College of Commerce, Warri are Zenith Bank Delta Principals’ Cup champions; Okowa ascribes state’s sports greatness to Ogbemudia

College of Commerce, Warri today entered the league of football champions after it defeated Zappa Mixed Secondary School, Asaba two nil to lift the trophy of the 2019 edition of the Zenith Bank Delta Principals’ Cup competition.

The encounter which held at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba saw both team that were equally matched making daring moves into the vital areas of each other, seeking early goals. But their efforts yielded no fruit as the first half ended goalless.

On resumption at second half, both teams came on strong attempting to outdo the opponent, but the play remained a dig-dong affair, as the players of both sides missed many scoring chances.

However, College of Commerce danger man, Ime Ekemini, broke through, when he slithered through the Zappa Mixed Secondary School’s defense and netted in the curtain raiser for his team.

Ekemini again, about 10 minutes to the end of the game capitalized o Zappa’s defensive error, and in a goal mouth scramble, he secured the second goal to the faith of the opponents.

Efforts by Zappa Mixed Secondary School to reduce the goal tally became a mirage, as some daring last minute moves failed to give them the goal.

College of Commerce carted away juicy prizes that included an 18 seater brand new bus and the sum of N1,000,000 cheque.

Besides, the school also produced the highest goal scorer of the tournament, Ime Ekemini, who was also the most valuable player of the tournament.

Ekemini receive cash prizes each for emerging the highest goal scorer and the most valuable player. He got N200,000 each as most valuable player with laptop, another N200,000 for being the highest goal scorer and a laptop. He received yet N100,000 donated by a football lover as the most valuable player.

The best goalkeeper award went to the goalkeeper of College of Commerce, Orido David who received a cheque for N200,000 and a laptop as prizes.

For placing second, hard fighting Zappa Mixed Secondary School, Asaba received cash prize of N500,000; Destiny Secondary School, Ughelli for placing third in the tournament got a cheque for N300,000, while the fourth placed Okotie-Eboh Grammar School, Sapele got N100,000. 

  

The final which was also watched by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state and other distinguished top government functionaries that included Mr. Pinnick Amaju, the governor attributed the greatness of the state in sports to the seed sown by the late military governor of Bendel State, Brigadier General Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia.

He said that Ogbemudia pioneered the concept of catching athletes young and developed it through regular competitions among the young people and their schools.

Okowa, who commended Zenith Bank for sustained sponsorship of the tournament, said "it is gladdening to note that we have kept hope alive, and partnering with Zenith Bank, this competition has entered its fourth edition for which I must truly pay tribute to the management of Zenith Bank for consistently funding the competition.

"We started it four years ago and it is a beautiful thing that most schools are participating in the tournament; we have progressed as we have the Headmaster’s Cup and the others involving various categories of athletes.

"It is good that we are reinventing this competition; during the time of late Samuel Ogbemudua as the Governor of Bendel State we were made to understand that we can use our physical strength to develop our talents in the educational sector.

"It is on record that 612 schools participated in this edition of the tournament from the beginning and it is my hope that every secondary school in our state will participate in the competition as you can imagine the level of excitement in those schools that participated and the raw talents that we have discovered in this tournament.

"We are looking forward to the bank taking over the sponsorship of the Headmasters' Cup and we will continue to also encourage well-to-do Deltans to sponsor events and partner with us in developing our state knowing that government cannot do everything alone; we need to collaborate in making life more beautiful for our people.

"We have made a promise that the winner of the tournament will go home with a bus and the bus is available, but the most important thing is that we are able to catch them young and develop their talents.

``As we go into the future, we nurture the talents to remain at the top in any sporting competition organized in the country; I am happy with the quality of football I am seeing this evening."

 In his remarks, Executive Director of Zenith Bank, Mr Henry Okoh, on behalf of the managing director of the bank, assured that the bank would continue to be part of the tournament as part of its social responsibility and thanked Okowa for his passion in the development of sports.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Chief Patrick Ukah, commended Governor Okowa for giving the necessary support for the tournament to be held and expressed gratitude to him.

South-South governors absent at Security summit; Asaba journalists disgraced, discriminated against over coverage

IGP Mohammed Adamu.

Governors of South-South region were absent at the Regional Police Security summit 2019, with only host Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state and his counterpart, Mr. Godwin Obaseki physically in attendance.

Sources hinted that observers expressed surprise at the non physical presence of the Governors of Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, and cross River States, but sent representatives at the event where a major schism developed in media circles in Asaba, the State capital over discrimination against a cross section of journalists that do not report for the old and established media outfits in the coverage of government’s events in the state.

This situation of discrimination which is perpetrated against some members of the chapels of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta Council in Asaba again came to the fore yesterday, Tuesday, November 26, 2019 when many journalists, especially members of the Delta Online Publishers Forum, DOPF, were denied access to cover the very important event of the South-South Nigeria Police Regional Summit with the theme “Strategic Partnership for Effective Policing,” aimed at strengthening community policing.

To the chagrin of journalists, they were denied access to the Event Centre venue of the summit and refused accreditation that should give them tags to enter.

Accreditation officials said tags for journalists had been collected and taken into the venue, and so the journalist cannot be allowed to go in. Affected were many journalists of the Indigenous Correspondents Chapel of the NUJ, including Mr. Chijioke Ugbolue, publisher of cshowcasenews.com, Mr. Chukwudi Abiandu, editor-in-chief of Banner online News; Mr. Julius Oweh, former editor of The Pointer newspaper, among numerous other journalists, all of who are NUJ members.

Calls were put through to NUJ Chairman, Mike Ikeogwu who said we should contact a particular journalist reporting for a particular newspaper. The journalists wondered if the correspondent is the one to determine who should cover the event. The correspondent came and was seen handing over tags to members of the Correspondents Chapel of NUJ only, while the rest journalists, including online publishers of DOPF remained stranded as they waited through the unfolding drama of shame.  

Shortly, an official of the Ministry of Information came out and was eye-picking, and handing over accreditation tags to those he said the Commissioner for Information directed him to give tags to.

Seeing the show of shame, demeaning discrimination many journalists, including Abiandu, had to leave.

He said: “Later, and long after I had left the venue the official of the Ministry of Information, who earlier had eye-picked and given tags to those he said he was directed to give tags to, called me on phone asking where I was. I told him I had left because I could no longer allow myself to be subjected to the demeaning humiliation and discrimination that was going on.”

Journalists are wandering why the regime of discrimination is being introduced against journalists who are not working for the major media houses in Asaba in recent times.

It was argued that even if the Ministry of Information officials in Asaba believe in doing business only with journalists working for the established media houses, should that make other journalists working for other bodies to be deprived access to cover an event of the magnitude of a security summit of the South-South, which was organized by the office of the Inspector General of Police?

Indeed, is it possible for all the established media houses to employ all the numerous journalists being churned out from the various departments of Mass Communication in the country?

One of the journalists who run a media online outfit said being self-employed ought to be in line with the entrepreneurship drive of the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration that is encouraging youths to be creative and become entrepreneurs.

On discrimination, attention was called to the oath of office which government officials took; swearing to God that they will not discriminate against persons in their official conducts in the discharge of their duties.

Ziko emerges Delta NULGE president in a landslide

Comrade Ziko Okwudi, victory smile.

Comrade Eziko Okwudi had an easy walk over of his opponents when he received massive votes yesterday, Tuesday, November 26, 2019 to emerge with a renewed mandate as president of the Nigria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) for another four years.

He was elected along with other officials of the Union in the State during the Seventh Quadrennial State Delegates Conference of the Union held at the Labour House, Asaba, Delta State. 

The conference which was declared open by the Chairman, Delta State Local Government Service Commission, Hon. Josephe Otirhue was attended by delegates from the 25 local Government Councils in the State and observed by members of the State Local Government Service Commission, representatives of the National Leadership of NULGE and the leadership of Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Delta State as well as the representatives of the security agencies.

Declaring Comrade Ziko Okwudi as the winner of the election, the returning officer for the poll, Comrade Lambert Onuigbo who is the National Auditor of NULGE announced that the State President NULGE, Delta State polled a total of 205 votes to defeat his closest rival, Comrade Ijolo Ohioliwo who scored a total of 30 votes while Comrade Emaduku Austin got nil vote.

Ziko Okwudi

Others who were returned elected into the State Executive Council of the Union in Delta State included Comrade Ogberetilino Obatarhe who was returned as the Deputy State President, Kingsley Uwaosayemi; State treasure, Comrade Areh Juliet; State Women Chairperson, Comrade Onowotu Alfred; State Auditor and Comrade Perekeme Seliyibo as well as Comrade Onahor Lawrence were returned as State Trustees.

Comrade Stanley Akogba, Comrade Erhue Charles and Comrade Azikiwe Corliss were also returned elected as State Publicity Secretary, State Welfare Officer and Young Worker Representatives respectively.

Declaring the quadrennial delegate conference open, the Chairman, Delta State Local Government Service Commission, Hon Josephe Otihue commended the contestants for conducting themselves in the right manner during their campaigns, saying that the campaigns were peaceful and eventful.

“I am happy to note that the contestants heeded the advice of the Commission to ensure that the campaigns were devoid of violence and rancor. You must have had your differences in the run up to this election but today is the climax and as one family we are gathered here to elect a new leadership for NULGE at the State Level.

“Unionism is togetherness and oneness with unity of purpose. As we all know, the essence of any union is to advance the interest of that group and this can only be achieved through articulate and purposeful leadership.

“The election of a new EXCO is a serious business but not a matter of death because after the election you remain as staff of the Unified Local Government Service of Delta State,” Otirhue admonished.

He advised the incoming EXCO to be humble, but not submissive while agitating for the welfare of members, saying that being confrontational would always lead to strife and disharmony in the system, adding that the incoming leadership of the Union in the State needs more of consultation with the management of the Commission with a view to ensuring industrial harmony in the Local Government System in the State.

Speaking after his election, Comrade Okwudi who will formally be inaugurated at the expiration of this tenure in January 2020, expressed his appreciation to the body of workers through the delegates for their overwhelming endorsement, pledging that the EXCO under his leadership will continue to put the interest of the workers of the Unified Local Government Workers in the State as top priority.

In an interview with journalists, Okwudi described the election as a peaceful and impressive one while dedicating their victory to God and the Governor of the State, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, noting that God in his infinite mercy used the instrumentality of the person of the State Governor to stabilize and bring about sanity in the welfare of the workers of the Councils when he took over as the State President of NUGEL at a critical period in the life of the Union.

“You will agree with me that before now, local Government workers in the this state were nothing to write home about coupled with challenges of unpaid salaries and so many other issues but to the glory of God, His Excellency the Governor came into the picture and gave me a safe landing as the leader of the body of Council workers in the State.

“If the Governor has not given me that safe landing, I don’t think the entire workers of the unified Local Government Councils in Delta would have given me this massive support and votes,” Comrade Okwudi noted, stressing that without the support and cooperation of the Governor to his leadership by way of listening to all his appeals on behalf of the workers, “I think this people would have turned their back against me, hence the need for me to sincerely appreciate him for the leverage given to us to excel as leaders of the body of workers in the 25 local Government councils in this State.”

The highly charismatic union leader, therefore called on the workers to continue to keep faith with the newly elected leadership of the Union in the State, assuring that they will continue to use the mandate given to them to work and project their interest.

Comrade Okwudi said: “The new leadership has emerged, continuity, that is what we are saying and with all the support from the entire work force of the Local Government Councils in Delta State, we are not for any reason going to disappoint them and having the Governor on our side, all what we ask for in the interest of the workers will come to accomplishment.”

While extending hands of fellowship to persons that contested against him, Comrade Okwudi further described the election as a no victor, no vanquished one, even as he said that the election being all about popularity, the entire workers having decided who their leaders should be, every other person including those who opposed them during the election should come together to move the union as one indivisible entity.

The delegate election which was peaceful was also witnessed the representative of the National President of NULGE who is also the National Auditor, Comrade Onuigbo Lambert, State President Of NULGE Cross River State; Comrade Godwin AYenbi who is also the Chairman Conference of State Presidents of NUGEL, (COSPON), the State President of NULGE Bayelsa State; Comrade Akpos Ekiegha and State President of NULGE Akwa Ibom State; Comrade Barr. Martins Effiong amongst others

Ofili at Ogidi-Gbegbeje’s inaugural lecture seeks revival of culture of hard work in civil service

Dr. Edwin Ogidi-Gbegbaje.

Worried by the challenge posed by the relegation of hard work in the civil service, a call has been made for the revival of the culture in the service.

Former Head of Service of Delta State, Sir Okey Ofili, MNI, made the call on Saturday, November 23, 2019 while delivering the Ogidi-Gbegbaje inaugural lecture series, put together by a committee of friends to commemorate the 55^th birthday anniversary of the Permanent Secretary, Directorate of Government House and Protocol, Dr. Edwin Ogidi-Gbegbaje.

Okey, who looked at hard work not in the strict dictionary definition of the word ‘hard’ as firmness, rigidity, tough, not soft or smooth, difficult to accomplish, risky, but as a fine personal quality trait that is desirable in all human endeavours, posited that man’s survival is dependent on hard work as anything to the contrary is to live in self-deceit.

Pointing out that hard work is a highly cherished virtue in the civil service; he observed however, that the service is currently facing the challenge of institutionalizing the culture, as a result of which hard work as an essence has been on the downward trend in the service in recent years.  

“The culture of hard work must be implanted in the civil service to push away the thought process of ‘smartness’, which involves cutting corners, cheating, fraud, truancy, mediocrity and other negative attitudes and qualities,” Ofili said.

He admonished that in relating with the bosses, colleagues and subordinates, the civil servant should aim at developing a style that gets him or her to be noticed for good and be very competent in their job performance. “Avoid being that senior officer when it comes to performance of the job, your bosses rely more on your subordinates. Take interest in your job, be diligent, honest and forthright all of which are the result of hard work. Let your bosses know that you can always hold the fort in their absence, your colleagues regard and respect your diligence and your subordinates are inspired working with you because they are always learning from you,” Ofili said.

At the well attended event which held at the Orchid Hotel, DBS Road, Asaba, he called attention to some untoward developments that are noticed in the civil service and which have hindered the development of the culture of hard work.  Ofilim said: “In her book “In Civil Servicde (Memoirs), Chief (Mrs.) Grace Ekpiwrhe, retired Head of Service observed inter alia at page 115 thereof thus:

“The civil service that I joined in 1972 was quite formal, anonymous and highly respected. We took the ethics of the civil service seriously and above all we were in love with our jobs. These days so much of what are held up as the exemplar in those days has been eroded. Nowadays, one hears junior officers calling one ‘Mummy’, ‘Daddy’, ‘Uncle’, ‘Aunty’, and so on. This tendency borders on over familiarity which is gradually eating up the formality for which the civil service of old was known.”

Okey also quoted Dr. Esther Uduehi, retired permanent secretary in her book “Civil Service Policy”, at page 105 and 106 and stated: “One other area in the organization of the service and morale which deserves special mention is, perhaps, the process of promotion. The service places excessive premium on senority to the detriment of efficiency in matters of promotion. As a result, it is not uncommon to find officers who merely sit and watch the time for 3:30pm (4:00pm) to go home and get promotion merely because their names and numbers come before those that are hard working, efficient and conscientious officers on the seniority list … Most of the annual evaluation reports are unreliable instruments… As Adedeji points out, basing promotion more on seniority has placed premium on mediocrity and conformity rather than on intellectual brilliance, initiative and resourcefulness… Generally, it must be stated that the civil service lacks an effective and adequate reward system that should be expected of a result oriented organization… such reward packages as salary bonuses, long service award, citations, prizes and scholarship which have been used to achieve result in the private sector are absent in the civil service.”

For Okey therefore, there can be no argument about the relevance of working out an effective reward system for hard work in the civil service. “If we do nothing and fold our hands the cry for instilling the culture of discipline in the civil service might end up mere words, words and words. I just submit that rewarding hard work in the civil service is the way to go and it would require a critical look at structure, processes, and procedures of the civil service,” he said.

He proffered the following as suggestions for rewarding hard work in the civil service:

·        Overlapping of functions and duties in the civil service should be critically examined so that there would be clearly defined job description/schedules, realistic timelines set to achieve goals and every officer accountable for issues written his/her purview;

·        Besides annual performance evaluation reports, the examination element for promotions should be given a higher weighting such that promotions to certain grades at the senior management level will be dependent on performance examination;

·        A conscious effort should now begin at identifying a core hard working officers at the level of the meeting of the Head of Service and permanent secretaries and such identified officers at the end of the year should be eligible for one form of recognition, monetary or in kind;

·        Instilling the culture of hard work and encouraging same will require a stricter enforcement of discipline, so that the name calling which conscientious officers are given by their lazy colleagues who deserve to be disciplined would abate; and

·        Suggestion boxes should be introduced in all ministries/Departments /Agencies with a well-articulated template to enable the top echelon of the civil service get adequate and sincere report on the conduct of their staff in their interactions with the public. If well managed, there will be a noticeable improvement in overall performance.

Okey noted that hard work is a necessary attribute for success in life and achievement of organizational goals, pointed out however, that where practices and procedures seem to be prejudicial to hard work, there is a serious need for a rethink. “It is not healthy to treat both hard working and lazy officers alike,” he said, adding “finally, there is no denying the fact that there are hard working officers in the civil service. We must identify them; reward them accordingly for the good of the civil service as well as the progress and development of our state.”

At the lecture which original theme was “The Hallmark of Hard work,”  but Sir Okey pleaded with the audience to centre it on “Rewarding hard work in the civil service”, the lecturer paid glowing tribute to the person of the celebrant, saying that Edwin Ogidi-Gbegbaje is a quintessential civil servant that used public office to touch lives positively by being humble, diligent and very professional in the performance of his duties.

The celebrant speaking to journalists said he preferred the celebration of his 55^th birthday anniversary through giving a lecture rather than going partying.

Ogidi-Gbegbaje acknowledged that behind his success in the civil service was God. “It is by the special grace of God that I became a permanent secretary,” he said, adding: “ Hard work doesn’t kill, it makes you tough and strong; it prepares you for tomorrow.”

Gbagi Foundation institutes N6m scholarship for 500 Nigerian students

Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi.

The Gbagi Foundation, a nongovernmental organization, has set up a N6, 000,000 Scholarship Endowment Fund for 500 Nigerian students at Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo, Delta State.

Justice (Mrs) Sybil Gbagi, wife of former Minister for Education (State), Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, who is chair, Board of Trustees of Gbagi Foundation, presented a N6 million bank draft  for the take-off of the scheme at the first convocation ceremony of the institution, today (Saturday)  to the  Vice Chancellor, Prof Timothy Olagbemiro at Kiagbodo.

She explained: “For the first tranche, the Board has resolved to grant 500 scholarships,  broken down as follows - All the states of the Federation of Nigeria will have 25 slots for a total of 25 students, Oginibu, native land of Olorogun Gbagi will have 50 slots for a total of 50 students.”

“Ughelli South, home local government area of Gbagi will be entitled to 50 slots for a total of 50 students, Delta Central, South and North senatorial district will have 50 slots each for a total of 150 students

Commending the Chancellor and Founder of the university, Chief Edwin Clark on whose impeccable ideals Gbagi Foundation Support Fund for Edwin Clark University' anchors, she stated that as Minister, Olorogun Gbagi “was very instrumental to the revolutionary wave that swept across the Nigerian education sector at the time.”

 “Prompted by his passion, visionary leadership and high premium for qualitative education as a Minister, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi single-handedly pushed for the establishment of over 13 Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education and several Secondary Schools across the country, a feat unheard of in the entire history of Nigeria and to which this great institution is a beneficiary today,” she said.

Justice Gbagi revealed that Olorogun Gbagi,  who is not only a member of the Board of Trustees of Edwin Clark University, but also a son of Senator Clark, “has  through the Gbagi Foundation, sponsored and still continues to sponsor Deltans particularly, and Nigerians generally, at different levels and strata of learning within and outside the country.”

Her words, “The Gbagi Foundation  in furtherance of his resolve to change the narrative for the better, has established an Educational Trust Fund to be hereinafter known and referred to as ‘The Gbagi Foundation’s Support Fund for Edwin Clark University’ for 500 (Five Hundred) Nigerians and in demonstration of its commitment to this philanthropic gesture.”

“Attached herewith is a draft to the tune of N6, 000,000.00 (Six Million Naira) issued by the Gbagi Foundation in favour of Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo.

“In the actualization and effective utilization of this Fund, the Foundation will liaise with the Vice Chancellor, the University’s Accountant and/or other such nominees of the University and my humble self to formulate and implement a workable action plan for effective implementation,” she added.

“Similarly, and on behalf of the Gbagi Foundation, I present to you, these two (2) documents detailing the Structure of the Trust Fund, the states of the federation of Nigeria constituting the catchment area entitled to this fund.

Vice chancellor,  Olagbemiro,  who received the bank draft urged successful Nigerians to imitate the philanthropic  gesture of Olorogun Gbagi in contributing to  sustainable development of education and the teeming Nigerian youths. 

He commended Olorogun Gbagi for his philanthropy, especially towards the course of education, the youths and the underprivileged.

Olagbemiro assured that the institution would use the fund judiciously.

Succour for patients as Dame Edith Okowa inaugurates 14th sickle cell clinic in Delta

Mrs. Okowaq commissioning the Sickle Cell Clinic at Ogwashi-Uku.

More succour has again come the way of patients as the 14th Sickle Cell Clinic in Delta state has been inaugurated by the wife of the Governor and Founder, O5 Initiative, Dame Edith Okowa.

The medical facility established by the Delta First Lady’s Foundation, is located at the General Hospital, Ogwashi-Uku in Aniocha South Local Government Area.

She explained that her passion to make life better for Sickle Cell patients was borne out of her experience of the disorder, stressing that, with the inauguration of this new Clinic, her heart was filled with joy and fulfillment. "I present to the people of Aniocha South Local Government Area, the 14th Sickle Cell Clinic. It is a dream come true,” she said, adding: "We thank God for giving us this vision and providing the resources to carry out our plans. I appreciate the people of Aniocha South for their immense contributions towards the actualization of this project; your financial contributions, prayers and the thought to erect this building is heartwarming. I pray that the Lord will reward you in Jesus name."

Recounting the achievements of O5 Initiative in the past four years, Dame Okowa said, "we made a promise when this Journey started, to establish a Referral Centre in Asaba, I am glad to say that the promise has been fulfilled. The Asaba Sickle Cell Centre is fully fitted with modern equipment manned by skilled and qualified personnel and has so far handled with great success, major challenges faced by Sickle Cell Sufferers".

Mrs. Okowa in group photograph with personalities.

The Delta First Lady also announced that the 13 established Sickle Cell Clinics by O5 Initiative in Agbor, Ughelli, Oleh, Sapele, Kwale, Koko, Eku, Patani, Otu-Jeremi, Orerokpe, Issele-Uku and Umunede are fully functional and have in no small way impacted in the lives of indigent patients.

She assured that the remaining Local Government Areas will soon have theirs. "We are not resting on our oars; we look forward to establishing 12 more Sickle Cell Clinics where there is a General Hospital in the State".

Dame Edith Okowa urged members of the public to join hands in creating a better future for Sickle Cell patients, and cautioned against stigmatization. She charged parents not to discriminate against any child with such condition. "Let’s join hands together for the good of society and change our world, one person at a time", Mrs Okowa said.

In her welcome address, the Director General, O5 Initiative, Mrs Oghenekevwe Agas, expressed thanks to God for the establishment of another Clinic, saying it is a hope for Sickle Cell patients in the area.

Resource personnel who spoke at the event; Mrs Magdalene Dike, Medical Lab Scientist, advocated earlu screening for children of Sickle Cell carriers and compulsory genotype test for intending couples, while Mrs Anthonia Obi, a Food Nutritionist, harped on balanced diet and regular intake of water for the patients.

Showing love in a pep talk.

The event also featured cultural dance and drama by Sickle Cell Warriors and testimonies by Sickle Cell Survivors; Justice Excel Timi-Tonye, Miss Blessing Edo, Mrs Gift Nkwor and Mrs Bridget Augustus who encouraged other Sickle Cell patients with the words, "Sickle Cell is not a Death Sentence”.

High points of the event were the official unveiling of the Clinic and presentation of long lasting insecticidal nets to Sickle Cell patients.

Delta to end shoddy, makeshift roads works; extends retention payment period on road contracts to two years, upgrades youth directorate to Ministry

Delta state's Commissioner for Information, Charles Aniagwu, right, with
 Olise Ifeajika, Chief Press Secretary to the governor. at the post-EXCO briefing.

Delta state Government is out to put an end to the antics of contractors who take delight in constructing roads that are shoddy and makeshift.

Accordingly, and determined to ensure that roads constructed by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa's administration in Delta stand the test of time, the state’s Executive Council  has extended the payment of retained funds otherwise known as ``retention” to contractors to two years.


With this development, any road project would have survived two rainy seasons and certified to be okay before payment is made in full.

Commissioner for Information in the state, Mr Charles Aniagwu, made this known while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the council meeting presided by the governor on Wednesday in Asaba Asaba.


According to the commissioner, who was accompanied by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, during the briefing, Governor Okowa was not only committed to the construction of roads across the state, the roads must also stand the test of time.


"What this extension means is that one year is not enough time for us to understand whether a contractor has done a good job, and roads constructed should be subjected to a minimum of two rainy seasons.

 

``This is for us as a government to really understand how much quality the contractors brought to bear in the road

projects as there have been some complaints about the unreliable state of some roads which do not last as we intended them to.

 

``So, what government has now done is to extend the retention period from one year to two years.

"At the end of one year from the two-year period, 50 per cent of the five per cent retention fee will be paid while leaving behind another 50 per cent; so that after two years and we are satisfied that the contractor has done a good job, the remaining 50 per cent of that retention fee will be paid to that particular contractor," he said.

Aniagwu also disclosed that the Exco approved the construction of township roads in Benekrukru, Warri South West Local Government Area, pointing out that the project was situated in a riverside area.


"The Exco also approved the construction of storm water drainage projects along Ogwashi-Uku/Ubulu-Uku/Ubulu-Unor road which is aimed at controlling erosion in that particular area and the reason for the construction is to help extend the lifespan of the road as well as channel water to appropriate quarters."

"Also approved by the Exco is the renaming of the Directorate of Youth Affairs to the Ministry of Youths Development.


``The renaming will also come with some reforms in terms of restructuring of some departments as two professional departments have been added – one to deal with the issues of investments which will help in repositioning our youths to embrace enterprise and the other is to bring about education and mobilization of the youths.

"It is also, worthy to inform you that the executive council also approved the contracts for the construction of eight out of the nine technical colleges approved in the first phase of the establishment of 19 new technical colleges across the state," the commissioner said.

Crack in PDP NWC over Reps Caucus crisis…As PDP Deputy National Chairman, National Youth Leader disown suspension extension on Elumelu, others

There appears to be a crack in the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the crisis in the selection of the House of Representatives Minority Leader as some members of the national leadership have disowned the extension of the suspension Hon. Ndudi Elumelu and others from the party.

Elumelu, representing Delta state, emerged as the Minority Leader of the House against the wish of the national leadership, earning him a one-month suspension from the PDP.

The party’s preferred candidate for the post is Hon. Kingsley Chinda, who it has since appointed as the leader of the PDP Caucus in the House.

At the expiration of the one month period, the party through a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, recently announced the extension of the suspension of  Elumelu and others.

This has now been challenged by some members of the party’s NWC, including Deputy National Chairman (South), Elder Yemi Akinwunmi and the National Youth Leader, Sunday Udeh Okoye.

They spoke at separate interviews with reporters in Abuja on Tuesday.

The Deputy National Chairman (South), Elder Yemi Akinwunmi denied knowledge of the extension of the suspension of Elumelu and others, which he said was not discussed at the NWC level.

He said: “I am not aware of the extension of the suspension. I do not remember any occasion where it was elongated,” adding, “I am only aware that he was suspended only for one month, after that, I am not aware of any further action.”

Asked about the status of the suspension, Akinwunmi further said: “I am an integral part of NWC, but I am telling you that to the best of my knowledge, I am aware that he was suspended for one month and that was about six months ago.”

The party national deputy chairman affirmed that Elumelu’s suspension had lapsed but did not say whether he has now been recognized as the Rep Minority Leader, saying: “It (suspension) has lapsed.

On his part, the National Youth Leader also denied knowledge of the suspension extension, saying that the NWC has not given such order.

He suggested that the party spokesman had no authority to issue the statement announcing the extension of Elumelu’s suspension. “That is not our statement,” he said, adding: “We did not do that.”

Okoye further explained: “The Constitution of the party says that you have to give them one-month suspension, you have to set up a committee and the committee will have to make a recommendation within that one month. And whatever the committee makes, that will be the basis of your next action.

“If you recommend that they will be expelled, they will be expelled. If they say suspend, you suspend them. If they say fine, you fine them. You do not just elongate, the Constitution does not say elongate after the one month.

“And anybody who is saying that we elongated, you can ask the person where lies the report of the committee setup. Where is the report and we were in the meeting of the NWC all through this month and we never for one day, discussed the matter.

 “It has never been in our agenda. You can also request from the person (spokesman), the agenda of each of the NWC’s meeting within this November or that of October.”

Also affirming that the decision to extend Hon. Elumelu and others was not the party leadership’s decision, the National Youth Leader declared, “I was in all the meetings, it was not discussed.”

Why we visited Jonathan, by APC leaders

APC leaders's visit to former president Goodluck Jonathan.

By Shedrack Frank

Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa, said they visited former President Goodluck Jonathan  after Saturday’s governorship elections in recognition of his  position as the father and leader of the state.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, led APC leaders including governor-elect David Lyon, to visit the former president’s home today, Monday, November 18, 2019.

Sylva noted that as a former president and leader of the State, Jonathan deserved to be respected and honoured by all  Bayelsa people, irrespective of their party leanings.

“Being a former president of the country and a past governor of the State, Jonathan remains an asset to the state and his inputs will always be needed to advance the course of governance in the Bayelsa.

“As such it was important for us to introduce the governor-elect to him and seek his support and guidance in building a better Bayelsa,” he said.

Responding, Jonathan tasked Lyon to put the welfare and interest of the Bayelsa people above every other issue.

“As a former president of Nigeria, I am a father to all Bayelsans, hence my doors are open to all citizens irrespective of their political affiliations.

“I urge you to make the welfare of Bayelsa people a top priority and carry all of them along irrespective of the party they voted for.

“Elections are over now, so I want you to see yourself as the governor of all and not only to the sections that voted for you. This is the way to move Bayelsa forward,” he stated.

Jonathan also condemned the violence in some parts of the state during the elections, describing it as unfortunate and regrettable.

He said the nation’s democracy would never mature if the violence and irregularities during elections continued. (NAN)