief Kingsley Esiso lauded Governor Oborovweri for his good works since coming into office and commended the party leaders and stakeholders for their contributions leading to the victory of the party in the last general elections.

He appealed to all members to continue to promote the party and the activities of the government in the various wards and local governments.

Highpoint of the meeting was a vote of confidence passed on the Governor for his good works across the state. The motion was moved by Chief Esther Uduehi, seconded by Chief Emmanuel Amgbaduba and was unanimously adopted by all stakeholders.

Court remands Anambra lawyer for brutalising maid

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Court remands Anambra lawyer for brutalising maid

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court sitting at the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Awka, has remanded a lawyer, Adachukwu Okafor, at the State Criminal and Investigative Department custody in Awka, for allegedly inflicting physical injuries on the body of her 11-year-old housekeeper.

Okafor, who resides at Chris Igwilo Street Akapka GRA, 3-3 Onitsha of Anambra State, was arraigned before the Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court presided by Genevieve Osakwe, in Awka, on Wednesday on two counts.

Okafor allegedly used various objects like a broken bottle, knife, and electric iron to harm her house help in response to an incident involving her daughter.

The two-count borders mainly on willful infliction of physical injuries on the body of one Happiness Nwafor, an offence punishable under Section 4(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition and Protection) Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria 2017.

The charge was read and interpreted to the defendant to the court’s satisfaction; the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Okafor, who was reportedly said to be on the run, surrendered herself to the Anambra Police Command in Awka, after the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, had placed an N2m bounty on anyone who knew her whereabouts.

Meanwhile, a bail application was made by the defendant’s counsel, Chijioke Nwankwo, but the bail was denied by the court and the matter was adjourned till February 28, 2024, for ruling.

Speaking to journalists after the court’s session, the defendant’s counsel, Chijioke Nwankwo, when asked why it took his client time to report to the police, stated that he was unaware of any bounty placed on Okafor.

He explained that he was only contacted for the job and he immediately took the defendant to the police.

He, however, complained that the state Ministry of Women and Social Welfare is already doing trial by ordeal, which he noted is not in the best interest of the case.

The victim, an 11-year-old, had since been discharged from the hospital and made an appearance in court too.

Reacting to the development, the Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, stated that she trusts the court to do justice.

Obinabo also revealed that her ministry would soon embark on media sensitisation programme, during which Anambra residents would be educated and fully enlightened about the dangers and negative consequences of child abuse.

She said, “We advise members of the public to shun all forms of social vices in the society, especially, those vices that endanger the life of a child; and we called on everyone to be agents of positive social change.”

Culled from: Punch

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