NUJ Upgrades Union's Professional Practice Qualification to First Degree, HND

NUJ Upgrades Union's Professional Practice Qualification to First Degree, HND

 

Kano_____ Apparently to enhance professionalism and attain a greater height for practicing journalists and journalism profession in Nigeria, the entry qualifications for membership of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has been upgraded.

This was part of reviews in the just-concluded Special Delegate Conference of the union held in Kano State under the leadership of Chief Isiguzo Chris, the National President of the union.

Based on the current review constitution of the union, instead of National Diploma (ND), the minimum entry qualifications for journalism practice in Nigeria is now First Degree and Higher National Diploma or its equivalent, according to statement released at the end of the conference in Kano,

“Minimum of First Degree, Higher National Diploma (HND) or its equivalent in Mass Communications and journalism-related courses is the entry qualification for the practice of journalism in Nigeria and with a working experience of not less than 12 months in a recognized media establishment.

“Membership of the union shall equally be accorded to a graduate of any other discipline with cognate experience in the practice of journalism in a recognized media organization, 10 years before 2023, with Diploma in Journalism from a recognized educational institution.

“Conference in session delisted and dissolved the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the Local Government Information Chapels across the country,” it stated.

On the social or new media, popularly known as Online Media, the conference approved the membership of journalists working under online media organisations that are registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and recognised by the National Secretariat of the NUJ.

Conference, however, stated that publishers of online platform would not be members of the union. “This, therefore, means a publisher of an online platform cannot be a member of the union.”

The Conference approved the development of a website for the union to adequately capture the bio data of members on regular basis, for easy identification of accredited practicing journalists in Nigeria.

It therefore directed State Councils to ensure full compliance with the provisions of the approved amendments to the NUJ Constitution, with immediate effect, among other important provisions in the reviews.

DSS Intercepts Syndicates, Bank Officials Selling New Naira Notes

DSS Intercepts Syndicates, Bank Officials Selling New Naira Notes

The Department of State Services (DSS) has intercepted some members of organized syndicates involved in the sale of the newly redesigned naira notes.

The DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, made the announcement on Monday.

According to Afunanya, the DSS discovered that some commercial bank officials were aiding economic malfeasance during its operations in various parts of the country.

“Consequently, the Service warns the currency racketeers to desist from this ignoble act. Appropriate regulatory authorities are, in this same vein, urged to step up monitoring and supervisory activities to address emerging trends expeditiously.

“It should be noted that the Service has ordered its Commands and Formations to further ensure that all persons and groups engaged in the illegal sale of the notes are identified.

“Therefore, anyone with useful information relating to this is encouraged to pass the same to the relevant authorities”, Afunanya said.

Book Launch: The Strength of African Woman Sets for Launch on 12 Feb, in Yenagoa

Book Launch: The Strength of African Woman Sets for Launch on 12 Feb, in Yenagoa 

....... As Tari-ere Ebizimor Abalaru invite friends, well wishers, general public to grace the occasion 

Oyinbi Onduku 

Yenagoa ___ Preparation is on top gear as dignitaries from all walks of life across the Niger Delta region set to storm Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State Capital on the 12th February, 2023 to grace  the most anticipated launching of the book titled: ' The Strength Of An African Woman ', written by the daughter of the late lzon number one owigiri music King, Mrs. Tari-ere Ebizimor Abalaru.

In a statement released on Monday in Yenagoa and signed by the Author of the book, Mrs. Tari-ere noted that the book launch is taking place on Sunday 12th February, 2023 alongside the celebration of her Birthday/Thanksgiving of the successful delivery of her Triplet babies at Lady Diana Event Center, Osiri Road, Yenagoa Bayelsa State starting by 2:30pm.

The occasion is billed under the distinguished chairmanship of Hon. Chief. Dr. Fred Agbedi, member representing Ekeremor/Sagbama Federal Constituency.

While His Excellency, Sen. Douye Diri, the Executive Miracle Governor of Bayelsa State would be the Special Guest of honour.

Other expected distinguished Guests of honour include; His Excellency, Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Barr. Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, Deputy Governor of Delta State, Dr. Mrs. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Deputy Governor of Rivers State, High Chief. Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, Dr. Patrick Akpobolokaemi, Maj. Gen. Barry Ndiomu (Rtd), lnterim Administrator PAP, Prof. Steve Azaiki, Rt. Hon. Abraham lngobere, Speaker Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Chief. Barrister S. Smooth, Chief. Boro Opudu etc.

Royal Fathers of the Day:

HRM. King Bubaraye Dakolo, Chairman Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, 

HRM. King Justice Francis F. Tabai,

HRM. Elder Capt. King Joseph Timiyan, Chairman ljaw Traditional Rulers Council Forum, Delta State, HRM. King Frank Ezekiah Koko, HRH. Dr Famous S. Eseduwo, the lzon music King, Numupere ll, King Pereama Freetown (JP).

Father of the Day: 

Prof. Benjamin Okaba, President Ijaw National Congress (INC).

Mother of the Day:

Triple Chief. Vero Tamgbewei Emmanuel respectively.

The statement further added that Music to be supplied by JKing Alfred Izonebi.

Come one, Come All.

Yemi Alade Reacts To Rumoured Pregnancy For Togolese President

Yemi Alade Reacts To Rumoured Pregnancy For Togolese President 

Yemi Alade has finally responded to rumours that she is pregnant for Togo’s president, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé Eyadéma. A controversial blogger recently claimed that the singer was allegedly expecting a child with the former Minister of Equipment, Mines, Posts, and Telecommunications. 

In addition, the blogger claimed that Yemi Alade has been in a close relationship with the 56-year-old politician since 2017, and that he planned to marry the singer as his sixth wife.

The 33-year-old ‘African Baddie’ singer responded to the rumours by tweeting laughing and pregnant emojis. 

In subsequent tweets, the singer lamented the peak of insanity that plagued individuals in January.

“The sentiment is different in January. If you dislike your job, you should act small around customers. This January, individuals are truly Ment.”

Thunder Strikes PDP in Burutu as Azigbeotu Exits Party for APC

Thunder Strikes PDP in Burutu as Azigbeotu Exits Party for APC

Warri _____ Dissatisfied with the lack of unity and purpose that currently bedevil the party at the ward and Local Government levels, Hon. Enoch Azigbeotu writes to announce the withdrawal of his membership from the People’s Democratic Party in a letter which is attached here.

Enoch's resignation has thrown the PDP in his Seimbiri ward 4 and the Burutu Local Government Area into confusion and disarray. Enoch who has acted variously as a strategist and a campaign spokesman for the current chairman of Burutu LG Council, Rt. Hon. Godknows Angele, hinges part of his decision to resign from the party on what he describes as “the lack of inclusiveness in the system and the new practice of discrimination after the election season”. 

He regrets that after deploying energy, sweat and resources to assist the various office holders of the ward and LGA including Hon. Asupa Forteta, the member representing Burutu State Constituency 1 and his Burutu 11 counterpart, Hon. Pullah Ekpotuayerin in their respective elections, the party has only paid him back with ingratitude and derision.

Enoch Azigbeotu is an ally of Hon. Tam Brisibe and has acted as  Special Assistant (SA) to Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa when Hon. Tam Brisibe was the Chief of Staff to the Government of Delta State. He is a veteran in grassroots mobilisation and has led support networks at various times in all wards and units in Burutu LGA and beyond. Before the recent PDP governorship primary elections, Enoch worked meritoriously as the Burutu Federal Constituency/LGA Coordinator for the Olorogun David Edevbie Campaign Organisation. He also was the Burutu LGA Coordinator in the Delta Ijaw Frontline Volunteers for Edevbie, the foremost Ijaw support group for Olorogun David Edevbie during the primaries. Beyond this, he played actively as the  Burutu Local Government Coordinator of the Delta Unity Group (DUG).

Enoch Azigbeotu has been received warmly into the Delta State Chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC), his new political family. He is now the Deputy Convener of the formidable Ijaw support group, Delta Ijaw Volunteers (D.I.F) for Omo-Agege. 

Azigbeotu’s departure is one of the many defections that are likely to diminish the fortunes and chances of the PDP in the forthcoming general elections in the Burutu Local Government Area.

Ijaw Comrade Community Condemn Herdsmen killing of two ljaws in Patani

Ijaw Comrade Community Condemn Herdsmen killing of two ljaws in Patani 

By Jasmine Yerin 

Umbrella body covering all Human Rights Activists of the Ijaws in Delta State operating under the auspices of Delta Ijaw Comrade Community (DICC) on Wednesday described the killing of two Ijaw Indigenes in Toru-Angiama community, Patani Local Government Area of Delta state on Monday by suspected Fulani Herdsmen as evil and unacceptable. 

The highly revered group made the statement yesterday in Warri via a statement personally signed by the President General of the Delta Ijaw Comrade Community (DICC), Amb. Binebai Yerin Princewill, a copy of which was sent to The Liberator Newspapers Worldwide. 

However, DICC while condemning the act had called on security agencies to swing into action by fishing out the killers, stressing that the Delta Ijaw Comrade Community is keenly watching and following up activities. 

Nevertheless, Amb. Binebai Yerin Princewill noted that if the Government and its security agencies cannot curtail the excesses of Fulani Herdsmen in Nigeria and the Ijaw areas in Delta State, he asserted that nobody should blame anybody when the people rise to defend themselves as no one has the monopoly of taking another person's life. 

In his words "Nigeria is gradually becoming a banana Republic where human lives are regarded as less important than even cows and other animals. 

"At this point, our people needs to be alert. "

Meanwhile, DICC had mourned with the families of the victims, describing the event as sad and a monumental loss to the immediate family, Toru-Angiama community, Patani Local Government and to the entire Ijaws in Delta State. 

Obrumu Urges FG to recruit Ex-Agitators into Police, Teachers, others Before Termination

Obrumu Urges FG to recruit Ex-Agitators into Police, Teachers, others Before Termination

Francis Tayor

Warri ______ Candidate of the Young Progressive Party, YPP in the forthcoming 2023 general elections for Bomadi Constituency in Delta State House Assembly, Hon. Comr. Tam Oburumu has advised President Muhammadu Buhari led federal government of Nigeria to as a matter of public importance convert and recruit the genuine beneficiaries of the Amnesty Program for the Niger Delta Ex-Agitators into the Nigeria Police Force, Civil Defence, Teaching Profession and other relevant agencies before planning to terminate the program.

Comrade Tam stated this on Monday at Bomadi during ward to ward campaign, noted that government cannot continue paying monthly Sixty five thousand naira (N65, 000) stipend to ghost workers who sit at home idle until month end without doing anything.

Oburumu is of the opinion that if those Ex-Agitators are engaged meaningfully as he suggested, it is then the government can think of stopping the program or else there shall be no peace in the country, especially the Niger Delta region.

He however, called on our elected legislators in the National Assembly to proceed on promulgating a law to that effect, stressing that Nigeria Police Force needs more manpower in the fight against crime and these young men who just sit at home idle and earn 65k monthly in the name of amnesty can be automatically converted into such responsibility.

In his words, he said:

About the Amnesty Program.

" In my onion, the Federal Government should compulsorily convert  beneficiaries of the amnesty program for the Niger -Delta militants into the police force , Civil Defence and Teaching Profession.

Instead of planning to halt the program or to continue paying the monthly 65k stipend, the Nigerian government should convert the beneficiaries of the program who have the required qualifications into the police force , Civil Defence Corps and teaching profession.

Government cannot  continue be in this wild goose chase just to keep oil flowing from the region.

" We have beneficiaries who command the educational prerequisite to become secondary school teachers . Instead of sitting idle at home and waiting for the monthly amnesty stipend that ends up in beer pubs and brothels, government should engage them with civic or public responsibilities.

They should be given jobs that have promotional cadres and retirement benefits and other incentives.

" I urge our legislators at the National Assembly to look into this and proceed on promulgating a law to that effect.

The Nigeria Police Force  needs more personnel in the fight against crime and these young men who just sit down at home idle and earn 65k monthly in the name of amnesty can be automatically converted into such responsibility .

Just like the police force, the teaching profession needs more hands . We have amnesty beneficiaries who through the program have become graduates in various fields.

" They should be converted to primary or  secondary school teachers in their respective LGAs or  states that will earn them promotions and retirement benefits.

Government should stop the monthly payment of 65k for the amnesty program which has succeeded in  making our young people lazy and unnecessarily wasteful and key into this my  suggestion.

" This should be done after a transparent screening exercise to know the accurate present number of  beneficiaries in the program in other to  flush out falsification and  multiplication of ghost names," the statement added.

#NeverGiveUpSpirit 

#makingitright

Enisuoh's Arrest: Tantita Accuses EFCC of Sabotaging Oil Theft Fight in Niger Delta

Enisuoh's Arrest: Tantita Accuses EFCC of Sabotaging Oil Theft Fight in Niger Delta

Francis Tayor

Warri____Tantita Security Services Nig. LTD has accused the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, for deliberately sabotaging the effort of its organization's fight against illegal bunkers and oil thieves in the country, especially in the creeks of Niger Delta Region over the unlawful arrest and detention of its Executive Director (ED) Operations and Technical, Captain Warredi Enisuoh on the 19th January, 2023.

In a press statement released on Saturday 21 January, 2023 and signed by the management of the security company, said Tantita has been in the news over the past three months for the amazing progress and successes recorded by returning Nigeria to the pride of place as the leading number one oil producer in the continent of Africa.

But however, an attempt are being made by some highly placed powerful forces to frustrate and scuttle the effort of the security company's war against oil thieves in the Niger Delta region.

According to the Press Statement read below…

21 JANUARY, 2023

PRESS STATEMENT:

TANTITA PRESS RELEASE ON THE ILLEGAL DETENTION OF CAPTAIN WARREDI ENISUOH BY THE EFCC

Tantita has been in the news for the amazing progress being made in returning Nigeria to pride of place as the leading oil producer in Africa. However, as we speak, efforts are being made to strangulate Tantita operations. 

On the 19th of January 2023, Tantita’s Executive Director Operations and Technical Capt. Warredi Enisuoh was invited by the EFCC and detained. He has been in EFCC custody since. All efforts to ensure his release has proved abortive, as the Commission has insisted that unless he provides a list of names who were his intelligence sources he would not be released. 

The EFCC’s invitation came right in the middle of an ongoing operation to unravel one of the biggest oil stealing cartels in this country. Capt Warredi Enisuoh, our ED Operations and Technical flew straight from Port Harcourt (where he was coordinating the operations) to Lagos to heed the EFCC’s invitation and walked right into a trap. 

What is the genesis of the EFCC invitation?

Sometime in 2015/2016, the EFCC commenced 4 cases against Capt Warredi and several others. Of the four, three have been concluded, all in favour of Capt Warredi. 

The last one is presently ongoing before Honourable Justice Faji of the Federal High Court Lagos. Before these cases were instituted, the EFCC issued orders to various banks to block all Capt Enisuoh’s bank accounts. He challenged this administrative order in court on the basis that the EFCC has no power to freeze accounts without a court order and the Federal High Court lifted the freeze orders. The banks failed to comply, so he brought contempt proceedings against them, somehow the new judge handling the contempt proceedings froze the accounts again. Capt Warredi appealed to the Court of Appeal who overturned the 2nd judge and restored the orders of the first judge. Based on that judgment of the Court of Appeal in CA/L/1320/2016 delivered on 25/11/2017 the banks allowed Capt Warredi access to his accounts. The EFCC which was the 1st Respondent before the Court of Appeal in that case never appealed the judgment. 

Then in September 2022, one month after Tantita began operations, the EFCC invited Capt Warredi and asked him how he gained access to the accounts. He showed them certified true copies of the judgment of the Court of Appeal, they also asked him to make statements, which he did and pointed out that the questions bordered on the ongoing trial before the Federal High Court Lagos, the investigating team led by Mr. Lawal Aminu claimed to be unaware of the case, so he provided a certified true copy of the charge and pointed out that the prosecution was being led by Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, a staff of the EFCC. He declined to make furthr statements on a matter sub judice. 

However as the war against oil thieves firmed up many of them have continued to threaten that those trying to stop their nefarious business would pay dearly for it. For the avoidance of doubt, the judgment of the Court of Appeal was delivered in 2017, more than 5 years ago. Again, Capt Warredi is undergoing a full trial, would it not be better to let the courts decide who is right and who is wrong?

Apparently not so for the EFCC investigation team and the legal department being led by Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN. The same Rotimi whose wife became a staff of Search and Rescue Clinic of NIMASA at the very time he was leading investigation and prosecution of “criminals” at NIMASA. Maybe it was all coincidence. 

Just the way it is coincidence that the middle of the biggest investigation of a ship owning oil stealing cartel, the EFCC is asking Capt Warredi to name his intelligence sources. 

Inspite of all the documents earlier provided to EFCC, on Thursday the 19th of January 2023, the EFCC again invited Capt Warredi and detained him. Their position was that Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN had read the judgment of the Court of Appeal and he did not agree with the decision of the Appeal Court. That he believes that the Court was wrong and as such Capt Warredi should refund the money withdrawn from his accounts or he would rot in jail – 5 years after the Court of Appeal settled the issue, without complain from the EFCC. The most dangerous entity in a democracy is a law enforcement agency that has no regards for the rule of law. Such an organization is open to institutional capture and to being used as a tool in the hands of those seeking to destroy the nation. 

According to Mr. Lawal Aminu, in the opinion of Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN Capt Warredi after obtaining judgment at the Court of Appeal should have come to beg the EFCC to permit him to access his accounts and his failure to do so was criminal. According to Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN it is when the EFCC becomes aware of a judgment that it takes effect and since the EFCC was not informed by Capt Warredi before he accessed his accounts he is guilty of interfering with the subject matter of investigation – the charge they intend to prefer on Monday 23rd of January 2023. It is on this trumped up allegation that the EFCC has detained Capt Warredi for more than the 24 hours constitutionally allowed. 

Initially the EFCC dangled bail before Capt Warredi on the condition he divulged the names of persons who were paid out of the accounts. Capt Warredi pointed out that in addition to the fact that the matter was presently undergoing trial in court, the persons concerned were intelligence assets who provided valuable intelligence and need to be protected. 

Moreover, some of these people are still providing intelligence in our ongoing operations at Tantita. Compromising their details will not only blow their cover but interfere with the ongoing war against oil thieves. Because Capt Warredi refused to divulge name of intelligence assets the EFCC refused to release him or grant him bail (even though he was already on bail before a Court of law, as well as on administratively before the EFCC since the 6th of September 2022). 

They have continued to hold him claiming he is being uncooperative. 

While Tantita is determined to carry on the fight against the oil thieves regardless, it is our position that the EFCC investigation, if genuine, can be carried out with minimal interference to the war on oil thieves and if not, it is clearly being used by powerful forces to scuttle the war on oil thieves. Let Nigerians be aware of what is being done in their name. 

Signed:

MANAGEMENT

Kagbala Appreciate Colleagues, Well Wishers for attending Mother's Burial

Kagbala Appreciate Colleagues, Well Wishers for attending Mother's Burial 

 

The Publisher of FocalPoint Reports cum human rights activist, Comrade Ezekiel Kagbala has commended all who attended his late mother's funeral ceremony on 

January 21, 2023 at Agbodobri, Burutu Local Government area, Delta State.

Kagbala specially thanked Members of the Ughelli Correspondents Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ), Delta State Council specially and the Senior Special Adviser to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, on Political Affairs.Comrade Ozobo Austin for their outpouring of love, solidarity and support during the burial ceremony.

Ezekiel Kagbala who lost his mother, Mrs. Mary Kagbala to the cold hands of death in August 26th 2022 noted with all appreciation how the families of Late Odion Patric Uwubano Okoro of Otor-Owhe and Owhelogbo, Isoko North Local Government Area, Delta State stood by him from the time of grief to the near end of major trying times.

The funeral ceremony was also attended by members of the Center for Human Rights and Public complaints, CHRPC, Chief medical director of ST. Louis Diagnostics and host of others.

Capt. Ziakegha Invite Friends,Well Wishers to join Him on Child Dedication Tomorrow in Udu

Capt. Ziakegha Invite Friends,Well Wishers to join Him on Child Dedication Tomorrow in Udu

Warri _____Captain Sylvester Ziakegha who hails from Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State has invited friends, well wishers and as well as the general Public to celebrate with him as he dedicate his son to the Almighty God on the 22nd of January, 2023.

The dedication will take place at St. Francis Catholic Church, Igbeki in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State at the 9am mass, thereafter, the reception will follows immediatly at his residence at Otuama. 

All arrangements have been concluded   to host as many dignitaries that will grace the occasion.

Crack in Oborevwori's Campaign DG's Ward as Brisibe Resigns from PDP

Crack in Oborevwori's Campaign DG's Ward as Brisibe Resigns from PDP

Warri ______ In a letter personally signed by him, Alaowei Ebi Brisibe resigns from the People's Democratic Party and withdraws his membership due to reasons bordering on irreconcilable wranglings within the party at the ward level.

He predicts that PDP is doomed to loose the ward of Rt. Hon. Funkekeme Solomon because the anger of the people is rising everyday. The Ojobo people are angry because despite the massive support they gave to the governor and the PDP in the last two elections he has chosen to deliberately abandon the Ojobo/Torugbene road project.

Ebi Brisibe who is a younger brother to Hon Tam Brisibe, the first Chief of Staff to the governor of Delta State added that his resignation is partly because of the party's lack of cohesion and direction. 

Although he is silent about his new party, it is clear that his defection is an introduction to more resignations to come from that ward in the nearest future, the statement added.

World’s Oldest Woman, Sister André Dies at Age 118 in France

World’s Oldest Woman, Sister André Dies at Age 118 in France 

The world’s oldest known person, French nun Sister André, has died at age 118 in the southern French city of Toulon, the city’s mayor Hubert Falco said on Wednesday.

Born in the southern French town of Ales on Feb. 11, 1904, as Lucile Randon, Sister André was listed as the oldest person alive by the Gerontology Research Group in April 2022.

The Frenchwoman worked as a home teacher in her youth and did not enter a religious community until she was in her early 40s.

Most recently, Sister André was confined to a wheelchair, and for several years she could no longer see properly.

She was an honorary citizen of Toulon, where she lived in a retirement home for several years.

Falco praised her as incredibly modern and a nun with a big heart.

Guinness World Records said Lucile, who took the name of Sister André in 1944, was the second-oldest French person and the second-oldest European person ever recorded.

More recently, Sister André received the record for the oldest COVID-19 survivor after an infection in 2021.

“It’s difficult to fathom that someone born before the patenting of plastic, zips or even bras were alive well into the 21st century, and robust enough to beat COVID-19’’, the Guinness World Records editor, Craig Glenday said in a statement.

“It’s been an honour to record her story in the pages of the Guinness World Records book, and she will live on in history as the fourth oldest person ever authenticated.’’

With her death, Maria Branyas Morera, who lived in Spain, assumed the title of the world’s oldest person at age 115.

Ekanpou Releases Emotional Article to Bid Late Mother Final Rest on Saturday 21st, at Oyangbene

Ekanpou Releases Emotional Article to Bid Late Mother Final Rest on Saturday 21st, at Oyangbene 

PRESS RELEASE:

THE DEPARTURE OF THE STORIED STORYTELLER PHILOSOPHER CALLED MRS TIMIEBI MAIKA EKANPOU OF OYANGBENE TOWN IN BURUTU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF DELTA STATE

1.Timiebi Maika Ekanpou who hails paternally from Oyangbene,Ayakoromo, and Akugbene and maternally from Ogbe-Ijoh town was a remarkable storyteller philosopher and phenomenal philanthropist who died on 30 August 2020 but now programmed to be honoured with  final burial rites on 21 January 2023 at Oyangbene in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.Throughout out her incarnation on earth, mathematically placed at 79 years(1941-2020), she philosophised the world impactfully with her philosophically anchored didactic stories that charted a clear moral path for her generation and beyond.Her stories were always loaded with edifying statements  that she constantly became a quotable personality in every discourse of intellectuals.To many people,Timiebi Maika Ekanpou is the refinery of quotable philosophical statements.Every story of Mrs Timiebi Maika Ekanpou carries different quotable statements laden with both ancient and contemporary wisdom.

2.Mrs Timiebi Maika Ekanpou was also known as a fisherwoman and a sailor.With her sky-house ship she sailed from Akparemogbene to Enieborgbene,Ofirikigbene,Izansa,Ikeremor,Aferesuoaghagbene and back to Ayakoromo,Oyangbene, Ezebiri,Ogodobiri and many other places selling fishes and buying sugar-cane,sweet potatoes,Ogogoro gin and cassava.In her sailing business she virtually did everything trade by barter.Engaged in this sailing and fishing occupations, Mrs Timiebi Maika Ekanpou became a household name for her fish-philanthropy.Her fish-generosity was extended to any person that came her way.She was such a phenomenal giver that no day passed without her display of fish-philanthropy which was extended to anybody irrespective of tribe.Tribe does not exist in her daily vocabulary while she was alive.In her daily interactions with diverse people across the world, Mrs Timiebi Maika Ekanpou did not see tribe as a significant factor in building a functional relationship.

3.Mrs Timiebi Maika Ekanpou was a fiery human rights activist who pursued human rights activism through her philosophy called 'Wiyouism' interpreted to mean who are you to deprive people of their fundamental human rights?She did not allow anyone to deprive her of her basic human rights and she was always ready to fight for the human rights of any deprived person.With her philosophy of 'Wiyouism' she popularised her struggle and agitation for human rights restoration in every organisation without discrimination.There is no human rights activism without Timiebi as there is no Mrs Timiebi Maika Ekanpou without the 'Wiyouism' philosophy in the history of human rights activism in Nigeria though Timiebi's human rights activism carried resonance and reverberations more at the level of microcosm in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.In her heydays Timiebi's comradeship cannot be denied by the likes of Joseph Evah and others.

4.Despite the human rights activism of Mrs Timiebi Maika Ekanpou,she was a great caring mother who gave her children all the motherly attention required in the history of motherhood.In motherhood Timiebi was an excellent mother who showed love to all her children without discrimination and she will ever be remembered as an unforgettable mother even after many centuries have gone by.It saddens all her children that with all her phenomenal motherhood and kindness to others displayed philanthropically, she could not still live up to one hundred years, only dying at the painful age of 79(1941-2020).From now till the close of this age, Mrs Timiebi Maika Ekanpou who will be honoured with final burial rites in Oyangbene on 21 January 2023 will always remain a great mother in the archive of her children and beyond.It is with tears of short-lived dreams and calculations that I shall say final safe journey to my great mother Mrs Timiebi Maika Ekanpou on 21 January 2023 because I know certainly she did not have enough of me  and that my great plans for her for taking good care of me on earth were not fruitfully executed before she died.My tears are therefore tears of not having enough of Timiebi Maika Ekanpou before her death which is appallingly contrary to all my conceptualizations.

BY:EKANPOU ENEWARIDIDEKE, an author of the novel Spiked Beyond Spikes, and winner of the 2004 Isidore Okpewho Prize for Literature with his book entitled The Road to Ken Saro-Wiwa, and he is a son to late Mrs Timiebi Maika Ekanpou.

How Police Arrest 17-year-Old Boy for Impregnating 10 Ladies in Rivers State

How Police Arrest 17-year-Old Boy for Impregnating 10 Ladies in Rivers State

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested a 17-year-old boy identified as Noble Uzuchi, alongside his accomplice, Chigozie Ogbonna, 29, for impregnating 10 ladies as part of running a baby factory.

Aside from Uzuchi, and Ogbonna, the police also apprehended two other ladies, Favour Bright, 30; and Peace Alikoi, 40.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Grace Iringe-Koko, who disclosed the arrests in a statement, said the four suspects operated in Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre local government areas of the state.

While noting that the suspects were arrested following a tip-off, Iringe-Koko said the 10 pregnant ladies have been rescued.

According to the police spokesperson; “On Saturday, January 7, 2023, around 4.45pm, while acting on credible intelligence available to the Rivers State Police Command, C4I Intelligence Unit operatives raided two houses at Igwuruta and Omagwa communities respectively, where victims of child trafficking were being kept. 

“The victims rescued in the operation are 10, most of them pregnant"

The statement further said investigations revealed that when a victim was delivered of her baby, the syndicate leader kept the child and paid her a sum of N500,000, adding that some of the babies previously delivered in the houses had been sold.

She said, “All the victims confessed that they were lured to the illicit sales of children because of the need to meet some financial challenges. A Honda Pilot Jeep, white, was recovered from the syndicate leader.”

The case, Iringe-Koko noted, has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for investigation, and efforts intensified to track and arrest the buyers of the children already sold.

Tantita security vision is to salvage the Environment for our People _Pondi

Tantita security vision is to salvage the Environment for our People _Pondi

Oyinbi Onduku 

Warri_____ The Managing Director (MD) Tantita Security Nig. Ltd, Chief (Engr.) Kestin Pondi, has emphasized that the core objective of their organization is to safeguard and protect the environment from the activities of illegal oil bunkers for the general interest and comfort for the people of Niger Delta Region.

He stated this on Tuesday in Warri, Delta State during a media briefing with journalists, said the people of Niger Delta will soon appreciate the importance of what Tantita Security Service are doing, stressing that the activities of kpo fire had caused majority of our people more harm than the immediate gain of the few indulged in the illegal business.

Engr. Kestin reiterated that research by medical professionals, health safety and environmental experts over the years had revealed that the people of Niger Delta region are prone to cancer and other related diseases due to the consistent gas flare in the air by multi-national oil companies as well as the nefarious activities of illegal oil bunkers, thereby reducing the life span of our people resident in the creeks.

He lamented that the illegal oil bunkering activities had killed almost all the fishes in the river, thereby terminated our only source of livelihood fishing and farming in the riverine communities and making life unbearable for our people.

Pondi stressed that Tantita security services in the past few months of operation had increase the daily output of oil production of the nation to over two million barels per day, thereby improving the economy of the country.

Reacting in the area of engagement, Pondi stated that Tantita security services had gainfully employed over twenty five thousand youths, men and women from the street, thereby drastically reducing the rate of crime and unemployment challenges bedeviling the country.

He concluded by saying Tantita security services is not out there to maltreat neither intimidate our people, rather they appeal for cooperation of the general public in the fight against illegal oil bunkering as well as pollution of our environment for the sake of our children in the future.

Also speaking at the media briefing, the Legal Adviser of Tantita Security Nig. Ltd, Barr. Emmanuel lzakpa, stressed that the security outfit is doing their best to operate within the ambit of the law, considering human rights amongst others as top priority.

Delta Riverine Community's Tell Okowa, Sheriff to Create CADA to Get Votes

Delta Riverine Community's Tell Okowa, Sheriff to Create CADA to Get Votes

Burutu______ The people of Delta State Riverine Communities has called on Sen. Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State and vice presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as well as the Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly and Delta State PDP Governorship candidate, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori to consider the establishment of the proposed Coastal Areas Development Agency, CADA, to enable them get block votes from the riverine areas of the State. 

The people who spoke under the auspices of Coastal Communities for Development, (CCD) gave the charge in Burutu, headquarters of Burutu LGA of the State on Monday January 16, 2023, while speaking with newsmen on the importance of infrastructural development of riverine/coastal communities ahead of the 2023 general elections, with special focus on Delta State.

The group noted that the Bill for  establishment of CADA is not new to both the Delta State Governor and the Speaker, because the Bill had been submitted and re-submitted before Dr. Okowa and Hon. Oborevwori by a renowned Delta born development advocate, Comrade Mulade Sheriff, National Coordinator, Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, a foremost non- governmental organization, NGO, in a letter addressed to them personally, and to the State House of Assembly on several occasions. 

While buttressing the role and importance of the Bill to coastal communities in the state, CCD said CADA, when established, would bring real expansion, infrastructural, economic, human capital, educational, health and mental development to riverine dwellers in Delta State, irrespective of their ethnic differences.

The group urged Dr. Okowa to direct the Honourable Speaker, Hon. Oborevwori and other members as a matter of urgency, to considered and give speedy passage to the establishment of the Delta State Coastal Areas Development Agency, CADA. This gesture would give us sense of belonging under the current administration development strides ahead of the general elections slated for Saturday, February 25, and subsequent elections in 2023, if they wish to get block votes from the riverine communities of the State. 

He further noted that CADA, when established, has the capacity for addressing environmental, ecological, human capital, infrastructural, educational and health needs of the coastal communities of Delta State.   

CCD, asserted that about 50% of Delta State voters live in the riverine areas of the State, and their mandate is for only the candidate who is ready to establish CADA and or will sign concrete social contract for the establishment of CADA for riverine development. The group also called on all Riverine communities in the state especially the Ijaws and Itsekiris not to be carried-away by political deceit of politicians claiming to bring development to the area and yet to do the needful in establishing a development agency for the sustainable development of this critical areas 

The Spokesperson of group, Hon Friday Egberike in his remarks said if CADA is established before the 2023 general elections, it would give the riverine people a real sense of belonging and that will stimulate support and votes for any political party that include the establishment of CADA in their manifesto in the forthcoming elections both at the State and National levels.

2023: Mont-ere Vows to Register 500 Business for Burutu North Indigenes when Elected

2023: Mont-ere Vows to Register 500 Business for Burutu North Indigenes when Elected 

Delta State House of Assembly hopeful in the forthcoming 2023 general elections to represent the good people of Burutu Constituency 1, Chief, Barr.(Mrs) Juliet Mont-ere SHAGUOLO of People's Redemption Party, PRP, has promised to assist over 500 small and medium scale business owners in Burutu  Local Government Area in order to get their businesses registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

Mon-tere promised indigents that if supported and voted for, her first six months in office she will empower over 500 indegents of Burutu Constituency 1  in registering and distributing their  certificates of  business owners to them. Which is a starting point for any small business owner to be eligible for loans and contracts 

The influential young  lawyer added  that, the business registration  at no cost, all expenses will be on her, when elected.! That  she  would give some form of confidence to the Small medium owners within her Constituency.for it will gladden her  heart that her  people will  now have sense of belonging, why   working hard to ensure that people are engaged in SMEs. It gives some form of authenticity to business concerns,’ she stated.

On how she came about the programme, she said: ‘I go round and look for an opportunity for the hard working men, women  of my constituency and I sincerely want to assure them , when elected I will bring  back home entrepreneurial training, for our teaming youths.  

MONT-ERE  advised the teaming youths to use these open  opportunity to vote for her come 2023. That a vote for her is a vote for open doors and breakthrough of the Constituency, "If me!  Mont-ere SHAGUOLO is elected, the full Burutu Constituency 1 is elected " , my office shall be in Burutu not Asaba, I will only go to Asaba for sittings , so that I can feel the pains of my people . She said !

Pastor arrested for defrauding members on self kidnap in Jos

Pastor arrested for defrauding members on self kidnap in Jos

The police command in Plateau has arrested a pastor for allegedly kidnapping himself and collecting ransom from members of his congregation.

The spokesman for the police in Plateau, DSP Alfred Alabo, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Jos.

The police arrested the suspect in November 2022.

”The police have uncovered the nefarious act of one Pastor Albarka Sukuya of Jenta Apata, Jos, who on several occasions staged his kidnap with his cohorts and received ransom from sympathising members of his congregation,” said the police statement.

It added, “Sequel to his spurious kidnaps of November 14 and November 15, 2022, where N400,000 and N200,000, respectively, were paid by his sympathisers as a ransom for his release, the incidents triggered suspicion,” noting that through “credible intelligence, the clergyman was invited by the DPO Nasarawa Gwong Police Station, CSP Musa Hassan and investigation commenced immediately.”

The police further stated that in their investigation, “it was established that the suspect has been conspiring with his gang to stage his kidnap and fraudulently collect (a) ransom. He has confessed to committing the crime.”

Mr Alabo said the suspect had revealed the identity of three other gang members, adding that two were arrested while one is at large.

“The suspect further disclosed that on January 1, he set ablaze the vehicles and a bicycle parked at ECWA Bishara 3, Jenta Apata premises belonging to his colleagues,” stated the police.

Just-ln: Burutu PDP influential Youth Leader Resigns Over Neglect

RESIGNATION OF MY  MEMBERSHIP FROM THE PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP).

ESTEEMED GREETINGS; This is to notice that, henceforth, I have withdrawn my membership from the People's Democratic Party (PDP) for the highlighted reasons, though not exhausted;

1) Following gross neglect, use and dump, abandonment, high handedness of nucleated nepotism, despotic level of misconduct, and abuse of party tenets with an impoverished reward system.

2) Lack of internal democracy, and the "Lord It Over" syndrome, orchestrated in repulsively unholy victimization of faithful party members who are not part of the nuclear family structures of said party leadership in the Ward.

3) Inability of the party to gain and attract appointment of faithful party members into political offices in a government where the leaders of the Ward claims to be personal friend to the governor, towers to making him governor.

4) Failure of the party to wade in, and caution gross impunity of leaders, abating and supporting excesses of leaders of the party in the Ward as they hoodwink and short change faithful members who have served genuinely and paid their dues.

5) A party whose leadership in the Ward will constantly lie in the name of the governor with no corresponding empowerment and meaningful development other than themselves and immediate family thus flaunting the principle of inclusiveness.

6) With so much disdain, the leadership of the party has shown no remorse and unbearable insensitivity to the plight of the people.

7) A work man is worthy of his wage - working and delivering results assiduously for the party  in every election year with acclaimed leaders taking the glory, and benefits to themselves, and to hell if a leader is not from your nuclear family, leaving the rest of us with unbearable scars.

Consequent upon; it is devastating to be in a party with those who subvert the mandate to their self ends, those who can not sincerely influence anything meaningful, but can go to any length to cow the people with cosmetic deceit and polished lies.

The once revered party, now a home of polished comedy - degenerated to having unstable tongues leveling as leaders.

Premised above, It is now inexcusably pertinent for me to terminate and divorce my marital allegiance and oath of membership with the party forthwith.

This, will no doubt usher me the vantage to chart a new horizon that will bring light to "Who work Go chop" and not "Monkey Work, Monkey Chop, and not Baboon. I hereby tender my resignation letter.