Save us from soldiers’ brutality, harassment, DELSU students cry out

By Austin Oyibode

Students of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, are angry over the manner members of the 222 Battalion of the Nigeria Army allegedly brutalise students of the university over unnecessary issues in the university town of Delta state.

Soldiers carrying out the brutalization acts on a student.

 In a statement by President of Faculty of Social Sciences, Comrade Tomi Akporoghene, the students condemned the action of the 222 Battalion under the operation codenamed ‘Operation Delta Safe.’ Soldiers abdicate duties, harass, brutalise students in Delta state university.

The students alleged that the soldiers who are paid to protect lives of students have abandoned their duties to public intimidation of unarmed students whose freedom of movement is guaranteed by the Nigerian constitution.

The statement said rather than focus on the marauding Fulani herdsmen who are killing Nigerians daily, the soldiers are dealing with innocent students who are no threat to public peace.

The statement reads in part: “On Wednesday, 22nd March, 2017, two female students were unnecessarily harassed for putting on shorts by men of the Nigerian Army. It still bothers student leaders, human rights activists, security conscious Deltans and lawyers alike that men of the Nigerian army attached to the 222 Battalion serving in Abraka are no longer bothered about the security of Nigerians, but about what they wear. Nigerian Army harass female students, brutalise others in Delta.

 “We want to know when it became illegal for ladies to wear shorts to reduce the impact of the heat from the scorching sun. The following day, another student, Mr. Emmanuel, was publicly brutalized for not stepping on the breaks of his car when they wanted him to. “Later in the evening of the same day, another student, was flogged mercilessly for returning home a few minutes past 10pm after charging his phone in a friend's house.

“Without any successful arrest of those actually perpetuating evil in the students town, the men of the Nigerian Army have recorded huge successes in the violation of the fundamental human rights of the greatest Nigerian students which should not be so. As student leaders, we openly condemn this act, it is not only uncalled for but a total violation of the internationally approved rules of engagements.”

The students called on Delta state government, Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, the Nigerian Senate and the Delta state house of assembly to investigate the alleged violation of the rights of the students by members of the Nigerian army in Abraka.

·         Source:Naij.com

Okowa charges Immigration on accurate data of expatriates

Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has challenged the Nigerian Immigration Service to provide accurate data of expatriates to check loss of revenue.

Okowa in a group photograph with Immigration officers at Government
House, Asaba.

Governor Okowa made the call today (28/03/17) when the Comptroller, Immigration Services, Delta State Command, Mr. Baba Ali Zakari led officials of the agency to pay him a courtesy visit in Asaba.

The Governor who expressed surprise that the Immigration Service had accurate records of expatriates in Delta State observed that such should be made available to the state Board of Internal Revenue Service to ensure that revenue accruing to the state and the country is not lost.

“I am glad that we are monitoring and supervising the expatriates quota in the state because, sometimes, we hear about them (expatriates) coming in; they work and live here and because proper records are not kept on them, the state and nation loses in terms of revenue that is derivable from taxes that are supposed to be paid by them; so, I am glad that you (Immigration Service) have given us the number of expatriates in the state at the moment and the Board of Internal Revenue will look into its records to ensure that it correlates with your records and if it does, we can take it up immediately because, we know that there are sharp practices by some of our companies that are involved in the oil sector,” Governor Okowa said.

Governor Okowa also used the occasion to state that with active immigration service, crime rates would be reduced, especially in Delta State where the Police have noticed that most of the crime committed in the state were by foreigners.

According to him, “we are very much aware that there is a lot of work for you (Immigration) to do and that there is greater need to continue to monitor immigrants who are within the various localities in the state; so, I am glad to hear that you have officers distributed through the local government areas because, we know that crime rate is increasing now and it is time for us to become more cautious about allowing people come into our states.”

“We know that the law in Nigeria allows us to move freely but, it is important that the people who come into our state are properly documented because, only recently, some criminals that were caught, some of them are foreigners as the Commissioner of Police did report to me,” he said, stating,  “we have to be proactive in continuously monitoring the people that come in, sometimes some of these people do not stay in hotels, they stay in all sort of slums  and places we do not expect them to be, and that is a challenge especially when we have to deal with the issues of kidnapping; it is important that we continue to work along with our sister institutions to monitor this.”

The Governor also, charged Immigration to step up its activities on checking human trafficking in the country, noting, “we have begun to see a lot of human trafficking and children being sold; though many of the children are sold within the country; they may also be moved out of the country, so, there is need for collaboration between the various security agencies in the monitoring of what goes on and I thought this had to be brought to the fore.”

Earlier, Mr Zakari said the visit was to brief the Governor and members of the state executive council of the activities of the Immigration Service in the state.

He thanked Governor Okowa’s administration for its numerous assistance to the agency especially, the construction of access roads to the Immigration Office in the state and also, the Governor’s commitment to ensuring security of lives and property in the state, disclosing that the Immigration Service was not relenting in repatriating illegal immigrants in the state.

APC’s very much on ground across Delta State, says party chieftain

·      Nwadiaju praises Ochei’s emergence as party’s South-South Caucus scribe

A bigwig of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Delta state has praised the former Speaker of the Delta state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Onyekachi Ochei for emerging as the secretary of the party’s South-South caucus, declaring that the party is very much on ground across Delta State.  

Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, APC national chairman

Mr. Steve Nwadiaju, APC chairman, Aniocha North Local Government of Delta State told Banner Media Network enthusiastically that he was aware of Ochei’s emergence as APC South-South caucus secretary, saying: “I am aware of it. It’s a position that is due for he to whom honour is due. It’s a welcome position, and we ae happy about it”

Nwadiaju said the position will bring about unity in the party in the State, more recognition to him as a tested politician having risen to the No. three citizenship position in Delta State, which is the apogee of political navigation. This is talking about pitfalls, intrigues, banana pitfalls, horse trading, etc. that Ochei has passed through.

“We expect that the position will afford him quantum experience to strengthen the confidence of APC members in the Delta State,” the party chairman said.

Engr. Victor Ochei

Pointing out that the APC is united and that there is no division in the state, he debunked insinuations that APC is not on ground in Delta State. And reaching into his bag of proverbs, Nwadiaju declared: “ A silent cricked is busy digging its hole. When the auspicious time for shrilling comes the cricket will be heard. In other words, the seeming apparent silence of the party is more of an incubation effort that will bring forth a dynamic, pragmatic, prolific and progressive offspring that will avail Deltans the necessary change they have been clamouring for.”

Reminded that many Nigerians believe that APC popularity is weak because the APC government at the centre is not doing well to improve the lots of Nigerians, Nwaiaju retorted, saying: “I controvert that statement. For instance, the state governments have been receiving statutory monthly allocations. And most recently Delta State got N14.5 billion refund from the London Paris Club debt management. How logical? It defies logic to postulate that the Federal Government should be held responsible for the lethargic administration in Delta State.

Nigeria making steady progress under Buhari, says Oyegun

By Olaotan Falade

 -Despite the seeming unending controversies dogging its administration, the APC-led Federal Government is making sure and steady progress whose impact will continue to steer the nation towards growth and stability, the ruling party’s national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has said.

President Buhari

Speaking Monday in Kuru, Plateau State, at the opening of a 4-Day retreat organised for members of the Sokoto State Executive Council, Permanent Secretaries and Directors-General in the state civil service, Oyegun said President Buhari has not deviated from the goals he set for himself during the campaign.

“We were firm with our pledge to fight corruption, tackle insecurity and steer the economy towards growth. On these points, we have not deviated. What the critics have failed to acknowledge is that our country is making positive progress.

“Forget the arguments about (Customs DG’s refusal to wear) uniforms and (Senator Dino Melaye)’s certificates currently raging in Abuja. The truth of the matter is that we inherited a bad economy but steadily we’ve progressed. We are at a point where we are taking the turn to consolidate on economic growth in our nation,” he stated.

Oyegun said the Buhari administration has achieved a lot in the agricultural sector, and these achievements have now ensured the country becoming self-sufficient in rice and other key crops.

He said the impact will be felt most when the country begins to export these products to other countries.

While commending Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal for his firm and dedicated leadership in Sokoto State, Oyegun said by prioritising education, and especially girl-child education, work on Sokoto’s future has started in earnest.

In his remarks, Tambuwal said Sokoto State is 100 percent in support of the Federal Government’s ongoing commitment towards economic diversification using agriculture as the vehicle for sustainable development.

“We will continue to pursue policy framework and compliment all efforts that will guarantee growth and economic viability. We will create the required enabling environment and support investors willing to invest in our State,” he added.

He said the retreat was organised to explore potentials towards enhancing capacity of public officers and promote harmonious working relationship among civil servants and political appointees for the betterment of Sokoto State.

“It will dwell on fundamental issues that have to do with leadership, democracy, good governance, justice and security. The presentations will prioritize key areas like agriculture, education, healthcare delivery, women and youth empowerment and development of the solid mineral subsector,” Tambuwal added.

On his part, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau commended the Sokoto state government for considering his state as venue to host the retreat.

“This shows that peace has returned to our state and we are working assiduously to sustain it,” he added.

Speaking in the same vein, the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Buba Gyang, said historical ties between Sokoto and Plateau states have made it imperative for the leaders to work towards communal harmony and integration of the populace.

According to him, Sokoto has set the pace in peaceful coexistence among different groups of Nigerians residing in the state. “You don’t discriminate against indigenes and residents in your schools. This is highly commendable,” he added.

The theme of the retreat is “Consolidation of achievements and new strategies for efficient service delivery in Sokoto State.”

·         Source: The News Guru

Pharmacists get land for medicinal plants in Delta

Pharmacists under the aegis of Association of Lady Pharmacists (ALPs), National

Body have taken delivery of a parcel of land donated to her by the Omu Anioma,

HRM Obi Martha Dunkwu, for the purposes of Pharmacognosis (The Study of

Medicinal Plants).

The MoU for the land was presented to the National Chairman of ALPS, Pharm.

Hajia Zainab Sharrif during the organization’s Business Summit, held recently in

Asaba, Delta State Capital.

According to the ALPs National Chairman, Zainab Sharrif, “The land as graciously

donated to ALPs by the Mother of ALPs, will be judiciously used for

Pharmacognosis – the study of medicinal plants as a means of promoting the

federal government’s initiative on herbs”.

Earlier that day, the body had visited with the First Lady of Delta State, Her

Excellency Dame Edith Okowa to intimate her of the activities of ALPs with

regards to going back to nature and processing herbs into medicine for the

treatment of various health challenges.

During the Business Summit of the group, lectures bordering on planting of

medicinal herbs, producing them 100 percent natural and promoting their use for

the benefit of humanity, were delivered by several experts in the fields of

Pharmacology and Medicine.

Okowa condoles Delta NUT, ANCOPSS over death of principals

 Delta State Governor, Senator  Ifeanyi Okowa has commiserated with the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT Delta State and All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools in the state over Friday's death of three Secondary School Principals and one Vice Principal in a fatal road traffic accident while on their way for an official assignment in Kwale.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Aniagwu in Asaba on Sunday, Governor Okowa said he received with sadness the news of their tragic and untimely death with great shock.

“This is indeed a sad story especially as they died in their prime. On behalf of the Government and people of Delta State I commiserate with Delta State NUT, ANCOPSS, and the families, colleagues and students of the deceased Principals.

“The deceased officers who died in active service were dedicated in their service to the State and the Nation and will be missed for their outstanding patriotism and dedication to duty."

Okowa who also declared Monday, 27th March, 2017 as a day of mourning in all public schools in the state as a mark of honour to the dedicated officers, commiserates with the bereaved families, colleagues, students, loved ones and prays God to grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and a full and speedy recovery to those recuperating in hospital.

Three things God did through me while in prison, says Obasanjo

By Olaotan Falade

 -

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on Sunday said he will forever be grateful to God for making him (Obasanjo) transform as many lives as he can while in prison.

Obasanjo

The ex-President noted that God used him to do three spectacular things while he was in Yola and Kirikiri prisons serving a jail term for a phantom coup charges by the late military dictator, Sani Abacha.

According Obasanjo, the major challenge in life was not how to stay alive but “what to live for and what to live with.”

Obasanjo spoke at Shephered Baptist Church, Obanikoro, Lagos during the Thanksgiving for his 80th birthday, organised by the church.

Obasanjo recalled his experience as an inmate in Yola Prison where he said he met a hardened armed robber and serial murderer, Baba Ali, who he (Obasanjo) preached to and later sent to the Bible school and who has today become a pastor over a Baptist Church.

The programme was tagged “Special Commemorative, Commendation and Congratulatory Birthday Service.”

In his words: “There ’s a difference between joy and happiness. In prison, I had joy but it will be madness for me to say that when I was in prison I was happy.

“How can you be in prison and say you are happy ? But I was having the joy of God with me, not for one day was I sad.

“And I am grateful to God for the experience that I had in the prison.

“I will mention three things that God made me to do when I was in Yola Prison.

“One, God made me to build a church. It’s very unusual, I asked the:authorities for land, they were reluctant, eventually they gave me land and immediately, we started getting donations.

“It was started before I left Yola. Wherever you are, you can still be useful to the work of God.

“Secondly , there was a parcel of land, which was not being used for anything so, I told the prison authorities that I wanted to farm.

“They were reluctant but eventually they granted me the permission to farm and I grew enough beans to feed all the inmates and the warders.

“Don’t remain idle, get something doing.”

Obasanjo said the third thing he did was at Kirikiri Prison in Lagos where he became the prison pastor.

He said he took over as prison pastor because the prison authorities stopped preachers from visiting after white garments preachers who came to preach had helped some inmates to escape by dressing them in white garments.

He said, “They made sure we did not receive anybody from outside to come and preach to us or fellowship with us.

“So, I took over as the prison pastor. And there was a boy whom they had introduced to me his nickname was Baba Ali.

“Baba Ali was the head of the armed robbers in the North. And if you were an armed robber and you came to the prison, you must first of all go and pay homage to Baba Ali.

“If you were going out, you must go to Baba Ali and ask him for instruction on what you had to do next.

“So, I called Baba Ali one day and said, ‘You are not coming to fellowship; I want you to be coming to the fellowship.’ He said, ‘ Baba , don ’t worry me; don’ t worry me at all because God can never forgive me . I have killed so many people in my life ; I have drunk the blood of so many people; I have eaten the flesh of so many people and God will never forgive me, so, don’ t waste your time about me. ’

“I left Baba Ali on that occasion, and I waited for some time before I went back and said, ‘ Baba Ali, you know all you said that you are a murderer, whether you killed only one person or a:thousand people, you are a murderer; but have you forgotten that Moses was a murderer but God used him to bring the people of Israel out of Egypt?

“David was a murderer but God called him a man after my heart.
“By the time I was leaving the prison, I told Baba Ali that if he was able to make it and he would like to go to bible school, I would send him to bible school.

“Baba Ali came out of prison two years after me. By the time he came out I had become the President of Nigeria.

“It took him two years to get through to me, when he got to me, I reminded him of our agreement and he said he was ready to go to the Bible school.

“So, I sent him to the seminary. Baba Ali spent two years in the seminary, today Baba Ali is the pastor of a Baptist Church. What is more?

“Baba Ali’s junior brother took after him and has also become a pastor.”

·         Source: The New Guru