NewsDen Nigeria

14/06/2023

Nigerian Hackers Arrested For ‘Sextortion’

Nigerian Hackers Arrested For 'Sextortion' - News Den Nigeria

12/06/2023

An Insight Into Delta’s Deputy Governor’s Schedule



BY FIDELIS EGUGBO



Today, Monday, June 12, 2023, Nigerians are enjoying another holiday declared by the Federal Government to celebrate democracy. Termed "Democracy Day," Muhamadu Buhari's administration set it aside to commemorate June 12, 1993, Presidential Election, acclaimed as the fairest election held in Nigeria and won by Moshood Abiola. The same administration also truncated that election supervised by General Ibrahim Babangida's military junta.

MKO Abiola, for short, did not accept the cancelation of the election, and he fought for his recognition as the elected President. His fight led to his death and that of his wife, Kudirat, and several other Nigerians. One can say that Babangida hurriedly "stepped aside" as Military President because of pressure from Abiola's activities.

Babangida handed over to Ernest Shonekan who handed over to General Sani Abacha, who tried to conduct another election. However, death claimed him, leading to the emergence of General Abdusalami Abubakar, who relinquished power to a civilian on May 29, 1999. Since 1999, Nigerians, especially, Deltans, have enjoyed democracy, at least the freedom to choose who leads them.

The beauty of democracy is that people whom the people know are chosen by the people to represent them in elective positions. For those of us who experienced military rule, we can still recall that the army administrators were selected to go to states based on their ability to bring back 'returns.' So, such administrators had nothing to do with the development of the areas they were sent but with what they would return to their pockets and those who sent them.

Today, to the glory of God and against the predictions of naysayers, Nigerians are enjoying democracy, and its most significant dividend is that we are participating in choosing those who will represent us. In Delta, for instance, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and Sir Monday Onyeme, well-known by the people, emerged as the Governor and Deputy Governor in a keenly contested election.

It is natural that in every contest, there must be a winner. Even in boxing, no matter how bloodied the loser may be, he still embraces the winner, and I believe that was why Rt. Hon. Oborevwori has clarified that his victory at the polls was for all Deltans. He may no longer remember those he contested with as he is now in a position to work for all Deltans.

For instance, he has given a matching order for the early completion of the Ughelli-Asaba dual carriageway. Completing that road will significantly facilitate ease of movement from Asaba to Warri, and indeed, it is not only the Governor who will use the road or members of his political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He works for all Deltans, no longer about his political party or individuals.

It is also good that his Deputy, Sir Onyeme, is on the same reasoning plan as him. Sir Onyeme, upon assumption of office on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, made it clear to the Deputy Governor's Office staff that the people should think about Delta and how to deliver the best for humanity in their actions.

He re-echoed it again when he met with members of the Asaba District of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). As a Fellow of ICAN, members of the profession paid him a felicitation visit at his office at Government House, Asaba, and he made it clear that Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori's administration believes in quality delivery of results and will work closely with professionals for the people to get the best.

A day after the visit of ICAN members, Ndokwa Core Group, a political pressure group of the PDP, visited to congratulate him. That of Ndokwa Core Group was significant as Sir Onyeme is from Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State and is a patron of the group.

The group is a formidable platform with members such as the member-elect, Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi, the member representing Ndokwa West in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Charles Emetulu; the members-elect for the Delta State House of Assembly to represent Ukwuani and Ndokwa East Constituencies, Hon. Chukwudi Dafe, and Prince Emeka Osamuta. So, it was like all those who won elections in Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency belonged to the Ndokwa Core Group. The Chairman, Ukwuani Local Government Council, Barr. Possible Ajede and the Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Asaba, Sir Christopher Osakwe were also there.

From the day he assumed duty, Sir Onyeme is always at the Government House Chapel at 7.30 am, staying till morning service ends at 8.30 am and moving straight to his office, where he will attend to official matters till about 5 pm. At times, he stays in the office beyond that period.

For some of us who were students of Sir Onyeme at the then Delta State University, Asaba Campus, he is a dedicated worker who recognizes and appreciates hard work. Was he born with a silver spoon? One cannot be categorical about that because he was an Accountant at the National Agricultural Land Development Authority, NALDA, Asaba office when he was our lecturer.

For those who may think it has been rosy for Sir Onyeme, he is a product of grace who believes in hard work. When he was an Accountant at NALDA, he was a part-time lecturer. For those of us who were at DELSU, Asaba Campus in the late 1990s, we can still recall that Sir Onyeme lectured alongside the likes of Mr. Cyril Agbele of the Delta State Civil Service then (part-time lecturer who was fond of using the Anglican Hall), Dr. Nzerem of Federal College of Education, Asaba, Mr. Mathew Analogbe, Mr. Augustine Odita, Mr. Tom Rocke Ajobo, not forgetting Mr. Okoro Boi, Mr. Martins Odukuye, among others.

It is good to remember the good old days. Sir Onyeme, as a man who believes in impacting knowledge, in collaboration with some of his few friends, organized the Peak Associates, where they groomed those interested in becoming ICAN members. Then, Mr. Tom Ajobo encouraged us to go to the Nigeria Institute of Management (now chartered).

So, it did not come as a surprise when all those who emerged victorious in the last general elections from Ndokwa ethnic nationality gathered to congratulate the Deputy Governor.

Not surprising but significant too was the fact that the Chairman of the PDP for Ndokwa West, Ogbuefi Lucky Okuji, that of Ndokwa East, Chief Vincent Osilonya, and Ukwuani, Chief Kaine were all at the meeting, which was a clear evident that Sir Onyeme does not only command respect "abroad" but has the full support from home.

Such a gathering having all elected officers from one's constituency gathering to felicitate with him was rare, and it was evident that Sir Onyeme had started well as the Number Two man in Delta State. His people and Deltans love him because he has been around and understands the plights of Deltans.

At that visit, Chief Onyeme echoed the need for the people to remain committed to the ideals of the PDP. To him, though, the elections are over, and party members should remain united and committed to the standards of the PDP.

Sir Onyeme's speech at the occasion was that of a man not interested in blowing off another's candle. Instead, it showed a man who is committed to lighting the candles of more people to enable them to succeed, bearing in mind his long journey to success. In the local parlance, Sir Onyeme is not interested in destroying the ladder he used in climbing, but he is constructing more ladders for more Deltans to climb to attain their best.

With such disposition, Deltans will undoubtedly witness a new dawn because, as a successful civil servant, there is no doubt that he will work closely with the Governor of the State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to foster a more united and progressive Delta State.

So, when the story came out about him complaining about the looting of his office, one question that came to mind was, who wants to throw a spanner in the wheel of progress?

Such stories are capable of causing distraction, or was it intentioned to cause disaffection? This is because, when he assumed duty on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, everything in the office was intact, and to date, he is still using the furniture and every office equipment left behind by his predecessor in office, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro. Therefore, that story was a blatant lie.

As a journalist who accompanied him on the day that he resumed duty and closely followed his activities, I was also asked, 'If no pin was stolen from his office, what about his official lodge?'

Again, one can only deduce that someone was pulling a mischievous string somewhere or trying to cause a storm in a teacup. Before Onyeme's inauguration on May 30, 2023, his predecessor, whom he has worked closely with, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro took him around the premises, and everything was intact. So, when was the lodge vandalized? Was it during the renovation process, which is still ongoing? The Deputy Governor believes in the electorate's power. So, he is very accessible, trusting that collectively, we can get it better for the state.

Elections are over, and it is time that we move forward as a people. In our local parlance again, if you set your house on fire, it may no longer be comfortable for you to live in. Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori's administration is still very young, promising to work round the clock for the people, so, let us support him.

Even when critical, we should encourage them to refrain from taking faulty steps, as that will not be in our favor. But, again, if we believe in democracy, where the best emerges from among the people, why should we wish those leading us to fail? If they fail, it will be a collective failure.

That is why we should do all that we can for them to succeed; if we cannot contribute physically to their success story, which will translate to our success story, we can go on our knees and pray for them to succeed, bearing in mind that we have a lot to benefit when they grow.

The time for bad-belle politics is over, Delta belongs to all of us, and collectively, we can transform it into our dream state. The good thing is that we have a Governor and a Deputy Governor who understand our challenges as a people. They are not people who are living outside the state, so, as an individual, you can ask yourself: in what ways am I contributing to the success story of Delta State?

The Governor and his Deputy are not super-humans; they have blood flowing in their veins just like you and I; they can only be magicians if we are to start looking at their score-cards when they do not even have a constituted legislature to ensure the balance of power as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution.

The legislative members, including Hon. Emetulu, Prince Osamuta, and Hon. Dafe, will be inaugurated on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. That same day, Rt. Hon. Ezechi will resume duty in Abuja as a Federal House of Representatives member.

Nigeria's democracy is on course, but the question again is, what are you doing to deepen it by supporting those who emerged victorious in the elections to bring out their best as our leaders or to distract them with a bid to make them fail and in the process cause havoc of which you will be a victim of your evil plot?

May God bless Delta State and keep our elected and appointed leaders focused on delivering the dividends of democracy.

25/05/2023

Activities at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba, Delta State, were Thursday, grounded as members of the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), and joined their counterparts across the country on an indefinite strike action. Our correspondent, who visited the hospital, yesterday, observed that although there were skeletal services, most of the departments, sections and units manned by JOHESU members were under lock and key....

JOHESU Strike Grounds Activities At FMC, Asaba - News Den Nigeria

25/05/2023

Delta State Government, on Thursday, approved the establishment of a 2.5MVA Independent Power Plant (IPP) to power a number of critical government establishments in Ika North East and Local Government Area of the state. The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu disclosed this while briefing journalists on some of the decisions reached at the State Executive Council (Exco) meeting presided over by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa at the Exco Chambers, Government House, Asaba....

Delta Approves 2.5 MVA IPP In Ika North-East - News Den Nigeria

24/05/2023

Delta Governor, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa has charged the Chairman and members of the Board of Delta State Special Economic Zones covering Koko and Kwale to put in their best to attract investors to the state as quickly as possible. Okowa gave the charge on Tuesday while inaugurating the Board at Government House, Asaba. Those inaugurated were the Chairman, Major-General Michael Ndubuisi (retd), the MD/CEO of the Board, Pastor Godwin Akpovie, Mrs Ebele Irabor, Dr....

Attract Investors To Delta, Okowa Charges Special Economic Zone Board - News Den Nigeria

06/05/2023

Former President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, his wife Beatrice and Doctor Obinna Obeta have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in the organ harvesting charges brought against them by a UK court. The former deputy senate president was jailed for Nine years and eight months while his wife received four years and six months sentence in prison. The couple and medical “middleman” Dr Obeta, 50 received 10 year prison term....

Organ Harvesting: Ekweremadu Bags 10 Years Jail Term - News Den Nigeria

06/05/2023

Aghogho Oghenekevwede is a YAGEPreneur trained in Fish Production in the 2016/2017 cycle of the Delta State Government’s Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP.) She hails from Oghara in Ethiope West Local Government Area. She is a graduate in Animal Science. She was established at the YAGEP Fish Farm Cluster at Ugbokodo in Okpe LGA before she relocated to Oghara to continue her business....

YAGEP Restored My Hope, Says Oghenekevwede - News Den Nigeria

04/05/2023

Members of the Exco of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Delta State have rejected the Governorship Candidate of the party in the 2023 general elections, Chief Kenneth Gbagi and embraced the State Governor-Elect, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori. The Delta State Chairman of the SDP, Ambassador Oke Idawene, speaking on Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023 when he led Exco members of the party on a courtesy visit to the State Governor-Elect, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori in his office in Asaba, made it clear that that they had nothing to do with Chief Kenneth Gbagi, saying he was on his own....

SDP Exco Reject Gbagi, Embrace Oborevwori - News Den Nigeria

03/05/2023

THE task of getting more done for Deltans in the next four years, in the first instance, is certainly not going to be a tea-party. This was made obvious on Tuesday in Asaba, Delta State when the Governor-elect of the State and Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, inaugurated an 88-man team to prepare a template which will serve as a guide to his upcoming administration....

The Oborevwori's 88 'Wise Men' - News Den Nigeria

28/04/2023

Eric Olu hails from Ika North East Local Government Area. He enrolled into the 2018/2019 cycle of the Delta State Government’s Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP) as a Brown STEPreneur. Re-trained and established in Electrical Installation and Maintenance, he is now the CEO of Eric & Co General Electrical Works. Though he is an SSCE holder, Eric has carved a niche for himself as a goal getter....

STEP Made Me Self-Employed, Says Olu - News Den Nigeria

28/04/2023

The Ministry of Defence (MoD), on Friday presented cheques totaling N2,597,744,287.00 to families of 804 deceased officers and men of the Armed Forces. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that presentation, which was done in Abuja, was under the 2021/2022 Group Life Assurance Scheme of the Armed Forces. The Minister of Defence, retired Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi, in his remarks after the presentation of the bank drafts to the beneficiaries, urged them to utilise the money judiciously....

Defence Ministry Presents N2.6b Cheque To Families Of 804 Deceased Officers, Men - News Den Nigeria

27/04/2023

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), on Thursday, disclosed that about 947,000 candidates have so far sat for this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Dr Fabian Benjamin, Head of Public Affairs and Protocol of the Board, made this known after monitoring the ongoing UTME alongside the Registrar of JAMB, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, and others in Abuja. Fabian, who assured that everyone who registered for the examination would be given the opportunity to take part in the exercise, said the Board has resolved the technical hitches that was experienced on the first of day of the UTME in some centres across the country....

947,000 Candidates Write UTME - News Den Nigeria

27/04/2023

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor says Nigeria requires an all of society approach to curtail the various forms of insecurity facing it. Irabor said this on Thursday in Abuja, at a two-day workshop on “Use of Broadcasting in Complementing the Military in Conflict Mitigation and Management”. Represented by Rear Admiral Tanko Pani, Director of Training, Defence Headquarters, Irabor said that the complex nature of the security challenges require multi-sectoral and specialised efforts from the society....

Nigeria Requires All Of Society Approach To Curtail Insecurity — lrabor - News Den Nigeria

27/04/2023

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, on Wednesday affirmed that the state was ready to partner investors in its vast oil and gas deposits as the country grappled with economic turnaround. The governor made this known while receiving Delta Special Economic Zone license from Federal Government through Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), in Abuja. He said that his administration had provided enabling environment, including peace and security, for businesses to thrive, and assured the sustenance of development in the state....

Delta Gets Special Economic Zone License - News Den Nigeria

27/04/2023

The Press Secretary to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Mr. Christian Aburime has reassured of Governor’s support to journalists in the State as they discharge their duties professionally. He gave the assurance at the monthly Congress of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, N.U.J, Anambra State Chapter in Awka. The Press Secretary who said that Governor Soludo is very passionate about the safety and well-being of journalists assured that the present government will continue to support and accord the Media its due recognition in the discharge of its constitutional functions....

Govt Reassures Journalists Of Support, - News Den Nigeria

25/04/2023

The Okpe Union , United Kingdom, has rained praises on the State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, for his overwhelming support for their Kinsman, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori, JP, FICMC, FNIM, Ukodo of Okpe Kingdom, before and during the 2023 general elections. They said in an appreciation letter to the Governor that; "Your Excellency, the emergence of Rt. Hon....

Okpe Union, UK Hails Okowa Over Their Kinsman, Oborevwori - News Den Nigeria

25/04/2023

STEP Is Well Thought-out To Benefit Unemployed Youths - Ojuwa By Gertrude Onyekachukwu-Uteh Authentic Ojuwa is a beneficiary of the Delta State Government’s Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP) in the pioneer 2015/2016 cycle. He was trained and established in Computer Maintenance and Hardware Repairs. He is a graduate and hails from Ukwuani Local Government Area. He shares his testimony after seven years as an entrepreneur....

STEP Is Well Thought-out To Benefit Unemployed Youths - Ojuwa - News Den Nigeria

25/04/2023

The Chief Economic Adviser to Delta State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, will be the Guest Speaker at the University of Ibadan Alumni Association (UIAA), Asaba Chapter's Valedictory Lecture in honour of Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, Governor of Delta State. This is in recognition of his worthy service to Delta state and for positively projecting the image of the University of Ibadan and the Alumni Association of which he is a member of the Association's Board of Trustees beyond....

Emu To Deliver UIAA Valedictory Lecture For Okowa - News Den Nigeria

24/04/2023

Governor of Delta, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has congratulated the matriarch of the Elumelu family, Mrs Suzanne Elumelu, as she clocks 95. In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, the governor joined family and friends of the great mother of Chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr Tony Elumelu and the Minority Leader of House of Representatives, Rt.Hon....

Okowa Salutes Mama Suzanne Elumelu At 95 - News Den Nigeria

23/04/2023

Governor of Delta, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has congratulated the State Commissioner for Finance, Chief Fidelis Tilije, on his 65th birth anniversary. In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, the governor lauded Tilije, former Commissioner for Water Resources, for his contributions to the development of Delta and Nigeria, especially as a former top functionary in the nation's finance industry....

Okowa Congratulates Fidelis Tilije At 65 - News Den Nigeria

05/04/2023

Okowa, Uduaghan, Oborevwori, Others To Grace Maris Lecture - News Den Nigeria

05/04/2023

MARIS LECTURE: Fr. Konyeke Who Is Always Around - News Den Nigeria

05/04/2023

MARIS LECTURE: Erah To Discuss Provision Of Infrastructure As Catalyst For Growth Of Democraric Governments - News Den Nigeria

05/04/2023

The Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, CON, his predecessor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, CON, and the Governor-elect of the state, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, are set to attend the year 2023 edition of Maris Annual Public Service Lecture as Special Guests of Honour. Comrade Fidelis Egugbo, Secretary, Maris Trust Council, MTC, disclosed this in a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Asaba, the Delta State Capital city....

Okowa, Uduaghan, Oborevwori, Others To Grace Maris Lecture - News Den Nigeria

03/04/2023

WIFE of former Deputy Governor of Delta State, Lady Esther Elue, will on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, attend this year's edition of Maris Annual Public Service lecture as Mother of the Day. Maris Lecture, due to its serious nature of identifying the challenges of the society and proffering solutions to them, hold every Wednesday of the Holy Week, that is, the Wednesday before Esther Sunday but the date for this year's edition was adjusted by seven days due to the 2023 general elections....

Maris Lecture: Former Deputy Governor's Wife, Elue To Be Mother Of The Day - News Den Nigeria

02/04/2023

The Confederation of African Football, (CAF) officials are expected to be in Asaba, the capital city of Delta State, on Sunday, 2nd April,2023 to inspect facilities for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Speaking concerning the inspection tour, Chairman, Delta State Football Association, Chief Ken Nwamuocha, said,"Nigeria and Benin Republic have put up a joint bid to co-host Africa’s flagship soccer event and the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba,is one of the facilities earmarked by NFF to show to Caf, the stadium was used last year to host the entire nation during the sports festival meaning the facility has been updated to meet any international standard in terms of hosting any sporting competition."...

CAF Officials Storm Asaba On Inspection Tour - News Den Nigeria

02/04/2023

Rev. Fr. John Konyeke, a Catholic Priest, will be Father of the Day at this year's edition of Maris Annual Public Service Lecture, Comrade Fidelis Egugbo, Secretary, Maris Trust Council, MTC, organisers of the annual event has said. Egugbo stated that Fr. Konyeke, as the Spiritual Father of MTC, attended all the previous Maris Lectures as Spiritual Father of the Day except year 2022 edition when Bishop emeritus of the Asaba Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Rev....

MARIS LECTURE: Fr. Konyeke Who Is Always Around - News Den Nigeria

28/03/2023

DELTA State Commissioner for Finance, Chief Fidelis Tilije has emerged as the Guest Lecturer for this year's edition of Maris Annual Public Service Lecture. Secretary, Maris Trust Council, MTC, organizers of the annual lecture series, Comrade Fidelis Egugbo, made the disclosure on Tuesday in Asaba. According to him, Chief Tilije emerged after a rigorous exercise which involved going through the profiles of those nominated to deliver this year's lecture....

Tilije To Deliver Maris Lecture - News Den Nigeria

28/03/2023

STILL basking in the euphoria of the declaration of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and Chief Monday Onyeme as Governor-elect and Deputy Governor-elect of Delta State respectively, the Ndigbo Cultural Forum, Asaba, has expressed confidence that Deltans made the right decisions at the polls. Ndigbo, in a statement made available to Newsden in Asaba at the weekend, expressed confidence that Rt. Hon....

Victory: Ndigbo Congratulates Oborevwori, Onyeme - News Den Nigeria

27/03/2023

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Monday said his administration would leave no stone unturned to give the state a legacy of desirable learning environment in its tertiary institutions. The governor stated this while speaking with newsmen shortly after inspecting the Faculty of Agriculture buildings, lecture theatres and Halls of Residence at Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba. He noted that his administration had done so much in upgrading facilities in the three new universities since they were established by the state government over a year ago....

We’ll leave lasting legacy in education sector – Okowa - News Den Nigeria