Fayose Bans Cattle Grazing In Ekiti, Warns Herdsmen

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has banned grazing and rearing

of cattle in the State, saying those interested in cattle farming
should get their own private cattle ranch and that a bill to make
movement of cattle from one location to another criminal in the State
will soon be sent to the State House of Assembly.

Governor Ayo Fayose

Governor Fayose, who made this known when he visited Oke-Ako in Ikole
local government area of the State that was invaded last Friday by
Fulani herdsmen that killed two residents of the town and injured
others, warned that government will henceforth confiscate any cattle
seen anywhere in the State apart from ranch created for them by their
owners.

He described the Fulani herdsmen that attacked Oke-Ako and other
communities in the country as “agents of the devil that must be fished
out and punished accordingly.”

The governor said: “We will not leave our lands for Fulani herdsmen
and in a system where the leadership of the country looks the other
way while our people are being killed, we will have no option than to
defend ourselves by whatever means.

 “I have come here to commiserate with the people of Oke-Ako
over the murder of two of our people by these evil Fulani herdsmen.

“I am also here to assure that this will be the last time your
community will be invaded by Fulani herdsmen under whatever guise.

“I have directed that cattle rearing and grazing should stop in Ekiti
State and those interested in cattle farming should henceforth do so
in their own cattle ranch.

“No more movement of cattle from one location to another in the State
and any cattle seen anywhere in Ekiti State apart from the ranch
created for them by their owners will be confiscated by the government
and their owners will be prosecuted.

“A bill to this effect will be sent to House of Assembly for passage
into law to criminalise cattle owners whose cattle are found moving
from one location to the other in the State.

“If President Mohammadu Buhari, who is the patron of the Miyetti Allah
Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has refused to call
the herdsmen to order, we in Ekiti will no longer harbour herdsmen who
go about killing our people, destroying our farmlands and raping our
women.

“If the same President Buhari that was so concerned about the killing
of Fulani herdsmen in Saki, Oke Ogun Area of Oyo State such that
he, as a private citizen led Arewa to Ibadan on October 13, 2000, to
confront the then Governor of Oyo State, late Alhaji Lam Adesina is
now keeping silent when the same herdsmen are killing our people, we
must rise and defend ourselves.”

“It is our duty to protect our people and we are going to do that
without fear or favour.

The governor reiterated that activities of the Fulani Herdsmen was
inimical to the revival of agriculture in the country saying; “one
wonders how Nigerians can go back to farming when those already in the
farms are losing billions of naira worth of crops to destruction of
their farmlands by the Fulani Herdsmen and the Federal Government is
not doing anything about it.”

Source: Newsreel Daily

Okowa unfolds one year score card, gets pat on the back

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state on Monday, May 23rd, 2016 gave his administration’s score card in the past one year and received encomiums from journalists who commended his strides and efforts in advancing progress in the state in spite of the lean funds of the state.

The South-South Vice President Zone F of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Eddy Ogude opened the flood gate of commendation for the governor at a briefing organized by the Ministry of Information to flag off activities to mark the first year in office of the governor. Ogude said he has been moving round states and that there is a marked difference between the states he visited and Delta state, such that even in the height of ravaging economic difficulties and paucity of funds, Governor Okowa is still making strides and remaining focused on his development agenda for the state.

Okowa at the press confab, flanked by Delta state PDP Chairman,
Barrister Esiso left, and Mr. Patrick Ukah, information commissioner.

While urging the governor not to relent, he advised that Okowa should understand that what he would be remembered for is the physical and intangible legacies that he would leave behind, and how well he impacted on the lives of the people.

Other journalists who spoke also commended in particular his shrewd style of funds management that has made it possible to even pay workers’ salaries as at when due, when a number of states in the federation are owing workers’ salaries for long periods of months, all because of paucity of funds.

In his speech, Governor Okowa recalled that he took over the reins of government in the middle of a serious economic crisis, in which monthly revenue both from the Federation Account and internally generated Revenue had dipped significantly. “The non-oil sector of the economy remained largely untapped. The level of youth unemployment was troubling, posing a clear and present danger to the socio-political stability of the state. Our credit was in bad shape, and the financial system was at best, shaky and at worst, perilous. Indeed, our promise of prosperity for all Deltans seemed illusory,” Okowa said.

Okowa in handshake with Comrade Eddy Ogude, NUJ
South-South vice Chairman Zone F 

He then moved swiftly and decisively to restructure state liabilities and put in place processes and procedures to plug leakages, eliminate wastes and ensure fiscal discipline. The measures thus, enabled the administration to achieve “a great deal of macro-economic stability while creating the right conditions for us to implement programmes under the S.M.A.R.T agenda.”

He gave some highlights of his administration’s achievements in this first year to cover job and wealth creation, infrastructural development, agriculture, education, health, and peace building. On job and wealth creation Okowa said: “At the very core of our S.M.A.R.T agenda is job and wealth creation because we realize that the only way to achieve sustainable economic growth is to create new jobs, diversify the economy through the development of non-oil sectors, and provide the enabling environment for enterprises and industries to thrive.

“It is my pleasure to announce that as at April 30, 2016, a total of 17,173 private sector jobs were created by this administration. This figure consists of 6,800 indirect jobs and10.373 indirect jobs of both skilled and unskilled workers”.

And as a deliberate measure to fund the unfunded poor, women and the vulnerable in the society, so they can prosper from the global economy, the sum of N546 million was disbursed from May 2015 to April 30, 2016 through the restructured and repositioned Delta State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency to a total of 3,110 within the various micro, small and medium enterprises. “They included 2,052 females representing 66 percent of the loan recipients and 1,058 males representing 34 percent. The ratio is in compliance with CBN regulations that 60 percent of micro credit should go to women,” Okowa stated.

A cross section of journalists at the press briefing.

On infrastructural development, the governor said: “consistent with our determination to develop, maintain and renew our infrastructure in line with our growth aspirations, the first year of this administration has witnessed wide ranging developments in the construction of roads, markets development and the building of hospitals and schools. To date, at least 54 road construction/rehabilitation contracts have been awarded through the state Tenders Board and the Ministerial Tenders Board. This figure does not include projects executed by Direct Labour Agency (DLA). Starting from tomorrow, (Tuesday, May 24^th, 2016), I shall commence the commissioning of these projects.”

On agriculture, Governor Okowa said in the past one year, his administration focused on stimulating and increasing the yield of our small-holder farmers through the production and processing support programme (PPSP), which is aimed at scaling up the use of modern farm inputs and technologies of small-holder farmers to increase the yield of crops, livestock and fishery enterprises. “Towards this end, we distributed tractors to 39 co-operative societies. Another set of 106 co-operative societies got Mellon Shellers while 18 other co-operative societies received outboard engines and fishing gears support packages.

Director of information, Mr. Paul Osahor, right, Mrs. DBS General manager,
Mrs. Binitie and Comrade Eddy Ogude at the briefing.

“We also distributed improved variety of cassava cuttings, fertilizer, and cash to 475 cassava farmers; 100 fishery farmers were given fingerlings, feeds and cash; 100 poultry farmers were supported with 200-day-old chicks each, feeds and cash; 50 piggery farmers received 10 growers, feeds and cash; while 40 tomato farmers were supported with seedlings, agrochemicals and cash.”

In the area of education, the Delta State Vocational and Technical Education Board Bill to the State House of assembly. The bill is to provide the regulatory frame work to administer and promote technical education in the state, and it was passed and signed into law in June 2015. “Since then we have reconstructed, rehabilitated and equipped three technical colleges in ofagbe, Sapele and Agbor,” Okowa declared. The three colleges are among other projects to be commissioned by the governor.   

Ex-VC wants FG to reintroduce price control systems

Former Vice-Chancellor wants FG to reintroduce price control systems
A don, Prof. Shehu Riskuwa, on Thursday urged the Federal Government to reintroduce price control systems to check the cases of arbitrary increase in prices of essential commodities in the markets.

Riskuwa, former Vice Chancellor of Usman Danfodio University Sokoto, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto.

He said increase in prices of food items by traders at their own will had a negative effect on the nation’s economy.

The don said the system, if re-introduced, would regulate the prices of essential commodities, adding that proper monitoring of traders would ensure price control of goods in the markets.

The former vice-chancellor stressed that it was only by doing so that the activities of traders, who took advantage of any change in Federal Government policy, could be checked. (NAN)

NLC says protest ongoing in Niger

Alhaji Yahaya Ndako, Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), in Niger State, said the protest against hike in petrol price was ongoing in the State despite low turnout.

He told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Thursday that the low level of awareness of the reason for labour's protest was responsible for the low turnout.

He said more enlightenment was being carried out now.

He decried the non-participation of financial institutions in the state in the protest.

``You can see that the strike is perfectly going on in Niger state but for the banks that refused to join us.

``All the industrial unions in Niger state have joined us apart from the financial institutions. I don’t know what is wrong with their union. Honestly it is sad’’, he said.

Ndako, however, said one cannot get 100 per cent participation in strike. So, despite hiccups, the NLC strike is succeeding.’’

NAN observed in Minna that both private and public schools were in session and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the state offered skeletal services.

NLC placed a notice at the state secretariat saying, ``strike continues. All workers are to remain at home until further notice.’’

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Bala Elkana, told NAN that police personnel have been deployed across the state to secure lives and property.

According to him, ``we have deployed police to all the nooks and crannies of Niger state to ensure that nobody is harassed and nobody forces anybody to do what he or she did not intend to do.’’

Elkana said that the police intended to keep its personnel in the streets as long as the strike lasted.

``This is because we don’t want hoodlums to hijack the strike’’, he said. (NAN)

Otuaro panel seeks more collabration

Delta State Deputy Governor and leader of the State
Government Advocacy Committee against Pipeline Vandalism, Barr.
Kingsley  Otuaro has disclosed that the State government would welcome
any collaboration that will solve the problem of oil facility vandalism
that has adversely affected the economy of the nation and Delta state.

Barr. Otuaro who was flanked by members of the Committee made the
disclosure in Warri while playing host and soliciting the company and
support of the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Gen.
Paul Boroh (rtd), in the campaign against pipeline vandalism in the
recent troubled riverine area of Delta State.

Kingsley Otuaro, Delta state Deputy Governor.

The state Deputy Governor who highlighted the activities of the
Advocacy Committee set up by the state governor thus far, expressed
government’s desire to welcome all relevant stakeholders in the state,
local government and the nation at large in collaborating with its
advocacy campaign in order to put an end to the issues of incessant
bombing and destruction of oil installations in the riverine area.

According to him, ”We had audience with HRM, the Olu of Warri and the
Agadagba of Egbema kingdom.  We also had audience with youth groups and
ex-militants to gather intelligence on how to end the menace", Otuaro
said, adding: "We'll be going to Gbaramatu Kingdom shortly and will be spending the night working. We will visit Ogulagha and Ugborodo in the days ahead", he disclosed.

Responding, the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Gen.
Paul Boroh (rtd), said he had confidence in the Delta State Advocacy
Committee Against Oil Facility Vandalism headed by Deputy
Governor,Barr. Kingsley Burutu Otuaro.

Boroh, who himself identified members of the committee said with such
membership, the committee's mission of stopping the spate of vandalism
was 90 percent accomplished.

Commenting on the effect of an atmosphere of insecurity on the nation,
Gen Boroh said: "I had discussions with investors from Germany,
Israel,Britain among others, but they said Nigeria, especially the
Warri and the Niger Delta region was not safe for business. I am happy
Governor Okowa has chosen the right men to help meet the mission and
change the negative impression people have of the area".

Boroh, who hailed Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for his acumen on the
constitution of the membership of the committee, was also awaited by
the people of Gbaramatu to accompany the Committee to Oporoza.

The Amnesty boss, however, left for Abuja as the Committee took to
Gbaramatu Kingdom in its ongoing engagement of the oil-bearing
communities to fashion out a way to discontinue the bombing of
oil facilities in the state.

OPOROZA YOUTHS JOIN GOVT. ADVOCACY ON OIL FACILITIES

Youths in Oporoza, headquarters of Gbaramatu kingdom in Delta State have expressed
their willingness to join hands with the government in its advocacy on
protection of oil installations in the kingdom.

The youths declared their support during a town hall meeting with the
Delta State Advocacy Committee against Oil Facility Vandalization, led
by the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro in
Oporoza.

Youth leader, Moses Yabrade disclosed that the oil companies operating
in the area have continually failed to implement safety agreement
on oil installations.

Mr. Yabrade lamented that while the youths were willing to be involved
despite their lamentable condition, there was no synergy between the
government and its agencies for opting for surveillance, stressing that
the arrest and incarceration of five persons/agents of the Pipeline
Surveillance/Protection Services (PSPS) as confirmed by Chevron was a
frightening experience.

He advised the Otuaro-led Advocacy Committee to create the platform for
the required synergy saying, "In history, violence upon violence has never produced peace. Innocent
ordinary people suffer for military harassment and intimidation that
has made Gbaramatu Kingdoman endangered species. Gathering and working
with intelligence is better. Nobody will destroy or allow the destruction of what or where he feeds from.

"If the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC) gas line was engaged to generate
electricity, for instance, for the communities in its path, no
community will allow such vandalism that will negatively affects its
comfort, without confronting the perpetrators”.

Yabrade added that the Pipelines Products Marketing Company (PPMC)
should re-introduce its abandoned but beautiful proposal of development
award/projects for peaceful communities, an idea he said could
galvanize communities to active protection of oil facilities.

EFFURUN-OTOR COMMUNITY SET TO REAP ECONOMIC POTENTIALS

·         King Duku II inducts Economic Summit Board panel for kingdom  

A seven member Economic Summit Board made up of seasoned economists and
technocrats has been inaugurated in Effurun-Otor, an oil rich Urhobo
kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, with the sole purpose
of proffering ways for the kingdom to realise its economic potentials.

 Inaugurating the Board, HRM Johnson Enemuadia Youwino Duku
(JP), king Duku II, the Orovworere of Effurun-Otor kingdom, in his
address titled “Building Effurun-Otor Kingdom in a Strong Self Reliant
United and Sustainable Economy”, charged them to serve as the vehicle
for the economic emancipation of Effurun-Otor kingdom, saying:

"The development of Effurun Otor is an idea whose time has come. We
must lift our people out of poverty and employment activities must be
created. This is the major focus of this board being inaugurated
today”.

The King Duku stated that Effurun Otor has all it
takes to be great with undeveloped landmass, an agile and
active population, a highly accessible road to the kingdom, a good
supply of electricity and a comparatively peaceful environment.  He

emphasized that the process of realizing the economic potentials of
the area has began under the youth empowerment programme starting with
the training of over 30 persons in various areas of agriculture,
computer appreciation training, repairs and engineering (phone and
computers), hairdressing training/ start-up, fashion
designing/start-up, art of cakes pastries and snack making, beads, wire
work design, bridal accessories, shoe and bead making, welding and
fabrication and aluminum."

The Royal Majesty disclosed that within the next one month, “We shall
commission the newly established Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) Centre located in the secondary school, starting with
12 computers and a generator set. Ultimately with this facility we shall be
hooked to the internet super-intelligent, whereby our students shall
have access to world libraries.”

The traditional ruler further announced plans to build new towns in the
kingdom and named them to include Agborho, Urheku Okugbe and
Duku, stating, “in addition we are linking up Effurun-Otor with
Ughewhughe town through Alaka within the shortest possible time, just
as the Agborho Town development shall involve the building of a major
culvert which will link Effurun-Otor through Imokwer to Ekiugbo
Ughelli.

In his acceptance speech the chairman of Effurun-Otor Economic Summit
Board, Dr. Apoki Charles on behalf of other members of the board
thanked HRM Duku II for their appointment and promised that members
will not disappoint the kingdom in the discharge of their duties.

He however solicited for the support and co-operation of the people in
the discharge of their duties, adding that “the fact of the matter is
that education is wonderful. What we are experiencing here is very rare
in most African communities not to talk of Urhobo land that a king will
call his people together, set up a committee to organize an economic
summit for the development of his kingdom.”

In a brief chat with newsmen shortly after the event the duo of the
secretary of Effurun Otor Traditional Council, High Chief G.B Ijabor
and President General of Effurun Otor Kingdom, Chief Patrick Odukuye
hailed the first Christian traditional ruler  of Effurun Otor Kingdom
for his initiative and described the king as a God-sent to the
kingdom.

Members of the board include: Dr. Apoki Charles (Chairman), Dr.(Mrs.)
Emeka Tadiodi JP, Engr. (Sir) M.O Ebah, High Chief G.B Ijabor,
Peter Alex Oghenobukomi Coker, Chief (Hon) Agi Anthony Avwenotakpo
Chief P.O Odukuyeas.

High point of the brief but impressive event was the inauguration
of the board by HRM King Duku II JP the Orovworere of Effurun Otor
Kingdom.