Minimum wage not salary increment, junior staff should get more, says Okowa

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State said on Tuesday the new minimum wage for Nigerian workers was long overdue and urged state governors to implement the N30,000 minimum wage recently signed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Okowa, who spoke with State House correspondents after a private meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, said that he would pay the N30,000 new minimum wage.
He however said that the minimum wage increment should not be seen as salary increment across-board, stressing that the junior staff earning below the new wage would be the major beneficiaries.
He said that the previous minimum wage of N18, 000 was not sustainable.
“We are actually going to pay the N30,000; we had made our statement long before the new minimum wage was even approved.
“ I actually believe that it is long overdue because N18, 000 is definitely not sustainable.
“But I also do believe as I have told my colleagues and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President that this time we must understand what minimum wage is.
“Minimum wage is not supposed to be a general salary increment; those at the bottom of the rung should actually benefit much more than those at the top and it ought to be so.’’
The Governor also said that education was free at the primary and secondary levels in Delta State, hence the recent treatment given to little Success Adegor was unfortunate.
He said the matter was being investigated and many people involved would soon be punished.
“We are doing well in terms of our education but people were quick to talk about the matter but there were two issues that came out from there.
“Corruption was there because asking the child not to take exams except fee were paid was wrong.
“ I know that education at that level is free in Delta State. Disciplinary actions are being taken and a lot of persons are obviously going to be caught up in that trap.
“I know that we run a free education up to secondary school level; so that was wrong.
“People were quick to talk about the picture of the school and I told them, we have 1124 public schools; that’s the primary school; then we have 465 secondary schools.
“If you believe that in just three years we can impact on all the structures then it will be magical but I do know that the schools in Delta have a new face.
“We have so many of them that have been rehabilitated and have been put in proper shape and we are continuing with that.’’
The governor said that the state was also doing a lot in the health sector as its health sector reform was addressing issues concerning public health.
He said that the state’s healthcare was driven by the Primary Healthcare Development Agency along with the Local Government Primary Healthcare Authority.
According to Okowa at present Delta State is the leading state when it comes to the issue of the Health Insurance Policy.
He said that upon his assumption of office, the law on Delta State Contributory Health Commission was made in the first six months.
“Within that law which is already operational starting from January 2017, we are now providing free maternal healthcare services and free under-five healthcare services.
“Not only in our 64 general hospitals but also in 167 primary healthcare centres; we intend to upscale to about 270 functional primary healthcare centres for the purpose of the health insurance.
“The former administration did operate a free maternal and free under-five healthcare because it is in under-five healthcare that you have a lot of malaria and a lot of mortality.
“But what we are doing right now is to ensure that we pay the premiums of these set of vulnerables and they will access healthcare services,’’ he said.
According to him, the state has over 550,000 persons already enrolled in its Health Insurance Policy in two years.
He said he was looking to providing 30 per cent to 40 per cent of Delta State indigenes with health insurance in the next four years. (NAN)

Osanebi, Ibegbulem, artists applaud Okowa’s 1st tenure feats, unite youths at novelty match

By Ikechukwu Chukwudi

Eulogies for the accomplishments of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state in his first tenure took the centre stage today in Asaba at a novelty match held at the permanent site of the Federal College of Education (Technical).

Deputy Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly Rt. Hon Friday Osanebi and Principal Secretary to the Delta State Government, Hon Hilary Obi Ibegbulem today, Monday April 29, 2019, joined entertainment industry stakeholders in Delta State, at a novelty match to commemorate the Governor’s  Victory at the polls.

Speaking to Banneronlinenews our online newspaper during the event in which Lions FC squared up against Otunba FC, Osanebi who was represented by Mr Mathias Osanebi, said the essence was to emphasize that Governor Okowa was very much worth celebrating.

He stated: “The reality is that His Excellency Sen Ifeanyi Okowa’s victory is worth celebrating because for the past four years he has done a very good job of uniting Deltans. In so many areas, he has touched Delta state positively and most importantly, his administration has united the youths more than has ever happened in the state."

On his part, Hon Hilary Obi Ibegbulem said Governor Okowa is doing so much about governance in the state. Speaking through his representative Mr Nduka, the Principal Private Secretary said “the celebration of the victory of Governor Okowa is a celebration of excellence, infrastructural advancement, freedom and the cause of the average Deltan.”

Pointing out that the Smart Agenda of the Okowa Administration has proven very cerebral in economic management and micro management of the state’s resources, Ibegbulem declared that “he came in when the economy of the state was in tatters; however, he was able to steer the ship of governance effectively. Therefore his victory is a win for Deltans”.

The novelty match which was a sequel to the OKOWA VICTORY CONCERT billed to hold on Wednesday, May 1^st 2019 at the Dome Event Centre, Okpanam Road, Asaba saw top entertainers and show promoters in Delta State unite in a celebratory atmosphere to reecho their approval of the Ifeanyi Okowa Administration.

Organized by versatile show promoter and Standup MC Mr Edirin Obada aka MC 2THINGS and fellow entertainer Baba Dee, the novelty match saw top Nollywood actors,  Mr Dave Ogbeni in attendance, while MC Famous, DJ Kazzy, Mc Juggernaut, Accord, MC Babawale, DJ Groove traded tackles in healthy competition.

At the end of 90 minutes a header from Balo and brace from Emmanuel of Otunba FC saw them defeat Lions FC 3-0.

Organizers Edirin Obada (MC2things) and Baba Dee alongside artiste Accord said the decision to celebrate the birth of a stronger Delta via the victory of Governor Okowa despite the antics of the opposition, was to celebrate the triumph of good. “We are celebrating performance, we are celebrating excellence,” Edirin added.

Highlight of the event was the cash presentation of N500,000 to the organizers of the Okowa Victory Concert on behalf of Hon Hilary Obi Ibegbulem.

Don’t divert petroleum products, EFCC warns NUPENG drivers

The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu has warned Petroleum Tanker Drivers of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers( NUPENG) in the Niger Delta area,  to steer clear of products diversion and collusion with illegal oil bunkerers.  

The Acting Head, Media and Publicity of the anti-crimes commission, Mr. Tony Orilade confirmed in a statement that Magu gave the warning today Monday, April 29, 2019 through the Port Harcourt's Zonal Head of the EFCC, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, when Executives of Petroleum Tanker Drivers of NUPENG paid him a Courtesy Visit. 

According to him, tanker drivers are increasingly getting involved in illegal oil bunkering crimes through product diversions and carriage of illegal petroleum products.

"Your members are being used for illegal diversion of products. Your organization is protecting criminals from being arrested and this is worrisome. Your organization, NUPENG is known for comradeship, not collusion. Right now, we have over 500 Trucks in our custody for investigation and possible prosecution on illegal oil bunkering. This is not good enough. You must desist from this practice", he said.

Magu charged the drivers to come forward with modalities of tackling illegal movements of their trucks in order to stem the tide of daily arrests.

"You can come up with how to monitor movements of your trucks. You can look into tracking of your trucks. It is obvious that those illegal oil bunkerers refining illegal products are in business because they are sure that your members are available to convey the products", he said. 

He also tasked the drivers to key into the whistle blowing policy of the government by offering useful information to the EFCC on the activities of drivers suspected to be fraudulent.

In his response, Chairman of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers, Comrade Ezenwa Kinglsley, expressed appreciation to the EFCC for the visit. He explained that NUPENG had never supported any of its members involved in products diversion or collusion with illegal oil bunkerers. 

"In all our meetings, we have a policy that the union can never cover up or associate with anyone caught in any illegality.  We made billboards of culprits of product diversion. We have a Task Force checking any form of infraction by our members.  Once you are caught, we will bring you out", he said. Another member of the delegation to the EFCC, Comrade Moses Benibo said that his union was becoming helpless over the activities of the rouge drivers because "there are big shots involved in the business of products diversion and our lives could be at risk if we tackle them on our own".

Appeal Court affirms Dumo Lulu-Briggs as Accord Party guber candidate in Rivers State

Dumo Lulu-Briggs

The Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt, today, Monday, April 29, 2019 gave judgment in favour of Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, the ACCORD Party candidate in the 2019 Governorship election in Rives State.

A statement by the Direc\tor of Communications, Dumo Lulu-Briggs campaign Organisation, Mr. Sotonye Ijuye-Dagogo stated that in a very short judgment on the appeal  CA/120/2019 brought by Chief Dumo Lulu -Briggs, the Court held that the Federal High Court did not have the jurisdiction to hear the matter because it was statute barred having been filed 20 days after the statutory period of 14 days stipulated by the 4th Alteration of the 1999  Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

Excerpts from the statement declares: “It would be recalled that in the desperation to stop strong opponents in the just concluded elections, one Precious Baridoo allegedly working for the incumbent governor, had gone to court claiming to be the rightful governorship candidate of Accord while also serving as the Rivers State IPAC chairman, a position reserved for state party chairmen.

“Today's ruling of the Appeal Court has fully restored Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs as the legitimate Accord governorship candidate although the damage intended by his detractors had been achieved. It is now left for the peace-loving Dumo Lulu-Briggs to decide whether to seek further redress on the matter.”

Ned Nwoko bags FUPRE's Doctor Of Science awar

Dr. Ned Nwoko ....during the award.

The amiable and ebullient prince of Idumuje-Ugboko Kingdom, Hon. Prince Ned Nwoko has received the Honorary Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) Award from the Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun (FUPRE), Delta State, Nigeria.

Accepting the honour on behalf of other awardees, Ned Nwoko said it was an amazing moment standing on the front row of history to accept this prestigious honour.
According to him, ” To be recognised by the University is a badge of honour, seal of approval, power of confidence, acclamation of competence and celebration of social distinction.
This is a lifelong privilege given the lofty essence of University. The idea of the University is not just the treasure of learning and knowledge. It confers the finest toga of human prestige, dignity and self assurance”.
Speaking further, the kind hearted former House of Reps Member affirmed that the award holds so much fascination for him.
He recounted his love for education and how he dared beyond the ordinary to acquire western education and exposure in England.
In addition, he stressed that such personal effort and conviction changed his orientation even as a fulfilling international legal practitioner; thereby spurring him to return to Nigeria in 1999 to serve his fatherland in politics and humanity.
Ned Nwoko however, in his usual characteristics of philanthropy and capacity building, supported each of the 21 First Class graduates of the University with the sum of one million (totalling #21m).
The University of Petroleum Resources Effurun was established in 1997 and resumed academic activities with 50 undergraduates in 1998; however, becoming the first ever premier university in Africa and 6th in the world. Today it has over 4000 registered students.
At this second convocation ceremony holding on Saturday 27th April, 2019, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Onwuka ably represented the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari GCFR.
The Chancellor of the University, HRH Alhaji Dr. Attahiru Mohammad Ahmad (the Emir of Zamfara), the Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Shehu Abdullahi Zuru (Professor of Petroleum Law and Policy), Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. A.O. Akii Ibhadode, including other eminent Nigerians were fully on ground playing prominent roles to ensure adequate success of the ceremony.
Moreover, the arrival of Prince Ned Nwoko to the venue of the Doctorate award was heralded by royal welcome and delightful ovation. He had come to the University’s ceremony with members of his family, several Anioma Royal Fathers, business associates, friends, supporters from the students’ community and Anioma groups.
Reported By Patrick Ochei