Elumelu gets heroic welcome at Asaba Airport, says we’re a family in NASS; he’s a special breed, says Nwokocha

Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu alights from the aircraft that brought
him on constituency visit to Aniocha-Oshimili.

A mammoth crowd of enthusiastic supporters and party faithful of the Aniocha-Oshimili Federal Constituency besieged the Asaba International Airport yesterday, Friday, August 30^th, 2019 to receive their hero, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu.

Elumelu, who was accompanied by eight of his colleagues, cutting across PDP, APC, ADC,  was coming to his constituents for the first time since his election to represent them and his inauguration as the Minority leader in the House of Representatives, fielded questions from journalists and spoke on many burning national issues, pointing out that with their swearing in as members of the National Assembly, party affiliations, tribal and religious inclinations are no longer recognized as they now work together for the good of Nigeria.

He said: “We are one family. We have APC, PDP, APGA, ADC, all of us are here, we are one family. From the day we were sworn in, we became one. And the essence of that is for us to build a formidable nation for our people and ensure that the good dividends of democracy get to our people. So we don’t talk about party once we are on the floor and that is what they are showcasing by coming here with me.”

Elumelu, who was highly elated on seeing the impressive turnout of his constituents to welcome him, told journalists, that he was visiting his constituency, in line with the reformist agenda of the Ninth National Assembly, part of which is visiting of constituencies regularly for consultations on what he needed to take back to the floor of the house so that, “we can have a better and a united Nigeria.”

He said the crowd that welcomed him at the airport was a testimony of the love the people has for him, adding that it shows they are happy that for the first time they voted for who they wanted to represent them in the National Assembly.

"They are here to showcase their joy and happiness that they did not only vote for somebody with capacity, but for their son who has gone there to get something home for them,” he enthused.

On why he visited former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd) in Minna, Niger state, soon after swearing in, Elumelu said Babangida was the leader of the nation, hence he visited him to pay homage, seek for advise and offer himself for any services or assignments the distinguished leader would wish for him to perform or deliver in the interest of the nation, for the next four years.

On the issue of power probe which the House of representatives is demanding in the new assembly, Elumelu said what the people are asking for is not just a probe but they want to know what happened in the power sector and why power has been inconsistent in the nation.

“They want to know why we do not have constant electricity. And, of course, the house is a vibrant house, you can see them behind me, those are my bosses, they decide what happens on the floor of the house.

“We don’t decide for them, ours is to say what they decided and they have said they want to know what is happening why we don’t have constant electricity in Nigeria. We will do what they want,” Elumelu said..

Shedding light on the controversy that surrounded his emergence as the minority leader of the House and the current situation, Elumelu said: “I don’t think there is any more to say. First, when you have a parent who feels that you should go to study medicine and you went ahead to study law, there is tendency for them to be upset that you have not taken the line they asked you to follow. But after some time coupled with your humility, by going to ask them for forgiveness, everything will go down well in the end."

Having emerged minority leader of the House, he said he would run a transparent and open office that would accommodate every member of the House, noting that it is what the members decide at the executive sessions that is brought to plenary for robust debate and deliberation for the good of all Nigerians.

He said: “The function of the leadership of the house is to say what the members have decided. We go into executive sessions, they tell us what they want us to tell the public and what the public should know about and we just say it. So, mine is to bring everybody together, no victor, no vanquished.”

The law maker, who expressed displeasure over the killings of Nigerians in South Africa and, indeed, the spate of insecurity in the country, noted that the Federal Government has a commission on Diaspora and the House of Representatives also has a committee which it has inaugurated, saying: “I believe that as soon as we resume, one of the first things we will look at is that issue and other killings ravaging us in the country. There is no doubt; we have the capacity to handle all these issues.”

He also decried the invasion of the national assembly by the Shi’ites saying the insecurity situation in the country would be on the front burner in the House when it resumes from its recess, even as he stressed that the timely intervention of the Reps, following the invasion by the Shi’ites, led to the release of El-Zakzaky and he was given the opportunity to go to India for treatment.

In an interaction with journalists during the constituency visit, a member of the House of Representatives from Abia state, Rt. Hon. Darlington Nwokocha who was amongst the eight members that accompanied Rt. Hon. Elumelu to his constituency, declared that the minority caucus in the House, under the leadership of Elumelu, would carry out a robust opposition that would lead to a better Nigeria.

“Everything you may define as a robust opposition as obtained in the international clime, that is what you should expect from us because we have people that are well experienced, we have people that are fearless, we have people that are constructive.

“We are not going to fight physically, but we will use our intellectual capacity to make sure we achieve anything achievable for Nigerians. And at the end of the day all of us will be glad we did.”

Nwokocha, who is the House committee chairman on insurance, described Elumelu as a man with extra-ordinary qualities which attracted the eight members who visited Elumelu’s constituency with him.

He said: “For you to see this cream of legislators that have come with him, that means he has some extra-ordinary qualities that must have attracted us to this place. If you look at the cream of people that are here, it cuts across regions, Muslims, Christians, tribes, Hausas, Yorubas and every tribe.

“Elumelu is a special breed. He is a man with a very vast knowledge of interpersonal relationships. He is a man that will make sure he feels your pulse at any point in time. He is a man that can guide you aright. His leadership qualities are excellent, which I believe every person that wants to grow should emulate.

 “I thank God that we are here today. I was thinking that the kind of cordial relationship we have is maybe because we are in Abuja. But today, I can see from the kind of crowd that received us from the airport down to his home, that means he is on ground and has a robust relationship with his people even outside his home. So, he is a good man.

“From what I have seen and the kind of projects he has attracted to his place, I pray that the people of this constituency will always send him to represent them in any capacity because it takes a man with great onions to have come up with these kind of laudable projects. I think the people here will be better off if they continue sending him to represent them.”

Other  members of the House of Representatives who joined Hon. Nwokocha on the visit were; Rt. Hon. Jonathan Gaza from Nasarawa state, Femi Bamishe from Ekiti state, Jafaru Ribadu from Adamawa state, Benjamin Mzondu, Benue state, Vincent Ofuwelu, Anambra state and Dr. Okwudili Ezewnakwo from Anambra state.

Nigeria: A long prayer searching for an amen

Nigeria's flag.

By Owei Lakemfa

HOW we can liberate the 82 million Nigerians trapped under the poverty line, was the task I was given by the Wilson Badejo Foundation, WBF. So on August 13, at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, NIIA, Lagos, I stood before a packed audience. This included Dr Wilson Adebogun Badejo, the immediate past general overseer of the Four Square Church, his successor, Reverend Felix Meduoye, the church’s in-coming general overseer, Reverend Sam Aboyeji and many men and women of God.

My message basically was that Nigerians are poor because of the underdevelopment path our leaders forced us to take. A path that has destroyed our industries, discouraged initiative, encouraged corruption, and employed ethnicity, religion and regionalism to rationalise our tragedy. Having traced the trajectory of our underdevelopment and fortified the foundations of my arguments with reinforced concrete of statistics and facts, I proceeded to proffer some solutions.

I posited that in order to fight poverty, we need basic principles and policies such as: ‘Eat what we grow and grow what we eat’; ‘Wear what we produce and produce what we wear’; ‘Buy vehicles we assemble/produce and produce vehicles we buy’. Often in the media, we have news of Nigerians carrying out innovations, we need to link them, provide funds to develop their various programmes and projects and market them. 

We need a ‘Nigeria First’ policy. To fight poverty, we must provide basic needs, including food, shelter, healthcare and functional education. This is not utopian or a radical demand; in fact, it is so stated in Article 17(2) d of our Constitution. Education is vital in lifting people out of poverty and developing the country. Our oil wealth alone can ensure that all our children are in standard schools with a meal per day. Ironically, 13.2 million of her children are out of school, and the standard of the schools is largely questionable. 

So, even if some of the poor go to the overcrowded schools with no desks, leaking roofs, poorly trained and poorly remunerated teachers, it would amount to giving bad education to poor people which will make them poor. We need to build a rounded citizenry with a conscience, and promote vocational training so our youths can be armed, not with sticks and stones, cudgels and guns, but with skills that will earn them and the country, a living. 

The Buhari administration’s promise of 100 million jobs in the next ten years is a mirage. First, how does a government with maximum of four years in power, promise jobs over ten years? 

Secondly, there are no reliable statistics of the jobless. So we are just travelling without indicators and maps. 

Thirdly, are the jobs to be provided in the ministries and agencies? That is impossible. If they are to be by the private sector, where are the industries? So we have to provide enabling policies, provide available, accessible and affordable electricity so that small scale businesses and the industries can run. 

We need the programmatic and verifiable provision of jobs rather than the endless employment of statistics for propaganda. Nigeria does not need more assembly plants, what we need are proper industries. Making politics economically unattractive and drastically reducing the cost of governance is a basic requirement to save money for welfare projects. We need to run a political system like Cuba in which political office is so unattractive that beyond its patriotic and ideological pull, some try to dodge political appointments and elections.

So, Nigeria needs a system that rewards hard work, not indolence.  A system where a senator nets N14 million ($38,356) monthly, and the worker on the National Minimum Wage earns N18,000 ($50.57) monthly, is unviable. Poverty cannot be alleviated or wiped out by buying the votes of the poor and employing thugs during elections. We have to evolve a patriotic, people-centred economic policy, not one that promotes insatiate greed, profit and politicians. This is also in line with Article 17 (2) C of the Constitution. Our population should not just be the basis of distribution, revenue allocation and consumption. Like China, it should also be the basis of production. A four-fold increase in population within 60 years of independence is not desirable. 

Also, a swelling of unskilled and in many cases, violent and armed migrants must be checked. A return to the First Republic culture of regions (now states) being accountable and productive, is necessary for development. The current culture of zero production and zero contribution to the federation account by most states must be reversed.

The endless multiplication of bureaucracy, including states, ministries and agencies should be curbed in order to use available resources for development not to fund bureaucracy. At independence, we had three regions, three premiers and three Houses of Assembly, today, we have 36 of each. Each of the 36 states has a long list of commissioners, a retinue of special assistants, busloads of aides and a huge market of hangers-on

This waste is replicated in 774 parasitic local governments. A major challenge we face is that a lot of money does not go into verifiable Federation Account.  Also, we need to build a culture of budgeting minus padding and phantom constituency projects. Our country requires a return to the culture of direct labour in the execution of public works, especially road and drainage construction, rather than awarding such contracts to local and international construction companies at highly inflated costs, with dubious payment for uncompleted, abandoned or badly done jobs.

 We need to remove the marauders and bandits occupying farming communities, especially in Plateau, Benue and Zamfara states. Criminality, banditry or forceful relocation of populations in the name of ‘herders-farmers clashes’ must not be allowed. In other words, farmers belong to the farms, not to Internally Displaced Peoples, IDPs, camps.

On the other hand, bandits belong to prison. The alternative is endless clashes, insecurity and food shortages. Genuine herders are Nigerians and their challenges of climate change, increasing desertification, modernisation of their trade, changing their itinerant culture, educating them and their children, should also be the challenge of the Nigerian people. However, this has to be done without the ‘RUGAlisation’ of the country and building-specific herder settlements across the country. A win-win situation rather than a mentality of conquerors or the defeated is the solution.

As religious bodies plant churches and mosques, they should also plant schools and vocational training centres for all ages, so we can be cultured and grow together in order for us to have good harvests. What Nigeria lacks is a reasoned pressure group with clearly defined goals to change our situation, change our system, and thereby change our circumstances.

Finally, like Prophet Amos admonished: “Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness, like an ever-flowing stream.”

* Source: Vanguard

African Games: Falconets win football gold after 12 years

Falconets of Nigeria savouring the pleasure of their victory.

Nigeria’s Under-20 women’s national team, Falconets, have won the women’s football tournament of the ongoing 12th African Games in Rabat Morocco.

The Christopher Danjuma tutored team won the gold after a 3-2 penalty shoot-out triumph over their Cameroonian counterparts.

Both teams had battled to a 1-1 draw in a group phase match eight days ago but their second meeting ended 0-0 after regulation and extra time at the Stade Boubker Aamar outside Rabat.

The game was eventually decided by penalty shoot-out followed which saw the Nigerian girls emerging victorious.

The title was Falconets first gold at the African Games in 12 years, having not qualified for the 10th edition in Mozambique in 2011 and finishing outside the medals’ range in Brazzaville four years ago.

Create PTAs in Delta public schools, Commissioner directs

Ukah addressing the meeting of principals and school heads.

Principals and School Heads in state owned primary and secondary schools in Delta State have been asked to quickly constitute Parents Teachers Associations (PTAs) in their respective schools.

They are to partner with the associations to bring about rapid developments in the schools.

The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Chief Patrick Ukah, gave the directive at a stakeholder’s meeting and interactive session with Principals, School heads and Chief Inspectors of Education (CIEs) at Government College, Ughelli, on Wednesday.

Chief Ukah said the essence of the stakeholders meeting was to deliberate on issues affecting the education sector and to proffer solutions on how to tackle them so that the state would be among the top three best education states in the country.

He said Principals and School Heads  in public schools in the state must be proactive in their duties in other tackle the myriad of challenges confronting the sector which he said the collaborative efforts of the PTA, Traditional Rulers, Corporate bodies and individuals will go a long way, as government could not do it alone.

The Commissioner also charged them to key in fully into some of the new policies being put in place by the ministry such as the Back to School programme which is aimed at ensuring that students return back to school within the first one week of resumption of the new academic session, which he said would integrate the students quickly back to school

He said the back to school programme would comprise of a compulsory welcome test for the students within the first week of resumption which would make up ten percent of their academic work, adding that it was a strategy to ensure early resumption of students.

During the interactive session the Principals and School Heads promised to work closely with the ministry to ensure that the laudable plans the ministry has for the education sector is achieved.

Head teachers and Principals from Bomadi, Isoko North and South, Ndokwa East and West, Patani, Udu, Ughelli North and South Local Government Areas of the state attended the meeting.

Young Nigerians blacklist BEDC at Asaba protest, urge FG to deny it license renewal for poor performance

A banner denouncing BEDC at the Asaba protest.

A major protest held today in Asaba against the poor electricity supply of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) with a call on the Federal Government not to renew the license of the company in December.

The protesters who operated peacefully and under the aegis of Young Nigerians Rights Organisation were at the Interbau Roundabout, Asaba with various placards with which they sensitized members of the public about the pains that the power distribution company has caused the citizens.

With the police from the State police command led by Superintendent of Police, Mr. Oboware E. Paul in full presence, the protesters told banneronlinenews.com that there action was meant to sue BEDC for a class action.

Comrade Victor Ojei interacting the the police at the venue of protest.

Explaining what that meant, the Convener of the BEDC Must Go, Delta State, Comrade Victor Ojei it was a move to get 40,000 signatures against BEDC as a pointer to the Federal Government that the people have lost faith with the company for causing citizens pains through giving them epileptic power supply and overall poor performance in the business.

Comrade Ojei said: “We are here because we want to sue BEDC for a class action. We want to collect 40,000 signatures against the company. We want to sue BEDC for causing citizens pain by giving us epileptic power supply, refusal to give us meters, going about with security agencies to beat up customers, especially in Bonsac, and forcing them to pay monthly estimated bills.”

He continued: “BEDC disconnect people’s homes and take away the wires, and this is theft. You can’t cut wires and go away with it under the Power Act of Nigeria. So, it is against the law. Impunity is the order of the day in BEDC. It is wrong for BEDC to cut people’s light, disconnect them and still send them estimated bills when they are not connected to BEDC poles. BEDC abuse customer’s rights.

“The Federal Government should seize BEDC’s license for poor performance. Since the performance review  comes up in December 2019, this is the only escape route for the Federal Government to end the poor services of BEDC and remove the pain it is causing the citizens, otherwise, the Federal Government will pay BEDC 10 years envisage profit  into the future.

“So, non approval of the license is the only window left for the government to dispense with BEDC and its poor performance,” Comrade Ojei said.

Banner denouncing BEDC and urging Federal Government
not to renews license for the body. Photos CHUKWUDI ABIANDU

Some of the placard of the protesters against BEDC reads: “BEDC enough is enough,” “A class action legal suit activated.”

One of the banners also read: “Young Nigeria Rights Organisation:

·          BEDC license must not be renewed – Federal government;

·         Stop poor services, stop estimated billings;

·         Provision of metres must be addressed;

·         Stop estimated bills for customers

·         Funke is working against 45 per cent women affirmation in government offices;

·         Any DISCO that cannot supply light should go.

·         They should release pre-paid metres.

The protest was largely peaceful and had the full presence of the police who kept order and peace while the protest lasted.

Delta at 28: Omo-Agege hails Deltans, sues for continued peace

Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Deputy Senate President.

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has congratulated the people of Delta State on the 28th anniversary of the creation of the state.

The lawmaker representing Delta Central in the National Assembly, said though Delta has not attained its prime place of socio-economic development among comity of progressive states in Nigeria, the state has made remarkable improvement in human capital development.

He expressed optimism that the state would witness more advancement and developments in the nearest future with the sustainance of peace and love among the people of the state.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Mr. Yomi Odunuga, the senator commended the people for sustaining the prevailing peace in the state.

“On this day in 1991, Delta State was created by the military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) from the old Bendel State. On behalf of the people of Delta Central Senatorial District, I wish to congratulate the governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and the people of the state on the occasion of the 28th anniversary of the creation of the state.

“As a people, we should be happy that we have remained peaceful and united in the last 28 years. As we celebrate, we must sustain the peace and embrace the things bind us together as a people rather the things that portend to separate us.

“I am committed to the peace and unity of Delta State and I will do everything within my power to ensure that we maintain the prevailing peace for a better Delta”, the statement quotes him as saying,” he said.

DELTA @ 28: Okowa attribute success stories to God, gives automatic job to 14 Deltans

Governor Okowa, left, his deputy, Kingsley Otuaro, and the Speaker, Sherif
Oborevwori at the church anniversary service to mark Delta at 28.

Delta marked 28 years of its creation anniversary on Tuesday, with the Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, attributing successes recorded in the state during the period to the grace of God. 

He said, at an inter-denominational thanksgiving service at the Government House, Asaba, to mark the event, that the grace of God had also ``kept us together as a people.”

At the event, amidst jubilation, the governor announced automatic employment to 14 Deltans, who he observed, had distinguished themselves in their service to the people.

“As a government, we realize that there is need to be equitable and fair in all that we do and that will help to unite our people even more.

``I want to assure all Deltans, on behalf of the deputy governor and myself and other top government functionaries that we will continue to work hard to ensure that we stay equitable in all that we do.

``We will try that, within the limits of the funds available, to ensure that there is fairness.

``As a state, we are one family and this can only be possible as we ensure that we continue to love each other and in that demonstrating that love, we can achieve a stronger Delta.

``And, this can only be actualized by what we are willing to contribute to the development and growth of our state,” he said.

The governor reminded government functionaries, especially political appointees, that they were in public office to serve the people.

According to him, for those of us in government, I want to plead with us to realize that we are here to serve the people; in the first tenure, we did achieve a lot and to achieve more in this second tenure, we need to realize that we are here to serve our people.

`As a person in government, if you want to serve, serve genuinely; do not serve to 

please me but to please God; serve not to please me but to please Deltans because, once you go in that direction of serving the people, you will find out that you will not make mistakes.

``It is when you become a people pleaser that you will not do the right thing at the right time; do not serve to please me, serve to please the Lord, serve to please your people.

``I believe that this is a year of restoration, and I pray that God will restore all the years that we have lost to crises, and together, I believe that we will build a better and stronger Delta.

``In serving the Lord, working in peace and unity, I know that we will be able to achieve so many positive feats for our state,” he said.

The governor expressed confidence that the state would witness tremendous development in the next four years and commended traditional rulers, religious leaders, women and youths for their roles in creating a peaceful environment for development to take place.

Earlier in a sermon at the well-attended event, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Delta Chapter, Apostle Sylvester Okorote, urged those in authority to avoid working with rumours, saying “when you work with rumours, you make costly mistakes.”

“Delta State has enough reasons to thank God; from the creation of the State, God has sustained it; the peace in the state is enough for us to celebrate,” he stated.

Delta PDP grateful to Deltans for support, congratulates state on 28 anniversary

Dr. Ifeanyi M. Osuoza, Delta State PDP Publicity Secretary.

The Delta State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has expressed gratitude to the people of Delta State for the display of unconditional and uncensored support for the party since the return of the country to the democratic process.

The PDP in a statement by its State Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza today, August 27, 2019, while congratulating Deltans on the occasion of the 28th Anniversary of Delta State, which was created on August 27, 1991, stated that it is humbled by the support, which the people gave voluntarily by the vote of the confidence reposed in the PDP as their party of choice in every election in the State, since 1999.

“We are deeply appreciative of the fact that you, Deltans, have given us the opportunity to ensure the entrenchment of equity, justice and fairness in the power-sharing rotation, which has not only contributed immensely to the attainment and sustenance of the peace and unity which Delta State has continued to enjoy, but most importantly in the satisfactory conclusion of the process, which culminated in the election of our dear Governor, His Excellency, Senator, Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, Ekwueme of the Universe, in 2015 and who you also overwhelming reelected for a well deserved second term, in fulfillment of the principle of equity, justice and fairness, which have been and will remain the undeniable hallmark and legacy of the PDP in Delta State,” the PDP stated.

The statement titled: CONGRATULATIONS DELTANS ON THE 28TH ANNIVERSARY OF DELTA STATE, reads:

"The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Delta State, heartily congratulates Deltans on this auspicious occasion of the 28th Anniversary of the creation of our State on August 27, 1991.

"We note with special recognition, the firm resolve and steadfast decision of our dear people across the three Senatorial zones of the State, to continually embrace peace and unity, even in the face of some of the most terrible conflicts and confrontations in the last 28 years, which otherwise, would have fragmented and disintegrated a less united people. 

We are proud to say that the conviction of Deltans in the unity and peaceful coexistence of Delta as one indivisible Delta State, though tried and tested periodically by selfish, narrow-minded and anti-development forces, has remained unshakable and continues to triumph against all odds, over the years.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is profoundly grateful and humbly expresses our sincere gratitude and appreciation to Deltans, for the overwhelming display of unconditional and uncensored support, which you have voluntarily given by the vote of the confidence reposed in the PDP as your party of choice in every election in the State, since 1999.

We are deeply appreciative of the fact that you, Deltans, have given us the opportunity to ensure the entrenchment of equity, justice and fairness in the power-sharing rotation, which has not only contributed immensely to the attainment and sustenance of the peace and unity which Delta State has continued to enjoy, but most importantly in the satisfactory conclusion of the process, which culminated in the election of our dear Governor, His Excellency, Senator, Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, Ekwueme of the Universe, in 2015 and who you also overwhelming reelected for a well deserved second term, in fulfillment of the principle of equity, justice and fairness, which have been and will remain the undeniable hallmark and legacy of the PDP in Delta State.

We also join our dear Governor and leader, Senator, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, to thank the wonderful and peace-loving people of Delta State for their resilience, patience, cooperation and support in the delivery of our mandate as encapsulated in the brilliant and articulate SMART Agenda and indeed in all administrations that have governed the State in the last 28 years.

As a responsible, responsive and people-oriented political party, our driving motivation has always been to deliver good governance, quality legacy projects and the best democratic dividends which your mandate and vote of confidence has continued to inspire.

While the present PDP administration in the State has consolidated on the impressive landmark achievements recorded by our predecessors, we make bold to state categorically that the mantra of building a stronger Delta, which will define our second term, has already been set in motion.

We can beat our chest proudly and without equivocation in stating that our dear State has not only remained at the apex of the good governance matrix, we have continued to shine brightly and dominate the national space, as manifested in the plethora of awards garnered by our Governor, from reputable and recognized national and global establishments, for a variety of multi-faceted socio/economic developmental initiatives and achievements, at the end of our first tenure.

The PDP, under the astute, cerebral, strategically excellent, result-driven leadership acumen of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has embarked comprehensively and expertly on the construction of storm drainages in the capital territory, which though nearing completion, has already started addressing the seemingly intractable and sometimes devastating flooding whenever it rains in the State capital and this will soon be replicated in the Warri and Effurun axis of the State, especially with the visionary, landmark historic creation of the Warri/Uvwie and Environs Development Agency, to be administered by distinguished Deltans, whose impeccable track records in leadership and administration have been proven beyond any doubts whatsoever.

The renewal of our mandate through a resounding victory at the last general elections, has not only re-energized our desire to aggressively and comprehensively deliver on our SMART Agenda, it has further afforded us the opportunity to address and upgrade the critical welfare and infrastructural needs of our people in the three Senatorial zones, in fulfillment of our avowed mandate to ensure even and equitable development across the State. 

The Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo graciously performed the commissioning of roads projects in Ijaw and Itsekiri coastal communities recently, to underscore and affirm our resolve to build a Stronger Delta for our people in delivering verifiable and enduring projects and accelerated development in the rural and riverine communities in the State.

His Excellency, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has already resolved, with his reelection for a second term, to vigorously expand the hugely successful job creation initiatives, as defined in the now household acronyms of YAGEP, STEP, PPSP, the Micro Credit Scheme, the Graduate Engagement Scheme and other empowerment and capacity building  collaborations with national and international agencies.

The massive successes achieved in the education, healthcare, and social safety net sectors, with special attention to widows, children and the indigent, in the first tenure, will be replicated even on a larger scale in this second tenure and the giant strides attained in sports which not only ensured the prime position of Delta State in all national sporting events but elevated our dear State to the excellent heights of continental and international recognition in our first tenure, will be robustly embraced and achieved in this second term.

Indeed, the last four years of our administration was hallmarked by an amazing story of lifting the State from recession to progression and turning around the fortunes with an unprecedented increase in our internally generated revenue and the regular payment of workers salaries, including local government staff and pensioners, all of which were achieved through the meticulous plugging of leakages and an efficient, effective governance module which enhanced the ease of doing business in all operating sectors and a fantastic administrative synergy between the executive, legislature and judiciary, complementing each other in the overall interest of Deltans.

Of course there is no gainsaying the fact that our greatest achievement has been the sustained peace in the State, which was achieved with the highly commendable and considerable support and efforts of our revered traditional rulers and institutions as well as the ceaseless prayers and exhortation of our religious leaders and the unparalleled cooperation of our courageous youths, our wonderful women and the collective endorsement and acceptance of our  peacebuilding agenda by all Deltans, who demonstrated their preference for peace and unbroken belief in the unity and harmony of one united Delta, with their votes.

As Deltans, we have ample reason to celebrate our 28 years of existence. We have surmounted all the obstacles that have tried to destabilize us and overcome all the machinations that have attempted to fragment and dislocate us as a State. Our leadership over the years has been exemplary and even envied as we have continued to soar from strength to strength.

Our pledge to Deltans, as we celebrate 28 years of statehood is that we will always uphold and operate with the best principles of equity, fairness, equality in the development and distribution of our resources and the friendship and communality, which have contributed immensely to entrenching the ambiance of peace, progress, and development in the State.

Our mandate remains to build a stronger and better Delta and our resolve is to ensure more prosperity for all Deltans. 

Congratulations Deltans. Happy 28th Anniversary to Delta State.

Long live PDP

God Bless Delta State

PDP! power to the people!!!

Dr. Ifeanyi M. Osuoza

State Publicity Secretary

PDP,  Delta State.