Okowa calls for speedy resuscitation of Warri Port

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa making a point as the Olu of Warri Ogiame Ikenwoli
1 (right) looks on. 

Delta Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has called for the resuscitation of Warri Port, saying that doing so is a key factor to the economic development of the state and the nation.

Speaking when the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli I, visited him in Asaba on Wednesday, the governor observed that with the congestion of the ports in Lagos, the Federal Government should revive Warri Port and other sea ports to boost the nation’s economy.

“There is no doubt that the Warri Port is a key economical factor for our state and the nation; the earlier we get it working the better for us.

``It is in the best interest of this nation to expand, create and develop port facilities because, Lagos ports are already congested and more ports mean more boost to our economy,” he said.

Okowa used the occasion to inform the Warri monarch of his administration’s commitment to meeting the yearnings of the people through projects that would impact positively on them.

He said: “I want to thank you for the partnership that exists between your kingdom and the state government.

``This partnership has helped the traditional council to grow and work together with the state government and it has made for a very peaceful state.

“I have made it very clear that political appointees must go back home to pay their loyalties to their traditional rulers, work with them because, they cannot work from Asaba and not liaise with their traditional rulers and the kingdoms.

``This is very important in our commitment to execute projects in consultation with the monarchs and constituents.

“We are committed to the construction of Ogheye floating market; we have gotten a combination of the Ministries of Works, and Housing to do a complete assessment and budget breakdown, so that work can commence as quickly as possible on the market.

“Trans-Warri Road is a project that is very dear to me and we will do the best we can to achieve it.

``The contractors have been to site and there is not much that can be done during the raining season, so, we will endeavour to utilize the dry season and ensure that work commences,” the governor said.

Earlier, the monarch had congratulated the governor on his electoral victory and thanked him for the appointments given to Itsekiri sons and daughters in his administration.

He assured the governor that he would ensure that peace reigned in Itsekiri kingdom to engender development.

Security agencies are partners in drive for development, Okowa tells visiting Commander

Governor Okowa with Brigadier General Usman Bello during the Brigade commander's visit.

Delta Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, on Wednesday in Asaba, said security agencies were great partners in the drive of his administration at developing the state.

The governor stated this when he received the Commander, 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Asaba, Major-General Usman Bello, who visited him.

He said that the state government appreciated ``the good works’’ of the brigade, especially in the past few weeks, and commended the brigade for also collaborating with other security agencies in the state.

Okowa reaffirmed his administration’s commitment at developing the state, saying “we will remain steadfast at bringing development to our people and we are all aware that security is important for development to take place.

“As a government, we will continue to partner security agencies, because we hope that our state, Delta, will continue to be one of the most peaceful in the country.”

He commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, for boosting security in the state through the setting up of military formations.

Earlier, the brigade commander had told the governor that the visit was to intimate him of the achievements the formation had recorded in the state

“We are here to provide security in conjunction with other agencies to ensure that Delta State is secured for development.

“We are grateful to you for your rich policies and commitment to the successful establishment of the 63 Brigade.

“The socio-economic benefits of having this Brigade in Delta are very huge and we assure you that Asaba and the state in general will remain a safe haven for people with good intentions,” Bello said.

'Lead Me On', Kandy Sea’s latest album unveils August 31, with latest musical kits

Kandy Sea, set to unveil new reggae album.

“Lead Me On”, a new Reggae album from the stable of a devotee and maestro, Kandy Sea is up for launch in the twilight days of this month, specifically on Saturday, August 31, 2019.

The renowned Nigerian reggae star whose birth name is Mr. Cyril Eziomume Nwaodi is already intensifying efforts to make the launch a big bash event expected to be chaired by the member representing Aniocha North State constituency in the Delta state House of Assembly, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, a Fellow of the Nigeria Society of Engineers.

Kandy Sea also revealed to Show Biz Reporters that the event which will have the Senator representing Delta North Senatorial district in the Red Chambers of the National Assembly, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi as the Father of the Day, will be an avenue where his newly acquired latest state of the art musical equipments will be unveiled and inaugurated.

The event, he hinted, is being coordinated by Sandrich Promotion and scheduled to hold at the prestigious Downtown Hotel & Suites at Plot 16, Sewage Road, Gowon Estate, Egbeda, Lagos, adding that the immediate past Delta State Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Chief Emma Bazim Chinye is expected to grace the occasion as the Special Guest of Honour where High Chief Igbinazaka Ugowe will double as the chief host. 

The Anioma born music icon announced that arrangement has been concluded for maximum security to be put in place at the event that is billed to starts by 3 pm, even as he noted that new talents will also be discovered at the event. 

Born 47 years ago on 16 April, 1972, to Mr. and Mrs. Nwaodi of Ogbe Obi Quarters, Onicha-Olona in Aniocha North Local Government Area of  Delta State, Nigeria.

  

Cyril Eziomume Nwaodi, aka Kandy Sea, attended Ugba Primary School, and Boys Secondary School, all in Onicha Olona.  He later proceeded to Ezi Secondary School in the same Local Government Area where he continued with his SS 1 and SS11, however, as a result of family decision, again he moved to New Bethel Secondary School, Isulo, in Orumba North Local Government Area, Anambra State, where he obtained his Senior Secondary Certificate. 

While in New Bethel Secondary School, Isulo, the highly determined and resourceful young Cyril started his music career.

His first Album titled, “Enough Is Enough hit the airwaves in 1990 and the market performance was exceptional and impressive. This motivated him to intensify more effort in his music career and in 1992/1993 he hit the Nigerian Music scene with another album, HUMBLE LION which had some unforgettable tracks like, He Gives Me Joy, Kandy Sea Has Come and Lots of others.

The market performance of this same album was excellent and the proceeds realized from the sales, made him an instant millionaire.

HUMBLE LION was applauded as one of the best reggae music ever waxed in Nigeria, to the extent that it was nominated as one of the best Gospel Album of the year and also nominated as one of the best Reggae Jam of the year, which he later won.

The encouragement and popularity he got from this Album propelled him to go into research for the third album, NO ONE KNOWS TOMORROW. The Album gave his musical career the first international facelift as he was invited by so many music lovers to come to overseas for performance.

  

Kandy Sea, a cousin to the late Reggae icon and Ambassador, Ras Kimono, is renowned for his inspirational music as he has featured in many International musical concerts.

Asifo Brume-Ezewu, politician, diplomat, journalist dies at 72

Late Asifo Brume-Ezewu.

A veteran journalist, and second Republic politician and legislator, Hon. Asifo Brume-Ezewu is dead.

He died at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba after a protracted illness.

His son Mr. Ejiro Brume, confirmed to banneronlinenews.com and Bannermedianetwork.blogspot.com that his father passed on at about 12.30 pm, yesterday, Monday, February 12, 2019. He was 72 years.

Born in Agbarho on December 12^th, 1947 in the present Ughelli North Local Government Area, young Asifo attended the African Secondary Modern School, Warri, the University of Ibadan from 1968 t0 1971 where he obtained the B.Sc honours degree in political science, and later attended the University of Vienna, Austria.

A versatile man, late Hon. Asifo Brume-Ezewu as a politician was a member of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) under which it contested elections and won into the defunct Bendel State House of Assembly, representing Ughelli North constituency in 1983.

As a journalist, he worked as a Reporter with the Daily Times of Nigeria (DTN), where served as a Reporter for Times International and wrote a column, Wisdom Notes for the Sunday Times. At separate times, he kept a column with Weekend Bliss, Lagos in 1995, and was Editor-in-Chief of the Seeker magazine also in Lagos.

An international civil servant and diplomat, Asifo Brume-Ezewu represented Nigeria in the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting countries (OPEC), Vienna , Austria, where he also headed a department. He was member of several Unated nations committees, including UNDP committee in Geneva, Switzerland in 1985, UNESCO, Vienna, Austria, 1976-1978, and the African Development Bank, Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.

Ochor commends Osakwe, Amori on birthday anniversaries, says they’re Political Icons

Senator Patrick Osakwe being assisted by friends including Chief James
Ibori, to cut his birthday cake.

Deputy Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Christopher Ochor Ochor, joined thousands of Deltans to celebrate with two Chieftains of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the State, Senator Patrick Osakwe and Senator Ighoyota Amori as they marked their birthday anniversaries.

Speaking on Sunday, August 11th, 2019 at the sides of the celebrations, that were held respectively in Benin City, Edo state, and Mosoghar in Delta State, Mr. Ochor described the duo as great political icons, who at different times, helped to build the political spheres in Delta State as well as political followers, who today have been instrumental to the transformation of their immediate environments.

He pointed out that Senator Osakwe as a senator of the federal republic, vigorously pursued the development of the state, especially, the development of Ndokwa land, as he ensured that road infrastructure was built across the entire Ndokwa nation, and other parts of the state and at same time pursued the indivisibility of the PDP family.

“Chief Patrick Osakwe has come a long way, as he has contributed greatly to our dear state, Delta. As a three time senator, he ensured that infrastructure, especially roads are built in Ndokwa land, and the entire Delta North, through the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.

“He has been a loyal party man, and has remained focused to the development of the party. He had at different occasions, used his experience, in politics and business to always negotiate for peace among the aggrieved in the party. He is a political and business icon, and I celebrate with him for attaining the age of 71 years”, the Deputy Speaker stated.

Also on the birthday thanksgiving anniversary of Senator Ighoyota Amori, who clocked 67 years on August 8, 2019, the Deputy Speaker described him as an illustrious son of the State and that of the people of Ethiope West as he has been a great source of development to the area, adding that the renowned politician has at intervals attracted different social and economic institutions, which has increased the socio-economic base of the people.

He pointed out that only a great planner, with the dexterity to have a positive change that can do what Chief Amori had done in Delta Politics.

“Today our leader, and political icon in Delta is thanking God for attaining the age of 67; he has shown his love over the years for Delta state, and his immediate constituency. He has always been driven to achieve, and that can be seen in the nooks and crannies of Ethiope West, as his actions in politics have attracted development benefits to his people,” he stated.

Teach children local languages, Ukah charges parents

Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Chief Patrick Ukah with Mrs Christie Akako.

Parents have been called upon to teach their children and wards how to speak local languages so as to sustain such languages and not allow them go into extinction.

Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Chief Patrick Ukah, gave this charge when members of Enuani Advancement Forum paid him a courtesy visit in Okpanam on Saturday.

He bemoaned the situation where present day children can not speak their local languages putting the blame squarely on parents who do not teach their children local languages.

Chief Ukah therefore appealed to parents to teach their children local languages with the same determination which they use to teach them English language so the children can speak the two languages.

The Basic and Secondary Education commissioner decried the situation where parents cannot communicate with their children in local languages in the presence of a visitor who the parents might not want to understand their discussion.

He urged members of the group to develop an action plan on how they want to achieve their purpose, promising to intervene to ensure that the ugly trend is reversed.

The Chairman of Enuani Advancement Forum, Rev. Fr. Anthony Banye, in an address, stated that the group want Enuani language to not just be a spoken language but also a written language that children from Enuani area can study and grow in.

In the address read on his behalf by Mrs. Christie Akako, the chairman noted that people find a sense of pride when they see their own language measuring up with other languages in terms of modern usage so will naturally prefer their own language to others.

Reps Minority Caucus greets Muslims at Eid El-Kabir, urges Sowore’s release in the spirit of Eid

Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, House of Reps Minority Caucus Leader.

The Minority caucus of the House of Representatives has called on Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of love, forgiveness, and sacrifice in order to move the nation forward.

The caucus made the call in an Eid-el-Fitr goodwill message endorsed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, on today, August 12th, 2019 and made available to the media, in Abuja.

The lawmakers, who also called for the release of the political activist and journalist, Omoyele Sowere, noted that although the challenges facing the nation were overwhelming, they could be overcome if the government rallied all Nigerians to work together as one people.

“As we felicitate with the Muslim faithful at Eid-el-Kabir, we also call on our Muslim brothers and sisters to use the occasion of this very important festival to pray for the peace and wellbeing of our nation. There is the need to reflect on and imbibe the exemplary legacies of the Prophet Mohammed, especially his life of love, forgiveness, and sacrifice. 

“In the same vein, we urge President Mohammadu Buhari to direct the release of the activist, Mr. Omoyele Sowere, in the spirit of Eid-el-Kabir and in deference to democracy.

“Nigeria is currently besieged by enormous economic and security challenges and we expect the Federal Government to direct its attention, energies, and state resources at surmounting them. 

"We also expect the government to rally Nigerians across political, religious, and ethnic divides to work as one people to salvage the nation," the caucus stressed, in the Message.