NUJ felicitates with Osahor on appointment, commends Okowa for gesture

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Delta State Council, has congratulated Mr Paul Osahor JP, of the State Ministry of Information on his appointment as a permanent secretary in the Delta State Civil Service.

The NUJ, in a statement issued today, Wednesday, October 16, 2019 in Asaba, said the appointment was well deserved and a reward for hard work, dedication and zeal at giving verve to information service delivery in the state.

The statement signed by the Council Chairman, Michael Ikeogwu and Secretary,  Churchill Oyowe,  expressed confidence that the appointment would further motivate the creative best in Mr Osahor for effective service delivery.

Mr. Paul Osahor.

The council, while also congratulating all the other appointees on their elevation to the peak of their career as civil servants, thanked Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for extending his appointments to the civil service and Post Primary Education Board.

The council particularly commended the governor on the ground that testimonies from some of the appointees indicated that they did not lobby but rather, merit was considered in the appointment.

The council urged the governor to maintain the tempo in subsequent appointments, arguing that it would help to build a resilient and re-oriented civil service.

Minimum wage: Delta NLC shuts offices, schools, order workers to go home

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Delta State chapter today, Wednesday, October 16, 2019 started off with shutting government offices and schools in Asaba ahead of the planned strike over delay to implement the new minimum wage.

Ministries, Departments and Agencies, as well as offices of the Delta State House of Assembly Service Commission, and the House of Assembly complex, Okpanam Road, Asaba had the gates to the offices locked and the workers told to go home.

The situation lightened traffic on the roads as government workers, teachers and school children were sent home.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NLC members were seen patrolling Asaba in a marked Hiace mini-bus, closing government offices and turning back school children.

Recall that the national body of the NLC had threatened to go on strike from Thursday if the Federal Government fails to meet its demand on the consequential adjustment.

Before the meetings, labour was demanding 29 per cent increase for officers at grade levels 07 to 14 and 24 per cent adjustment for officers at grade levels 15 to 17.

While the Federal Government proposed an 11 per cent increase for officers at grade level 07 to 14  and 6.5 per cent adjustment for workers at grade level 15 to 17.

Mr Goodluck Ofuburuku, NLC State chairman confirmed to NAN on phone that labour was on strike in the state.

“We are on strike and that is all I can tell you for now. We expect offices and schools to comply.

“The strike is in force that is why we are going round to enforce compliance,” Ofuburuku said.

NAN reports that most government offices and schools within Asaba metropolis were closed as at this morning.

The state government secretariat, along Okpanam road was equally shut as some workers who had reported for work were seen milling around the gate.

Mrs. Tina Okolo, a civil servant told NAN that the NLC members came and locked her office premises and ask the workers to go home.

“They came this morning and ask us to go home. I reported to work at about 8:15am, but now am going home.

“I don’t know much about the strike, so I am just waiting to see how things will turn out,” Okolo said.

NAN reports that the gate of West-End Mixed Secondary School, Asaba,was also closed, as the students were seen going home at about 10:15 am.

A teacher, who pleaded anonymity, told NAN that the students had been asked to go home because of the strike.

Also, members of the NLC were seen at the Achievers Group of Schools, DLA road Asaba, driving out the students and trying to lock up the school gate.

However, most banks in Asaba remained open for business as customers continued their transactions without hindrance.

Okowa at strategy retreat calls for synergy among govt. functionaries to achieve results

Governor Okowa, right, with Mr. Peter Obi (middle) and Barrister Kingsley
Otuaro at the Executive Management Strategy Retreat.

Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has urged top government officials in his administration to ensure synergy for the desired results to be achieved.

The governor made the call on Wednesday while declaring open an Executive Management Strategy Retreat for top government officials at Onicha-Ugbo.

The governor urged the officials to understand that offices are held in trust for the people and everybody in position of authority should take delivery of services to the satisfaction of the people as paramount.

He said: "No matter where we find ourselves in government, we should have the knowledge of what we ought to do and working together as a team, satisfy the people.
"We must learn to work together as a team; don't create territories, the real thing is that all of us must work together to produce the best results for our people.
"It is not about our ego or what we stand to gain as individuals; we need to check ourselves regularly to know if we have been able to achieve what we ought to do at any given time.

"The theme for the workshop, 'Defining pathway to building a stronger Delta' is a challenging topic and no matter what we have to do, being able to achieve peace is very important.
"For everything you are doing, you must look and the peace and job creation content; we are building structures but there is still a lot to be done," Governor Okowa said.

He stated that his administration was erecting enduring structures in the state, disclosing that there was much more to be done in the state.

"I believe that there is a lot to do with sincerity of purpose; your work is to do what is genuinely right in your heart to serve the people; your work will announce itself at some point in time, it is not about working to please me because, when you are truly fired up to provide services to the best of your abilities, you will get inner satisfaction," Governor Okowa said.

Former Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi who was one of the resource persons at the event, rated Governor Okowa administration high in service delivery.
"Governor Okowa is a peaceful man and if the leader is a peaceful person, it translates in all spheres of governance; what is happening in Delta is remarkable.

"As top government officials, you need to constantly show the people that you are here to work for them, you are not here to work for the governor; the governor is a human being working to also, satisfy the people.

"Every Ministry is as important as the other; so, first internalise his vision; once you believe in him, you will succeed because, the future of Delta is not in oil, it is in building the human capital," Mr Obi said.

The Secretary to the State Government, Mr Chiedu Ebie said the retreat for the top management of the state was to design their roles in achieving stronger Delta agenda and key into the governor's commitment to bequeath a prosperous future to Deltans.

"Acquire additional relevant skills, competences and dispositions required for them to succeed in their roles, including delegating duties efficiently and effectively and ensuring completion of tasks within agreed timelines.

"Have good knowledge of strategic planning, effective budgeting, team work, accountability and performance reporting," Mr Ebie said

2 die in masked Fulani kidnappers attack on Issele-Azagba school, gallant Vigilante men repel attackers, arrest one

A deep matchete cut inflicted on a victim by the marauding
Fulani suspected kidnappers. 

Gallant Issele-Azagba Vigilante men and youths successfully repelled the attacks of kidnappers believed to be Fulani and arrested one of them following a kidnap attempt by the Fulani marauders in Issele-Azagba.

Unfortunately, about two persons have been confirmed dead, one a teacher and a one of the Vigilante men.

The teachers rescued from the masked Fulani kidnappers attack on Monday, October 14^th, 2019 at the Azagba Mixed Secondary School, Issele-Azagba in Aniocha North Local Government area of Delta State, Mr. Urehi has been confirmed died.

Mr. Urehi was among the four teachers that included the principal of the secondary school rescued and rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba by the Vigilante and youths of Issele-Azagba community.

The teacher died at the intensive care unit of the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba as a result of severe gun shots wounds suffered during the incident.

A community leader of Issele-Azagba, Hon. Richard Tobe Ukwamedua gave the confirmation on Tuesday 15th October, 2019 in a telephone interview with cshowcasenews.com.

Ukwamedua who is the Vice- chairman of Aniocha North Local Government, also confirmed the death of one of the community youth who joined forces with other well meaning residents of the community to wage war against the kidnappers on that faithful day.

He said that after the incident, a head count was carried out among members of the vigilante group as well as the youths of the community and it was discovered that one person was missing.

“Already we have another casualty; one of our boys, when we were doing our head count to know how we went, we discovered that one person was missing and this morning we went back into the bush for a thorough search. Unfortunately we saw his died body in the bush,” he lamented and said that yet another teacher rescued was in a critical condition at the intensive care unit of the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, confirming that bullets penetrated deep into the teacher’s liver causing serious medical issue.

Narrating the incident, Hon. Ukwamedua affirmed the number of the attackers to be eight masked men with high caliber fire arms which included AK47 and pomp action riffles which he said they fired sporadically at the Youths and the Community vigilante who fought back not minding the consequences of the attacker’s superior fire power.

“We summoned courage, went inside the school and chased them. They fired at us and we were responding in the same way too and we were backing our boys with bullets. They saw that we were not relenting and it was during the cross fire that the principal escaped,” Ukwamedua stated and also confirmed that one of the attackers has been apprehended and headed over to one of the security agencies.

“We got the information that the Fulani herdsmen were moving towards the East of Okpanam, our people are already in the bush again trying to see if they can get them, but one of the suspected herdsmen has been apprehended and handed over to the army because they were with us too,” he said, and revealed that the apprehended suspect was discovered with the telephone set of the Principal as well as the mask used for the operation.

Ukwamedua was full of praises for the youths and the vigilante group of the community as well as other critical residents of the community for their dogged fight against the attackers, saying that it was a united fight against the enemies of the community.

“It was an all youth affair yesterday, whether you are a vigilante member or not, everybody was on ground. The Okada men were so helpful; they volunteer their time and ‘Okada’ throughout the period of the war, moving us through the very difficult terrain,” he noted.

The Vice-Chairman however, called on the people of his community and the Local Government area in general to remain calm and be vigilant, saying that security is the business of everybody, and so they all needed to be up and doing in the protection of the community and the local government area.

He advocated for community policing while urging the Government to give more powers to community vigilante groups with a view to allowing them carry more sophisticated weapon as they go about fighting dangerous criminals who he noted are always armed with sophisticated firearms.

Hon. Ukwamadua further stated that he will be meeting with the Honourable member representing Aniocha North State Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Engr. Emeka Nwaobi with a view to seeing how the Delta State Government could help the community in the perimeter fencing of the their only secondary School as well as the comprehensive rehabilitation of the Issele-Azagba- Otulu-Issele-Mkpitime Road, saying that the rehabilitation of the road as well as the fencing of the school will go a long way in putting to check the activities of criminal elements in the area.

When cshowcasenews.com contacted the Delta State Police Public Relation Officer, PPRO, to have her side of the narrative, she only said that, “the situation is under control” and did not say more than that before she hanged up.

·        Source: cshowcasenews.com

Delta govt. sets up Task Force to enforce law for clean environment; operations begins next week, mobile court to try offenders

Delta state Government today, October 14, 2019, made a passionate appeal to citizens and residents of the state to have a change of attitude by taking responsibility and ownership of their environment and ensuring a clean environment at all times.

The plea was made at a special press briefing by an ad-hoc committee set up by the government comprising officials of the Ministry of Environment, the Delta State Capital Development Agency, Delta State Waste Management Board and the Directorate of Orientation.

At the briefing were the Commissioners of Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu; Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Chris Onogba; Director General  Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency (DSCTDA), Hon. (Mrs) Joan Mrakpor; Chairman, Delta State Waste Management Board (DSWMB), Mr. Emma Chinye, and the Director General, Directorate of Orientation, Barrister Eugene Uzum. Officials from the Ministry of Environmnet, the state capital Development Agency, and the Waste management board will constitute the task force to be called Task Force on Environment.

Taking turns to intimate the Press about the object of their mission, the officials said that the state government is concerned about the unbecoming filthy condition of the state and was determined to engage the people to change their attitude and turn a new lease by ensuring the cleanliness of their surroundings.

To ensure compliance, Mrs. Mrakpor disclosed that by next week Wednesday, October 23, 2019 the seven day demand notice will end when people are expected to begin complying with keeping their environments clean. She said: “There is a mobile court that will try those who contravene the environment law. Delta State is in need of investors. We have to take care of our externals. 

She continued: “What we are seeing in Delta State is giving wrong impression of the state, especially with the externals. Buildings, offices with dirty environment is where the hawkers go to set up as their base.”

The Environment commissioner, Mr. Onogba said “if we want to have a stronger Delta then we must take ownership of our environment”.  He pointed out that tourism cannot thrive in a dirty environment. “Everyone must play a role. We must make Delta state clean. People must take responsibility and ownership of the environment. I want to challenge everyone to begin to take ownership of their environment. As from Monday, October 14, 2019, all shanties will be brought down,” Onogba said, adding that every nook and cranny that contravenes the law will be brought to book.

Pointing out that engaging a culture of cleanliness of the environment requires a change of attitude, he said “we want to do what is right to ensure that citizens and residents in Delta state take ownership of their environment.”

For the Chairman, Delta state Waste Management Board, Mr. Emma Chinye, a clean environment is what Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has passion for. “If you have a house or a store, you must be registered with PSP operators. It is an offence not to register, and when you register, you also pay your bills as at when due,” he said.

He said his board wants to pile up the wastes in the state and get them out and make Delta state clean, assuring that in the next couple of weeks, a cleaner delta State would be seen.

Speaking, Barrister Uzum said that the mandate of the Directorate of Orientation is to help change the mindset and orientation of the people for a cleaner environment.

Answering question on the rickety nature of the PSP vehicles that are always in bad shape, and which constitute a nuisance on the roads, the Waste management Board chairman, Mr. Chinye disclosed that a meeting has been called where all PSP operators are to be present with their vehicles, adding that there will be no approval for any PSP vehicle that is in bad shape and rickety to operate.   

Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-uku releases 20,933 graduates at 2nd combined convocation rite; Gov Okowa attends, urges grauduands to think outside the box for job creation prospects

A cross-section of the graduates of the convocation ceremony.

No fewer than 20,933 students of Delta State Polytechnics, Ogwashi-Uku were formerly adopted as graduates of the institution on Saturday, October 14, 2019, having successfully completed their studies at the institution’s second combined modest, but colourful convocation ceremony.

The event, which was attended by the State Governor and Visitor to the Polytechnic, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, was for six academic sessions from 2013/14 through 2018/19.

Governor Okowa, Visitor, (middle), flanked by Dr. Festus Okubor, Chairman,
 Council Board and Prof (Mrs) Chiemeke, Provost at the ceremony.

A breakdown of the total number of the adopted graduates of the Polytechnic, revealed 9,359 Ordinary Diplomas (ND) and 11,575 Higher National Diplomas (HND).

The ceremony, which was also attended by top government functionaries that included the Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof Patrick Muoboghare, witnessed the conferment of fellowship awards of the Polytechnic to the former governor of the State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, former minister of education, Olorugun Kenneth Omemevwa Gbagi, former member of the House of Representative, representing Aniocha/Oshimili federal Constituency, Prince Ned Nwoko, and a renowned investment banker and politician, Chief Henry Chuks Nzekwue.

In his address at the occasion, the Visitor to the Polytechnic, Governor Okowa commended the Governing Council and management of the Institution for putting up the combined convocation, five years after the last convocation was held, saying that he was particularly happy that the certificates and transcripts of the graduands from the six academic sessions were ready for distribution and appreciated that it was in consonance with his directive to all tertiary institutions in the state to ensure the readiness of the document before any convocation ceremony.

While urging them to apply the same discipline, focus and resourcefulness towards turning the polytechnic into centre of excellence that it was conceived to be, Governor Okowa noted that the institution which was established 17 years ago by the Chief James Ibori Administration has continued to be  nurtured and sustained with vigour by his administration.

“It is gratifying that like the other two polytechnic, the Ogwashi-Uku Polytechnic has maintained steady progress since its establishment, even in the face of peculiar financial and environmental challenges. Aside from the thousands who have graduated from this school and are currently impacting the wider society with the fruits of their knowledge, there have been appreciable improvements in the physical infrastructure and curriculum developments, while the school has been relatively scandal free”, the Governor stated and revealed that arrangements have been made in the 2020 budget for the tarring of the internal roads within the polytechnic campus as well as the construction of the school perimeter fence.

“We are also giving priority attention to the provision of portable water on the campus, taking into cognizance the difficult terrain/topography of Ogwashi-uku. Our administration will continue to do its best to upgrade and update the infrastructure and other facilities to ensure that the polytechnic becomes a true centre of excellence that we can all be proud of,” he said.

The Governor also congratulated the new graduates for the successful completion of their studies, saying that the day marked the end of a chapter in their lives and the beginning of another one, adding that their graduation from the Institution was a baptism into the age of responsibility.

He said: “It is now your responsibility to write the remaining chapters of your life. To do a good job of that, one of the things you need to quickly come to terms with is that the future of the labour market is not necessarily the certificate you will be given today; it is in job skills and entrepreneurship.

“Our society and education prepared us for white or blue collar job. But with the exploding population, digital economy and opportunity society driven by change, entrepreneurship is the key to unlocking the doors of prosperity and personal fulfillment.

“In this new world characterized by dazzling speed and rapid change, graduates who excel are those whose best skill is thinking outside the box. Be prepared to learn new things and acquire new skills. Like I have always said, graduation do not mean the end of learning, it just means you are now responsible for your own learning. So invest time, energy and resources to acquire skills that will put you on the path of profitable entrepreneurship,” the governor admonished, even as he called on them to pay attention to the needs of the society with a view to finding creative means to addressing those needs, saying that money  gravitates towards those who solve problems for others.”

The State Governor to the applause of the graduates, announced the immediate appointment of one of them, Comrade Francis Iwedike Osedume as a Special Assistant on Student Affairs, saying that it was in fulfillment of his promise during his declaration of intention to run for the governorship of the State in 2014 where the said Francis Iwedike Osedume mobilized a great number of students of the institution for his support without fear of the implication.

In his own address, the Chairman Governing Council of the Polytechnic, Dr. Festus Goziem Okubor commended the Governor for allowing the Council and the institution to function in line with the laws establishing the polytechnic without interference, pointing out that they have remained focused towards a comprehensive and rapid development of the Institution through robust policy formulation, transparency and accountability.

Dr. Okubor congratulated the graduates, saying that it was a great delight celebrating them, while he was full of apologies for the belated convocation, but promised that convocation shall henceforth be an annual event to be held in the polytechnic soon after final results are released, even as he listed numerous achievements of the council under his leadership.

Earlier in her address, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Prof. Mrs. Stella Chiemeke said from the inception of her administration, the polytechnic has been in the process of completing infrastructural and physical developments projects evidenced by more classrooms and offices for both teaching and non-teaching staff.

“This infrastructural development has been made possible by tremendous assistance from the Delta State Government, TETFund and Internally Generated Revenue of the Polytechnic,” she stated, and identified buildings under construction to include the State Government’s sponsored aand SPAT building currently being constructed through the internally generated revenue of the Institution.

”In addition, the Chapel of Mercy is another project constructed via the IGR and staff donation. Staff training and development has been a major priority, as a lot of emphasis is currently on research and development for improvement of our system,” Chiemeke said.

She listed the achievements recorded since her inception as the Rector to include:

Computerization of Student record processing and all bursary operations, introduction of computer based examination (CBE) for all OND 1 and HND 1 which she said has tremendously helped to curb malpractices in examinations, full accreditation of five courses in 2018 and reactivation of hitherto abandoned student hostels.

Also included in her list of achievements is the establishment of staff schools (Basic and Post-Primary), provision of borehole on campus C, re-introduction of part time programmes and pursuant to the SMART initiative of the Governor of the State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, the putting up of a proposal for short certificate courses to be an additional boost for meaningful peace building platforms aimed at political socio stability and youth empowerment.

Prof. Chiemeke reiterated her commitment towards leading the Institution to becoming a 21^st century Polytechnic in learning, research and innovation while appealing to the newly adopted graduates of the Polytechnic to strive for excellence in every aspect of their future endervours, saying that it is the expectation of the Polytechnic that they remain good ambassadors of the Institution.

Delta State Polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku to hold 2nd combined convocation ceremony, Rector unveils time-table

Prof. (Mrs) Stella Chiemeke, Rector, Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku.

  

The Management of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku has unveiled a programme of events for the second combined convocation ceremony of the Institution.

In a pre-convocation press briefing on Wednesday, October 9th, 2019, at the academic board building of the Institution, the Rector, Professor (Mrs.) Stella Chiemeke said that the event has been scheduled over a three-day period between Thursday 10th – Saturday, 12th October, 2019. 

Activities for the ceremony will commence with an interdenominational Church Service on Thursday, October 10^th, 2019, at the Polytechnic’s Event centre located within the premises, by 10a.m., while the convocation lecture, development appeal fund and the award of excellence to distinguished personalities, has been fixed for Friday, 10th October, 2019 also beginning at 10am in the same Event Centre.

Prof. Chiemeke announced that the Convocation proper comes up on Saturday, 12th October 2019, at the Institution’s convocation ground located at the permanent site, noting that the ceremony, which will commence by 10a.m., will have the State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa who is the Visitor to the polytechnic in attendance.

“This is going to be the second combined convocation ceremony for 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19 academic sessions.

"We have six years of graduands and on the 12th of October, we have the presentation of prizes, award of National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and conferment of honours and fellowship awards, to some prominent Nigerians.

“We want to put it on record that the 2018/2019 academic session ended successfully and all results are out. We want to also let the graduands know that all certificates for these sessions are ready for collection. We hope on that day, by the grace of God, that these certificates will be distributed to the graduands,” Prof. Chiemeke said.

The Rector, who was with some of the principal officers of the polytechnic at the press briefing, noted that the Institution has improved tremendously since her assumption in office, pointing out that the critical achievements were in line with her vision of elevating the polytechnic to a  21st century institution in terms of computerization.

She said:”We have computerized all the systems and operations, particularly the registration. We have a working portal where we have all our students’ records intact. We have also computerized the bursary processes which are being completed. Training is ongoing to be able to enhance productivity and professionalism of both the staff and student.”

Prof Chiemeke further stated that current programmes of the polytechnic are being offered in five schools to include; the school of business studies, school of fine and applied arts, school of engineering, school of general studies and school of applied sciences, adding that the five schools are with twenty six departments.

“Some of Our programmes are fully accredited and some are about to face real visitation after accreditation.  Emphasis has equally been placed on Staff training and development through TETFUND sponsorship and also through our internally generated revenue, IGR,” she said, even as she noted some of the major achievements from students of the Institution recently. 

“One of our graduands was given a Federal National Award for good performances during the NYSC in 2019 and also out of the 27 Federal scholarship Awardees given to Delta State, 23 are from Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku,” the Rector revealed.

On infrastructural development in the polytechnic, Prof. Stella Chiemeke at the press briefing, said that her administration has established a Staff School geared towards assisting the staff in terms of training of their children within the Polytechnic environment, saying that the action has helped in no small measure to reducing the risk of moving their children to Asaba for schooling. 

She equally noted that the establishment of the Staff School has helped in staff welfare as well as in the creation of Job opportunities for some Deltans and while confirming that the Polytechnic in the period under review, has been able to put up a male and female hostels that are fully equipped and functional, added that the hostels have been able to alleviate the accommodation problems being faced by students of the Institution.

“We have the ongoing construction of the staff building that is currently being sponsored from our internally generated revenue, IGR and we also have the introduction of the six months certificate programme in Hospitality and Tourism, to be able to assist those that are around the community.

“Efforts are also being made in improving the security on campus, maintaining good working relationship between staff and students and law enforcement agents in the community. The security personnel are fully equipped and they also maintain law and order in the Polytechnic,” the Rector stated, even as she used the opportunity of the briefing to invite parents of graduating students, Staff, Students and Deltans to the 2nd Combined Convocation Ceremony of the Delta State Polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku.

“We hope to see most especially our Royal Fathers, our entire invited guests and the community at large,” she said..