Okowa orders infrastructural audit of public schools in Delta

Chief Patrick Ukah, Commissioner for Basic and
Secondary Education.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has directed that a comprehensive audit of infrastructures in schools and mapping of all public primary and post primary schools in the state be carried out.

The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Chief Patrick Ukah, who made this known in a statement in Asaba said that the exercise has become imperative for government to take another and deeper critical overview of its infrastructural inputs.

This, he said, is with a view to identifying shortfalls and possible gaps which would redirect its focus to untouched areas of infrastructural needs by the schools during the current tenure of this administration.

Ukah lauded the approval considering the fact that it will throw up a number of issues and challenges of the system that may need to be tackled by the state government.

The Commissioner stated that the perceived gap is not due to inaction on the part of government but the large number of public schools and the long years of abandonment contrary to information peddled on social media, adding that government in its commitment to promoting educational standards in the state, has extended the intervention beyond infrastructural developments with the recruitment of one thousand teachers recently.

He said that given the large number of public schools in the state and the various other competing demands in the social sector of the economy, no one would rightly expect that all schools would be attended to simultaneously by government, adding that intervention programmes are executed in phases until the entire the state is covered.

According to the Basic and Secondary Education Commissioner, at the end of the school infrastructural audit and mapping project, critical challenges would be identified which will inform government policies and actions in addressing the issues of duplication of projects, skewness in project locations, poor school database management and documentation, and economic wastages.

The exercise, which is expected to commence in the next two weeks, has been awarded to an international research company with renowned pedigree in census and infrastructural audit.

The company will execute the project with very clear terms of references and mandate within a completion period of eight weeks.

Ukah assured that the outcome and recommendations of the schools infrastructural audit and mapping would be made public as it will further provide policy directions for government towards achieving intended overall educational goals in the state.

NIGERIA @ 59: Let’s rebuild our nation, Okowa charges Nigerians

Governor Okowa of Delta state exchanging pleasantries with Rt. Rev.
Justus Mogekwu

Delta State Governor, Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has urged Nigerians to embrace selflessness and sacrifice to rebuild Nigeria.

He made the call today, September 29, 2019 at an inter-denominational thanksgiving service at the Cathedral Church of St. Peters, Bishopscourt, Asaba, to mark the country's 59th Independence Anniversary.

The governor said that building of a nation required the participation of all.

He said that the process should begin  at the homes, with the rebuilding of the family structure where parents could direct children aright.

Okowa also Nigerians in the Diaspora to be part of the re-building of the nation, challenging them to emulate Prophet Nehemiah in the Holy Bible.

He recalled that from his comfort zone abroad, Nehemiah who was concerned about the problems in his native Jerusalem, prayed and assembled follow citizens and friends to return and rebuilt the city.

“The country requires everybody to be committed to nation building. We must pray and fast for the nation so that God will hear us.

“The church must continue to pray for Nigeria as only prayers can deliver us as a nation.

"For those in authority, we need to render the best of services in the best way possible, because being in position of authority means we must render services to the people and not be lord over them.

“When we stand in realization of the fact that leaders must render services, our nation will be better,” he said.

He congratulated Nigerians and urged that in spite of the challenges facing the nation, they should not despair ""because the Lord is on His throne."

The governor, however, congratulated Deltas and  Nigerians in general on the anniversary but insisted that citizens must fast and pray for God to turn around the situation in the country.

Earlier, the Bishop of Asaba, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Justuce Mogekwu, had in a sermon, urged leaders to look up to God for wisdom to govern the people.

He deplored the prevailing hard times in the country, saying “Nigeria is not what it should be. We must pray hard for Nigeria to be better.

"We must be ready to stick out our necks and tell the leaders the truth; the country does not belong to any particular ethnic group, we all have equal stakes in this country.

"We need to fight against any injustice.”

Special prayers were offered for the country and its people at the church service.

Okowa advocates revival of spiritual family life, calls for proper upbringing of children

Governor Okowa presents birthday card to Rev. Festus Udume.

GovernorI feanyi Okowa of Delta State has called on Nigerians to be spiritually minded in order to curb growing decay in family life. 

He made the call today, Saturday, September 28, 2019, at Boji Boji Owa, in Ika North East Local Government Area of the state during the 70th birthday celebration of Rt. Rev. Dr. Festus Udume, Bishop of Anioma Diocese Church of God Mission International. 

The governor commended Udume, who also celebrated his 46th anniversary on the pulpit, for his humility and exemplary leadership in the House of God.

He decried the prevailing situation where many parents could not attest to the character of their children due to negligence of responsibility.

To the bishop, he said: "You are retiring but there is more to be done in the House of God, because God is allowing you to move into community service because there is lots of decay in family life.

"Sometimes I wonder what we preach in the Church; we have so many churches now but things are still going under. 

"We go to church and we do not care for the kind of life our children are living.

"It is not enough to go to church because when parents don't know the character of their children then something is wrong.

"I am truly very scared for our nation, going into the future, but I am confident that with men like you there is hope for the future.

"Forty-six years of experience on the pulpit is quite a lot and I congratulate you on your 70th birthday."

Chairman of the ocassion, Prof John Okhuoya, lauded Udume for his indelible sermons in the hearts of many and for the several empowerments he had given to people around him.

"When he preaches the word of God you cannot but adjust your life.

"We have seen your commitment and exemplary living as a senior clergy and you have displayed loyalty and humility beyond human comprehension."

Bishop Curtis Fiano in his sermon titled "The story behind the glory" urged Christians to always be grateful and thankful to God for what they have achieved if they were to get what they want in life. 

"Where you are today is somebody's prayer point, adding "if you don't thank God for where you are you will not get to where you are going

The celebrant, Rev Udume said despite being a clergy man, he went into farming in his desire to help people and lift them out of poverty and called on highly placed Nigerians to use their privileged positions to uplift the down-trodden.

Delta scholarship Board presents scholarship cheque to 1st class Abel Jonathan to pursue Ph.D course

Executive Secretary, Delta State Bursary and Scholarship Board, Hon. Sunny
Orishedere presents cheque to Mr. Abel Jonathan.

Fortune today, Friday, September 27, 2019, smiled at Mr. Abel Maviano Jonathan, the wunderkind from Enhwe, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State when the Delta State Bursary and Scholarship Board presented to him a cheque for academic brilliance to enable him pursue masters and Ph.D studies.

Mr.Jonathan, a first class graduate of mathematics from Delta State University, Abraka received the cheque for an undisclosed amount presented by the Executive Secretary of the Board, Hon Sunny Orishedere, at a brief but impressive ceremony in the expansive office of the executive secretary in Asaba.

Jonathan, a 23 years old orphan, lost his both parents to death; his father, late Jonathan Owarie died 15 years ago, and his mother, late Mrs. Roseline Owarie died 13 years ago.  He made 4.91, making him the best first class material since DELSUS’s inception, and an overall all time best student. He was accompanied to the event by one of his uncles, Barrister Bayagbon David.

Presenting the cheque, Hon. Orishedere said: “What we are doing today is our usual way of showing to the youths of Delta state, especially that this administration is committed to encouraging them to any positive height they may want to attain.

Mr. Abel Jonathan.

“The state government didn’t even know that he is an orphan. Government just made the policy to come to the aid of exceptionally brilliant students of the state origin to encourage them. Abel is an example that every Delta child needs to emulate.  His determination has brought him to this height. He did not feel that he has no parents; a situation that would have made someone to lose hope and resort to doing negative things,” the Executive secretary said.

He continued: “We thank you for making Delta State proud. We are happy to see and to hear that Deltans are excelling in their various fields of endeavour. To have made this possible, Delta State Government wants to encourage you. Delta State Government wants to encourage outstanding youths of the state to achieve and reach the best heights.”

Orishedere then hand to Jonathan the letter of scholarship award and the first cheque to enable him pursue post graduate studies.

Jonathan’s uncle, representing his parents, Barrister David Bayagbon thanked Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and the Delta State Bursary and Scholarship Board for being magnanimous and caring. “This is an encouragement. I was there when Governor Okowa made the promise to help indigent but brilliant students, and today, that promise is being fulfilled.”

Expressing his appreciation for the government’s good gesture and aid to him, the recipient, Mr. Jonathan said: “I thank God for this support and I believe that it will help me to achieve my height.  I thank the Scholarship Board for this support.”

Jonathan, who came out as the best overall student for the 2017/2018 academic session, is also the overall all time best student with 4.91 in the history of Delta State University.   He pledged to be useful to the state by playing his own good part on completion of his post graduate studies.

Speaking to journalists later, Jonathan said he was inspired by the pushing of his aunty, and that the first result he had as an undergraduate he made all ‘As’ and one ‘B’. “When I entered the university, first class was not on my mind.  The grace of God helped me,” he said, pointing out that “I put away my browsing phone.  There were days we studied for 15 hours.

“Once I resumed at school I avoided all social events. I can’t remember being in any social gathering apart from going to church. I never eyed any girl. I was not eyeing girls. I was nick named the Reading Room.”

To the youth like him, Jonathan said: “It might take long, it might take a while but don’t give up. There are honest ways to making money, and that money is not everything. To Delta youth, I want to encourage them to understand that making fast money does not pay in the long run.  Just make money through the right way.

“I had financial challenges; I never had luxury in school, yet, I did not suffer. I ate. And I am very grateful to y family people. Sometimes, I had to go to people, who are ahead of me to seek help,’ Jonathan disclosed.

 On what he wants to be and do in life, he said: “My ambition is not just to be lecturer. I want to apply this knowledge. Mathematics is about solving problems. I want to solve problems. I want to come out to help develop models that will help to solve human problems. I thank God for my uncles and aunties who took care of me and my siblings.”

Okowa's aide seeks journalists’ collaboration on security, peace in Delta

Delta NUJ Chairman, Comrade Mike Ikeogwu (right), with
 Comrade Ezekiel Daniel.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Delta State on Security, Comrade Ezekiel Daniel has said that journalists are Germaine to his effort at helping Governor Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa actualise effective security and peace in Delta, adding that the role of the media cannot be overemphasized.

He made this assertion Wednesday 23rd September, 2019, when he visited the NUJ Temporary Secretariat to seek journalists’ collaborative effort in line with the functions of his office as SSA on Security.

Ezekiel who is from Warri North and has been an activist for over 22 years, stated that he decided to connect with the media, believing that no government or its functionaries can succeed in office without the indispensable collaboration of the media.

The SSA affirmed that so far in his three weeks old appointment, he had visited some flashpoints in the state, including Onwian to hold meetings with them on the need to sustain the peace initiatives of the SMART Governor of Delta State.

He also said that he had visited Sapele Local Government Area to have on the spot assessment of the area now being largely infested by alleged Yahoo Plus criminals, maintaining that at the meeting with some youths in the area, he charged them on the need to be on the watch out for anything that impedes security and undermines peace in Sapele and Delta in general.

According to the SSA, "Since my appointment in the last three weeks, I have taken proactive steps to prove that youths are equal to effecting change in our State and country."

"Realising that peace is the template for the desired progress and development, and upon which security and vigilance cannot be overlooked; based on this, we are deploying every legitimate means - Advocacy, Collaborative effort and others to bring about peace in our State."

"To achieve this agenda of the Governor towards a Stronger Delta, we need the media to effectively deliver on our mandate. Thank you for opening your door to welcome us."

Responding, the NUJ Chairman, Delta State Council, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu congratulated the SSA, adding that he had shown enough reason to succeed in the assignment the Governor appointed him for."

"For you to realise the importance and role of the media in your assignment means you know what to do already. You must try as much as possible to diligently deliver on mandate."

"Again, you must endeavour to harness the capacity and potentials of the youths as critical in your agenda for a secure, violent free and peaceful Delta", Ikeogwu advised.

Delta State Scholarship Board saves N1.3b in bursary clean-up effort, grows database for Delta students

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has scored a major upset against the rot that hitherto existed in the disbursement of bursaries to students of Delta State origin through a sanitization mechanism that has saved the state about N1.3billion.

The Executive Secretary of the Delta State Scholarship Board, Hon. Sunny Orishedere made this known in an interview with Editors of banneronlinenews.com and cshowcasenews.com, when he also disclosed that the Board has saved the state about N400million this year alone because the strategies adopted were able to block the loopholes that students who are non indigenes of the state explore and exploit to make false declarations thereby increasing the number of the applicants astronomically.

The Board has also evolved a database for the students of the state origin attending institutions of higher learning.

Hon. Sunny Orishedere, Executive Secretary, Delta State Scholarship Board.

“Past challenges included a situation where students who are not from Delta State even benefit more. In other words, it meant that those who are not supposed to benefit were the ones benefiting,” Hon. Orishedere said.

Recalling that the policy directive of Governor Okowa to the Board at inauguration in 2016 was that the rot in the scholarship and bursary schemes should be addressed and cleared to bring in sanity into the system, Orishedere said: “Today, we are up to date. We have cleared all the backlogs of unpaid bursaries. We do not owe any backlog.”

He announced that the state government runs a number of scholarship schemes serviced by the Board. The executive Secretary said: “We have facility for best overall graduating student; scholarship for physically challenged persons; scholarship for children of deceased civil servants. They are civil servants who died in service.” Here Hon. Orishedere explained that the Board is very critical in disbursing funds because they want to ensure that such children actually get the benefit, and so that the payment is not in any way misused to the detriment of the children who truly deserve to use the scholarship fund for.

He also announced that the Board has scholarship provision for Deltans who are engaged in the aviation industry.

“We discovered that aviation study is very expensive, so we introduced the scheme to be able to help such student. This is besides scholarship schemes granted to Deltans who are engaged in specific courses,” he stated.

Answering a question, Hon. Sunny Orishedere expressed appreciation to the students for their peaceful dispositions. “It has been very peaceful, and I want to urge them to continue in this stead. I also want to encourage the students to continue to do well because, as it is said, ”anything worth doing at all should be properly done,”

Find below excerpts from the interview with the Executive Secretary, Hon. Sunny Orishedere.

Can we know your sir?

I am from Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, precisely from Otiugbo, and by the grace of God, the Executive Secretary, Delta State Bursary and Scholarship Board.

Tell us what has been happening at the Delta State Bursary and Scholarship Board since youn came on bord.

It all started, if I am to give you details of what has been happening in Delta State Scholarship Board, I must make reference to where we actually started.

To be specific, it all started in 2016, February 29 when the last board was inaugurated and at the inauguration of that board, I was a member, and His Excellency, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa made a very clear policy statement that the Delta State scholarship Board as it was than is rotten, and he directed us to go and clean up the place. It was a policy statement that he made.

So when we came in, we went into action and we actually discovered that indeed, there were a lot of challenges, and that a lot of things needed to be put in place.

Most of the challenges in the past included, a situation where students who are not from Delta State origin were benefitting more than those from the State. We have issues like that, which means that those who are not supposed to benefit are benefitting.

The first thing we did was to see how we can put measures in place to be able to curtail that situation, because that greatly increased the number of applications and the state was finding it difficult to even make  payment because, first the numbers have become too much and the resources are not there.

The first thing I did then, being an ICT consultant, was to deploy a website whereby all applicants, all student of Delta State origin, wherever you are, across the globe, you can register online. That is one, because most of them cannot asses the website, because it is not manual. So the information was not even there.

The website is not just a website; it was deploying in a way that a lot of field or requirement was involve. For instance, we went ahead to secure partnership with the National Identification Card Management Commission. We also met with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. The purpose was for us to see how we can integrate with their database with a view to ensuring that those who are not from Delta state cannot in any way access or register.

So we indeed linked to NICMS Database, and of course, during registrations for National ID card, a lot of students who register, they register including their names, where they come from, the community, local government area, State and so on. Even though they were doing those sharp practices in Delta state, there is no way they would register for their National ID card and say they are from Delta State when they are not. So, that we were able to do.

What it means is that, if you are applying online, by the time you get to the test block where you are required to key in for your State of origin, when you say state, it will link the database. If you are not from Delta State, you cannot in any other way register. It is automatic and that is one aspect of it.

We also got to their inters witch agency, because, in the process of registration, we do require your BVN as well as your bank account number. There are two ways, if you put in your BVN, it will link your account and inside that your account, you have your details and if you are not from Delta State, it will not work.

In fact that actually helped us a lot in reducing the number of applications.

When we came in, the population was tumbling between 35,000 to 45,000 students every session, but with these measures, coupled with the physical verification strategy that we also put in place, we were able to drastically reduce the number. It is now tumbling between 15 to 16 thousand students as against 35 and 45 students every session. So, to God we give all the glory that we were able to achieve that.

You know that the students are very sharp, they are very, very sharp; as you are planning, they are also planning because most of them, their arm or purpose is always to beat whatever the Board is doing and how they can defraud the State Government.

Even before now, the Board made payment to the students through their umbrella body, National Association of Delta State Students’ Union (NADESTU). Take for instance, 1,000 students applied from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, you just raise the cheque and give it to the Executives of NADESTU. They are the ones to go and cash the money and disabuse to the students. What they do is that they just raise the cheque in their favour, they withdraw the money and share among themselves, and they report that students from that university have received their bursaries.

But when we came in, on our own, what we did was that as you register, your account number is there, so after registration and verification, we pay direct into individual student’s bank account. Once you get your money, you do not need to pass through anybody.

The reason we adopted the issue of verification is because, one of the criteria is that your CGPA must be above 2.2, and you must be in 200 level and must be a full time student.

Now, those students who are medical students in most cases, they do not access their CGPA yearly. What happens is that those who are medical students, the Board, don’t access them with their CGPA. So what they do is that ones you register as a medical student they go ahead and pay you and the school will confirm.

We found out that most of them don’t verify students who are medical students. You discover that on the process of registration, they just put medical student all through that is one. Secondly, you found out that some of the students who have graduated still come back and register. Again those who are not qualified, who are in 100 levels, some of them will go and register when they are not supposed to.

Meanwhile, Hon. Orishedere has congratulated Governor Okowa on his victory at the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, stating that the victory was well deserved.

His said of the judgment: “I had started rejoicing before the day of judgment. The reason for it is that the political trend in this state is that, as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and as a state, the very well done elections had been the 2015 and 2019 elections; so I never had any fear.

“I started rejoicing long before the judgment day. So, I give glory to God,” he declared, pointing out that Okowa becoming a governor is a mystery, and divine.”

Mystery in the sense that nobody gave him a chance, he was not reckoned with, yet by divine intervention, he became a governor.

Orishedere said that the achievements that Governor Okowa has recorded in this state in the past four years are wonderful. “The budget for projects is always community driven.”

Project Nigeria in positive light, Okowa admonishes citizens

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state with Bishops of the Anglican Communion
 in Nigeria at their meeting in Asaba.

Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has urged Nigerians to shun negative attitudes towards the country, but project her in positive light.

He cautioned that citizens must resist the temptation, no matter how strong, to join those in the habit of continually condemning and speaking evil of the country and its leaders.

The governor made the call on Wednesday, September 25, 2019, in Asaba, at the Standing Committee Meeting of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) at St. Peter’s Cathedral Church of the Diocese of Asaba.

He said: “It is impossible for us to pray right and then speak wrong, because what happens after prayer is as important, if not more important, than the actual prayer.

“Our words as Christians are powerful; negative words carry the power to invalidate our prayers and derail our expectations.

``So, let us all take heed and begin today to speak healing, peace, prosperity, progress and accelerated development to Nigeria.

“My faith is that in no distant time, Nigeria will become one of the most sought-after countries in the world; it shall be well with us as we continue to stand in faith for Nigeria.  

“We need to also teach the flock to release their faith for the purpose of national development and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.

``We are not often as determined and steadfast in exercising faith for a transformed Nigeria as we are when it comes to our personal needs.”

He reaffirmed that Delta State has been dedicated to God, saying: ``Our trust is in Him and, therefore, we cannot be put to shame”.

Okowa commended the Anglican Communion for its steadfastness in preaching the word of God, noting that all over the world, the pulpit was under severe pressure.

According to him, congregants, having itchy ears, are hardening their ears to the truth and looking for preachers who will tell them what they want to hear.

In his message, the Primate of Anglican Communion, Most Revd Nicholas Okoh, thanked the governor for his support to the Church and called on the Federal Government to tackle the challenges of insecurity in the country.

Speaking on “Fight The Good Fight Of Faith,” the Primate urged Christians not to be deterred in their efforts to win souls for Christ, urging them to shun greed, selfishness, ambition, division, sin, heretic doctrines, and the like.

Get committed to Stronger Delta Agenda, Okowa orders appointees

Governor Okowa congratulates Mr. Emma Chinye after inauguaration as
Chairman, Delta State Waste management Board.

Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has urged political office holders to get committed to his administration's Stronger Delta agenda.

The governor made the call today, Tuesday, September 24, 2019, while swearing in a Special Adviser, Chief Emuobo Gbagi and inauguration of five boards of different parastatals and agencies in Asaba.

He said that all government functionaries should "sit up and get running, because there is a lot to be done."

According to Okowa, I see you appointees as a vehicle for rendering of selfless service to Deltans and not as opportunity to enrich yourselves or for ego trip.

“You (political appointees) must hold the position in trust for the people; it is not about eye service to the Governor but, about the impact that you will make in the life of the people.

”We are to render service to the people, work with the people, communicate with the grassroots, and bring development to them; only then would we have performed as a government,” he said.

The governor congratulated Gbagi and others who were inaugurated at the ceremony and urged them to cooperate with civil servants to ensure seamless rendering of service to the people.

“There is a lot to be done and we will continue to do our best to meet with the aspirations of Deltans.

"I want to state that it is not possible to give appointment to all Deltans who saw to my emergence as Governor; what I will assure is that as much as possible we will deliver the dividends of democracy and reposition our state to be prosperous for stronger Delta to be achieved.

“We will continue to stay focused on our goals; everybody should provide the enabling environment that will engender peace for investment to thrive, because the more resources we have, the more we engage in development programmes,” he stated.

The Boards inaugurated were those of Delta State Library Board with Dr. Israel Abido as Chairman and Mrs Ayo Ojeifoh, Mr Donald Akpojohare, Mrs Blessing Oghogho as members.

Delta State School of Health Technology has Dr Chris Oharisi as Chairman, while Mr Sunny Tatabuzogwu and Mrs Osuobeni Ebikabo-Ere as members.

Chief Christiana Etaluku is new Chairman of Delta State Post Primary Education Board, with Mr Anthony Nzugwuogwu, Mrs  Eunice  Angozi and Mr Venture Oyiborhoro as members.

 Delta State Waste Management Board has Mr Emmanuel Chinye as Chairman and Mr Jude Onya, Mr  Mofe Edema, and Mr Daniel Ighedo as members.

Also inaugurated was Chief Andrew Orugbo as Chairman of Governing Board of Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro. 

Orugbo responded on behalf of all the appointees and congratulated the governor on the recent reaffirmation of his electoral victory by the Gubernatorial Election Petitions Tribunal.

He assured that they will carry out their duties diligently to the benefits of Deltans.

SDGs: Why Govt. must spur community interest, participation for sustainability, by Angela Onwaeze

Executive Director of Society for Rural Women and Youth Development,
Angela Onwaeze making her presentation before officials of SDGs office,
Delta state.

The need for government to stimulate community interest and participation in government projects has been stressed, and it formed the nucleus of a report submitted today, Tuesday, September 24, 2019 to the Special assistant to the Governor of Delta state on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Dr. Andy Ilabor.

The report on Community engagement/participation and sustainability planning for selected projects under 2014/2015 SDGs-CGS project circle in Delta State was presented by the Executive Director, Society for Rural Women and Youth Development, Angela Onwaeze.

Onwaeze in a presentation before submitting the report said the essence of the presentation was to make visible the work of the SDGs, so that they become a referral points.

Pointing out that it was important for government to engage in sustainable projects in the communities, the Executive Director said however, that it was equally important for government take time to get the people of the community involved in project development from inception.

Angela Onwaeze presents the report to Dr. Andy Ilabor, Senior Special Assistant
to the Governor on SDGs. 

Onwaeze said:  “ Presently, there is a growing evidence that under the right conditions, citizens engagement can help governments achieve improved development results, this therefore, makes engagement an imperative for openness, trust and public accountability between communities and SDGs amongst other benefits.”

According to her, the communities feel alienated when not involved in a project from inception and so, feel that they are not carried along. “One of the fallouts from previous report obtained from the field shows that communities perceived the projects as government business. Most communities did not support the project’s maintenance and its operations as they complained that they were not carried along hence the poor co-operation from them,” she said, and continued:

“It was also observed that most community development unions and local government authorities did not participate in the pre and post project implementation as they were waiting for the commissioning/handover ceremony and participation guidelines.”

Onwaeze consequently submitted that one of the objectives of the report being submitted was to ensure the implementation of a community sustainability plan that prioritises maintenance and management of the facilities, and creating an opportunity for the community to participate in the project implementation cycle.

She disclosed that while on the field collating data for the report, the project team considered inclusiveness as a strategy for engagement which offered opportunity for a wider range of participants to express their views such as women, men, youth, and representatives of Councils, community leaders and health personnel to participate in the engagement.

Accordingly and for the purpose of implementing the project, Onwaeze announced that 12 communities per senatorial district were selected for engagement across the 25 local government areas of Delta state. However, the communities bearing the SDGs’ facilities where the sustainable planning project took place are: Issele-Uku, Obomkpa, Ughoton, Cable, Odurubu, Erovie, Etua-Oligo, Egbo-Igbide, Tuomo, Otor-Udu. The rst are Okpara Inland and Ofagbe.

She also disclosed that the communities to engage were selected based on the outcome of the post project monitoring and priority needs report.

Onwaeze urged that government shouldt takes seriously the need to get communities to participate in projects implementation and sustainable planning for selected projects under 2014/2015 SDGs-CGs project cycle in Delta State, so that SDGs projects will not only be owned by the communities but sustained by them. Doing so, she stressed, will create room for communities to participate in decision making and in the maintenance of the SDGs facilities.

In his response to Onwaeze’s presentation, the Dr. Ilabor, senior special assistant to the governor on SDGs appreciated the Executive Director’s presentation, describing it as laudable. “We will study the report, and we see in your report the critical element of ownership of projects by communities,” Ilabor said, adding: “We need to step up to see that communities earn a project.”

He continued: “We need to establish better relationship with the Council chairmen, so they can get involved and we can hand over projects to them."

Also at the presentation and submission of the report ceremony were the Director, SDGs, Mr. Akposiri Ubogo, Director, Project Support Unit, Mr. Agbaluwa Silver; Director Admin, Mr. Ewuba John; Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Nzerim Demian; and the Public Relations Officer, Obunseli Patience.

DTSG clears all bursary arrears for students, says Orishedere; Delta, only govt. paying bursary to students

NADESTU's new EXCO led by Comrade Godwin O. Saturday in a group
 photograph with the Executive Secretary, Delta State Scholarship Board,
Hon. Orishedere Sunny (6th from left), with other staff

Delta state Government has cleared all arrears of bursary for students of the state origin in all higher institutions of learning in Nigeria.

The Executive Secretary of the Delta state Scholarship Board, Hon. Orishedere Sunny made this known today, Monday, September 23, 2019 when he received in audience the new executives of the National Association of Delta State Students Union (NADESTU), who came to pay him a courtesy call.

At the meeting which held in the conference hall of the State scholarship board on Anwai/Illah Road, Asaba, the Executive Secretary also noted that as at today in the country, it is only Delta state that is paying bursary to students in institutions of higher learning across the country.

Hon. Orishedere therefore, called on the students to reciprocate this gesture of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and imbibe the culture of sincerity in making application for bursary, and avoid the unwholesome act of indulging in sharp practices of falsification of application papers.

 “Today, the state government has cleared the backlog of arrears of bursary payment. The government does not owe any back log of bursary arrears. We have also realized that today, Delta state is the only state paying bursary to students in the country,” he said.

Orishedere accordingly reminded the students of the need to be sincere while applying for scholarships.

He said: “On our part, we want to tell you that the board has been having challenges with student’s sharp practices that they engage in when applying for bursary. This board is against giving false information.”

Orishedere also told the new NADESTU executives that the State Scholarship Board has achieved so much in the area of scaling down on the number of applicants for bursary. This was made possible by the sanitizing measures we have put in place.

A consequence of this is that it is no longer possible for students who are not of Delta state origin to infiltrate and apply for bursary.

Orishedere announced for the information of the students that the state government has made provisions for scholarship for first class students, as well as scholarship for Ph.D students. “There is also scholarship for children of civil servants who died while in service. We have schemes for students who study aviation,” he said.

He hinted that work is at advanced stage of getting approvals for the release of funds for the next bursary payment, pointing out that the board will keep the NADESTU executive council informed at every stage when payment of student bursary is to commence, as well as update the student body about institutions where payment has been made.

Orishedere welcomed the new Comrade Godwin O. Saturday-led NADESTU EXCO, with a call on it to create the atmosphere of cordial relationship to exist, not only with the board but with the state government.

He commended the tenure of the out-going NADESTU exco led by Comrade Samson Agolo, saying: “We had a very good relationship with NADESTU, especially during the tenure of Samson Agolo.

“Agolo sees negotiation and meeting as a veritable instrument for resolving issues. With you coming on board, we hope you will also create the atmosphere of cordial relationship, not only with the board, but with the state government. We knew what it was before Agolo came in,” Oshedere remarked.

Earlier, the new NADESTU president-elect, Comrade Godwin Saturday in his speech thanked the Delta State Government for reactivating the first class scholarship awards for students of the state origin.

He said that the students want to work with the Governor Okowa administration and pledged the co-operation of his new executive council in any area necessary.

Also earlier, the outgoing NADESTU President, Comrade Samson Agolo had introduced his successor, Comrade Godwin Saturday, who then introduced members of his exco who were also present.