Uduaghan, Okowa must appear in court over 13% Oil Funds_Mulade

Uduaghan, Okowa must appear in court over 13% Oil Funds_Mulade

......Says We Are Prepared To Fight For A Better Deal for Host communities.

Warri______ The long awaited court case between Oil and Gas Producing Communities of Delta State led by renowned human and development advocate, Comrade Mulade Sheriff has began today, he again reiterated the reason he and his people are dragging the two former Governors, Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, DESOPADEC and Attorney General of the State to High Court, Warri for the interpretation of Section 162 (2)  of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Section 13 (1) of the DESOPADEC Law 2006 (as amended) 2007, 2015 and 2018 respectively, and to account for over N1.8 trillion Naira of 13% oil derivation funds to oil producing communities of Delta State.

The peace ambassador disclosed this during the court section today 4th July, 2023 at High Court, Warri when representatives of Itsekiri, Ndokwa and Isoko Ethnic Nationalities filed to join the suit seeking interpretation and accountability of 50% of 13% oil derivation fund to Delta State under former Governors,  Dr Emmanuel Ewetan Uduaghan and Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa.

It would be recalled that the Delta State-born Environmentalist, Comrade Mulade Sheriff recently mobilized oil and gas producing communities in the State to Headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja, imploring the commission to investigate and recover their missing and misappropriated funds back to DESOPADEC to enable the state commission carry out developmental projects in the host communities. 

He stated that the immediate past commissioner for information, Mr Charles Aniagwu confirmed to Arise TV that former Governor Okowa remitted only N208billion against 538,725,142,776.085," which means that over 330bn Naira oil and gas producing Communities of Delta State is missing, therefore we demand accountability". 

While responding to questions from journalists, the former chairman of oil rich Kokodiagbene Community in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West LGA of the State, Comrade Mulade Sheriff asserted that; "We are not going to be distracted by hired political sycophancy, who are trying to bring political coloration and other primordial sentiments to instigate the gullible public to undermine the genuine demands to know how our resources are being spent. We are for accountability and transparency and we are prepared to use our last drop of blood to fight for a better deal for our suffering people who are supposed to be enjoying the funds from their natural resources". 

"It is worthy of note that what we are fighting for is to recover our missing funds and equally free the state from the claws of the immediate past Governor Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa to enable our amiable Governor, His Excellency, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori administration to be independent and deliver on his electoral mandate and promises to Deltans through his M.O.R.E Agenda", he added. 

He also said that; "It is unfortunate to state that based on available records, our dynamic Governor Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori met an empty treasury and some of the Delta State Accounts have less than a billion naira which has forced the state government to borrow huge sum of money inj less than one month in office under the guise of settling local government pensioners in the state".

However, the court as adjoined till 24th October, 2023.

How Tantita saves N'Deltans from untimely death, fire accidents due to Kpo-Fire

How Tantita saves N'Deltans from untimely death, fire accidents due to Kpo-Fire

Oyinbi Onduku

It is on record over the past twenty years in the Niger Delta region, South-South Nigeria where incessant fire disaster and untimely death was on the increase in weekly basis as result of the activities of illegal oil bunkering, especially the process of local refining popularly known as Kpo-Fire.

The menace also renders our young married ladies widows in the ljaw riverine communities because most of their life partners venture into the Kpo-Fire business due to its lucrative nature in making quick money.

To proof your doubt, take a tour to any of the ljaw riverine communities across Burutu, Warri South-West, Bomadi, Patani in Delta State, and Southern ljaw, Ekeremor, Nembe and Brass LGAs in Bayelsa State, you will discovered that most of our youths are facially disfigured in parts of their body as result of severe fire accident incurred during cooking and burning (refining) of crude oil to kerosene, fuel and desiel for commercialization.

Though Kpo-Fire business is very lucrative in terms of income generation but it is equally dangerous and more deadly than natural death.

In the process of locally refining the crude oil to fuel or kerosene, any slightest human error will cost one's life death otherwise permanent disability is the saving grace of God upon your life if you paradventure escapes death at the spot of the fire incident.

Since the Federal Government of Nigeria awarded the pipeline surveillance job to the foremost Niger Delta ljaw freedom fighter cum human rights activist, High Chief. Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo, the man behind Tantita Security Services Nig. Limited in August 2022 to check oil theft in the Niger Delta region, there was no single record of fire accident neither sudden death as regards to Kpo-Fire activities in the riverine communities.

Tompolo with the little surveillance contract, many stakeholders are meaningfully engaged with rewarding jobs of being part of the project, thereby diversifying their mindset from the life taken risk illegal Kpo-Fire activities to other legitimate businesses in their various communities.

Now that the people of Niger Delta have embraced a new live and appreciated the good work of Tantita Security Services in safeguarding the nation's critical national assets, gradually remediating the once battered Niger Delta Environment as result of Kpo-Fire activities, it is very important that the current administration led by His Excellency, Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu should take advantage of the successes achieved so far by Tantita within a year.

The current administration will continue to enjoy more revenue growth and uninterrupted flow of crude oil for commercialization if the contract status quo is sustained.

In addition, federal government should expand the contract scope of Tantita Security Services Nig. Limited in order to effect the safety of Nigeria's critical national assets as well as increase the daily barrels of oil production for both domestic consumption and export purpose.

Morris Appreciates Tompolo, appeals to carry along John Togo boys

Morris Appreciates Tompolo, appeals to carry along John Togo boys 

Francis Tayor

Warri _______ A former member of the defunct Niger Delta Liberation Force (NDLF) led by late John Togo, Commander Morris Ebi Musa, has commended the foremost Niger Delta ljaw freedom fighter, High Chief. Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo for the good job he is doing for the Nigeria federal government by safeguarding the critical national assets, especially oil pipelines across the creeks of Niger Delta region.

Comm. Morris made the commendation in Warri on Sunday, during a press briefing noted that Tompolo is a God sent to liberate ljaw nation from the shadow of darkness to light.

According to the ex-agitator noted that Chief. Tompolo with the pipeline surveillance job has affected so many lives positively as well as  massively empowered over 60%  of Niger Delta youths across border, thereby restoring peace in the region to ensure free flow of oil in boosting the nation's revenue generation for the federal government.

While exenorating Tompolo's good deeds, Commander Morris however lamented that GOC had not given proper attention to the surviving field soldiers of his brother and friend in the ljaw liberation struggle, Gen. John Togo of blessed memory.

He said after the heroic death of their leader in 2013, Tompolo invited them first to meet with him at PK Hotels Warri, and thereafter Oproza and promised to carry them along in terms of meaningful engagement and otherwise.

But unfortunately, no slot was given to the surviving late John Togo boys in the current pipeline surveillance job he is handling.

However, Commander Morris use this medium to passionately appeal to their master Tompolo to please consider them in the pipeline job so as to make life sweet and easy for them and their families, the statement added.

PAP uncovers 1,370 BVN-linked bank accounts belonging to ex-agitators

PAP uncovers 1,370 BVN-linked bank accounts belonging to ex-agitators 

Abuja_____ The Presidential Amnesty Programme is sponsoring 75 pilots and aircraft engineers to South Africa and France for type-rating as part of its aviation training scheme, the Interim Administrator of the PAP, Major General Barry Ndiomu (retd.), said on Friday.

He also said that sanitary measures carried out on the PAP database revealed that certain beneficiaries and ex-agitators had multiple accounts linked to their BVNs.

“Further verification of the payment list revealed that certain beneficiaries had multiple accounts linked to their BVNs. In total, 513 beneficiaries had 1370 accounts on the payment list linked to their BVNs. Other anomalies were that of certain accounts not linked to their BVNs; this group had a total of 2601 accounts.

“To rectify those irregularities, a portal was created by PAP (_stver.osapnd.gov.ng) for the affected beneficiaries to log in, and those with multiple accounts linked to their BVNs were to choose just one account in order to have their payments regularised. A total of 1,561 accounts have been cleared and paid in full to date and presently, multiple account fraud has been eradicated from the payment list”, he said.

According to him, a total of 847 delegates are currently undergoing training at the National Information Technology Development Agency in various ICT-specialised fields.

The delegates would be certified in digital marketing, email marketing, social media marketing, computer appreciation, search engine optimization, as well as technical and computer writing.

In a statement, the Special Assistant (Media) to the PAP CEO, Freston Akpor, said that from vocational training centres to opportunities in Federal Government agencies, and incentives for viable SMEs, the innovative ideas initiated by Ndiomu would guarantee the socio-economic sustainability of ex-agitators and young people in the Niger Delta.

He said enormous windows of employment opportunities have been provided for ex-agitators in the oil-rich Niger Delta region to thrive.

Akpor said, “Under General Ndiomu, a total of 847 delegates are undergoing training in the National Information Technology Development Agency in various ICT specialised fields with certification in digital marketing, email marketing, social media marketing, computer appreciation, search engine optimisation, as well as technical and computer writing.

“Similarly, the PAP is sponsoring 75 pilots and aircraft engineers to South Africa and France for type-rating as part of the programme’s aviation training scheme, which General Ndiomu is very passionate about. A breakdown of the figure indicates that 35 delegates are pilots, while 40 are billed for aircraft engineering.

“A major boost to that initiative was the launching of the PAP Cooperative Scheme with an initial sum of N1.5 billion as seed money in the account with an additional N100 million operational fund to be solely managed by the ex-agitators. The cooperative scheme has an eminent jurist, Justice Francis Tabai, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria as chair of the board with a team of experienced consultants to assist in nurturing the cooperative into fruition. This will create a conducive environment for small businesses to grow to become the catalyst for economic development in the Niger Delta.”

Speaking on the vocational training centres designed to provide skills for the teeming youths in the region when completed, he emphasised that the PAP has cleared monies owed to contractors to facilitate the completion of five vocational centres across the region.

“Relevant higher institutions of learning, training institutes and development partners have undertaken spot assessments to re-evaluate existing infrastructure, update software and service equipment, including those left at Boro Town after it was burgled, to bring the centres, including an additional one to be sited in Bayelsa, up to speed and eminent take-off. The management under General Ndiomu has also cleared all debts related to ongoing training schemes,” he maintained.

He added that under General Ndiomu’s watch, the PAP has provided employment for a critical number of young graduates from the Niger Delta in line with the vision of the PAP, thereby reducing the culture and cycle of dependency and indolence.

Late King Robert Ebizimo 9th Anniversary to hold 31 July, 2023 at Angalabiri

Late King Robert Ebizimo 9th Anniversary to hold 31 July, 2023 at Angalabiri 

Oyinbi Onduku

Yenagoa_____ This year's edition of the remembrance Anniversary of the fallen ljaw Owigiri Highlife Music King, the Numu- Pere 1 of lzon-lbe, late (Dr). King Robert Ebizimo, has been announced to the notice of the general public.

According to the convener, King Pereama Freetown JP, Numupere ll of lzon-lbe noted that this year's edition is scheduled to hold on Monday 31st July, 2023 at Angalabiri Community in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

In a statement released on sunday at Yenagoa, King Pereama expressed that late King Ebizimo was a mentor to all ljaw performing owigiri highlife musicians across the Niger Delta. He said King Robert contributions to protect and project the ljaw culture, language and heritage cannot be easily forgotten.

He reiterated that King Robert Ebizimo worths this annual celebration because he had created an indelible impact in the lives of every average ljaw man through the lyrics of his philosophical songs.

Pereama emphasized that the late ljaw music taliban was a man who literally transformed ljaw owigiri highlife music to the present appreciable standard in ljaw land and beyond, adding that there is more to be done by the Bayelsa State Government and other well meaning illustrious ljaw sons and daughters to imotalize the fallen ljaw music lcon.

He stressed that late king Robert Ebizimo is a role model and inspiration to many ljaw sons and daughters, especially we under the tetulage of his mentorship as well as the new generation upcoming ljaw owigiri highlife musicians across the Niger Delta region.

By this information, the ljaw Dumatun-Ogbo, lovers of ljaw music, illustrious sons and daughters of ljaw nation and the general public is hereby humbly and respectfully invited to grace the occasion at month end.

Meanwhile, King Pereama Freetown JP use this medium to thank and appreciate all those who had contributed financially and otherwise to ensure a memorable annual remembrance celebration of our departed ljaw music Hero over the past eight years, praying God to protect and bless them financially and materially in order to sustain the annual epoch making event that is billed for once in a year, the statement added.

However, it will interest the general public to note that, late Dr. King Robert Ebizimo died in a ghastly motor accident on the 31 July, 2014, near Effurun Roundabout Warri, Delta State, on his way from Abuja to Bayelsa in order to celebrate his survival party, after battling a serious illness that led to the amputation of one of his legs.

Unfortunately, he could not celebrate his survival party initially scheduled on the 1st of August, 2014 owing to his tragic death. May his gentle soul continue to rest in perfect peace in the bosom of the Lord, Amen..

Another Titanic world’s biggest cruise ship to sail 2024, after 111 yrs misfortune

Another Titanic world’s biggest cruise ship to sail 2024, after 111 yrs misfortune 

The World’s biggest cruise ship is ready to sail on the Caribbean waters in January 2024, CNN has exclusively reported.

This is happening 111 years after the British passenger liner Titanic, the world’s largest ocean liner in service at the time, sank on its inaugural voyage, in the early morning hours of 15th April, 1912 in the North Atlantic Ocean, four days into its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City.

According to CNN exclusive reports the world’s biggest cruise ship has completed construction at a shipyard in Finland and has made its first foray into open water for sea trials ahead of likely delivery in October this year and would sail on Caribbean waters in January 2024.

CNN reports that the Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of the Seas is a mammoth 365 meters long (nearly 1,200 feet) and will weigh a projected 250,800 tonnes. 

The vessel has the capacity of comfortably accommodating 5,610 passengers and 2,350 crew. 

Recall that the British Titanic Ocean liner 

had an estimated 2,224 people on board when it sank.

Prapra congratulates Boro, salutes Sheriff on his Appointment as Chairman Waterways

Prapra congratulates Boro, salutes Sheriff on his Appointment as Chairman Waterways 

Warri------- A Niger Delta ex-agitator and youth leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Ward 7 Ayakoromo, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, Sunday Ayakeme alias Commander Prapra has send a powerful congratulatory message to Alaowei Chief.Boro Opudu, on his reappointment as Chairman Delta State Waterways/Land Security Committee by the Executive Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori.

In a congratulatory message released on Friday at Ayakoromo community, Commander Prapra, who is a former member of Niger Delta Liberation Force, NDLF under the leadership of late. Gen. John Togo, stated that the appointment of Boro Opudu is a well deserved one as well as testament of his hard work and commitment to restore peace and orderliness in the riverine areas over the past decade, especially in the fight against sea pirates and illegal oil bunkering.

Prapra said Boro is tested and trusted security expert who has contributed immensely to the peace we enjoyed in Delta State, especially the riverine communities.

Hence, his reappointment by His Excellency is a welcome development and a step in the right direction.

However, Prapra appreciated Governor Oborevwori for believing in Boro's capacity to broker peace and security in the state. He assured the governor that Delta State waterways and land security is in a safe hand, and that Alaowei Boro Opudu will continue to deliver his primary assignment diligently as regards to security of lives and critical government assets in the state, the statement added.