The National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Agitators,  NCNDE-A has extended greetings to President Muhammadu Buhari, and all Islamic faithful in the country on this years' Idel-Fitri celebration noting that the Almighty has in his benevolence given the president as a gift to Nigerians for a new dawn. 

Making this known in Kaduna, Sunday, was the National President of the Coalition, Mr Israel Akpodoro, who noted that but for Allah the president would not in his own weather the political storm as he was doing saying Islamic faithful have so much to celebrate noting that it was imperative for Nigerians to live in peace and harmony in an indivisibly united nation saying; "Nigeria remains our only home and we must do everything to salvage it." 

The pro Buhari ex-militant noted also that the muslim faithful should take the advantage and blessings inherent in the celebration to pray for the nation adding that Nigeria has been surviving as a nation with prayers and supplications religious faithful who genuinely interceed for the nation. 

According to the urhobo-born ex-militant,  faithfuls across religious divides owe it a duty to pray for long life and superlative health for the president who he noted was sent by the Almighty Allah to redeem Nigerians from the scourge of poverty despondency occasioned by decades of misrule. 

"The nation needs President Buhari more at this period of temporary economic setback than ever before for him to be able to accomplish that which he had started. He has started well and must end well with the support of genuine men and women of God we are hopeful that the days of hardship are near. 
"To our muslim brother all over the country, we must real

Declaration of Niger Delta state : Ex-Militant Leader Mocks Avengers, Jonathan ...says we are vindicated
An Ex militant leader, Israel Akpodoro, in a seeming derisive manner called out former President Goodluck Jonathan, over his alleged unholy fraternity with the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA and the Adaka Boro Avengers, ABA over their failed declaration of the Niger Delta State as boasted by the insurgents few weeks ago stating that it was shameful for the former President to have waited for this long to caution the armed group.

Akpodoro in a statement written and signed by him in Abuja a copy of which was made available to our correspondent.

This is coming on the backdrop of threats occasioned by ultimatum issued by the ABA to declare a sovereign state of Niger Delta on August 1, and subsequent suspension of same based on alleged intervention by political leaders in the region including former President Jonathan.

He lambasted the Ijaw-born former President noting that the true sponsors of the violence in the Delta were gradually being revealed after several failed efforts at denying knowledge of those behind the renewed insurgency in the region.
He further stated that his group, the National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, NCNDE-A has been vindicated by the latest revelation made by the ABA that the former President and a former Minister of Information, Chief Edwin Clark, were among those who called insurgents to halt their planned declaration of a sovereign state.

To the Urhobo-born ex-militant leader, Jonathan was an accomplice "who is privy to the operations of the violent group in the region" an act he described as shameful and unstatesmanlike.

On Chief Clark Akpodoro said it was an open secret that the former Minister was hands in glove with Avengers saying the NCNDE-A has been proven to an organisation of decent and honest people who say what they know.

"We once accused Jonathan of being behind the Avengers and his psychosomatic defenders came up shouting blue murder. With the latest revelations from ABA mentioning the same supposed statesmen in clandestine romance, as men and women of goodwill, how do we reconcile the revelations and the denials?

"In a sanner clime, the duo of Jonathan and Clark would been answering questions the secret service by now because his attack dogs are ever ready to stand up in his defence whether rightly or wrongly on the platter of ethnic delusion and chauvinism." Adding that; why didn't Jonathan tell the world what he knows about Avengers?

I called on the FG to as a matter of urgency apprehend everyone suspected to overtly or covertly behind the 'notorious groups' and bring them to justice as he cautioned the administration to ignore the grandstanding posture of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND noting that as presently constituted, that group has no specific direction and lack the needed cohesion to represent any person or group of persons in the region.

"Members of MEND are broke and are desperate to defraud the government in the name of midwifing an imaginary dialogue with the FG. That group is composed of idle, confused and lawless individuals who in their desperate bid for recognition remain in lack direction purpose other than stolen troubles in the region.

Niger Delta Avengers: Don't dialogue with criminals - Ex-Militant Leader warns FG  The federal government has been called upon not to dialogue with militants in the Niger Delta region who engaged in the renewed hostilities among which were series of attacks launched by the self acclaimed Niger Delta Avengers, NDA and the new ‎Red Egbesu Water Lions. 

The call was made by the National President, National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, NCNDE-A , Israel Akpodoro, in Abuja, Thursday. He stated that any attempt by the FG to dialogue with the "attackers of our national" patrimony will give rise to many of such groups adding that the so called militants were drawn from the league of ex-militants who were on the payroll of the Amnesty Program of the FG. 

This call according to the ex-war lord in the creeks was informed by calls from the‎ elder statesman,Chief E.K. Clark asking the Buhari led administration to employ the instrumentality of dialogue with the self acclaimed Avengers for peaceful agreement to be reached and for peace to reign. 

Akpodoro described the attackers of oil pipelines as demagogues and evil doers who are out to foment trouble to stampede the FG into paying them amnesty as he questioned that how many times would the government declare amnesty in the region. 

The pro Buhari ex-militant leader said the call for dialogue by some Ijaw leaders were ploy to armstwist the FG into being cowed by Ijaw youth who he alleged see Niger Delta as their exclusive preserve adding that such calls should be ignored in the interest of peace and tranquillity in the region.

He further alleged that the 'neo militant groups' were directly under the command of 'fugitive' Government Ekpemupolo, a.k.a. Tompolo saying those calling for dialogue should produce him to the FG before having the moral rectitude to call for dialogue. 
The vociferous Urhobo-born ex-militant wondered if Tompolo was above the law to warrant such 'ignoble call' on the FG adding that rather than sponsoring militant groups from his hideout who places what he described as senseless and reckless demand on FG as recipe for peace, Tompolo should be told by Chief Clark to surrender himself to justice. 

The government according to the Coalition should apply maximum military force to "smoke all the recalcitrants" out noting that such military actions alone can bring permanent peace in the region.  
The FG he said should make it known to communities especially the traditional rulers of the host communities of the trouble makers that if any facility of the oil companies is vandalised in your domain and culprits caught therein without they turn in such criminals the monarchs will be dethroned and dealt with, such unwarranted calls by ethnic leaders won't stop coming. 

He called on the FG to work with Unconventional Security who he averred know the terrain more than the troops noting that a perfect synergy between the military and unconventional security will yield result including arresting and bringing Tompolo before the law.

Intelligence and information gathering by organised local youth under an unconventional security platform Akpodoro said was capable of turning in criminals in their large numbers to the law enforcement agencies. 

With consternation  Akpodoro added Nigerians of good received the call by Chief Clerk saying, the nation had expected better reaction from the "supposed elder statesman" who he advised  steer off ethnic politics. 

"Acting like father to economic saboteurs and forming protective ring around criminals in the region won't do us any good at this critical period of our nationhood. The call by Chief E.K.Clark, to say the least came as a rude shock and unbecoming of a man who would always want criminals of Ijaw extraction protected in the name of calls for dialogue.

Nigerians would want to know from Chief Clark who are the avengers? Who are the sponsors and what are they avenging at this critical period in our nationhood?

"Hiding under the cloak of dialogue to part criminals on the back by giving them amnesty is a dubious thing to ask for. How many times have youth in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Imo State...blown up pipelines to stampede FG into granting them amnesty? The FG should dialogue, the army should go all out for these crooks who festers on cheap and free money. They are lazy lots who hate to work but want to live flamboyant lifestyle." The Pro Buhari militant leader stated.

Niger Delta Avengers: Jonathan Stands Alleged, Says Ex-Militant Leader

By Our reporter -

 

May 18, 2016



The President of the National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, NCNDE-A, Israel Akpodoro, has restated his allegation against former President Goodluck Jonathan, who he alleged to have created the Niger Delta Avengers prior to his exit in office last year.
His latest reaction is coming on the backdrop of attacks by a group, the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC in the aftermath of his revelation ‎accusing the Ijaw-born former President of sponsoring hostilities through the self acclaimed Avengers who claimed responsibilities for blowing up oil facilities in the Delta.
The Urhobo-born ex-militant leader Wednesday in Abuja noted that the IYC was only grandstanding adding that the group was an apron string of the former President through which he launched attacks at prominent Nigerians while he held sway as the country’s number one citizen.
According to Akpodoro who raised concern over what he described as the rascality of a group of people “who arrogate so much powers to themselves in unwarranted arrogance ” using such group platform to endorse militancy in the region only to come out and defend same needlessly.
He further stated that the “so called IYC in a criminal grandstanding ” is delving into what it knows nothing about other than fanning the embers of disunity, ethnic hate, crimes and criminalities in the oil-rich Niger Delta.
The vociferous Pro Buhari ex-militant leader stated that, at the January 2015 meeting in Yenagoa ‎of all the ex-militants called at the instance of the then President Jonathan represented by senior members of his administration and presided over by Governor Seriake Dickson, when the leader of the defunct Niger Delta Volunteer Force, NDVF, Alhaji Asari Dokubo, was to make his speech, he began by singing : “one more river to cross, Niger Delta freedom fighter, one river to cross” adding; the renewed hostilities in the region was part of the one more river to cross.
He revealed further that the plot by the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, to scuttle the electoral process midway into the announcement of results by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC at the International Conference Centre, Abuja was planned by Jonathan and “poorly” executed by Orubebe adding that no amount of subterfuge can convince “Nigerians of good will otherwise.”
He stated that the Niger Delta region is made up of many ethnic nationalities which he noted were equally rich in oil and gas resources wondering why an Ijaw man does not see the region beyond Ijaw nation?
Pointedly, he noted for instance that the ‎Ndokwa nation in Delta state has the largest gas deposit in West Africa while Otujeremi community in Ughelli South of the state is seated upon a large natural gas deposit harbouring the Otorogu gas plant suppling natural gas to countries in West African sub region saying, yet, their youth never lifted a finger against the Nigerian State warning that no segment of the region was more Niger Deltan than the other.
“IYC is no doubt an attack dog of the beneficiaries of Jonathan’s 6-year-misrule, it is a group known for grandstanding, its known to us in the Niger Delta region as a group of demagogues through which the former President Jonathan attacks his perceived enemies while the Niger Delta Avengers is the military wing and it is a creation ‎of the same man who reluctantly handed power to his successor because all his plans failed.
“Like a time bomb, the former President planted the Avengers and some other groups to avenge his ouster by Nigerians through the ballot. I stand to challenge any person or group of persons to a debate on a national medium on this issue. ‎As the name implies, the Niger Delta Avengers is avenging the failure of Jonathan to get a second term.” Akpodoro stated.

nigerianpilot.com/niger-delta-avengers-jonathan-stands-alleged-says-ex-militant-leader

The President of National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, NCNDE-A, Israel Akpodoro, in this interview with Dele Anofi, said President Muhammadu Buhari owes it a duty to appoint nominees of the All Progressives Congress (APC) into positions.
You led a group that endorsed the President leading it to campaign for him in the Niger Delta region, how has the journey into the era of change being especially as it concerns government patronage?
Yes, the change is here and it has come to stay permanently. Nigerians voted exactly for the services being rendered by the President and we are pleased for the fact that Nigerians are having the values for their votes.
We in the APC are behind the President’s efforts at the ongoing economic recovery. The economy was grounded by the 16 years misrule of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and revamping an economy that was a victim of reckless looting is not easy to fix.
So, the President had made some not too good appointments but there is room to make amendments because apologists of the failed PDP have infiltrated the ranks of the broom party.
Are you saying the President made wrong appointments?
Not entirely wrong but most of the appointees aren’t loyal members of the party. For instance, an appointee of the APC who appoints a PDP die hard as aide is not loyal and hasn’t the interest of the party at heart. In view of this, the president would have to work with the party to ensure that only loyal party men and women are given appointment.
In Delta State where you are based, how is the party faring?
The party is doing well and trying to build a strong structure preparatory to 2019 election. The strength of a party is to build a formidable structure capable of winning election at all levels.
This is what the Prophet Jones Erue-led APC is doing in the state with Olorogun Otega Emerhor, financially supporting the party structure. Unlike the PDP, APC wins victory at the polls but not capture victory.
Still on political patronage, would you say appointments into position by the APC-led Federal Government have been satisfactory so far especially in the Niger Delta?
No, appointments by the Buhari-led FG haven’t met the desires of many. It is lopsided because your appointments concentrated in one ethnic nation at the detriment of others.
In Delta State for instance, it’s obvious that the Ikas are the major beneficiaries of the appointments here ditto Rivers state and others.
Does it mean other nationalities in Delta state are being marginalised?
No, the Urhobo, Itsekiri, Isoko and Ndokwa people aren’t marginalised but are in the waiting to be appointed. We all worked for the emergence of this government and we must be appointed. Urhobo people are APC faithfulls and must be patronised by this administration.
Why?
I, for instance defy all odds to declare and work for Buhari when the heat was high. For the purpose of Buhari’s election I founded the Urhobo Youth Forum for Change, UYFC which like a wild fire spread through Urhobo land and we won a large followership for the broom party.
In addition, I founded and funded the National Coalition for Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, NCNDE-A, a platform used by notable ex-militants to support and campaign the APC and its presidential candidate into power. These actions of mine opened me up for attacks before the presidential elections and the success of the party’s outing attracted envy and subsequent blackmail against those of us who stuck out our necks to work for the APC in criminal grandstanding
In conspiracy with some greedy members of the ruling party, members of the opposition engage in lies, blackmail and outright campaign of calumny against most of us so as to gain vantage positions in a government they fought tooth and nail to stop it’s emergence. You reap where you sow but in this dispensation that adage holds no meaning because the opposition now stands better chances than those of who brought APC to power.
Why have you not been appointed?
The president is only taking his time and I am sure that very soon everyone who worked for Buhari will be appointed. We are all aware that there are many positions that are yet to be filled and loyalists of the party are waiting for the President to appoint those recommended by the party.
When the time of God comes, I would be appointed but the President should listen to the leadership of our party and appoint only those recommended by the party.
What’s your take on the fight against corruption by this administration?
Nigerians gave the President the mandate to uproot corruption from our system as a nation and he’s doing just that. As against the magic expected by the PDP and its apologists, the president has done a lot to win the solidarity and support by the Nigerian people. PDP doesn’t believe in change and it becomes amoral for the forces of retrogressive transformation to question in a nation the same party brought to its knees.
Therefore, the President through the EFCC should go all out and recover every illicit proceeds of loot from the enemies of the Nigerian people.

thenationonlineng.net/expect-buhari-ex-militant-leader

The Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, has been accused of funding the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in readiness for the 2019 general elections.

The President, National Coalition for Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, NCNDE-A, Mr Israel Akpodoro, made this known in a telephone interview with our correspondent, Monday as he chided Kachikwu over what he described as sinister motive to betray President Muhammadu Buhari, who he said entrusted him with the appointment as the custodian of the nation's oil wealth.

According to the group leader, Kachikwu award of contracts to the chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the Niger Delta region is a proof of his loyalty to the umbrella party noting that the oil expert is a full fledge member of the opposition adding that he played notable role in financing the party in the past general elections which according to him he is still doing in his present capacity.

If this trend is not checked, the Urhobo-born ex-militant said the effects on the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC will be destructive and would amount to self annihilation as appointees of the current administration deliberately prepare the opposition for the 2019 election building war chest for the party which lost power to it.

He alleged that the Minister awarded the Pipeline Surveillance and Maintenance contract to a notable member of the PDP in Delta state saying this action do not go well with "thos state of us who worked and toiled for the emergence gence gence of this administration staking all we have in the risks that came with such suicidal support for the then Candidate Buhari and the broom party in that part of the country. "

He wondered why the APC politics is assuming a weird dimension where supposed appointees of the administration ought to be loyal to the party ‎in government but regretted that the reverse is the case especially the appointees from Delta State.

Akpodoro further stated that Kachikwu is not alone in what he described as dual loyalty that may sweep "our darling party off its feet in 2019 if not seriously checked."

"President Buhari and the APC must as a matter of urgency look deeply into this with the aim of nipping it in the bud before the party and the administration is caught‎ in the web of betrayal by its own appointees.

"Politics is about patronage, ‎we worked for our party and we the party faithful must be patronised and not giving what naturally should be ours to those who threatened to kill us while we campaigned for our candidates at the general elections." The group stated querying that:

"We have it on good authority that Kachikwu is a member of both the PDP and the APC which accounts for his double standard before, during and after the presidential election. While we transversed the length and breadth of the region to sell our candidates before the elections some persons were against us. Now they have been opportuned to be appointed into their various positions but are using that against the party and it's faithful.

"We call on Mr President and the Leadership of the APC to investigate all the contracts awarded by Kachikwu as it concerns oil pipelines maintenance and surveillance because those he awarded the contracts don't even know the terrain, where were they when we where campaigning In the creeks shouting Sai Baba.

"We owe this administration our unflinching support and solidarity to the Nigerian State but won't allow the opposition to take advantage of the uncommon magnanimity of the President and the APC ‎to undo us.

"This alarm becomes imperative in view of the information available to us at the grassroot and we urge the President to act urgently." The vociferous Urhob-born Akpodoro stated.

The Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, has been accused of funding the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in readiness for the 2019 general elections.

The President, National Coalition for Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, NCNDE-A, Mr Israel Akpodoro, made this known in a telephone interview with our correspondent, Monday as he chided Kachikwu over what he described as sinister motive to betray President Muhammadu Buhari, who he said entrusted him with the appointment as the custodian of the nation's oil wealth.

According to the group leader, Kachikwu award of contracts to the chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the Niger Delta region is a proof of his loyalty to the umbrella party noting that the oil expert is a full fledge member of the opposition adding that he played notable role in financing the party in the past general elections which according to him he is still doing in his present capacity.

If this trend is not checked, the Urhobo-born ex-militant said the effects on the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC will be destructive and would amount to self annihilation as appointees of the current administration deliberately prepare the opposition for the 2019 election building war chest for the party which lost power to it.

He alleged that the Minister awarded the Pipeline Surveillance and Maintenance contract to a notable member of the PDP in Delta state saying this action do not go well with "thos state of us who worked and toiled for the emergence gence gence of this administration staking all we have in the risks that came with such suicidal support for the then Candidate Buhari and the broom party in that part of the country. "

He wondered why the APC politics is assuming a weird dimension where supposed appointees of the administration ought to be loyal to the party ‎in government but regretted that the reverse is the case especially the appointees from Delta State.

Akpodoro further stated that Kachikwu is not alone in what he described as dual loyalty that may sweep "our darling party off its feet in 2019 if not seriously checked."

"President Buhari and the APC must as a matter of urgency look deeply into this with the aim of nipping it in the bud before the party and the administration is caught‎ in the web of betrayal by its own appointees.

"Politics is about patronage, ‎we worked for our party and we the party faithful must be patronised and not giving what naturally should be ours to those who threatened to kill us while we campaigned for our candidates at the general elections." The group stated querying that:

"We have it on good authority that Kachikwu is a member of both the PDP and the APC which accounts for his double standard before, during and after the presidential election. While we transversed the length and breadth of the region to sell our candidates before the elections some persons were against us. Now they have been opportuned to be appointed into their various positions but are using that against the party and it's faithful.

"We call on Mr President and the Leadership of the APC to investigate all the contracts awarded by Kachikwu as it concerns oil pipelines maintenance and surveillance because those he awarded the contracts don't even know the terrain, where were they when we where campaigning In the creeks shouting Sai Baba.

"We owe this administration our unflinching support and solidarity to the Nigerian State but won't allow the opposition to take advantage of the uncommon magnanimity of the President and the APC ‎to undo us.

"This alarm becomes imperative in view of the information available to us at the grassroot and we urge the President to act urgently." The vociferous Urhob-born Akpodoro stated.

It was a bazaar of sort for the indegent population of Agege, a Lagos suburb south West Nigeria when officials of Annmom Foundation for Mothers' Welfare, AFMW stormed the neighbourhood with gift items for the 'very poor' over the weekend ushering in the New Year in a grand style. 

The foundation through its Director of Media Publicity & Strategy, Mr Sunday Onyewonsa, told our correspondent that the gesture became necessary because of the need to be one's "brother's keeper" noting that the Yuletide season was a period when men of goodwill show love to fellow men and sharing with the people around especially the 'have nots' in the society adding that one of the cardinal objectives of the group was to care for poor mothers and children across the globe. 

Onyewonsa stressed that the NGO chose Agege area because of the large number of the poor population living together adding that earlier before the Christmas, the Foundation was at Idi-Araba area of Mushin to share food items, clothing, shoes and branded umbrella to the residents of that community adding the gesture was a work in progress stating that the group will ensure it sustains the program promising to cover the six geo-political zones before the year runs out. 

According the group's image maker, the Foundation intends taking its campaign along the West African sub-region in the course of the year saying the group has the entire globe as it's targets while he called on governments in African continent to rise up to the challenge posed by hunger and starvation in the lives of her citizens. 

The group added that except governments across the continent decisively rise against hunger in the lives of citizens the war against violent crimes may may up mere illusion saying; "a hungry man is an angry man." 

In the United States of America, the Foundation said it has provided homes for homeless mothers and their children adding that women are most vulnerable to poverty occasioned by homelessness and outright hunger and starvation while promising to replicate same in Nigeria and other African countries. 

Registered in Nigeria mid last year, Annmom Foundation records shows that it has touched the lives of families especially the homeless ones in the country stressing that the group was putting resources together to storm the insurgents ravaged North Eastern Nigeria to compliment the federal government's efforts at providing for the Internally Displaced Persons, IDP especially mothers and their children.

…as ex-militants hail Semenitari’s appointment as NDDC MD

Dr Chris Ekiyor, former President, Ijaw Youth Council, has appealed to the Federal Government not to scrap the amnesty programme in 2016. This call comes as ex-militants under the ae­gis of National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Agitator, NCNDE-A, have described the newly appointed Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Mrs Ibm Sem­initari, as the region’s best hand, most qualified and trusted.

Ekiyor, the former IYC leader told the media on Thursday in Port Harcourt that the action could “lure the ex-militants into temptation.’’

He urged the government to take a holistic view of what the programme had achieved since its inception and what could happen if it was scrapped.

“If the federal government says it has successfully implemented the amnesty programme, how has it impacted on the beneficiaries?

“Is it by the monthly stipends they receive?

“Out of the 30,000 ex-militants pencilled for training by the federal government, less than 15,000 have been trained; is the government going to abandon the remaining 15,000?

“The initial design of the programme was to empower the beneficiaries and make them economically viable,“ he said.

Ekiyor said that some of the beneficiaries, who were still undergoing training at home and abroad, would be abandoned in their various institutions if the government stops funding the programme.

In a related development The National President of the group, Mr Israel Akpodoro, revealed this in a telephone chat with our correspondent over the weekend stressing that the Seminitari who was a former Commissioner for Information in Rivers State has paid her dues professionally as a journalist and politician to the Nigerian State and therefore deserves her current appointment.

According to Akpodoro, the NDDC needs someone like Seminitari who was the Publisher of the Business Eye Magazine to manage it noting that as a publisher and administrator she has seen it all and therefore has all it takes to bring the developmental vision of President Muhammadu Buhari, to bear on the Niger Delta region in her capacity as the manager of such federal government’s intervention agency.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/dont-scrap-amnesty-programme-ex-iyc-president-urges-fg/

The National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, NCNDE-A has described the victory at the Court of Appeal of the Labour Party, LP candidate for the Delta Central Senatorial district, Chief Ovie Omo-agege, as the beginning of good things for the people of Urhobo land in particular and Delta citizens in general.

This was made known by the President of the group, Mr Israel Akpodoro, over the weekend in a congratulatory message to the Orogun-born senator who had been entangled in legal battle since after the general elections with his opponent on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Amori.

The group stated that the Appeal Court verdict is a proof to the fact that no matter how far lies travel, the truth will surely overtake it adding that Omo-agege was the true candidate of urhobo nation at the polls alleging that the PDP with its then federal might circumvented the will of the people.

Chief Amori, although an Urhobo son - a well meaning son for that matter, Akpodoro stated the he wasn't the peoples' choice but only benefited from the electoral rascality of the power that be at the time.

According to the group, in Omo-agege the urhobo speaking people who predominantly are in the Delta Central district are pleased adding that the victory of the LP candidate was a dream come true for the people stressing further that since the demise of Senator Pius Ewerido, the Urhobo nation lost credible voice in the upper chambers of the National Assembly.

Akpodoro noted that a red chamber with Chief Omo-agege will be robust and fulfilling for "our people especially the youth population who seek representation by a pan-urobo nationalist like Ovie."

With Omoagege in saddle Akpodoro said the Urhobo dream was about to be fulfilled saying the leadership of the state will change hand.

"The Urhobo speaking nation as it is in Delta state has over 800,000 registered voters higher ‎than that of the entire Bayelsa State yet it's being ruled by minority tribes and this a development we aren't comfortable with.
"As ou‎r own Omoagege has been brought into the saddle, all is now set for us to engage in those activities that will enable urhobo nation take its rightful place." Akpodoro stated.

http://zumatimesonline.com/?q=article/ncnde-hails-omo-ageges-victory

Welcome from your journey, we know you are taking our nation to the promise land..................Also extend your concern for the Urhobo land because they have been marginalised for a long time in the state and the federal level.

The National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, NCNDE-A has called on the Bayelsa State electorates to go out on Saturday and vote former governor Timipreye Silva, of the All Progressives Congress, APC at the polls on Saturday.

The President of the group, Mr Israel Akpodoro, stated this at a media chat in Asaba, the Delta State capital Wednesday while commending the people of the oil-rich state for their solidarity to the broom party so far adding that the people should take their destinies in their own hands by making a decision that will promote the general good of the generation unborn rather than voting a 'lutocratic cabal' whose hallmark is to plunder the commonwealth of the people of the state.

According to the group, when Sylva was governor he provided the needed infrastructure in the state but the cabal on getting to national political space saw through the impervious nature of Sylva and vowed to chase him out of governance at all cost so that the vault of the state could be made vulnerable for them to feast on.

Akpodoro stated further that since the Dickson-led Peoples Democratic Party, PDP administration came on board, the decay in infrastructure in the state was immeasurable owing to the fact that those in government relish sleaze and wanton corruption.

The group further admonished the electorates to be peaceful and law abiding in the process of casting their votes for the APC saying they should not tow the line of PDP's directive that the people should "tie security operatives deemed to infringe on the rules" adding that such order was unbecoming of a governor who is supposedly the chief security officer of the state.

The people he stated should not stoke trouble but advised that they go about their lawful activities without engaging the law enforcement agents who he said shall be in the state to protect the people and sanctity of the election.

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‎A Non-Governmental Organisation, NGO, Annmom Foundation for Mothers Welfare, AFMW has opened a new vista in charity, taking it to the doorstep of mothers welfare all over the world.

This was made known by the Founder and Chief Executive Officer, CEO of the group, Princess Ann Ehigiator Johnson, in an interview with our correspondent recently. The Nigerian -American born stated that the Foundation was brought about by the need to alleviate what she described as the prevailing global poverty.

According to Johnson, she was irked by the scourge of poverty across the globe noting that citizens of the world especially women and children were more vulnerable to poverty and deservedly should be aided in a conscious attempt at stemming the tide and pains of failing standard of living.

The group which stormed General Hospitals in Lagos recently armed against poverty with gift items for mothers and babies said‎ it was ready to sustain the tempo to ensure that concerns are shown more for the vulnerable in all societies of the world.

At Mushin General Hospital, it ‎was a carnival of sort when AFMW officials gave out food items to mothers ‎and children and further stormed the shanty settlement of Idiaraba where nursing mothers swam around officials who visited them with items ranging from foods, clothing, drugs and other gift items with a promise to return in continuation of the aims of the NGO.

The organisation which was launched in the US recently with the Nigerian Ambassador in New York present vowed to ensure that mothers all over the world has ‎the support of the Foundation noting that citizens in the US, Europe, Africa, Asia...have so much to benefit from the charity organisation.

Registered in Nigeria, AFMW kicked the ground running as it took on the challenges of homelessness in the US and Europe head on ‎while promising to hit to hit poverty in Russia soon. Mothers in the USA and Europe Princess Johnson noted are mostly homeless immigrants adding the Foundation provides succour for the indigents and has started same in Africa.

The sub-sahara Africa, the Foundation said suffers acute poverty with children out of school, poor nutrition for Mothers and children, lack of portable water, lashelter and poor medical care for the indigent citizens adding that the body was prepared to wage war against all anti-human vices capable of impeding growth of mothers and children all over the world adding that Foundation is nonpartisan, non religious and has no preference for race or colour in its operations.

3 months into Boroh's administration, ex-militants slam Amnesty Office with 2bn naira libel suit

The National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, NCNDE-A has slammed the office of Presidential Amnesty Program with 2bn libel suit over a Facebook publication of the Facebook page of the federal government agency.

Joined in the suite are: the Coordinator and Special Assistant to the President on Amnesty Program, Brigadier General Paul Boroh, Rtd., the Chief of Staff to the Coordinator, Mr Aedis Abel and the Office.

Recalled that the 3-months old Boroh-led Amnesty Office posted a disclaimer against the National President of NCNDE-A, Mr Israel Akpodoro, on its Facebook page which was deemed to be offensive, bellicose and temperate aimed at tarnishing the image and person the All Progressives Congress, APC chieftain..... The Urhobo-born ex-militant leader deemed the posting of the page in bad colour and taste especially after he remonstrated to Boroh who vainfully attempted a denial of the posting blaming it on Col Aedis Abel (Rtd)with a promise to not only delete the offensive publication but to fire him for "causing problems " for him. Surprisingly, Mr Boroh reneged in his promise to delete the item from the Facebook signalling a grand conspiracy to defame the man who led notable ex-agitators to declare support for Buhari in the Delta region shortly after APC was born.The latest action by Boroh-led amnesty office show poor administrative aptitude, disdain for those APC addicts, staunch Buhari men and it goes to show that the retired army chief has an agenda...to pursue tribal agenda and reduce the benefits of amnesty to a section of the Delta region. Boroh has a mandate going by the wicked publication to run aground the vociferous voices who may stand on his way to achieving his agenda to run down those Buhari's main men in the region. "We want Boroh to prove the case of impersonation against our president beyond all reasonable doubts."

‎The Israel Akpodoro-led Urhobo Youth Forum for Change, UYFC has in a seeming pre-emptive move kicked against the reported list of ministerial candidates recently published by a national daily noting that the list has no Urhobo son or daughter on it.


This was made known by the National President of the group, Mr Israel Akpodoro, in a chat with our correspondent Tuesday.

According to the Urhobo-born ex-militant leader now 'apostle of peace for Buhari' the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress, APC administration should consider the people of Urhobo land in the sharing of offices adding that Urhobo nation remains the largest homogeneous entity in Delta State and the people of Urhobo worked for the President's election.


The group stated further that the call became imperative now that nationalities were being rewarded for loyalty and solidarity to Nigerian state when the nation was at precipice saying the youth population led by him actually worked for the victory of incumbent.


Akpodoro further stated that; "to whom much is given, much is expected" as he expressed confidence in the ruling party to thread the path of equity in its choice of those to be appointed.

The Urhobo nation he noted that apart from those he described as political jobbers, men and women of high moral probity and integrity were abound among the Urhobo speaking people of the oil rich Delta state while he called on the administration to look in the direction of the Delta Central senatorial district.





This was made known by ‎the President of NCNDE-A, Mr Israel Akpodoro, in Lagos at the weekend at the wake of a well attended meeting of the group.


Akpodoro who doubles as the President of the National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, NCNDE-A called on the President to be careful of the enemies of the party who vainfully did everything possible to thwart the success of the party at the last general election and now parading themselves as apostles of the broom party.

Unlike the PDP, the group stated that the APC should shut it's doors against those he described as political bourgeois whose trademark he said was deception and perfidy to avoid the banana peel of the "sinking" Peoples Democratic Party, PDP adding that; "so many people who hitherto vowed to fight Buahri's presidency are now parading themselves as members of the APC in grandstanding and criminal Psychophancy."

UYFC noted that some persons in the region were fleecing poor and innocent citizens under the pretence of working for the President and the federal government amnesty program.

The group stated that if caught by security agents, such persons who go about extorting money in the name of whoever from the people in the region should be dragged to justice adding that neither the presidency nor the amnesty office has engaged anyone to collected money from people under any guise noting that waging war against the prevalent poverty in the region was the major priority of the current administration

The appointment of the Director-General, Lawal Musa Daura, for Nigeria's secret service- State Security Service by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government recently has received a major backing from ex-militants in the Niger Delta region.

In a chat with our correspondent in Asaba, th‎e Delta state capital, President of the apex body of all the platforms of ex-agitators in Niger Delta region-the National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, NCNDE-A, Mr Israel Akpodoro, a.k.a Agimor has lampooned the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP for what he described as the preposterous hue and cry over an otherwise best appointment made so far by the All Progressives Congress, APC-led Federal Government.

The Coalition noted with disdain the unwarranted attacks on President Buhari and Mr Daura by the umbrella party adding that it was worried that the "sinking PDP has refused to stop harassing the sensibilities of Nigerians" as it warns of dire consequence should the PDP heats up the polity as it was it's tradition through out the 5-year misrule of the country under former President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration.

More worrisome Akpodoro noted was the fact that the PDP was playing down the finesse of professional aptitude possessed by Daura as a security expert who can hold his own anywhere in the world adding that his appointment as DG of the Directorate was long overdue but for the characters who led the nation into its current state of 'anomie' ‎such person who possessed weird expertise were recognised.

According to him, the "failed PDP government" appointed former National Security Adviser, NSA, Muhammadu Gusau, as a card carrying member of the umbrella party wondering that the APC didn't raise any objection over his appointment owing to the fact that Gusau is a Nigerian and a reputable security 'wizard.'

The ex-agitators stated further that the recently retired service chiefs were all card carrying members of the then ruling party but that Nigerians didn't see them as undeserving of their appointment challenging the umbrella to tell Nigerians if it was wrong for a senior civil servant to belong to a political party stressing that a Permanent Secretary, Mr Anthony Obuh, con‎tested the PDP primaries election in Delta state few days after he retired from office.

However, the group stated that Daura has being a career security expert who diligently pursue his job with all the zeal required without belonging in any political organisation adding that Metuh and his PDP co-travellers should bother their minds more on the rescue mission of President Buhari under the change mantra of the APC by supporting him in his war against the looters and plunderers of the Nigerian state.

More emphasy should placed on the mess Nigerians were subjected to under the PDP according to the Akpodoro-led Coalition adding that the party had breached all known rules and it lacks the moral rectitude to challenge the appointment of Daura as the DG who is rebuilding an establishment hitherto turned to attack dog against the oppositi‎on during "ill fated regime of sleaze, deceit, corruption, impunity...under Jonathan."

Seemingly gloating over the fate befalling the PDP and its suspended Spokesperson, Mr Olisah Metuh, the group said the umbrella party should consult reputable men of God to deliver ‎it from the spirit of stealing and mental laziness rather than finding fault in every move the 'President of Change' makes adding that Nigerians were satisfied with the achievements of President within few months of his ascension to the throne.

Daura, according to the Coalition was working relentlessly to cleanse the SSS of corrupt tendencies, righting the wrongs where and when necessary adding in a few months time, the SSS would become a darling of all Nigerians irrespective of background, affiliation, religion...stating that Mr Jonathan left an ethno-religious establishment behind which ultimately impinged on the integrity of the directorate.

"Daura is a wizard in security matters with the finesse of security expertise in his chosen career which can't be compared with the hordes of fortune seekers undeservedly appointed by past administrations. The DSS under him will grow better, be more productive, more friendly with the Nigerian people, more diligent and goal getting.

"As a people, we have in Daura that man who will make the personnel of SSS proud once again taking their place in the history of new Nigeria where corruption will be forbidden. ‎The security of the president and the entire nation rests upon the security apparatus the directorate inclusive and that what the Katsina-born expert has come to give." The Coalition stated.

Ex-militants of the Phase 2, Amnesty Program of the Federal Government have adopted the National President of the National Coalition of the Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, NCNDE-A, Mr Israel Akpodoro, a.ka. Agimor as it's national patron.

This was made known by the Sodoma Alegbe-led Phase 2, ex-militants at a well attended media chat held in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital over the weekend at the heel of the All Progressives Congress, APC rally wherein notable political leaders in state decamped to the opposition APC.

The group noted that Akpodoro has shown enough proof of his leadership prowess saying, it was imperative for the group to show solidarity to him as result of his enormous contributions to the group in its time of need particularly before and during the presidential campaign as subsequent election.

According to Alegbe, Akpodoro was he who funded the activities of the group in support of the then APC presidential campaigns of General Muhammadu Buhari, in the Niger Delta region adding that it behoves on the group to adopt as it's "one and only national leader and patron."

The group leader in a passionate appeal to President Buhari stated that the APC administration should accord Akpodoro the dues befitting of prominent son of the Niger Delta adding that as a trust worthy fellow the group was sure that whatever comes out of the FG to ex-militants through Agimor would reach them without any misplacement.

To the group, Agimor has no rival in terms of loyalty and solidarity to the current administration of President Buhari as a result of his roles during the "war" for 'change' in the Niger Delta region noting that while other geopolitical zones in the country struggled for change at the polls, it was a warfare in the region saying; the enemies of change and accelerated development delusionally saw the region as their stranglehold with few progressives amongst the ex-militants sticking out their necks in a seeming suicide mission and foolhardy because Akpodoro asked us to do so.

"It then follows that we all queue behind Akpodoro in our quest for a better and stronger Niger Delta region."

The Federal Government through the office of the Coordinator is set to pay the beneficiaries of the amnesty program soon. This is coming at the heels of the appointment of the Coordinator, General Paul Boroh, Rtd.last week by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress, APC ‎administration.

This was revealed in a statement Thursday in Abuja, a copy of which was made available to our correspondent by the President, National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, NCNDE-A, Mr Israel Akpodoro.

Calling on all ex-militants in the Niger Delta region to calm down for a new dawn in the administration of the amnesty program Akpodoro stated that the group was privy to painstaking efforts being made by Mr Boroh "to set the ball rolling" as he has been doing everything possible for early payment of stipends to genuine benefiaries of the program.

According to the Urhobo-born ex-agitator, the group has implicit confidence in Boroh for adequate response to the plight of ex-militants but was quick to add that the FG needs a peaceful environment to fulfil it's promises to the people of the region adding that ‎the amnesty office needs the support of all and sundry to succeed in its onerous task.of developing the region.

Akpodoro said the Coordinator who was deservedly ‎assigned to manage the destiny of the region should be allowed to succeed while he brings his wealth of experience to bear in the task of assuring the pains of the people.

The coalition further stated that it was privy to the prevailing impediments to the payment of stipends to ex-agitators but expressed satisfaction in the desire of the FG to put a smile on the faces of the beneficiaries noting that gone were the days of profiteering and racketeering in the management of that office stressing that more time was needed for the Boroh-led office to perfect ‎it's works.

Most important in this regard according to Akpodoro was the cooperation and understanding of the people noting that the Buhari presidency was ready to bring change to bear in the region as he urge the youth population to eschew damaging rumours capable of causing unsavoury situation.

The 'General Officer Commanding' Egbema Zone of the ‎defunct Niger Delta Liberation Force, NDLF, 'General' Alaowei Promise Lawuru, a.k.a 'General Black' has cleared the air on who is the genuine 'agent of change' amongst ex-militant leaders in the Delta region saying 'General Israel Akpodoro, was the first and only ex-agitator who persuaded ex-militant leaders in the region to work for and support the then presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, President Muhammadu Buhari, prior to the general elections.

The ex-agitator who became the 'GOC' of the NDLF after the demise of its former leader, late 'General' John Togo, bemoaned what he described as the latter days of APC's crusaders in the region stated that Akpodoro was he who canversed militant leaders in the region into accepting the APC as a party and General Buhari as it's candidate noting that were it not for Akpodoro's stance on the retired General, he wouldn't have been able to campaign in the region let alone poll a single vote in.

According to him, "when Akpodoro approached all the groups in the region to drop the then reigning myopic, ethnic, chauvinistic... views in the regional politics being preached by the loyalists of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on the then coming general elections and support the APC, those of us who agreed with his position supported ‎the broom party irrespective of the suicidal nature of such stance in that era of lawlessness and impunity."

Akpodoro, according to 'General Black' led all the ex-militants into the political family of the APC. He added that the ex-general launched a vigorous campaign for the party's candidate which culminated into the general acceptance of President Buhari in the Delta, saying, as the arrowhead of Buhari's campaign the entire ex-militants are behind Akpodoro and will support him at all times.

"His interests are our interests and we call on the president to accord Akpodoro the necessary rec‎ognition and patronage as a true leader of the youth population in the Niger Delta region. We admire his courage, zeal and patriotism and we all are pleased with him.

"Akpodoro is our leader and we shall follow him every measure of the way to the greatness of the people and the region of the Niger Delta. His endorsement of Buhari and leading role he played by carrying all of us along is a proof of weird patriotism displayed by a man who doesn't share in the sentiments of ethnic politics but rather live in a manner that promotes peace and tranquility in the region in the most democratic norms and values." The defunct NDLF leader stated adding that the president has a trusted agent of change in Akpodoro.

The appointment recently by President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress, APC, Federal Government of Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh, Rtd, as the Coordinator of the Amnesty Program has been adjudged to be appropriate by the National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, NCNDE-A.

The Coalition in a statement written and signed by its National President, 'Israel Akpodoro'.... issued in Asaba, the Delta State capital Thursday, said the FG through president has made his choice and that the coalition the entire ex-militants in the Niger Delta region have no choice than supporting General Boroh to achieve the desired aims of the FG adding that the retired army chief was a man of impeccable character capable of uniting the region better than the past administration.

According to the group leader, the manager of the Amnesty Program
‎Should be a detribalised person whose major priority must be how to stabilise the prevailing peace and stability in the region stressing that General Boroh was such a person because his records in the army showed a man who served his nation meritoriously without blemish.

Calling on all ex-agitators across divides to rally round ‎the newly appointed Coordinator the group said the factors that necessitated the agitation by the ethnic nationalities in the region were still prevalence due to the mismanagement witnessed in the amnesty office urging Boroh to stand firm and ensure he delivers selfless service to the people of the Delta.

Although the group had requested that an Urhobo m‎an be appointed the group said, but for the appointment of the person of General Boroh, it has no objection while expressing satisfaction over the General's appointment.

"His appointment was handy and in a show of support and solidarity with FG, all ethnic agitations are now surrendered to this great son of the region irrespective of creed, colour, ethnic... we owe him.our support to stabilise the region for us." The group stated.

Ex-Militants Hailed Paul Boroh Appointment
The Delta State Chairman Phase II Niger Delta Amnesty General Sodoma Alegbe congratulates newly appointed coordinator of Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh, and also commended President Muhammadu Buhari over his decision.
He said that the action of the President only portrayed him as a listening leader with a desire to contribute to the development of the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large. According to him the choice of a retired military officer is good, rather than the politicians who had been scheming to get the job.
According to the ex-militant leaders, the appointment will undoubtedly resolve the concerns raised by the people of the region over the hitches in the Amnesty programme and payment of outstanding allowances and scholarship fees. They said the choice was apt.
He also hailed The President of the National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Agitators (NCNDE-A), 'General' Israel Akpodoro over role he played before and after the elections, to ensuring that Muhammad Buhari achieve his commitment in restoring Nigeria.
He further urged the new Amnesty coordinator to ensure that critical stakeholders were consulted in the running of the programme and to avoid political jobbers who only have their personal intrest to that of nations’.
“I commend Mr. President for appointing a high-ranking retired military gentleman to coordinate the programme, rather than have any of the political jobbers, who had advertised themselves in very negative forms in order to be appointed.”
The ex-agitators, under the aegis of the Leadership, (NCNDE-A) led by Israel Akpodoro said on Thursday that the choice of Boroh was commendable

Ex-militants from the South-South geo-political zone, under the aegis of National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, have commended President Muhammadu Buhari for Brigadier-GeneralP.T. Boroh (rtd.) On his appointment as the new coordinator of the Niger Delta amnesty programme ,
In a statement in Abuja on Tuesday by the President of NCNDE, ‘General’ Israel Akpodoro, described the choice as a sign of change the Leader who charged Brigadier-GeneralP.T. Boroh (rtd.) to be diligent and steadfast implored him to bring his wealth of experience both as a retired military officer to bear on his new assignment.
Israel Akpodoro who described Brigadier-GeneralP.T. Boroh (rtd.) appointment as well deserved, thanked the President for the confidence he reposed in Brigadier-GeneralP.T. Boroh (rtd.) who according to him acquitted himself credible for the assignments given to him
Israel akpodoro also thanked the President on the tactics implored on fighting the insurgency in the north.
The leader wished Brigadier-GeneralP.T. Boroh (rtd.) well in his new job as the coordinator of the program and urged him to approach it with the same zeal and commitment he is noted for.

The joint tax force caught them.....one was a bakassi chaurman

Aftermath of President Muhammadu Buhari'‎s United States of America trip, the National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Militants, NCNDE-A, has applauded the visit of the president to Barrack Obama of America.
The Coalition's applaud came on the backdrop of what is described as both economic and political gains of the president's trip to the US noting that Buhari went on an"integrity buy back" for the nation hitherto bedevilled by wanton corruption by the political elites.

The national President of the group, Ex-militant leader, Israel Akpodoro made this known in an interview with our correspondent in Abuja saying no president in the history of Nigeria has brought such glory to
the nation adding that ‎the president has shown that he is the Messiah that the Nigerian people have craved.

For the first time Akpodoro stated that Nigerians saw a President with quality and scanty entourage to the US as against the multitudes of ‎ questionable businessmen and women paraded in such a trip by the Goodluck Jonathan-led Peoples Democratic Party, PDP federal government on regular jamboree compromising the integrity of the
Nigerian people and the nation.

According to the group, Buhari has show enough proof to Nigerians that he was prepared to change the face of governance in the world's most populous black nation. The PDP 'goons' Akpodoro said should learn the art of governance from the All Progressives Congress, APC-led government of positive change.

The Coalition however warn the PDP to desist from its politics of blackmail and propaganda noting that the Nigerian people would resist any attempt by then PDP to smear the good image of President Buhari and the APC noting that the umbrella party brought all evils to bear on the citizenry for its eight years misrule.

Urging the president to pursue those who plundered the wealth of the nation, the coalition said Buhari should unleash the anti corruption on the amnesty office as a result of the massive corruption perpetrated by the former aide to President Jonathan, ‎Mr Kingsley Kuku.

Akpodoro holds that, Kuku looted the amnesty office blindly amassed wealth in material property compromised the good inherent that federal government agency adding that the ownership of Air Peace should be investigated and if found wanting brought to justice.

Apart from coveting the benefits of the amnesty program to the ijaw nation alone, the coalition added that Kuku bought choice property in Abuja, Lagos and overseas with proceeds of fraud perpetrated in the amnesty office.

Additionally, the coalition called on the President to consider appointing an upright Urhobo son or daughter as minister in his cabinet noting that the Urhobo speaking people of Delta state are the fifth largest ethnic nationality in Nigeria and the most backward in terms of empowerment by successive governments ernments both at the state and federal levels stressing that Jonathan-led PDP government dealt the hardest blow on the people of Urhobo land in his marginalisation and outright hate for the people but expressed optimism that Buhari has all it takes to right the wrongs of the past.

He is one of the few radical journalists in the Nigerian media industry with bias for investigative journalism cutting across media divides. Sunday Onyewonsa, is the Director-General, of the Delta Democratic Alliance, DDA, an advocacy group for good governance with its hallmark in grassroot mobilisation, citizens enlightenment, education and sensitisation. Domicile in the Niger Delta region, with its base in Delta State. DDA worked to ensure victory for Dr Ifeayin Arthur Okowa, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at the gubernatorial election. In this interview, Onyewonsa says; Governor Okowa has started well in his drive to achieving his dream of prosperity for all Deltans and sure the governor would end well and sundry issues. Excerpts...

How did the Delta Democratic Alliance, DDA settled for Senator Ifeayin Okowa, amongst the hordes of aspirants then in Delta State?

The Delta Democratic Alliance, DDA, is a group with membership drawn across professional divides spread all over the state. At the risk of immodesty, ours is a group of brilliant, intelligent men and women who can hold their own anywhere in the world.
We identified Dr Okowa as a man with passion for the people of Delta State, detribalized, intelligent, honest and above all, Godly. Of all the contestants then, Okowa was the best and remains the best. He's a brand very easy to market and not a hard sell. In all of these, his antecedents gave him a strong power of bargaining and on the vehicle of logic and common sense, DDA unanimously adopted him as it's candidate with whom it will work from start to finish. ‎Here we are, DDA is proud to associate with a team that is fast tracking prosperity for the good people of Delta State.

What are those things that make you think the governor has started well and also sure that he would end well; could that be a prophesy?

The position of DDA is no prophesy but an obvious fact. It's a fact that governor Okowa is building like a football coach, a formidable team; fotifying ‎his political environment for the tasks ahead. A look at the first batch of appointments made by this rare gem speaks volume of a political colossus poised to lead his people out of abject poverty into a world of prosperity in both human and material developments.
Starting from the appointment of the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Hon. Festus Ovie Agas, through ‎Festus Ochonogor to the likes of Chief Fidelis Okenmor Tilije, Vincent Uduaghan, Monday Emu et al, you won't agree less that Okowa is ready to re-write the history of Delta State in the positives. As a group, we see in our governor a man who abhors stealing and looting. He's very serious. At a glanc‎e, we saw and identified those who plundered our commonwealth in the time past and today they have replaced with visionary leadership ready to transform a people whose psyche had been battered by plunderes who we owe our stones another day.

Your ston‎es?
Deltans owe the looters and plunderers of their ‎economy stones. We shall pelt them with our stones another day.

With the huge indebtedness of N636bn according to the governor, how do you think he would achieve his desired objectives for the state?

The major element here is his zeal, the will, the passion, love...to end decades of poverty and underdevelopment in the oil-rich Delta State. He has a team capable of breathing life into a dead economy any day. Okowa parades economic wizards who are respected in their various fields of endeavour, given free hands to operate, these world renowned professionals would join their expertise with the governor to catapult the state above its peers in a short time. The Internally Generated Revenue, IGR of the state is another area the governor would deploy his wisdom. The IGR base of the state has the propensity to grow if well managed and I suggest the governor appoints an insider who knows the rudiment of the agency to manage it to a greater height instead of politicians whose major object is to plunder that agency of government. The leakages should also be blocked. It's only an insider that can put all these in place.

Ofcourse, you know as well as I do, that th‎e governor has began the process of removing idle youths from the streets of Delta State. He has come up with the Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurship Programme, YAGEP and Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme, STEP. These are two life changing innovations capable of making the state of Delta a model in West Africa. The initial target of the administration is 6000. Just imagine removing 6000 idle young men and women from the streets of the state in favourable engagements and possibly another six thousand in quick succession, who say the this governor won't end well?
The governor would end well because he has started well and that's the trait of successful men all over the world. In a departure from the past, Deltans are in love with Okowa as his popularity sours by the moment.

As a group, what are your expectations from Okowa's government‎?

At the fullness of time, Deltans want to see and live in a prosperous state where the youths are meaningfully engaged rather than building more liabilities who run after self acclaimed political leaders who turn them to mere thugs and miscreants while their children live in affluence in secured environments all over the world.
‎In Okowa we have found that man whom Deltans had craved for over the years. Deltans hailed him when he told his newly appointed commissioners not to place any paid advert for him on.his birthday. He is seriously yearning for greater state and people.

Don't you see his opponents at the polls spill surprises at the tribunals and what would be the position of the DDA then?

What surprise? For us in‎ DDA we do not envisage any surprise at the tribunal because there's nothing surprising about the frivolities of the so called opponents of the good people of Delta State. To fight Okowa is to fight the people and destiny of Deltans. The people shall resist any attempt at impeding the fortunes nocking at the doors of Deltans as Okowa leads us into prosperity. Cannan land is the destination of our people f‎rom Egypt where we had suffered over the years.
However, DDA shall float with the Okowa led-administration and God forbid it sinks, we shall remain unwavering in the philosophy of Okowability and will always stand tall to be counted among the agents of change and accelerated development.

If those you described as Okowa's opponents have the good of Deltans at heart, we call on them to join th‎e moving train of prosperity for all Deltans for the betterment of our dear state. Their contributions are needed for a stronger and better state. Engaging in unending litigation is a huge frivolity which does no one any good. We hope to see them in brotherly embrace with our amiable governor soon.

Who are the people behind the DDA?

Stronger than the structure of any political party, DDA has men and women of impeccable character behind it which is why like the tree planted on the river side, flourishly blossom without season. They are big names I won't want to mention here but we have a tested and trusted Grand Patron in Governor Ifeayin Okowa‎ while others are musketeers whose strength and support for DDA can't be measured

Nigeria's major opposition political party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has come under severe attack from the National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, NCNDE-A over what the group described as the frivolities of a party at the verge of extinction adding that the party was celebrating frivolities.
The group made this known through its National President, Mr Israel Akpodoro, after a well attended meeting of the Niger Delta ex-militant in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital ‎over the weekend.

According to the group, the PDP through its Spokesperson, Mr Olisa Metuh, has been engaging in "imaginary war" with the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC-led central government without cause.

The Coalition noted that the umbrella party ought to bury it's head in shame rather than insulting the sensibilities of Nigerians further in its baseless critics of the ruling APC administration.

To the group, the "Olisa Metuh-led propaganda machinery" should rather tell Nigerians the truth about the misfortunes brought upon the citizenry in the PDP's sixteen years of maladministration occasioned by wanton corruption, nepotism, gangsterism, tribalism, impunity and outright looting of the peoples' commonwealth of the people.

Akpodoro noted with regret that the people of Niger Delta wasted their "God given opportunity to rule Nigeria" in the poor leadership ‎provided by the Goodluck Jonathan's administration lamenting the effrontery of what he described as the remains of the PDP through Metuh at "harrasing the psyche of the Nigerian people in his vitriolic against the service oriented APC administration.

In less than two months, the group stated that the Buhari administration has added over $2bn to the foreign reserve as against the daily depletion of same under the 'kleptomaniac' rule of Jonathan.

According to the group, the PDP left the Nigerian people in despair, in total darkness, human distress, economic distress, security distress, and intellectual distress, yet, the umbrella party shamelessly complains daily.

Mr Metuh and his co-travellers the Coalition stated should tell Nigerians what happened to the missing billions from the vault of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, what happened in the power sector, the East-West Road, ‎the Amnesty Program amongst many others.

Under the PDP, the group further stated that Nigerians knew all forms of reckless corruption, impunity, maladministration ‎saying, even those without shoes in their school days left Aso Rock as private jet owners wondering; "how would the PDP explain to Nigerians that a man saddled with the responsibility to manage the amnesty program under Jonathan's misrule own an airline today? Metuh and his torn umbrella party should not provoke Nigerians further." Akpodoro stated adding that the people of Nigeria were pleased with Buhari's pace of governance

Ex-Militants hail appointment of service chiefs

July 14, 2015

Written by Sunday Onyewonsa,
Media Consultant for the Coalition
writes from Lagos

The' Israel Akpodoro-led National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, NCNDE-A hails President Muhammadu Buhari of the sack of the service chiefs and subsequent appointment of new ones.
The group specifically hail the president on his choice of the new service chiefs noting that they were square pegs in square hole.
The coalition stated through its National President,Akpodoro that the latest appointment by the president goes to show that he remains a pan-Nigeria nationalist with the accurate sense of judgement. The group urge the president to keep up the job and further appoint credible Nigerians into positions of service adding of urgent importance is the appointment of a Special Assistant to the President and Chairman,Amnesty Program.
The further stated it's resolve to support the president every inch of the way.

On the filip of painstaking efforts by those ex-agitators in the Niger Delta region who stood their grounds to ensure victory for the then candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC yielded the desired victory, the main actors are yet to be accorded their dues in the scheme of things.

It was jubilation that ushered in President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory at the heels of 28th march, 2015, election across all ethnic divides in the country including the people of the Delta region.

The mantra, Change like wild fire burnt across the Delta area of Nigeria irrespective of the fact that the actors of the then drowning Peoples Democratic Party, PDP-led administration had majority of its sons and daughter albeit lopsidedly from one tribe in the region.

It was a morbid risk taken by few of the ex-niger Delta militants that coasted victory home for the APC and it's presidential candidate at the polls defiling efforts by the PDP brigands to undermine the support for President Buhari struggle.

The south-south zone was targeted by the PDP as it's stranglehold where all shades of electoral crimes were perpetrated brooding no opposition but like the Rock of Gibraltar, the National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Militants, NCNDE-A with Generals Israel Akpodoro ably supported by
Africa Akpariasa, resisted all efforts to undermine the genuine interest and desired change of the people by the marauding PDP hooligans.

On so many occasions, in a Commando fashion, the leadership of NCNDE-A were hounded into security facilities incommunicado after they escaped several armed attacks in the hands of the PDP thugs who were bent on extinguishing the oxygen of their lives.

Notable among the personalities were Akpodoro and Africa who were whisked away from the comfort of their homes at wee hours severally by agents of the past administration in the manner reminiscence of the dark days of the dark goggled General Sani Abacha.

These were few actions amongst others targeted at the group, of course, they took morbid risk and now they must be rewarded in a manner capable of not only to instill confidence in them another day but as a reward for being patriotic to the Nigerian state in the spirit of solidarity to the Nigerian people.

Founded for the purpose of anchoring a peaceful, non violent campaign for peace, cooperation, enlightenment, sensitisation, of the people of the Delta region, NCNDE-A, draws it's membership from across all ethnic nationalities, clans, villages, kingdoms across the region. They individually are men and women of high moral standards who relish integrity on the vehicle of spartern self discipline with virulent hate for violent approach to issues.

The Coalition shares it's values in its determination for a better, stronger, more developed...region within the shortest possible time frame by the Nigerian state riding on vehicle of equity, honesty and fairplay to nations in the region in the most peaceful manner.

For that reason,the Coalition adopted Buhari because of the zeal, passion, commitment and competence he-Buhari exuded as a military head of state.

In view of the foregoing, it becomes imperative for the Buhari-led APC federal government to identify and patronise members of the Coalition who refused to be bullied into abandoning their faith in the party and it's candidate bearing in mind that only failure is an orphan while success has many children.

Akpodoro and Akpariasa represent the true face of ex-agitators through whom the current administration should effectively manage the affairs of ex-militants in the region.

The duo are selfless individuals who are noted for their genuine struggle to enthrone purposeful leadership in the country‎ without let or hindrance.

The brainchild of the late President Umaru Yar'Adua-amnesty program shouldn't be left in the hands of those never-do-wells to manage but men of impeccable character whose hallmark is integrity.

NCNDE-A led by the duo of Akpariasa and Akpodoro have on several occasions assured Nigerians of goodwill that on no account would ex-militants return to the creeks and that the Coalition prides itself above confrontation of any type with the federal government of Nigeria which also underscores the imperatives of anchoring the process of furthering the amnesty program on the coalition for a more meaningful and result oriented program.

A group, the National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, NCNDE-A, has called on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress, APC to as a matter of urgency pay the ex-militant of the Niger Delta region their stipends to forestall breakdown of law and order in the area.
This was made known by the national President of the group, 'General' Israel Akpodoro, in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, Wednesday noting that if the stipends are delayed further, the "enemies of the nation" could instigate the idle youths into trouble making a development he says may not augur well with the new government.

According to the coalition, the president has the authority to order the payment of all ex-militants even though he was yet to fill the vacancy left by the former Special Assistant to the President and Chairman of the Amnesty Program.

Akpodoro stated further that the call became imperative following the rumour that some persons were inciting the ex-militants into vandalism and unnecessary protests aimed at embarrassing the government and the good people Nigeria.

Of importance he said were the ex-agitators who were receiving training under the amnesty program overseas and are reportedly roaming the streets of their host countries. He urged the FG to expedite action on the settling all its indebtedness under the program timeously adding the President should consider the plight of those who suffered neglect under the previous administration and pay up.

The Coalition hails the president on his style of governance noting that the APC led-FG shouldn't allow itself stampeded by those he described as elements withing the drowning Peoples Democratic Party, PDP who don't wish the government well.

The group reiterated it's commitment to support the present administration in ensuring that peace reigns in the Niger Delta region adprotection of oil and gas facilities within its strength.

Selfie of A.P.C Gen ISRAEL AKPODORO