Governance

Delta Govt Settles Two Hundred Billion Naira Debt

By Web News 380

By Oghenero Eghweree

The Delta State Government says it has settled over two hundred billion naira debt owed by previous administrations since the inception of the current dispensation in May 2023.

The State Commissioner for Works, Rural Roads and Public Information Mr. Charlse Aniagwu, stated this in Asaba, at a press briefing on the State of Affairs in the Delta State in the New Year.

Mr. Charles Aniagwu who did not give the figure of the total debt profile of the state, noted that the government has not borrowed since May 2023, despite ongoing projects across the state.

In efforts to reduce the housing deficit in the state, the Commissioner said the government had embarked on the construction of one hundred and fifty housing units located in Isoko North, Ndokwa West, and Ika North East local government areas in the state.

Mr. Charles Aniagwu also disclosed that the government will embark on a tour of the twenty-five local government areas of the state in January, to ascertain the state of ongoing projects and to make inquiries on need to establish new initiatives.

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Crime

Ritual: Police Go after Father for Allegedly Smashing Daughter to Death

By Web News 240

The Police Command in Delta has launched a manhunt for a fleeing father who allegedly murdered his six-year-old daughter at Agbarho Community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.

Spokesman of the command, SP Bright Edafe, who disclosed this to newsmen on Sunday in Warri identified the suspect as Stanley Ovemureye.

Edafe said that the suspect, currently at large, allegedly smashed the head of his daughter, Abigail, on the wall several times before she gave up the ghost.

He said that the incident occurred on Saturday, adding that the matter was reported at the Agbarho police division by the suspect’s brother.

“The command is aware of the gruesome murder of one Abigail Stanley, aged 6, allegedly killed by her father, Ovemureye.

“The sad incident which occurred on Saturday was reported at the division by the brother of the fleeing suspect.

“The Divisional Police Officer on receipt of the complaint, detailed operatives to the scene at Uviama New Layout, Agbarho in Ughelli North Local Government Area.

“The police operatives recovered the corpse of the little child whose head was smashed several times on the wall, and deposited it at the mortuary.

“The father who is the principal suspect is currently at large,” Edafe said.
He said that the Commissioner of Police (CP) of the command, Mr Olufemi Abaniwonda had ordered a serious manhunt for the fleeing suspect.

Edafe added that the CP had assured the public that the suspect would be apprehended and justice meted accordingly.

He, however, said that the CP had urged anyone with useful information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect to call the control room number on 0803684974 or report at the nearest police station.

Stanley allegedly killed his six-year-old daughter for ritual.

Vanguard/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Energy

New Power Sector Bill Passes First Reading in Delta Assembly

By Web News 333

By Oghenero Eghweree

The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly Mr. Imomotimi Guwor, says measures to repeal the 2022 Electricity Act and to establish a new power sector law in the state have passed the first reading.

Mr. Imomotimi Guwor stated this in Asaba, while briefing newsmen on the extent of collaboration between the 8th State Assembly and the Executive, regarding the promotion of laws and oversight of programs of government in the past year.

The Speaker noted that the review of the federal power sector law was aimed at attracting private sector investment and addressing challenges associated with the epileptic power supply to the state.

Mr. Guwor also expressed support for the establishment of state police formations in the 36 states, stressing there were adequate laws to address the concerns that such a force in the states might be abused by state governors.]

On infrastructure development in the state, Mr. Imomotimi Guwor said the government had focused on completing outstanding projects by the previous dispensation, while it has also awarded new projects including the over seventy billion naira contracts aimed at giving Warri metropolis a facelift.

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Crime

Killers of soldiers in Delta must be punished – Tinubu

By Web News 1209

By Oluwaseyi Ajibade

President Bola Tinubu has strongly condemned the brutal killing of military personnel in Delta State, describing the act as cowardly.

In a statement on Sunday, the President said he stood in solidarity with all well-meaning Nigerians and the brave men and women of the armed forces in mourning the unnecessary loss of gallant soldiers.

The President condoled with the families, colleagues, and loved ones of the fallen soldiers, assuring them that the military high command was actively addressing the situation.

President Tinubu underscored the inherent risks faced by servicemen and women in the line of duty, acknowledging their heroism, courage, and unwavering patriotism.

He said it behoves the nation to continuously honour and remember those who have sacrificed their lives to safeguard the country’s security, strength, and unity.

Troops of the 181 Amphibious Battalion, stationed in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, were ambushed on Thursday and killed while on a peace mission to the Okuoma community in Delta State.

The troops were responding to a distress call stemming from a communal crisis between the Okuoma and Okoloba communities within Delta State, but on arrival, they were set upon by a group of community youths, leading to a violent confrontation that claimed the lives of several military personnel.

Highlighting the significance of the armed forces to national identity, the president asserted that any attack on them is an attack on the nation itself, which cannot be tolerated.

He announced that the Defence Headquarters and Chief of Defense Staff have been empowered to ensure that those responsible for the crime are held accountable.

President Bola Tinubu added that his administration was committed to ensuring peace and tranquillity across Nigeria, Saying: “We will pursue this goal relentlessly.”

Governor Sherriff Oborevwori of Delta State had also condemned the killing of 16 soldiers in Okuama community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state.

Governor Oborevwori also urged all citizens and residents of the state to abide by the law, underscoring the ongoing efforts of the state government to take necessary measures to safeguard lives and property within the state.

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Human Angle

Women Groups in Delta Hold Road Show for Gender Equality

By Web News 363

By Eghweree Oghenero

Women groups in Delta State have organized a road show along major streets in Asaba, the State capital carrying placards expressing challenges facing women folk.

Some of the inscriptions on the placard read: Time for Equality is Now; Save Our Daughters from Abuse; and No to Harmful Traditional Practices against Women.

The State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Community Development Princess Pat Ajudua, who led the rally said, the Ministry had assisted in the conviction of over twenty sexual and gender-based offenders, noting the sensitization walk was aimed at mobilizing the public to join the fight to address challenges facing women and girls.

Participants at the rally including the Chairman Family Values Renaissance and Empowerment Initiative Ambassador Tina Uche, and a Director in the State Ministry of Justice Patricia Akamaguna, say they were celebrating women and sensitizing residents on the need to stop harmful practices against women and children.

Women representatives from the private and public sector and non-governmental organizations participated in the roadshow held with the theme: Accelerating Gender Equality through Economic Empowerment.

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Health

NPC Commences 2023-2024 Health Survey in Delta State

By Web News 457

By Oghenero Eghweree

The National Population Commission, NPC, says the agency has commenced the 2023-2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey in Delta State, to develop strategies aimed at improving the health of residents.

The Federal Commissioner representing Delta State in the NPC Mrs Blessing Brume-Ataguba, disclosed this in Asaba, at a press briefing on the inauguration of the scheme in the state.

Mrs Brume-Ataguba, represented by the State Director of the National Population Commission, Mr Patrick Lotobi, said the NDHS survey was aimed at deriving data that would enable evidenced-based planning and resource allocation.

The State Coordinator of the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, Mr Jeffery Igbeniaduwa, noted that twenty-two out of the twenty-five local government areas in the state have been selected for the survey, with forty cluster areas.

He urged residents to cooperate with the NPC enumerators and provide appropriate data to ensure accurate statistics are derived from the survey.

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Human Angle

Ex-NUPENG Gen Secretary, Frank Kokori Dies at 80

By Web News 398

The ex-General Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, Chief Frank Ovie Kokori is dead.

Chief Frank Kokori breathed his last at a kidney treatment hospital in Warri, Delta State, in the early hours of today, Thursday.

One of his aides, who confirmed the painful development to Vanguard, said he would want the family to formally break the news to the media.

“He passed on this night. I would want the family to break the news formally to the media.

“I am his aide but at this moment I am not to speak on this until the family issues a statement,” he said.

Vanguard learned that Kokori’s health relapsed on Monday, and the veteran labour leader was placed on life support.

Recall that Frank Ovie Kokori made a distress call over his failing health status last month.

He lamented that in spite of his key role in the growth of the nation’s democracy, he had been abandoned.

When Vanguard visited him at the hospital last month, he said: “I came to this hospital when I was told there is a place like this in Warri.

“They have been doing their best. In the midnight, they put their generator off. But I begged them to run it that I will pay their bills.

“I came on Tuesday. After the dialysis, I have been here. I could have just died because of the lack of diesel. So I had to beg them to run their generator so the air conditioner, AC, in the ward could function. I need it to be alive.

“It got to a stage that I could not take a flight, I could not walk. If it was when I was in NUPENG, I would have been flown out by air ambulance immediately.”

Frank Kokori the activist

When the Military junta of General Ibrahim Babangida annulled the June 13, 1993 presidential election, Kokori was involved in mobilising the masses against the government.

He led NUPENG and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, in organising nationwide strikes that crippled the oil industry.

Also, Frank Kokori was actively involved in pro-democracy activities, organising and participating in rallies and demonstrations.

He told Vanguard: “If I wanted to compromise, the military (junta of late General Sani Abacha) was ready to give me anything but I stood for democracy,  believing that democracy will usher in a better Nigeria.

“The refineries were working before I retired from NUPENG.

“I  became the tribune of the country, heading the freedom fighters. Some of us were underground, disguised for 10 weeks fighting the military. 

The military sent a presidential jet to pick me to compromise, but I refused.”

Biography

Kokori was an active member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, before his passage at the ripe age of 80, precisely on his birthday.

A brief account of him says he was born on December 7, 1944. He attended Urhobo College in Warri between 1959 and 62.

He proceeded to Eko Boys High School, Lagos. Frank Kokori attended the University of Ibadan, among others.

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Vanguard/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Economy

Delta Earmarks 3.5bn for CARES

By Web News 425

By Egheweree Oghenero

The Delta State Government says the administration has earmarked the sum of three point five billion naira aimed at reactivating the COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus Program CARES, as s short-term response to the current economic difficulties and the coronavirus pandemic.

The State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Chairman of the CARES Steering Committee Mr. Sonny Ekedayen, disclosed this at the end of a Two Day Pre Mid-Term Review visit to the state by partners.

Mr. Ekedayen said the fund which was the first in the life of the new dispensation would enable the programme to reach out to more beneficiaries and in return attract more funding from the World Bank.

The Team Lead from the Federal CARES Support Unit Mr. Edebeatu Chetachi, commended the execution of the project in the state, which he noted was according to the World Bank specifications and called for more funds to be released to consolidate the gains achieved.

The Commissioner for Agricultural Resources Mr Perez Omuon and his counterpart in the Ministry of Humanitarian Support Services Miss Orode Uduaghan, alongside the Delta CARES Coordinator Dr Patience Ugbewe, in their separate remarks lauded the impact of the initiative in the state.

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Human Angle

Child Rights Group Partners Delta Govt. on Checking Abuse

By Web News 527 Post a comment

By Oghenero Eghweree

The Delta State Child’s Rights Implementation Committee says the body will partner with the state government and relevant stakeholders towards achieving its mandate of promoting the enforcement of laws aimed at protecting children and adolescents from violence and abuse.

This was part of resolutions reached in Asaba, the state capital follow a meeting of members of the committee, which include representatives of the clergy, the media, and the ministries of justice, health and education.

The Chairman of the Committee and Permanent Secretary, Delta State Ministry of Women Affairs Mrs. Kevwe Agas, noted the Child’s Right Advocacy committee will also solicit the support of traditional institutions to strengthen the protection of children at the community level.

The Chairman announced that plans have been perfected to replicate the Child Rights Implementation Committee in all twenty five local government areas of the state.

Members of the Child’s Rights Implementation Committee also decried the rise in moral decadence among children in some basic schools, stressing the group will embark on sensitization visit to schools aimed at reversing the trend.

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Economy

86 Micro Projects Executed through Community Initiative in Delta

By Web News 633

Community leaders across Delta State say collaborations between the people, the state government and foreign partners, have resulted in schemes which have improved the standard of living of the people.

They made this known while reacting to the completion of one hundred and eighty six micro projects, executed in ninety rural areas under a community driven development initiative.

Oghenero Eghweree completes the reports.

Oghenero