APC picks hole in planned Kwale Industrial Park, says it’s misdirection of resources, white elephant project, aimed to enrich few pockets

Delta State All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticized the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa-led government over its proposed establishment of Kwale Industrial Park, saying that it is a “misdirection of resources, covert act of enrichment of few pockets and a white elephant project.”

The APC state Publicity Secretary, Barrister Sylvester Imonina said in a statement dated October 30, 2019 that the planned industrial park in Kwale is a disturbing move for lacking in good intentions, but aimed at enriching “persons whose stock in trade is manipulation and underhand deals for the sake of their pockets.”

Imonina said: “Just like the Industrial Park located in the oil City of Warri, which is at between sixty (60) to seventy (70) percent completion stage but later abandoned, they refuse to disclose how much was budgeted for the proposed Industrial Park in Kwale and how they intend bringing it to reality. Till date, the sum of monies budgeted for Warri Industrial Park, and how much have been expended so far is yet to be disclosed and or accounted for.

“Pitifully, the abandoned Warri Industrial Park is presently a haven to men of the underworld and reptiles. What a collosal waste!”

Full text of the statement reads:

DELTA STATE GOVERNMENT PROPOSED ESTABLISHMENT OF KWALE INDUSTRIAL PARK: A MISDIRECTION 0F RESOURCES, CONVERT ACT OF ENRICHMENT OF FEW POCKETS, AND A WHITE ELEPHANT PROJECT IN THE OFFING.

The All Progressive Congress, Delta State and indeed all well-meaning Deltans are disturbed of the move by the PDP led Government in Delta State to enrich some persons whose stock in trade is manipulations and underhand deals for the sake of their pockets. As part of their evil moves, they pretentiously came up with an idea of establishing an Industrial Park at Kwale.

Just like the Industrial Park located in the oil City of Warri, which is at between sixty (60) to seventy (70) percent completion stage but later abandoned, they refuse to disclose how much was budgeted for the proposed Industrial Park in Kwale and how they intend bringing it to reality. Till date, the sum of monies budgeted for Warri Industrial Park, and how much have been expended so far is yet to be disclosed and or accounted for.

Pitifully, the abandoned Warri Industrial Park is presently a haven to men of the underworld and reptiles. What a collosal waste!

One of the reasons given for the abandonment of the Park by PDP led government in Delta State is that there were/are limited resources. Though, discerning minds know that the excuse given by the government of Delta State was a ruse because it is a known fact that Delta State has multiple sources of incomes to wit, Federal monthly allocations, huge internally generated revenues, ecological funds amongst others.

Despite the huge revenues accruing to the State, the PDP led Delta State Government complains of inadequate finances to enable her execute meaningful projects including Warri Industrial Park.

We are not unaware of the fact that it is the responsibility of any State government to develop all parts of the State. But we dare to state that considering the undisclosed amount of monies already sunk into Warri Industrial Park and the level of work already done, a wise government ought to have completed same before embarking on another project of such magnitude.

It is not too late for the State Government to have a rethink. The fact remains that Government is a continuum and PDP led government ought to see it from that angle. However, information available to us says that the PDP led Government's interest is how much money they could pocket, instead of thinking of the common interest and good of the populace.

We state unequivocally that the proposed Industrial Park is a ploy by PDP led goverment in Delta State to further fritter away the resources of the State. We therefore call on the Governor and his cronies to jettison this selfish interest of theirs, for the interest of the masses.

DELTA STATE SHOULD NOT BE A CENTRE FOR WHITE ELEPHANT PROJECTS.

APC, Change!

APC, Progress!!

APC, Next Level!!!

Signed:

Barr. Ogheneluemu Sylvester Imonina,

Publicity Secretary, APC, Delta State.

Dated this 30th of October, 2019.

Atiku-Buhari: S/Court judgment ’ll not daunt opposition – Reps Minority Caucus

The Green Chamber, Nigeria's House of Representatives.

  

The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has assured that the judgment of the Supreme Court on the petition by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on the February 23 presidential election will not deter the opposition in its constitutional role of ensuring checks and balances in the system. 

House Minority Leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, in a statement on Wednesday, noted that the judgment was surprising to many Nigerians but pointed out that the Supreme Court is the highest court in the land, which makes its decision final.

Elumelu however assured that the development will not detract them from the commitment and determination of the opposition in the House of Representatives to always protect the interest of Nigerians by ensuring accountability, equity, fairness and strict adherence to the rule of law in all aspects of governance. 

He also commended Nigerians for standing with the PDP throughout the litigation process and assured that all hope is not lost, as the opposition will continue to insist on due process as well as propagate alternatives on programmes and policies in the general interest of the citizens.

Atiku accepts Supreme Court’s verdict, thanks Nigerians, says judgment is nail on coffin, gains of Nigeria since 1999

Atiku Abubakar.

Presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 presidential elections Atiku Abubakar has taken the verdict of the Supreme Court with equanimity, even as he said that the judgment is a “nail on the coffin and the gains we collectively made since 1999 are evaporating, and a requiem is at hand.” 

Atiku in a statement today, Wednesday, October 30, 2019 said: “It is said that the Supreme Court is not final because it is infallible, but that it is infallible because it is final. While I believe that only God is infallible everywhere, and only Nigerians are infallible in our democracy, I must accept that the judicial route I chose to take, as a democrat, has come to a conclusion. 

“Whether justice was done, is left to the Nigerian people to decide. As a democrat, I fought a good fight for the Nigerian people. I will keep on fighting for Nigeria and for democracy, and also for justice.

“I thank all Nigerians who have stayed the course since the commencement of trial in the petition on the February 23 presidential election.”

See full text of Atiku’s statement

PRESS RELEASE

Supreme Court Judgement, Part of our Democratic Challenges 

It is said that the Supreme Court is not final because it is infallible, but that it is infallible because it is final. While I believe that only God is infallible everywhere, and only Nigerians are infallible in our democracy, I must accept that the judicial route I chose to take, as a democrat, has come to a conclusion. 

Whether justice was done, is left to the Nigerian people to decide. As a democrat, I fought a good fight for the Nigerian people. I will keep on fighting for Nigeria and for democracy, and also for justice.

I thank all Nigerians who have stayed the course since the commencement of trial in the petition on the February 23 presidential election.

The judgment is part of democratic challenges we must face as a nation.

The Nigerian judiciary, just like every estate of our realm, has been sabotaged and undermined by an overreaching and dictatorial cabal, who have undone almost all the democratic progress the Peoples Democratic Party and its administrations nurtured for sixteen years, up until 2015.

Can Nigeria continue like this? Recently, former United States Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, averred that Nigeria had rolled back the democratic gains she made in 2015. When democracy is rolled back, the economy, the society and the judiciary will not be far behind. Today, the nail has been put on the coffin and the gains we collectively made since 1999 are evaporating, and a requiem is at hand. 

In a democracy, you need a strong judiciary, a free press and an impartial electoral umpire. Nigeria has none of those three elements as at today. 

One man, one woman, one youth, one vote, should be the only way to make gains in a democracy. And when that is thwarted, the clock starts to tick.

Two and a half millennia ago, Sophocles said “If we are to keep our democracy, there must be one commandment: “Thou shalt not ration justice.” Nigeria will do well to observe this warning. 

To those who think they have broken my spirit, I am sorry to disappoint you. I am too focused on Nigeria to think about myself. I gave up that luxury twenty years ago. The question is not if I am broken. The question is if Nigeria is whole? 

This is not a time for too many words. It will suffice for me to remind Nigeria of this - we are an independent nation and we are the architects of our fate. If we do not build a free Nigeria, we may end up destroying her, and God forbid that that should be the case. 

I was a democrat, I am a democrat, and I will always continue to be a democrat. May God bless Nigeria.

30^th October 2019

Atiku Abubakar

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party and Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999-2007.

Supreme Court dismisses PDP, Atiku’s appeal against Buhari’s re-election

President Buhari and Atiku Abubakar.

By Martins Odeh

The Supreme Court today, Wednesday, October 30, 2019 dismissed the appeal challenging President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory at the Feb.23 general election.

Justice Tanko Mohammad, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), led six other justices to unanimously dismiss the appeal for lacking in merit.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the other justices on the panel were Bode Rhodes Vivour; Ejembi Eko; Olukayode Ariowola; Amiru Sanusi and Uwani Aba-Aji.

“We have examined all the briefs and exhibits for over two weeks and we have agreed that there is no merit in this appeal.

“The appeal is hereby dismissed and reasons for our decision would be given on a date to be announced,’’ Mohammad held.

The peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate in the election,  Atiku,  had approached the apex court to challenge the decision of the presidential election tribunal.

The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal had on Sept. 10 upheld Buhari’s victory in the Feb. 23 general election.

The Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Mohammed Garba, who led the five-man panel, held that the petitioners failed to discharge the burden of proof expected of them.

The appellants invited the court to decide whether Buhari was qualified to contest the election on the basis of alleged discrepancy on his educational qualification.

They had also prayed the apex court to decide whether the alleged false information by the president on his educational qualification amounted to perjury.

They further asked the court to decide whether or not the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not transmit the results of the election electronically via its central server.

The appellants also asked the court to decide whether the respondents did not benefit from widespread rigging, over voting, violence intimidation allegedly perpetrated by their agents and security forces deployed to oversee the conduct of the election.

The PDP and its candidate also urged the court to hold that the president did not secure majority lawful votes.

In the light of the above, Dr Livy Uzoukwu, SAN, Counsel for the appellants while adopting his clients’ address urged the apex court to upturn the decision of the lower court.

He said that the tribunal erred on its viewpoint concerning all the issues raised.

On the issue of qualification, Uzoukwu said the second respondent (Buhari) failed to present all of the educational credentials that he claimed to have obtained.

He also said that Buhari and his team of lawyers also failed to provide explanation on the alleged discrepancy associated with his first name where “Mohamed’’ and not “Muhammadu’’ appeared on his West Africa Cambridge examination record.

“My Lords, no pleadings, no evidence was given as to why the president failed to maintain a name. The lower court simply speculated on the name and ruled in his favour,’’ he said.

“We also discovered that no reason has been given by the second respondent while it is impossible to bring forth any of the three certificates he claimed to have obtained.

“Nobody, not even his witnesses, have given evidence on whether they have sighted either the original or photocopies of those certificates.

“Not even his testimonials allegedly obtained from both primary and secondary schools he attended were pleaded,’’ Uzoukwu said.

On the issue of server, Uzoukwu said the apex court should take judicial notice of the fact that the new Section 52 (2) of the Electoral Act allows the electoral body to conduct election in line with its own set guideline.

“It is spurious and strange that the first respondent (INEC) has denied the use of server to transmit the Feb.23 election results,’’ Uzoukwu said.

In the circumstance, Uzoukwu went ahead to pray the court to set aside the decision of the tribunal and uphold his client’s appeal.

The appeal had sought the return of Atiku as the president, as according to his pleadings, he scored the majority and lawful votes.

However, Mr Yunus Usman, SAN, Counsel for INEC,  describedi the appeal as “speculative’’ and lacking merit, adding that the appellants’ pleadings were disjointed.

On the issue of server, Usman said the electoral body did not adopt electronic means in transmitting the results of the election, adding that they were transmitted manually.

“The appeal woefully failed to prove that the first appellant scored the majority and lawful votes in the election. This was because they were only able to call five polling agents from 191,000 polling units across the country to testify.

“The requirement of the law mandates that appellants to present witnesses from all of the polling units they had challenged the accurate status of results from the election.

“We, therefore, pray the court to dismiss the appeal with heavy conpensation,’’ Usman said.

Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Counsel for Buhari, aligned himself with Usman’s submission, adding, however, that the appeal lacked the basic components of ingredients that could convince the court to uphold it.

Olanipekunn went ahead to describe the petition as a “sham’’ adding that it lacked substance and merit.

“I have handled a few electoral petition cases, this is one petition that yearns  for help, for assistance and for evidence but could not get any.

“Apart from the hype the matter has generated, there is nothing in law to support the allegations before the tribunal,”   Olanipekun said.

On the qualification of the president, Olanipekun said Section 131 (b) had settled that matter.

“I make bold to say that the constitution and case laws had not compelled the candidates of the election to tender certificates or attach same to INEC nomination forms.

On his part, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, Counsel for All Progressive Congress (APC), said he could not help but take the liberty to align himself with the submissions made by Olanipekun.

“My Lords it is disheartening to see that this petition still remains watery at this stage.

“The petitioners made allegations they could not prove. OWe have done a table showing how the petitioners have proven the case so far.

“The election took place in 119,976 Polling Units, 8,901 Wards in 774 local   government areas across the country.

“It is sad therefore to see that the petitioners only called 62 witnesses. Out of this figure, only five witnesses gave direct evidence of what happened in polling units on the day of election.

“I feel sad that this matter has been starved of evidence and therefore deserves to be dismissed,’’ Fagbemi said.

Earlier, parties agreed to abide by judgment on the main petition in spite of their pleadings in six other interlocutory applications before the court.

Buhari was declared the winner of the election after scoring 15,191,847 votes as against Atiku’s 11, 262,978 votes. (NAN)

Introducing MCV2: Parents urged to take children 9-15 months for 2nd dose immunization against measles

Delta State's Health Educator, Mrs Ifeoma Popo speaking at the stakeholders'
meeting.

Are you a parent? Are any of your children under two years? If so, it is important and imperative that you get that child out and made available for immunization against measles, a deadly but preventable disease that afflicts infants.

This is the clarion call of health officials at a stakeholders’ meeting in Asaba today, Tuesday, October 29, 2019, on “Introduction of measles containing Vaccine 2^nd Dose (MCV2) into routine immunization in Delta State.”

The event which held at the Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency (DSPHCDA) had in attendance the Director, Planning Research and Statistics Dr. (Mrs) Gloria Patrick-Ferife who represented the Executive Consultant, Dr. Jude Winful-Orieke; the State Health Educator, Mrs. Ifeoma Popo, and Mrs Evelyn Joseph of UNICEF, among others.

Mrs. Popo who took time to talk on the importance of parents seeing value in the benefit of immunizing children against measles attacks, said although children at age nine are supposed to have had the first dose of the Measles Containing Vaccine (MCV1), but that the second dose of the exercise is about to begin and that it will cover from November 14^th to November 19, 2019.

While pointing out that the first dose covers children at age nine months, but that the second dose also covers those children who at nine months have had the first dose, and that they should at 15 months also go for the measles containing vaccine’s second dose.

Pointing out why the second those of the immunization is important for the children at 15 months even though they have had the first dose at nine months, Mrs Popo said: “ After nine months, it was noticed that some children still come up with measles. Those children of nine months who have had the immunization should at 15 months go again for the measles second dose.”

According to her, the measles vaccines MCV1 and MCV2 are both to prevent the attacks of measles on children, but that the second dose vaccination will ensure that 95 per cent of the children are completely immune, and have no trace of the disease any more.

Mrs. Popo called attention of parents to the fact that immunization is one of the critical measures to control measles and prevent it, since the disease is very dangerous as it can cause death, deafness, among others.

She said: “Measles is a highly infectious disease caused by measles virus, leading to morbidity and mortality among children under five years. 17,000 children die every year in Nigeria. Of course, measles is preventable by measles vaccine and this has led to 84 per cent reduction. The vaccine is safe, free and effective. Parents should not entertain any fear.”

She hinted that the disease is an airborne disease, and person-to-person through contact with respiratory droplets from nasal and throat secretions from infected persons.

However, the signs and symptoms, Mrs. Popo said begins 7-14 days, with high temperature, coughing, running nose, red eyes and sore throat. “Rash starts from the forehead to the body, lasting from three to four days. Children with measles should be kept away from other children until full and total recovery,” she said.

Complication of the disease is indicated by diarrhea, blindness, ear infection and pneumonia, but if not properly managed, acute cases can lead to inflammation of the brain, brain damage and death.

The disease can be prevented by vaccination with measles vaccines (MCV1); while MCV2 is to protect the population as a second dose of measles vaccine will ensure more than 95 per cent seroconversion.

Mrs. Popo said that the second dose can never be too much as it gives additional protection against measles.

Besides, she disclosed that the second dose immunization has attendant opportunities such as:

·        Prevention of missed doses of other vaccines (e.g. Men A, Yellow fever vaccine, first dose of measles).

·        Growth monitoring of children, administration of Vitamin A.

·        Administration of deworming tablets.

·        Provision of Long lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINS).

·        Assessment and referral of children with minor ailments.

·        Education of care givers on family planning and its importance to the health of the family and society.

·        Provision of personal and environmental hygiene through health talks and guidance.

Shun lure for foreign trips, avoid being trapped in forced labour, sex slaves, Mrakpor urges youths

Delta State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Peter Mrakpor.

The need for youths to take caution and shun being lured to embark on trips abroad for greener pastures especially through the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea, and avoid being trapped in forced labour and sex slaves has been stressed.

The Chairman of the Delta State Task Force on Human Trafficking and Illegal Migration, Mr. Peter Mrakpor handed down the words of caution during a symposium organized by the Ministry of Justice for corps members on human trafficking and Illegal migration.

Mr. Mrakpor pointed out that the high incidence of human trafficking and other forms of crime against humanity in the society has been attributed to the collapsed of high morals and respect for the dignity and sanctity of human life.

The symposium is also on the need for stakeholders to join hands with the taskforce and other relevant government agencies to create adequate awareness among youths and serving corps members in Delta State.

Mr Mrakpor who is the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, decried the lure by youths to embark on journey through the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea for “greener pasture” abroad, disclosed that over 10,000 girls from Delta State alone were trapped in Mali and other African countries engaging in forced labour and sex slaves.

While calling on the corps members and well-meaning Nigerians, NGOs, faith based organizations, traditional rulers and community leaders to join hands in fighting against human trafficking, Mr Mrakpor said that the Nigerian economic landscape provided several opportunities and potentials.

 “You don’t have to travel out of the country to be successful, it is a mindset. We have a growing economy that provides lots of opportunities” the justice commissioner said. 

He maintained that human trafficking was a serious crime against humanity and must be tackled head-on and counseled the corps members to join in the crusade against the scourge. 

Mr Mrakpor expresses disappointment with some parents for their complexity in encouraging the illicit trade and illegal migration by selling off their landed properties to support their wards to travel out illegally. 

The President of the NYSC Gender Vanguard and Charity CDS, Muonyililo Ikechukwu, expressed the preparedness of his organization to work with the taskforce in creating awareness on the dangers in human trafficking especially among serving corps members.

Personal Assistants: Elumelu issues appointment letters to 125 persons

A Personal assistant receiving her appointment letter from Hon. Ndudi Elumelu.

Minority leader of the Federal House of Representatives and member representing Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon Ndudi Elumelu has issued appointment letters to a total of 125 women and youths, as Personal Assistants and political aides to the lawmaker in their various units and wards across the constituency.

The official presentation of appointment letters to the selected women and youths, which took place at Onicha-Uku, the country home of Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, on Friday, October 25, 2019, was in fulfillment of his campaign pledge to ensure the even and equitable distribution of democracy dividends across the length and breadth of Aniocha/Federal constituency, and to justify the mandate freely given to him by his constituents, as their Representative in the National Assembly.

Hon. Ndudi Elumelu Making apoint at the event.

Addressing the newly engaged appointees during the presentation of letters ceremony, which was attended by top party leaders and members of the PDP in the Federal constituency, Hon. Elumelu charged the political aides to carry out specific roles on his behalf, which included interfacing with communities and identifying their most pressing needs for onward transmission to the leadership of the Federal House of Representatives.

According to him: “Your duty will be to be my voice in your community. You don’t need to call me, you are to collate whatever is happening and needed in your community and forward to our office in Abuja. We now decide what to do in such matters.

Another PA reveiving his appointment letter.

“On infrastructural development, if the roads are bad, markets are bad and you fail to shout out, you will be held responsible. We want government to be close to the people.

“People, who are less privileged and not able to pay their school fees, tell us about them and everything happening in your area. I don’t want people to be calling every time and sending text messages, you should be the ones receiving the messages and sending such to us.

“On employment, let them come through you, collect their CVs and send them to us. Those that need recommendation letters, let them come through you. They don’t need to come to me but you. Airforce, Navy, police, customs, any job they need, we will give them based on their qualifications.

A multitude of PAs waiting their turns for their letters.

“The day anybody sends me text message from your community, complaining of any need, or that their son or daughter needs job or that we have such problem in my area, when you are there, your appointment is immediately terminated.

“You should be committed to your work. Disturb us with pressure of requests. Let’s have a change of mindset in the manner we approach issues. This is the first time money meant for constituency people are given to them. Nothing in the community must escape your attention. If anything is coming to your constituency, you must ensure your people get their own portion,” he charged them, while saying that his office will provide them with identity cards.

Hon. Elumelu further explained that the appointment is for a period of two years which is subject to renewal, subject to the performance of the appointee, even as he assured that there is a lot coming for the constituency; hence they must be ready to carry out the huge task assigned to them.

He said: “If motorcycles are to be given out and your people do not have, you will answer for it. A lot is coming. If people are in prison and do not have money to bail themselves, you should go to the prison and find out the issues and report to us. We don’t want any complaint from any community, we want every community to be carried along in all we are doing.”

Fielding questions from newsmen shortly after the presentation of appointment letters, Hon. Elumelu shed more light on the rationale behind the appointment of the 125 political aides to be his eyes and mouthpiece in the over 58 communities in the federal constituency.

“My people voted me into office and it is expected that their votes in getting me there is their investment. Their return on investment is for me to make sure they have good dividends of democracy.

“In trying to get that I must be sure that I’m doing it in consonance with their own belief and their desire. And there is no better way to achieve that than engaging them. And given that we have over 58 communities in the four local governments, it now became very necessary that I must appoint some political aides to do that on my behalf.

“Their job involves going to the people and finding out what they want and that will form part of the input which the House of Reps is geared towards achieving in the yearly preparation of the budget.

“We held a public hearing on the budget two days ago and part of what we said was that we now want Nigerians to be part of our budget preparation processes. I cannot just on my own go to the House of Reps, sit down and put things for my people without hearing from them.

“These are my aides, and between now and November that we will be passing the budget, their duty will be to get back to me on what my people desire most and that will begin the way towards giving them those returns on investment that is called dividends of democracy

“And the ingredients are critical infrastructures, good roads, electricity, potable boreholes that will ensure access to quality water and areas where you can assist people who cannot afford to train their kids, then you provide for them. And that will be very useful and meaningful to them.”

Elumelu said the appointees which comprise 62 youths and 63 women will get their salaries on 27th of every month, adding that in December, they will be paid double, first week and 27 of December every year.

Responding, some of the appointees expressed appreciation to Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu for finding them fit for the appointment. Stephen Abah from ward 10 Ezi in Aniocha North expressed joy for the appointment, saying that this was the first time he had been privileged to get an appointment and benefit from an elected member in any position since he joined the party many years ago.

Mrs. Ndidi Azuh, ward 5 Aniocha North Issele Mkpitime and Issele Azagba, said she is lucky to be one of those appointed, pledging her readiness to work and ensure everybody in her ward benefit from the democracy dividends that will be coming to the constituency.

Alex Nwokolie from ward 9, Oshimili North, Okpanam and Ugbolu, said in carrying out his assignment, nobody will be discriminated against, assuring that he will work to ensure his ward members benefit from whatever is due to them.

Christy Ngugu from ward 9, Oshimili South in Asaba, comprising Ozoigwe primary school area through to Anwai, said she was happy for the appointment, adding that everybody in her area, as far as they reside in the ward area will benefit from the leadership programmes of Elumelu.

Mrs. Sandra Obiarenzi from ward 2, Aniocha South, Ogwashi Uku said the gesture was a good one from the Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu and while describing him as a man of his words who will always fulfill all the promises he made to his people, assured of surpassing the task assigned to them saying: “I will do much more than the task given to us. He is for everybody and everybody will be accommodated in his programmes.”

It could be recalled that the Minority leader of the House of Representatives and member representing Aniocha/Oshimili Federal constituency, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, had last month, confirmed that he would engage 84 competent persons as youth in the Federal constituency as personal assistants and political aides in youth and women affairs. This number has now been increased to 125, in recognition of the need to effectively cover the over 58 communities in the constituency and also in line with his campaign promises to empower the critical segments of the society; the Youths and the women whom he said would continue to be the focus of his agenda, in consonance with the Stronger Delta agenda of the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa administration in Delta state.

This appointment of 125 political aides by Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, is also coming in the wake of a hugely successful five-day entrepreneurship training programme for budding entrepreneurs from Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency of Delta State, in September, sponsored by the Minority Leader of the House of Representative, with 200 participants drawn from the four local government areas within the Federal Constituency.

The training programme facilitated by Hon. Elumelu was organized and handled by Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), a reputable entrepreneurship development training organization and ended on Friday 20th September, 2019 with the House of Reps Minority leader, presenting the certificates of participation to the participants, which also guaranteed each of them a low interest loan up to the tune of N10 million by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, with no collaterals.