Ayakoromo Bridge: Onduku tackle Gov. Okowa, Augoye to release funds to contractor

Ayakoromo Bridge: Onduku tackle Gov. Okowa, Augoye to release funds to contractor

Francis Tayor

An ljaw youth activist cum community development advocate, Comrade Oyinbi Onduku has appealed to the governor of Delta State, His. Excellency, Sen (Dr.) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa and the Commissioner for Works Delta State, Chief. James Augoye to release funds to the contractor  as they earlier promised for the speedy completion of Ayakoromo bridge.

Comrade Onduku who is the National Coordinator, Concerned Citizens For lzon-Ebe Development (CCFID), made the appeal  in Jeddo Okpe, the country home of the honorable Commissioner for Works, Chief. Augoye, during a meeting with his kinsmen decried that Ayakoromo bridge in Burutu Local Government Area of the state is currently at standstill due to paucity of funds.

According to Onduku, speaking with the press after the meeting, said Ayakoromo bridge project was awarded since 2014 by the immediate past governor of Delta state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan to Zerock Construction Nig. Ltd, a Lebanese company with the intention to link up rural communities in Burutu, Ughelli South, Warri South-West and some parts of Bomadi local government area to urban cities. But unfortunately, the current administration had been playing politics with the bridge as a campaign strategy at any campaign ground during 2015 and 2019 governorship elections. After winning the elections with the support and votes of riverine ljaw  communities, the reverse is the case. To develop the area becomes an excuse.

It would be recalled that, the state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa delegated the Commissioner for Works, Chief. James Augoye in November 2020 to inspect the work done so far in Ayakoromo bridge after series of protest by indigenes of the community. At the project site with the community leaders and the contractor, Gov. Okowa through the Commissioner made promise to release two hundred million naira (#200,000 000 00) monthly to the contractor so as to enable him finish the project on time before 2023. Unfortunately, all the statements made where mere political talks, no money had been released to the contractor as we speak. 

" As l speak to you now, the contractor has leave site because there is no money to work. The government of the day is not sincere to ljaw people. If not, what takes Gov. Okowa to complete Ayakoromo bridge within a year and take the glory for a job well done. If the government can commission bridge, road, school projects in other parts of the state, it is expected of him to do the same in the riverine areas. I am appealing to His. Excellency, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and the Commissioner for works, Chief. James Augoye to show some level of  commitment and sincerity to riverine dwellers by releasing funds to complete Ayakoromo bridge because that bridge is of great economic importance to riverine dwellers. It is a pity for government to construct a single bridge project over seven years without completion. Show commitment and sincerity to ljaw people in terms of project execution, Onduku charged Gov. Okowa."

Adimula Commissions PTI Skill Development Academy

Adimula Commissions  PTI Skill Development Academy

By Wilson Macaulay 

 The Principal / Chief Executive of  Petroleum Training lnstitute Effurun, Dr Henry Adimula yesterday Commissioned the PTI Skill Development Academy (  SDA )at the Entrepreneurship Centtre  of the Osubi Campus of the lnstitute.

Dr Henry Adimula the PTI boss who  extenpore, in a brief but well laden speech, expressed satisfaction that he is impressed with what the Coordinator of the Centre and his management team has been able to achieve within a short space of time  which in his words is   a Pointer to better things to come.

According to Dr. Adimula ,PTI under his watch on the saddle as the Chief Executive is poised and resolute  to use the instruments of his good office to deplore everything necessary to ensure that  the Skill Development Academy  will continue to train and equip the students and Nigerians in general  so that when they graduate they can establish businesses of their own and become empowers of labour

He explained that the institute is already partnering with the Onosuoke Foundation, amongst other while  plans are in advance stage to collaborate with UNIDO, BOI, PIND ,a solar installation partner and others to make the PTI Entrepreneurship Centtre a  template for Entrepreneurship training in Nigeria.

Speaking further he said: " Looking inward with what I have seen at the Skill Academy  , I am confident to say that this is a good investment venture  that will yield dividends, that is why I am enjoining   not only the students but also the people from our catchment  area to  seize this golden opportunity and key into the Program to add value to their life  and contribute their quota to the nation,s building effort.

The Coordinator of the Centre, Mr Ejiro Onakughotor, and Mr Aremu Ayinla the Deputy took the Principal,   the registrar Mr. OC Siakpere, Mr Brown Ukanifimoni , the Director of information and other members of the management team round the facility from  one department to the other.Some of the  sections inspected include the department of  Electrical installation Workshop, Computer Room, Chemical and Food Processing, Business and Marketing Section, Hair Dressing and Barbing Section, Tailoring and Fashion Design Section,Foot Wear Production , Photography Studio, Make Up Technology , Mechanical Workshop and Catering & Hotel Management . There are spacious lecture rooms equipped with appropiate instructional materials to make leaning very practical.

Mr Brown Ukanifimoni the Director of information earlier according to protocols  and tradition of the institute gave a general commencement speech where he stated with emphasis that Dr Adimula the PTI Chief Executive is man who assumed office with a mindset  to break new grounds  hence he hit the ground running since he took over the baton of leadership of the great institute.

Mr Brown Ukanifimoni remarked that the paradigm shift of Dr Adimula from producing  not just certificated  Youths but solution providers shifted focus to the development of the Entrepreneurship Centtre which culminated into the Commissioning of the PTI Skill Academy that pen ultimate day .

Highlight of the event was the cutting of the tape by Dr. Henry Adimula for the Centre to Commence training officially to the glory of God..

It is pertinent to add that we met students painting a section of the Centre in a very professional manner With paints produced by themselves at the Centtre.That achievement at the beginning of the PTI Skill Academy just like the Principal right

mentioned in his speech is indeed a pointer to greater things to come .

Just-ln: Hon. Francis Waive Bill Seeking establishment of Federal College of Nursing/Midwifery passes 2nd reading

Just-ln: Hon. Francis Waive Bill Seeking establishment of Federal College of Nursing/Midwifery passes 2nd reading

A bill for an act to establish Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery, Otu-Jeremi Delta State sponsored by Hon. Francis Ejiroghene Waive, the member representing Ughelli North, Ughelli  South and Udu Federal Constituency scales through second reading in the House of Representatives.

This was disclosed on  the Twitter handle of the lawmaker on Thursday 6th May, 2021 when the honorable member was reading the bill in the floor of the house.

According to Hon. Waive, said the bill when pass into law, the college will create thousands of job for the teeming youths of Delta State, especially Ughelli South, North and Udu constituents.

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PTI Flags Off Computer Competency Training For Urhobo Youths

PTI Flags  Off Computer  Competency  Training  For Urhobo Youths

By Wilson Macaulay

The Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Delta State has flagged off Training of Technical Skills tagged; “Computer Competency Skills Acquisition”  for Urhobo Youths World Wide , spreading across the twenty four kingdoms  of the urhobo nations.

The Acting Principal and Chief Executive  of the Petroleum Training Institute, Dr. Henry Adimula in his welcome cum  opening address stated that the  management  in this  maiden  edition of the programme  shortlisted sixty youths drawn from the twenty four kingdoms of the Urhobo  nation under the auspices of the youth wing of Urhobo Progress Union, UPU.

Dr. Henry Adimula, the PTI Chief Executive  hinted that the programme which is part of the institute's  Corporate Social Ressponsibility CSR to their  host communities is conceived to put participants   in the right stead to be self reliant in  the face of acute unemployment and mass  job loss  as a result of the impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on the economics of the world.

According to Dr. Henry Adimula,  PTI which was established  in 1975 to train technical man power for the oil and gas industries has lived up to expectation by carrying out the mandate for which it was established .

Dr. Henry Adimula while stressing  the  need for a paradign shift  in education to competence in practical learning and ability to apply it to provide solutions to myriads of societal problems said: "

l must  emphasize that our students must be trained not only to be good for paper certificate but to be solution providers.All too often we are giving young people cut flowers  when we should be teaching them to grow their own plant".

He explained that this Training Programme on Computer Competency Skills Acquisition for Youths of Urhobo Kingdom is 100%  PTI initiative to  equip  the youths with skills on information technology (ICT) which is fundamental in the digital business and e  transact age.

Dr Agbalagba Ezekiel, the Chairman of Academic Staff Union ASU of the  FUPRE who represented Prof. Rim - Ruke  Akpofure, Vice Chancellor,  Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun  , as the Chairman of the occasion, commended  the effort of PTI under  the  leadership of Dr. Henry Adimula for the vision which he described as a step in the right direction.

Dr. Agbalagha Ezekiel enjoined the participants of the programme  to see it as a Turning Point in their life by staying committed and dedicated so that they can spring out at the end of the training as giants in our society and in turn change others for better.

Professor Sunny Aghwefeada a University don, who was the guest speaker and pastor Verah Orhobor a  departmental head of the institute who spoke as resource persons to  the participants  concurred in their counsel that the  participants should  be Patience, adventurous ,creative, innovational  and be hardworking so that at the completion of the training they can become global players in their chosen endeavours.

Dr. Capt.Onoharigho, the Deputy President General  of UPU, who was the father of the day in his remarks appreciated the  the PTl Principal, Dr Henry Adimula  for the laudable idea and the track record of PTI as a reliable institute of learning.

Mr Brown Ukanefimoni the Director of Information and the moderator of the event in his speech noted that this training is the first of it's kind borne out of the burning desire of the Principal to use the instruments of his good office to  effect positive change in our society.

IYC Western Zone: Odens Okaba Assures ljaw youths of adequate representation

IYC Western Zone: Odens Okaba Assures ljaw youths of adequate representation

Francis Tayor

The foremost aspirant for the post of lnformation Officer in the forthcoming ljaw Youth Council (IYC) Western Zone, Comrade Odens Okaba has promised ljaw youths of adequate representation when given the mandate to serve.

He gave the assurance on Thursday 6th May, 2021 in Warri, while addressing some delegates, noted that his wealth of experience as former two time member of the mobile parliament in Council as well as the immediate past Chairman of Tarakiri Clan, he is very much abreast of the modus operandi in Council.

Comrade Odens reiterated that ljaw liberation struggle is part and parcel in his DNA far back his university days, stressing that the image of ljaw youths Western Zone would be positively projected before the general public.

 " As a Communicator, the demands of ljaw people, such as scholarship, employment chances, youth empowerment programmes e.t.c. from the state government, multinational oil companies operating in our territory would be effectively presented and pursued towards actualization. The genuine agitation for Self Determination of our people would be reinvigorated to a limelight, especially now that the nation is in a state of coma. I pledge to work assiduously with  my Chairman to ensure that what is due to ljaw people is given to us in this heterogeneous state we find ourselves, Comrade Okaba asserted. "

However, he appealed to Western Zone ljaw youths, especially the potential delegates to vote him as the next lnformation Officer of Council, noting that he will not disappoint ljaw youths when elected, the statement adds.

Bandits were created by Gen. Buhari to oust Jonathan, says Ribadu Nuhu

Bandits were created by Gen. Buhari to oust Jonathan, says Ribadu Nuhu

....They are not Boko Haram nor Herdsmen

It all started in April 2014 when Mohammadu Buhari assembled his ardent supporters, promoters and strategists to determine how to remove President Jonathan Goodluck.  Prominent amongst them were El-Rufai, Gen Danbazo (Rtd)……..

A decision was reached to consult Miyatti Allah cattle breeders association for assistance to boot Jonathan Goodluck out of office. Consequently, the National Chairman of Miyatti Allah was engaged to bring in foreign mercenaries. Within a month, 2,000 Fulani fighters were brought in from Mali, Senegal, Niger Republic, Chad, Libya to name but a few. Further 4,000 fighters were stationed in Niger and Chad on standby.

 On arrival, they were assembled in Kaduna under the sponsorship of El Rufai and were addressed by various Northern Leaders including the Sultan of Sokoto, Gen. Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar (Rtd) etc.

Specifically, Gen Buhari in his address told the fighters that “the British handed Nigeria over to us the Fulanis at independence. The land (Nigeria) belongs to us. We must reclaim what belongs to us.”He added that at the event that Jonathan Goodluck worn the election, the Fulani machinery must fight until they regain control of the country. He assured them that the Nigerian Army was behind them.

The mercenaries received initial training from the Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy and were sent to 6 camps in Ekiti State, Benue State, Katsina State, Kaduna State, Zamfara State and Borno State.

In the camps, brand new pick-up trucks, generators etc were provided them. Nigerian Airforce helicopters were used to provide them essential supplies like food, water, drinks and even arms and ammunitions.

Evidently, Jonathan Goodluck lost the election in 2015 through a well orchestrated election organised by INEC under a Fulani Chairman, Professor Jega. Gen Buhari (Rtd) was sworn in as the president. This saw the emergence of a Fulani president through a dodgy election hence the planned violent war was averted.

Contrary to expectation, the mercenaries in the various camps were abandoned, no more food and essential supplies. The relationship between Miyatti Allah, El Rufai (now a State Governor) and Dambazo broke down. El Rufai arrogantly declared that they were not needed anymore and they should go back. Consequently, the killings in Kaduna commenced as a warning to El Rufai but it did not bother him. He declared that he had paid the people carrying out the killings and they did not want to stop. The Nigerian police did not bother to call Gov El Rufai to give further clarification on this.

The Mercenary at the various camps decided to go about to find food for themselves by robbing people, going into farm lands and kidnapping.  Miyatti Allah made several efforts to contact El Rufai and Dambazzo to appeal to them to provide money to return these fighters to where they came from. All efforts proved abortive. The mercenaries at this point vacated their organised camps and took to crime.

The criminal gangs which emanated from these mercenaries were at this point described as “Bandits” in order to differentiate them from other notorious terrorist groups like Fulani Herdsmen, Boko Haram etc.

Following the untold destruction and killings which the Bandits carried out especially in Katsina and Zamfara, the Northern leaders in conjunction with officials of Nigerian Government requested Miyatti Allah to intervene and remove the Bandits from Nigeria. Miyatti Allah returned demanding 150 Billion Naira to settle the Bandits and evacuate them. The Government turned the offer down and restricted itself to the payment of 100 Billion Naira.

Shamefully Godwin Emefiele raised 100 Billion Naira for the settlement as a condition for his re-appointment as the Central bank Governor.

Miyatti Allah collected the money and purportedly distributed it but nothing changed.

In a bid to control the damage, President Buhari directed that RUGA initiative be setup to create colonies for these fighters in every state in Nigeria.

My questions are:

1. Should Nigerian communities accommodate these criminal elements?

2. Why has El Rufai not been called to clean up the mess he created?

3. Does this explain the President Buhari’s silence?

4.Is this conspiracy of the North gone wrong?

Nigerians think for yourselves?

Written 

By 

DSP Nuhu Ribadu

Ijaw Democratic Force Congratulates Prof Benjamin Ogele Okaba, President elect INC.

Ijaw Democratic Force Congratulates Prof Benjamin Ogele Okaba, President elect INC.

The ID -Force wish to congratulate Prof Benjamin Ogele Okaba as he emerge victorious as President elect INC to aggressively represent and tackle the affairs of the apex body of the Ijaw Nation. 

We wish to acknowledge and appreciate His Excellency, Sen Douye Diri, Governor Bayelsa State and the CITRE, by playing a pivotal oversight function expected of their capacities for creating a calm, siren and condusive environment to achieve an innovative and peaceful electoral process of its kind in the region.

We also wish to commend the INC ELECO 2021 led by HRH Prof Dagogo M. J Fubara for their steadfastness and painstaking commitment to ensure a credible electoral process.

We understand that the introduction of the e-voting system is saddled/bottled with several challenges with its maiden display in the shortest time frame. We convinced that subsequent e-voting process stands to get a more robust, efficient and transparent election outcomes for the Ijaw Nation, knowing fully well how the maiden e-voting in the region was not too bad for a start.

Ijaw Democratic Force Congratulates Prof Benjamin Ogele Okaba, President elect INC.

The ID -Force wish to congratulate Prof Benjamin Ogele Okaba as he emerge victorious as President elect INC to aggressively represent and tackle the affairs of the apex body of the Ijaw Nation. 

We wish to acknowledge and appreciate His Excellency, Sen Douye Diri, Governor Bayelsa State and the CITRE, by playing a pivotal oversight function expected of their capacities for creating a calm, siren and condusive environment to achieve an innovative and peaceful electoral process of its kind in the region.

We also wish to commend the INC ELECO 2021 led by HRH Prof Dagogo M. J Fubara for their steadfastness and painstaking commitment to ensure a credible electoral process.

We understand that the introduction of the e-voting system is saddled/bottled with several challenges with its maiden display in the shortest time frame. We convinced that subsequent e-voting process stands to get a more robust, efficient and transparent election outcomes for the Ijaw Nation, knowing fully well how the maiden e-voting in the region was not too bad for a start.

Signed:

Amb. Ekisah Ebitimi,

Secretary General

Ijaw Democratic Force (ID-Force).