By Isaac Olamikan  / Correspondent, Benin

Aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Egor Local Government Council of Edo State under the aegis of Concerned Stakeholders, on Tuesday protested the alleged screening of an aspirant of the party for the House of Assembly seat in Egor, Nosa Adams, who was last week remanded at Oko prison for alleged attempted murder.

The PDP stakeholders, in a petition addressed to the state chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, and signed by Mr Uwa Samson, Pastor Sam

Ugofure and three others, alleged that the aspirant was smuggled out of the Oko prison by some leaders of the PDP in Edo South, where he was  taken to an undisclosed hotel to be screened by the screening committee led by Olushola Oke.

It would be recalled that a Magistrate’s Court in Egor presided over by Magistrate Igho Braimoh had remanded Adams at the Oko prison last week Wednesday over alleged attempted murder of three PDP members during the ward delegates’ congress of the party.

However, in the petition, which was also copied to the national leadership of the PDP, the stakeholders expressed shock that “ Mr Nosa Adams, who was absent during the screening, who is still at Oko prison had been screened, cleared and issued clearance certificate in absentia. The most shameful of it is that a leader of the party in Edo South coerced the screening committee to screen and clear Mr  Adams.

“Sir, the screening of Nosa Adams in absentia in order for him to participate in the forthcoming House of Assembly primary election is an aberration and this had made Egor PDP to be like a keg sitting on a gun powder waiting for explosion. It is complete breach of PDP  guidelines and capable of destroying the party in the council.

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By Emma Arubi  / Snr. Correspondent, Warri

A pressure group, G15, has applauded President Goodluck Jonathan’s decision accept to run in the 2015 presidential election, saying the decision is in line with the desire of a vast majority of Nigerians.

Deputy Director-General of the group, Mr. Emmanuel Akumagba, said this Abuja on arrival at the Eagle Square for the presidential declaration, noting that with the President’s acceptance, all ongoing projects will be completed and new ones undertaken across the country.

Akumagba, who extolled the leadership qualities of Mr. President, said the Boko Haram insurgency is a passing phase in the history of Nigeria and called on the President to take drastic action to contain the menace of innocent citizens in the country.

He appealed to the Northern leaders and political elite to call the insurgents to order, saying the action is of the group is capable of dividing the country along religious lines. He also asked the leaders of the sect to rethink their action, saying their stance goes against Islamic principles.

Akumagba, who led thousands of Deltans to the formal declaration by Mr. President, advised the opposition parties in the country to play by the rules of the game and desist from making inflammatory statements capable of inciting the public and painting the President in bad light. According to him, “Being in the opposition does not mean you can never see anything good in the Jonathan administration. If you must criticise as in all democracies, you must exhibit some high level of modicum and decorum in your use of language”.

He condemned the APC leadership for seeing only failure of government policies and not putting forward reasonable and meaningful suggestions to help the country move forward.

While calling on INE to ensure a level playing field for all candidates irrespective of their political leaning, he stated that INEC has displayed enough fairness in the conduct of recent elections in the country.

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By Francis Onoiribholo  / Bureau Chief, Benin

Some royal fathers, among them Samuel Sapele, Pere-Opu-Oburu III, the Amanana-Owei of Ogbotobo town, Stephin F. Tume (JP), the Amanana-Owei of Letugbene, Iduwin clan and Commissioner Alari, the Amanana-Owei of Agbayama community, have endorsed the aspiration of Bomiegha S. Geoffrey to represent the Ekeremor State Constituency III in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly.

Soon after indicating interest to contest Ekeremor Local Government Area Constituency III, known as Alabeni constituency, Ekeremor, into the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, the traditional rulers,

community leaders, women and youths leaders not only spontaneously endorsed him but went further to call on the local government and state leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to ensure Geoffrey’s nomination as their candidate was affirmed.

Geoffrey was until 2006 Chairman of Ogbotobo community during which the community benefited greatly from the oil companies operating in the area.

Among the amenities attracted to the community by Geoffrey’s executive were a health centre, water and Glo Mobile Telecommunication Network, among others.

In a letter to the local government and state executives of the PDP the traditional rulers said: “We, the Royal Highnesses of Ekeremor Constituency 3 (Alabeni), Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State humbly ask for your consent to endorse our candidate Hon. Bomiegha S. Geoffrey as a candidate to vie on the PDP ticket into the State House of Assembly in 2015 elections.

“The Royal Fathers representing the various communities of constituency III have no inhibitions whatsoever as we have carefully examined and endorsed this humble son and unanimously offer him for the House of Assembly ticket because we want a candidate who will represent us well, as his presence is already felt in our constituency.

“We deserve a visionary leader, astute representative and a vocal spokesperson like Hon. Bomiegha.

“Hon. Bomiegha S. Geoffrey earned his respect as a humble, transparent and a grassroots devotee that will deliver to his people (constituency) and can promote his party, the Peoples Democratic

Party (PDP), to the next level in our constituency and also uphold your second coming back to office in our area.

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CHIEF Benedict Asaboro is an Ughelli based-lawyer and hails from Isoko in Delta State. In this interview with SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT John Dugbe, he speaks on the Delta state gubernatorial election as it affects the Democratic Peoples Party and among other issues of public interest. Excerpt:

The last time we met you were in the All Progressives Congress, do you still belong to the APC or PDP?

I have long dumped the APC for the simple reason that the leadership of the APC in the Isoko nation was pretending to be progressive. As a matter of fact, the leadership of the PDP is more progressive than the APC; there is no democracy in the leadership of the APC in the Isoko nation. Most of the decisions in APC are being taken by one man called Senator Okpozo, who does so without consulting with any other person. As far as Senator Okpozo is concerned, anything that has to do with the Isoko nation must be for an Ozoro man, no other person can talk nor benefit. So as a result of that I thought it wise and resolved to dump them and declare for the PDP. This was a long time ago; I am surprised that it‘s today you knew about it.

Now that you are in the PDP, were you welcomed into the PDP fold as a new member?

Yes, it was officially done; in fact it was SSG Ovuzorie Macaulay in collaboration with other leaders that welcomed me into the PDP. I came on board with Chief Phillip Abeke at Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Council secretariat last year November.

Are you not experiencing any sort of discrimination in the PDP since you joined? 

As far as the PDP in the Isoko nation is concerned, I cannot find any discrimination at all; on the contrary, I am welcomed at any of the party functions. I am with the likes of Arch. Joseph Ogieh and the SSG so I feel very comfortable here.

The 2015 elections are around the corner, and the three major parties contending for the seat are the PDP, Labour Party and the APC. For now, there have been insinuations that the Governor has endorsed Mr. Anthony Obuh, what is your take on this?

As far as I am concerned, the position of the party’s leadership is what I will subscribe to; so I cannot accuse anybody of bringing in any candidate. The person elected by the party at the primary will be my candidate. So therefore, I am not in any way condemning any candidate now on the perceived reasons that some government officials are supporting him, but whatever it takes to bring about any good governor in Delta state should be our priority rather than criticising the government for sponsoring a candidate. The governor is not supporting any candidate. If government is supporting any candidate that does not make such person the governor’s candidate because everybody is entitled to his own decision at any point in time. So therefore, the governor cannot be said to have presented anybody, so to that extent the governor cannot be criticised for sponsoring a particular candidate.

So what type of person do you want as governor of Delta State come 2015?

The governor is really trying to finish very strong, so anybody who can follow up his programmes that he is embarking upon now should be voted for. What he is doing now is worthy of commendation and as far as I am concerned, I have no criticism of anything the governor is doing now.

Are you saying that whomever that will come should continue where the governor stopped or what do you want the person to do in order to consolidate on the achievements of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan?

What I think the person should embark upon is the three-point agenda of the present governor and the three-point agenda of the present governor are peace and security, human capital and infrastructure development. Because if you talk of roads, medical care, and as it is some officials of the DESOPADEC are playing gallant role in this aspect. For example, in the Isoko nation there are developmental strides in various places. We have 19 clans in the Isoko nation; the 19 clans are well represented in terms of development, roads, water and medical care. We have never had it good like this in the Isoko nation in terms of representing our area. You see, as it is now, Joseph Ogeh as a commissioner in DESOPADEC. He came into power in 2012 and he inherited 100 projects uncompleted, he has completed them and also embarked on 68 others, which he has also completed. This you can find in the report card he presented to the Isoko Progress Union, and in the report card, he presented all that he has done. There is no way in Isoko that anybody can say there is no project that has not been completed by Arch. Joseph Ogeh in his two years in office.

As for medical care, which a lot of people are talking about today and even up till this moment we are talking, he has opened the door for anybody who needs medical attention of a higher magnitude even if the person is referred overseas for treatment.. In his report, human capital development which is one of the three-point agenda of the state government and in line with the Millennium Development Goals, which stipulate that all should have free access to health care by the year 2015, the eight days for the free medical care were not enough to take care of all the patients,

Ogeh noted that those who did not benefit from the medical centre will be abandoned, and that serious cases that have not been handled at the centre will be referred to other hospitals and if can be flown abroad for proper treatment.

What we are saying in essence is that the medical exercise afforded the people of Isoko nation the opportunity to access medical care. Arch. Joseph Ogeh is open to any Isoko person either here or aboard as the situation may demand. So I want to say that before the appointment of Arch. Joseph Ogeh, we were not opportune to have this kind of things like medical care and not only that we now have a water project that is solar powered; the era of looking for generator to power water project has gone, which lessened the aspect of looking for money to repair generator. The solar water project, we don’t need diesel or petrol so in effect, the score card as presented by Arch. Ogeh is a thing of commendation. In that essence it is my humble view that he should be given an award of excellence by the Isoko Development Union. And I am calling on the president general of the Isoko Development Union to give an award of excellence to Arch. Joseph Ajiri Ogeh for excellent representation in the DESOPADEC board as a commissioner representing Isoko nation.

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By Francis Onoiribholo  / Bureau Chief Benin

Out-going Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Prof. Godwin Osayuki Oshodin, has given kudos to the Governing Council of the institution over the appointment of his successor without rancour.

The VC who made the commendation at a press briefing to announce the activities lined up for university’s 39th/40th Convocation/44th  Founder’s Day Ceremony beginning on Wednesday next week gave glory to God for giving the university’s council the wisdom to be able to appoint his successor while he was still in the saddle as VC.

According to him, “this noble feat is giving us, members of the university community, the opportunity to witness a smooth transition devoid of any rancour”.

While disclosing that his tenure would come to an end on November 30, Oshodin also noted that the university will this year be awarding various Diplomas and Degrees to graduands who completed the academic programmes in 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 academic sessions.

He explained that the reason for combining the two sessions was because last year’s convocation could not hold as a result of the protracted nationwide strike by the Academic Staff of Nigerian Universities (ASUU).

“For 2011/2012 session, a total of 10,725 graduands are to be awarded various diplomas and degrees in the following order: Ph.D, 103; Masters Degree, 1,933; Bachelors Degree, 8,237; and Diploma, 462.”

For the 2012/2013 academic session, Oshodin said the university senate had approved the results of 8,737 graduands as follows: Ph.D, 27; Masters Degree, 449; PGD, 40; Bachelors Degree, 7839; and Diploma, 382.

“Let me place on record that at this year’s convocation, a total of 188 graduands are going to be awarded first class honours degree.

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By John Dugbe / Special Correspondent, Ughelli

Chairman of Patani Local Council Area of Delta State, Mrs. Josephine Abeki, has appealed to lawmakers to enact laws and policies that will assist in improving the socio-economy well being of people at the grassroots.

Mrs. Josephine Abeki

She made the appeal while inaugurating the legislative arm of the council.

While thanking the councilors for their peaceful disposition while choosing their principal officers, Abeki said those not selected should not feel bad but assist with their wealth of experience in making useful policies and maintain a stable and vibrant legislature.

She asked the principal officers nominated to run the affairs of the legislature in a transparent manner and always ask for clarifications in grey areas for onward transmission to other councilors. Clerk of the legislature, Mr. A. Mese, also appealed to the councilors to select those with leadership abilities to pilot the affairs of the Council.

He, therefore, called for nomination from lawmakers on who will be the leader.

Upon a motion by Maduwe Felix in which he nominated Ojigbare Rufus and seconded by Enodeh Ebiogbo with no counter motion, he (Rufus) became the Leader of the legislative council and was sworn in by the clerk.

Trakiriowei ThankGod was also chosen as Deputy Leader, Oyadongha Philip as Majority Leader, Maduwe Felix as Deputy Majority Leader, Etakebo Martin as Chief Whip and atricia Asiyai Ekiyorkeyi as Deputy Chief Whip.

In his inaugural speech, Ojigbare Rufus thanked fellow councilors for choosing him as their leader and promised to run an inclusive affair and will not let down the confidence bestow on him.

The House sitting was then adjourned upon a motion by  Oyadongha Philip and supported by Maduwe Felix.

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By John Dugbe  Special Correspondent, Ughelli

Contrary to the speculation about the alliance between the Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the national level, the National Youth Leader of Labour Party, Andrew Ukpebitre, has said that there is no alliance between the two parties at any level.

Ukpebitere, who was speaking on the outcome of the just concluded local government council election in Delta State at his Warri office over the weekend, stated that his claim on the issue can be confirmed by the hierarchy of Labour Party in Abuja, even as he disclosed that aspirants from the Labour Party have indicated interest in the 2015 presidential election.

On the deflection of Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State to the PDP, the Urhobo-born national youth leader of Labour Party stated that the deflection of Mimiko has not in any affected the party “ but rather our great party is waxing stronger daily.”

On politics in Delta State, Ukpebitere assured that if Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru yields to the call to contest the 2015 governorship election, “ he will surely win. Deltans love him. We are convinced that he will yield to the clarion call.”

He also said that he was in support of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) on the agitation of Urhobo to produce the next governor of Delta State.

“Urhobo have 65 per cent of the voting strength in Delta State and the UPU has the right to defend and protect the voting rights of the Urhobo like Arewa has the right to protect and defend the voting right of the Hausa. Ohanezendigbo has the right to protect and defend the voting right of the Igbo and the Afenifere has the right to protect and defend the voting right of the Yoruba,” he said.

The National Youth Leader of Labour Party had earlier taken a swipe at the chairman of Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) for allegedly failing to conduct a credible, free and fair local government council election in the state, saying that his party won in most local government areas in the said election.

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By John Dugbe  Special Correspondent, Ughelli

DELTA State Commissioner in charge of the Directorate of Youth Development, Ebifa Ijomah, has charged the three youths elected to represent the state in the Nigerian Youth Parliament in Abuja to be good ambassadors of the state.

Ijomah, who gave the charge when the state representatives paid him a thank you visit in his office in Asaba, said the call became necessary in view of the enviable position of the state in the socio-political and economic development of the country.

While urging them to remain focused, law abiding and be supportive of government policies and programmes, he also admonished them not allow themselves to be used by selfish and dubious politicians as the 2015 general election draw near.

Those elected to represent the state are Comrade Obinne Ralph Agbanashi (Delta North); Okporu Ebi Augustine (Delta South); and Miss Ogbe Catherine Okiemute (Delta Central); they all took turn to thank the Commissioner for providing not only a level playing field for their emergence as representatives of the state but also the way he has been coordinating youths across the state, especially during the recently concluded local government elections.

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By Ekene Okoro Snr. Correspondent, Lagos

As the 2015 general elections beckon, the political calculations towards the polls have taken the centre stage.

Politicians are already gearing up for the contest, plotting their graphs and strategising to outdo their rivals. It is thus a political season where friends go head to head and end up as foes.

Much as acquaintances are being severed in some areas, alliances are also being formed in others, with pronouncements being made to solidify the newfound goodwill.

In the efforts to ensure that candidates that would maintain the development initiatives that have been started in their domain, the people of Etim Ekpo Local Government Area (LGA) of Akwa Ibom State assembled recently to give a boost to the senatorial ambition of Chief Godswill Akpabio, Governor of the state, and the governorship ambition of Mr. Udom Emmanuel, former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), by rallying round their bids.

The event, which witnessed a large turnout, attracted the presence of political bigwigs and the youths of the LGA under the auspices of Youth Support Scheme (YSS).

The YSS, an initiative of the Commissioner for Special Duties, Emmanuel Enoidem, was established as an empowerment programme to galvanise youths of the area towards not only being useful to themselves, but also enable them contribute by creating positive change in their communities, nation, and the world.

The vision of the group was premised on the belief that if given the opportunity, young people can be a driving force in creating positive change and highly capable of designing solutions to the challenges they and their communities face daily.

Through the programme youths are encouraged, trained, supported, mentored and mobilised to be the change they desire to experience in their various communities. Also, this project helps to encourage youths to actively participate in building democracy, development processes, and sustainable peace and growth in the country.

With the slogan, ‘build the youth, build the nation,’ renting the air, the community leaders of the area unanimously endorsed the candidature of the duo, explaining that their decision was based on achievements of the Governor in the last seven and a half years.

Enoidem said, “The support and endorsement of the duo is based on their performance and track record in office. Let us all rally round them so that the uncommon transformation currently being enjoyed would continue at the state and federal levels”.

According to the former Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, “the people of the council stand to gain a lot by supporting the candidature of these two outstanding and prominent Akwa Ibomites who have over the years given account of themselves in all their endeavours including governance. It is, therefore, in our interest to rally round and give them our collective support, knowing full well that we will never be disappointed.”

Enoidem also noted that “the gathering is also intended to sensitise the people of the council on the way forward and happenings in the state as the countdown to the 2015 general elections gathers momentum, adding that “information is power; we have told them where the council is heading towards as far as the senatorial and governorship tickets of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are concerned, and we expect them, the youths who are the leaders of tomorrow, to key into the agenda so that their future would be guaranteed”.

In addition, he said “Akpabio has created an enabling environment for industry and commerce to thrive, built a road network that has connected several communities that were long cut off from the mainstream of activities, he has offered free and compulsory education to all children (non-indigenes alike) in Akwa Ibom State, built a modern airport, world class stadium, e-library to serve as a tool for research and improved healthcare delivery system, among others. Having done all of these for us, he deserves to serve us at the national level. This is why we will stop at nothing to support him.”

He said the people of Etim Ekpo LGA have benefitted immensely from the uncommon transformation agenda of the Akpabio-led administration since inception, adding that the people of the council were disconnected from the rest of the state because all roads leading into the area were in deplorable conditions, and as such most communities in the area were not accessible before he took over the mantle of leadership.

Also speaking at the endorsement ceremony, Chairman, Elders Council and political leader of the council, Obong Archibong Akpan, said the people of the council have chosen to support the state Governor’s senatorial ambition as well as the governorship aspiration of the former SSG, having enjoyed the benevolence of the Governor in infrastructure development, which had in many years eluded the council.

Obong Akpan, who is also known as ‘Apex’, said the people of the council would ever remain grateful to the administration of Akpabio for developing the council and putting indigenes of the area in sensitive political positions that have brought dividends of democracy to all and sundry.

He charged the people to ensure that they rally round the senatorial ambition of the Governor in 2015 and support the former SSG to emerge the successor to Akpabio.

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By Francis Onoiribholo  Bureau Chief, Benin

The All Progressives Congress senatorial aspirant in Edo Central, Theophilus Okoh, has   challenged past and serving Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators, members of the House of Representatives in the district to  show the projects they have executed with the constituency funds  that accrued to them in all their years at the National Assembly.

Okoh, who posed the question when he formally intimated the executives  of the five local governments and those of the wards of his intention  to represent the senatorial district at the Senate, accused  those currently representing district at the National Assembly of  short-charging the people

According to him, “I can’t remember when last any of the serving  senator and members of House of Representatives invited us for the  commissioning of constituency projects.

We wonder where the constituency money is going. I know I will be different from others, that is why I challenged them. I m not going to  blame anybody, is just that we have been sending people that are not only hungry but desperate, they end up representing their pockets,” Okoh, who implored the party’s delegates to the forthcoming primary to cast their votes wisely, said his interest is seeking a platform to help alleviate poverty, youth unemployment, and attract massive development to the neglected senatorial district dates back  10 years ago. While assuring that he will bring his experience to bear on legislative business, Okoh also said that he would be committed to women empowerment and decried the plight of youths, who he claimed, were not only used and dumped by politicians after elections, adding that he has forwarded copies of his qualifications to  the state party executives of the five local government executive chairmen for verification

In their response, the party chairmen pledged their   support to the candidature of Okoh, as the party’s flag bearer for the senatorial seat come 2015 as reward for his consistency.

The Igueben local government area party chairman, Sunday Iredia, in his  remark said, ‘’As the party chairman, we are supporting you for your humility and consistency even when the likes of Chief Tom Ikimi and others left you in the party, coupled with the fact that you have lost the ticket twice, but this time around we are going to pay you back.’’

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By Francis Onoiribholo  / Bureau Chief, Benin

Arougba community in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State has appealed to the state government and philanthropists in the area to assist in the rehabilitation of the Ebo/Arougba/ Ugunmwonyin road to enable the people living there have access to other communities in the state.

The youth Chairman of Arougba, Comrade Okoro Ogbaretin, who accused notable politicians living in the area of abandoning the road, said that the deplorable condition of the road has brought untold hardship on the people. He noted that car owners now trek several kilometres  due to incessant breakdown of their vehicles. “The poor condition of the roads have affected the evacuation of farm produce of the farmers in the community to the market. The farmers hardly get vehicles to convey their farm produce to the major markets, thereby compelling them to farm on a subsistence level.” Okoro said.

He added that if drastic measure was not taken, the community could be cut off from infrastructure development, pointing out that the poor road network could aid criminality in the area.

“Arougba community is where the former Edo Speaker, Alhaji Zakawa Garuba, the chairman of Edo Internal Revenue Board, Chief Useni Elamah, and Ken Ihensekhien, the former state Commissioner for Agriculture with their family reside,

“We also have past and serving state lawmakers like Blessing Agbebaku, Friday Ogieriaki, Abudulahi Imodagbe, as well as former Deputy Governor, Mr Lucky Imasuen, in the community.In spite of the presence of these personalities in the area, there is no single government school or market, hence the community cannot boast of five graduates of higher institution” Okoro said.

An elder in the community, Goodluck Osayande, said that many politicians have made a series of promises like installation of transformers, establishment of primary and secondary schools, as well bringing market to the community, none of which were fulfilled.

Osayande also said that Aruogba community has not felt any government presence, apart from the healthcare centre, which was established in 2010 by the MDGs office through Oredo Local Government.

According to him, presently, both serving federal judges, retired military officers, former and serving state commissioners and lawmaker are resident oin the community yet no development come to the community.

The post Arougba community cry out over poor infrastructure appeared first on Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper.

Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja is a three-term member of the Rivers State House of Assembly and a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP.. In this interview with DANIEL ABIA, he says there is need for power shift in governance of the state. Jaja also calls on President Goodluck Jonathan and the national headquarters of PDP to intervene in the governorship tussle in the state. He also speaks on other issues in the politics of Rivers State and argues that Rivers is a one-city state and promises to build another one to complement Port Harcourt.

Excerpts:

Why do you want to be the governor of Rivers State?

Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja

A lot of things are wrong with the state, especially with the management of the resources of the state, and human capital. Let us start with the issue of peace in the state. In 1999 when we started this present political dispensation, the state we are seeing now, is no longer what it used to be. Initially, there was peace and everybody in the state would go into his or her home to sleep with two eyes closed. Security was guaranteed and things were moving well and the economy was fine. There was hope for future generations, especially our young generation; the fresh graduates were hopeful that upon graduation, there would be employment for them. The reverse is the case today; our resources have been squandered. There is no road anywhere irrespective of what were told; our children are not employed; the economy is very tight, and there is no hope of employment for our young graduates. Multi-national companies that are supposed to employ our people have relocated because of uncertainties. They have relocated to other cities. The welfare of our civil servants is not guaranteed; our civil servants are not promoted as and when due, their salaries are not paid, there is darkness in the city. You can observe that the streetlights are powered with generating sets. I think that that’s not what it should be. Some of what we are seeing now, I raised some of these issues, especially during the last four years out of the 12 years I spent in the state Assembly. I talked about the construction of the monorail in the city that has no light. Everywhere in the world, they power a monorail with electricity, not generating set. I talked about the demolition of the general hospital, and so many other issues that I raised. I am happy today that I have been vindicated. The truth of the matter is that since the creation of Rivers State right in 1967, even in the era of the old Eastern Region, the present contraption called the Rivers State has been with a one-city state and that is the city of Port Harcourt. I believe that Rivers State has enough resources to create new cities. By the special grace of God, when I came into office, we will address some of these issues.

Is that a kind of partnership with the government?

Not just partnership. What we do not want to do is to use the word acquisition of land this time around. What I am saying is that the community must agree, if we identify a particular area as an area of interest where we can develop a new city. In that new city, what we intend to do is to map out plots, provide facilities within the area. We are going to provide roads; we are going to provide electricity. When I am talking about electricity in the new city, I mean that we are going to build a gas turbine for that city. There will be a 24-hour uninterrupted power supply. We will have a central sewage system, we will provide security for the area, and we will go into partnership with private companies. The idea of our administration will be, if we allocate an area to you, both to the multi-national companies and private individuals, our involvement is within a specific period of time approximately within 24 to 26 months, the individuals or the companies are expected to develop the area and live in their apartments. Upon development, the state government will deliver Certificate of Occupancy (C of O).

What about land administration?

Land administration has been an issue in this state, our assurance to the developers is that, after the provision of the facilities is that, as soon as they develop under 24-26 months and move in, our government will sign and deliver to them their C of O. That land becomes the property of the individuals or companies. By the time we get into the memorandum of understanding with individuals and companies, our anticipation is that in less than three years of my administration, we will have a functional city. We shall build a world-class hospital inside the new city; government will build facilities that will attract people into the area. If you take a look at Onne/ELeme axis, you will notice that people live their offices by 4pm and get home at about 9pm because of traffic problem. If we develop a new city in that axis, you will agree with me that most people who work in NAFCON petrochemical and the Onne gas free zone would have nothing to do with the area. They will live in that city; we will attract life to that place and there will new city, and anybody who works in that zone will have nothing to with this area. What we need is expansion; what we need is flow of traffic, what we need will be good road network to access all the communities in the state, and that is what we do not have now. Anybody who is from Rivers State and wants to govern Rivers State should be able to put on the table what he wants to do for the state. I expect that at this level, at this stage of our lives, we should not waste our time in attacking individuals. If I were the governor of this state, I won’t do what the present one is doing – attacking President Jonathan. He should have concentrated on the development of state, so that when you leave as a governor, the people will remember you for good.

 A few days ago a group of 15 governorship aspirants were at the Liberation Stadium, insisting on power rotation. Were you part of them and why?

Yes! I am part of them, even though I was unable to make that rally, because of other engagements. Anything that is fair is fair. Rivers State is made up of many ethnic nationalities. Amaechi, who is the governor of Rivers State today did not get to that place because he was the most popular. When Dr Peter Odili became the governor, his community is the smallest, but there was an understanding. Dr Odili comes from the Rivers West Senatorial District, an upland part of the Rivers West Senatorial District. I wish to say that even in the Rivers West, the riverine communities in the Rivers State have the largest population of the area, the large chunk of votes in that zone. At the inception of the republic, everybody in the senatorial district considered the person of Dr Peter Odili. Some decided that that the upland has not produced a governor of Rivers State for a very long time and they decided that such a district should produce the governor. And when Dr Odili exhausted his tenure, the Ikwerre ethnic nationality in the Rivers East was considered. Now that Governor Amaechi is exhausting his tenure, for fairness, for equity, for justices, common sense tells us that there must be a power shift to the next senatorial district, and not just to the next senatorial district, but power must shift to another ethnic nationality, and the Ijaw ethnic national has been asking for that. A lot of people feel that whoever becomes the next governor of Rivers State should see himself as the governor of the state. Those who are insisting on rotation of power are not ethnic campaigners, but what is good is good, and that is what some of us are asking for. Ordinarily, if Amaechi leaves office, and an Ikwerre man takes over from him, there is no guarantee that when the next Ikwerre man lives office, that he will hand over to a man from another ethnic nationality, he may decide to hand over to another Ikwerre person. For God’s sake that will not bring peace in the state, what we need is peace, what we need is fairness, whether the person is from Ikwerre or not he will rule as a governor of a Rivers State, but the agitators demand is that these two senatorial zones have had their shots, it should move to the next one.

The post How I will build another city in Rivers, by Jaja appeared first on Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper.

The Akoko-Edo local government, Edo State, chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) is currently wallowing in crisis, as some members of the party in the locality have expressed fear over the fate of the party in the area ahead of the 2015 elections.

The members, in a signed petition addressed to the state Chairman of the party, Anslem Ojezua, called for investigations into activities of the party’s leadership under Jerry Obasanmi in the locality. In the petition, the aggrieved APC members said they have uncovered plans by some APC members to defect on the eve of the general elections.

According to the petition, “Some of these members are opinion leaders whose membership of the party is vital especially during the run up to the forthcoming elections. We cannot afford to lose all these members.”

The aggrieved APC members alleged that the APC leadership in Akoko-Edo was sowing seed sof discord among party members by campaigning for some aspirants. They alleged that Obasanmi has adopted some aspirants for the House of Assembly and National Assembly seats.

The petitioners urged the state party leadership to investigate the allegations and take appropriate actions in line with the party’s constitution.They called for the suspension of Obasanmi to allow for unbiased investigations.

Reacting to the allegation, Obasanmi, who acknowledged receipt of the petition, described the petitioners as “busy body people and interlopers of the highest order”.Obasanmi also denied allegations raised in the petition and promised to address the issues at an enlarged press briefing.

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Labour Party’s governorship aspirant in Delta State, Mr. Great Ogboru, has promised to ensure speedy development of the state if elected governor in the 2015 elections.

Mr. Great Ogboru

He made the promise when he collected governorship nomination form from the party’s National Chairman, Abdulkadir Salam, at the party’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.

According to him, if elected, his priority will be to provide infrastructure, access to education, health, as well as ensure that the people have a sense of belonging.

“There must be dignity in whatever people do and that will give them a sense of belonging.

“There will be job opportunities, among others,’’ he said.

He said that his former party, the Democratic Peopl’s Party joined the Labour Party in the quest to ensure and sustain the growth of democracy.

“We know that joining the Labour Party will not give us any hurdle; members will work with us shoulder to shoulder to make sure that Delta gets free and fair election.

“We are going to have one man one vote; we will do our possible best to make sure democracy and social justice thrive in Delta.’’

Earlier, Salam said the Labour Party belongs to all Nigerian workers, market women, traders, okada riders, students, youths, among others.

He said the party would support Ogboru, adding that he would not regret joining and picking the party’s nomination form.

“We will campaign at community and local government levels in Delta to win the forthcoming election,’’ he said.

National Youth Leader of the party, Mr Andrew Ukpebitere, called for  house-to-house campaign for the aspirant in 2015.

“We are going to mobilise the youth to support him to emerge as the governor of Delta State come 2015,’’ he said.

Speaking with newsmen, Mr Dan Nwanyanwu, Chairman, Board of Trustee of the party, assured the aspirant that the 2015 election would be free and fair.

Nwanyanwu said INEC had introduced measures to ensure credible, free and fair elections in 2015.

According to him, the party will emerge stronger after 2015 as it is currently going through transformation.

The post Ogboru promises speedy development to Deltans appeared first on Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper.

By John Dugbe / Special Correspondent, Ughelli

A political pressure group, Team Ayomanor, has said Chief Lucky Ayomanor, member representing Delta Central on the board of the Delta State Direct Labour Agency (DLA), is the most credible person to represent Sapele Local Government area in the Delta State House of Assembly come 2015.

Leader of the group, Mr. Andrew Ighosotu, in a chat with journalists, said their reason for supporting Ayomanor’s ambition to represent Sapele Local Government area in Assembly come 2015 stems from his exploits and antecedents on the board of the DLA.

According to Ighosotu, Sapele Local Government area has never had it so good in terms of road construction and rehabilitation since Ayomanor’s appointment onto the board of the DLA.

He said long abandoned roads in the town such as Commercial Avenue and, Ogodo Road are today motorable courtesy of Ayomanor’s unflagging commitment to the growth and development of the town.

Ighosotu stressed that the time has come for Sapele Local Government area to be represented in the Delta Assembly by someone who is driven by a patriotic zeal to serve the people as exemplified by Ayomanor in his current appointment, adding that with Ayomanor as its representative, Sapele is rest assured of quality and result-oriented representation as against the experience of the last 15 years.

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A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), the Hallmark Advocacy, has distributed food items and other materials to orphans and widows in Jattu-Uzairue in the Etsako-West Local Government area of Edo State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the items distributed included bags of rice and beans, mattresses, stationeries, clothing, shoes, toiletries and provisions.

Speaking during the donation, founder of the NGO, Mr Mike Aliu, urged well-meaning Nigerians to assist in catering for the less-privileged in the society.

“Nigeria gives little attention to the less privileged and this set of people require much attention.

“As a philanthropist, I deem it fit to help the orphans and the widows by helping to meet their needs,’’ Aliu said.

He said he was passionate about making a positive impact on people and the society as a whole, adding that this gesture stems from his concern for the less privileged in the society.

The Ogieneni of Uzairue, Chief Kadiri Imonikhe, responded by thanking the charitable organisation, for coming to the aid of the orphans and widows in the area. Imonikhe urged other eminent sons and daughters of the community to emulate Aliu.

Some of the beneficiaries also thanked the Hallmark Advocacy founder and wished him well in his endeavours.

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•CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY

Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja is a three-term member of the Rivers State House of Assembly and a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP.. In this interview with DANIEL ABIA, he says there is need for power shift in governance of the state. Jaja also calls on President Goodluck Jonathan and the national headquarters of PDP to intervene in the governorship tussle in the state. He also speaks on other issues in the politics of Rivers State and argues that Rivers is a one-city state and promises to build another one to complement Port Harcourt.

Excerpts:

Do you not think that the insistence on power rotation could lead to mediocrity?

Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja

It would not. If you talk about experience, every one of the 16 aspirants in the stadium, who have bought their forms, are qualified to be governor of Rivers State. We are talking about those who are experienced in politics, those who are experienced in their private business, the academia, all of them are there.

That brings to fore the issue of 16 aspirants vying for one office; does it not trivialise your view?

It does not. That goes to demonstrate political awareness; the drive to develop the state. From indication of interest I expect that for whatever reason, if 16 persons, in fact there more than 20 aspirants who have picked forms to run for the position of governor of Rivers State. There is one indication that gives to us, first political awareness; second indication is that what was presented to the world is not the situation in Rivers State. The impression was that there is one “Mighty Igor” that can demolish anything in Rivers State but that is not the truth. The issue of the governor of Rivers State has always been especially on the platform of ruling party and in this case PDP is the ruling party. Nobody has ever been the governor of Rivers State without the agreement of certain blocs, to say look we agree to support you. I started supporting Dr Peter Odili right from the time of DPN. Nobody gave us a chance then, and yet certain elders of the state agreed to say look that Dr Odili will become the governor.

Let it be on record that, the most popular individual, popular politician in Rivers State today, is the present President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. All the agitations, all the demands, all the issues we are raising, as soon as Mr. President calls Mr. ‘A’ or ‘B’, whether a politician or not and he decides to support you, everybody, the state will turn around to support you. He has a stake in Rivers State, this is not an issue of I am the President, this not an issue of I am the Commander-in-Chief, he has a stake in Rivers State. He lived here, he is a citizen of Rivers State whether anybody likes it or not, so he has a major stake in Rivers State. So I do not see him just as the leader of the party, if he does not make an input in any other part of the country, he has to make an input in the Rivers State.

But there is insinuation that the former Minister of State for Education, Barr. Nyesom Wike, is the only candidate that can beat Amaechi and APC in Rivers?

Well, I wouldn’t like to talk about my brother, the former Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, for he is not the subject matter of this interview. My interest in this interview is how to develop Rivers State. I believe that I have the capacity to develop Rivers State; I have the capacity to drive the state to prosperity. But like I said earlier, the most popular politician in Rivers State is the President and the Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

If PDP should allow you to fly their flag in the Governorship race, how sure are you to make it? 

You will agree with me that Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja is a household name in Rivers State, having been a leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly for eight years and having spent another four years as a Chief Whip and member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, in totality I am talking about 12 years. I believe have made a reasonable impact in the lives of people of Rivers State, I believe I have the experience; I believe also that, if you talk of qualification, I hold a doctorate degree in comparative politics from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, so when one talks of experience, I have it. I have contacts, I have structures, and I have lived in Rivers State, and I can say to you in all sincerity that, if I have the ticket of PDP in the state, I will not just win the election, but will win convincingly, and I can assure you that, when elected as the governor of Rivers State, peace will reign in this state, there will be prosperity and there will be joy in the lives of our people.

Do have anything to say about the relationship between the executive and the judiciary on one side and also between the executive and the legislature?

Truly speaking I was a legislator for 12 years, I spent 12 years in the legislature, and I know that for a governor to have a smooth government, there must be a working relationship between the legislature and executive and having had that experience, I can assure you that I will promote a good relationship between the legislative and executive arms, and more so as one who has been in the legislature for 12 years and now becoming the governor of Rivers State, I have a clear understanding of the function of the judiciary. It is unfortunate that our judiciary is under lock and key. I will say that the clear message is that all arms of government should be allowed to be independent and be allowed to perform their functions without interference either from the executive or the judiciary, and there should be a smooth government, the problem as always been the chief executive wanting to intervene in or interfer the legislature or the judiciary.

How do you see the Governor’s persistence attacks on the President?

It is not worth it. I was told that the governor convened a meeting and a particular local council chairman walked into the meeting late, while the governor had been seated, and the governor walked him out and the governor wasn’t happy about it. The scripture says,” Do unto others what you want others to do unto you”. So if a council chairman accuses Governor Amaechi, I am sure he would not be happy about it, what Amaechi is doing to the President is condemnable. It is not worth it, I think he is going personal, and I thank God for the maturity of the person of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. If it were during the tenure of one of our past President, Amaechi would have been an ex-governor by now. President Jonathan is tolerant, peaceful, calm, but very calculative. I think that the interest of the President is to leave an enduring legacy in this country. The time Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan leaves as the President of the country, I believe his good works will speak for generations.

What is your comment on the defection of the Speaker of House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, to APC?

The truth of the matter is that he has the right to defect to any party of his choice, but the truth of the matter is that, as soon as he defects, he should be honourable enough to do the needful. I have a clear knowledge of the rules of every House, and for you to aspire to be the Speaker of a particular chamber, council, House of Assembly or House of Representatives, one of the conditions the person must fulfill is that, he must be the member of the majority party in that House. That was what qualified Tambuwal, whether the party supported him or not, that was immaterial. The first issue that qualified him to aspire for Speakership was that he was a member of the majority party in the House of Representatives, and having defected to APC, he should be honorable enough to tender his resignation letter as a Speaker of the House. So I must say that, much as he has the right to defect to APC, it is wrong for him to continue to hold onto the position of Speaker of the House. That exposes the quest for power by Africans. Tambuwal has distinguished himself, but should be honorable enough to resign as the Speaker, because he is no more a member of the majority party.

How do you see the chances of the President in the forthcoming Presidential election and PDP as a party?

I can assure you, and I have been praying about it, his works, his projects, his policies, will attest to the fact that, he has been a good President. In one of the interviews I granted a journalist in Abuja, I told him and I can still say it, “I am a specialist in comparative politics, and I have undertaken a study of the administrations of all the past Presidents of this country since independence, I can say to you without fear or favour that President Jonathan is the best President that Nigeria has ever produced so far, therefore I am optimistic that he will win”.

The post ‘Most popular politician in Rivers today is Jonathan’ appeared first on Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper.

Traders in Akwa Ibom State have called on the state government to ensure transparent disbursement of the state’s share of the N220 billion Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) loan to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME).

President, Conference of Akwa Ibom Traders (CAIST), Chief Christopher Usoro, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Uyo.

NAN recalls that the CBN recently approved N220 billion loans to be disbursed to MSMEs in the country to enhance their performance.

Usoro said the traders decided to make the call because they were apprehensive that politicians might highjack the funds for their wives and relations. He said government should ensure that the loan was given to genuine petty traders whose capital base was small as directed by the apex bank.

“We are making this call because politicians in their usual manner could highjack it and share it to their wives and relatives.

“We are appealing to agencies responsible for the disbursement of the loan to give it to only traders under registered cooperative societies.

“I and other members of our association have been busy enlightening traders on how to form and register cooperative societies with the Corporate Affairs Commission,” he said.

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The price of a 50 kilogramme bag of cement in Eket area of Akwa Ibom is still as high as N1,750, a survey by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has shown.

The current price of cement in the area has persisted, in spite of the crashing of its price to N1,000 in parts of the country in recent weeks by the Dangote Cement Company.

The dealers who spoke to NAN in Eket, Onna, Nung Udoe and Esit Eket said they would exhaust their old stock at the current price before thinking of reducing the price.

Mr Anietie Assam, a dealer in Eket, said he sold a 50 kilogramme of cement at for N1,750 because the stock he had was supplied at an old rate.

Assam, however, attributed the high price of cement in Eket to transportation cost and other logistics, adding that “after exhausting the old stock the price will come down’’.

A retailer in Udua Nka, Eket, Mr Thompson Asuqwo, also said he would continue to sell at the prevailing price since he had not got supplies in recent times.

“Unless our suppliers reduce the price at which they sell to us, we cannot bring down the price now,’’ he said.

He said he would reduce the price of the commodity as soon as he got supply from the company.

Another dealer in Nung Udoe, Mr Monday Effiong, commended Dangote Cement for the price slash, describing it as a welcome development.

Effiong said he bought the old stock at a high rate, noting that the new price would take some time to be effective in the area.

He said that was because the dealers had to sell out their old stock at the current price before getting new supplies.

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The Adonte community in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta, has appealed to the State Government, to provide potable water in the area.

The Obi (traditional ruler) of Adonte, Emmanuel Offor, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Adonte on Sunday that his subjects had been without potable water for 24 years.

The traditional ruler said the public water scheme in the community, built by the old Bendel State Government in 1976, had not been functional for 24 years.

“Adonte needs a functional water scheme to ensure regular water supply here. Over the years, potable water has remained a major challenge to us. We spend so much on water.

“The water scheme provided in 1976 by the then Bendel State Government is no longer functional. The water pump, due to old age, parked up in 1990,” he said.

Offor said that since then, most people in the community had resorted to fetching water from a nearby stream for their daily use. According to him, the few wealthy individuals who had private boreholes in the community had been exploiting others who bought water from them.

He said: “Most people have resorted to getting water from the nearby streams and ponds, because they cannot afford to buy it from these wealthy ones.

“I am appealing to Delta State Government on behalf of my people to give us a functional water scheme that will provide potable water to us.” A youth leader in the community, Mr Chucks Okpunor, also told NAN that the community lacked access road and the situation had taken its toll on the community.

“Adonte people are predominantly farmers, notable for the production of cassava, yam and oil palm; but due to lack of passable roads, we cannot move our produce to urban centre.

“The only road linking Adonte to the Ughelli-Asaba Expressway is so bad that no vehicle wants to ply it.

“Many farmers here have resorted to the use of motorcycles to evacuate as much produce as they can,” he said.

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