Okowa pledges continuous support as College of Commerce wins school sports festival

By Matthew Ogune, Abuja | 16 March 2020 | 3:37 pm

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has said his administration would continue to develop school sports to encourage the development of raw talents.

The governor gave the assurance during the grand finale of Greater Delta Games 2020 School Sports festival, where College of Commerce, Warri, clinched the first position. It was followed by Asagba Mixed Secondary School, Asaba and West-End Secondary Schools, also in Asaba.

According to the governor, school sports remained the foundation of grassroots sports in any society and the individual schools are the driving force.

“From inception, this administration became committed to the development of grassroots sports; as there are countless raw and budding talents that abound in our schools across the nooks and crannies of the state, which are wasting but waiting and begging to be tapped.

“That is why my administration is unequivocally committed to the provision of sports equipment and facilities in all schools across the State.

“We will continue to do this until every school, even in the remotest community in the state, is provided with standard sporting equipment and facilities; this is part of our Stronger Delta vision and agenda of this administration.

“This sports festival is designed as one of the numerous sporting events to provide another opportunity to shape the future of our youths; participation in sports, especially athletics, is one sure way our youths can learn various significant life skills like teamwork, leadership, responsibilities and discipline.

“Here in Delta State, our people are very passionate about sports, which is an impetus for our ceaseless efforts to maintain the State’s dominant position in all sports.

“Our world today shows that school sports can become a foundation on which our future in sports is built and my administration is steadfast on youth empowerment hence its commitment to also improve on sports and the facilities at all levels.”

Okowa Urges Helping Hands For The Needy In Society

Delta Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has stressed the need for the privileged to always extend helping hands to others in need so as to make the society a better place.

The Governor who was speaking during the funeral service for late Mrs Idowu Timi, mother of Hon. Tonye Timi in Afinaware Quarters of Patani town, urged the children of the deceased to take solace in the fact that their mother lived a memorable life worthy of emulation.

According to the governor, "a lot of good things have been said about Late Mrs. Idowu Timi, adding that from what has been said about her, it is clear that she was a peaceful, gentle and friendly woman as well as a devout Christian."

"That she lived a life of generosity means that she must have inculcated that virtue of generosity in her children and I thank God for her life," he added.

The Governor, urged the children of the deceased to live peaceful and generous life that their mother was known for by being kind and generous to people around them.

While saying that life should not be about self and family members alone, Okowa harped on the need to extend helping hands to others in need, even as he prayed that people would remember the late Mrs. Idowu Timi through her children.

Earlier in his sermon during the open air funeral service, the Bishop of Southern Izon Diocese of Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Rt. Revd. Edafe Emamezi said life was not about earthly achievements alone, but the relationship established with God because of the reality of heaven and hell in death.

Bishop Emamezi who said that the Late Timi lived her life for God and humanity, reminded the congregation of the need to draw near to God for them to have a permanent place in heaven at death.

To those in position of trust including politicians and traditional rulers, the cleric said that they should lead with the fear of God.

One of the children of the deceased, Hon Timi Tonye who is an Education Consultant to the state government, described his late mother as a disciplinarian, pointing out that she moulded them to become responsible citizens.

He promised that they (Mrs. Idowu children) would uphold the good virtues she impacted on them, just as he expressed appreciation to the governor, his deputy and other dignitaries that attended the burial ceremony of his late mother.

The open air funeral service was attended by the state deputy governor, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro, Senator James Manager, Hon Julius Pondi of the House of Representatives, some members of the National and State Assembly, Commissioners, Political Advisers and other top government officials.

Late Idowu Timi who died at the age of 88 was interred at her son's premises in Patani.

Good morning

Just A Reminder

Please Watch The Giant Strides Of Governor Okowa And The Total Turnaround Of Technical And Vocational Education In Delta State.

Today on Channels TV at 8.30am,
AIT at 10.00am.
DRTV Warri at 7:30pm.
Also keep a date with us on
Silverbird Tv at 7:30 pm Every Monday, DBS Asaba at 7:30pm every Friday And Nta Asaba at 7:30pm every Tuesday.

Pls don’t miss it!

God bless u as u identify with the modest contributions of Gov Okowa to the building of a Stronger Delta.

Happy viewing!

Pls share.

Aniagwu Charles
Hon. Commissioner For
Information

Criticisms won’t stop S’South security initiative – Okowa

March 12, 2020 Correspondents

Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa is the governor of Delta State and Chairman of South-South Governors Forum. He speaks in this interview with Politics Today on Channels Television on the outcome of the recent meeting of the South-South governors in Asaba, the BRACED Commission, insecurity and economy, among other issues. Excerpts:




What is the necessity for the South-South security initiative and what name are you giving to it?

We have not actually come out with a name, but we took a long discussion on the issue of having a regional security and we have asked the BRACED Commission, which has been put to a restart, to work out the details and to brief us as quickly as possible.

What necessitated the move?

Actually, most of the governors in the South-South region have been working individually as states to curb the various security challenges that we have. But we thought that it would be best as a region if we came together to collaborate with ourselves, realising that we share boundaries. And in a situation where we are talking about the issue of herdsmen/farmers clashes, they come through similar routes; from one state they can progress to another.
Even when you come to the issue of kidnapping, which has been a very troubling challenge at the moment, you find people operate probably in Edo State and before you know it, they are in Delta State and in the next couple of days, they are operating in Rivers State and it goes that way. So, we thought that if we are able to start a regional security outfit, we will be able to co-monitor and co-share information, working along with the security agencies and put the initial processes that we have as individual states, to be managed as a regional outfit in such a manner that it will become more productive.

Considering the nature of the region, the terrain is quite different from what we have in other zones. For example, we have the water areas and those with land. Are you considering different templates for managing the situation?

Obviously, we are going to have different templates for managing it. It is a holistic management. When you come into the waterways, the things that tend to confront you more is sea piracy and illegal bunkering and of course, it is a different approach in such cases. But the issue is that when we have shared information and security communication between our various security agencies, communications among our youths, who also help to give us a lot of intelligence information, it will foster coordination of security in the region.

The Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators (CNDA) has criticised the move by the governors of the South-South to create this security outfit. In fact, they are accusing some of the governors of corruption, saying the motive behind creating this security outfit is to strike perceived enemies or opposition. How will you react to that?

The fact is that whatever you do, even when you mean the best for our states and the best for this nation, you will always have a segment of people that will turn it into politics and something they will want to criticise you about. But as governors, ours is to do things in the best interest of the states and in the best interest of the larger majority of the people. We cannot stop people from playing politics out of whatever we do. No matter how right you have it, even if you construct a good road to somebody’s home, because he wants to play politics, he will criticise you.

So, we are not going to be deterred by the criticisms of some group of people because we were elected as governors to do the best we can to secure our people and to bring development to our people and that is exactly what we are doing and we do not have to take permission from anybody to be able to do what we want to do. As long as we are convinced that having sat in a meeting, we are fully convinced that there is a need to share security approach and the need to support the police and the military, to support them with the civilian outfit that we have in whatever name that you call it, so that collaboratively, we can truly become more efficient.

The police and the military have already agreed that there is a lot the states are doing individually and that we have been able to bring out youths within our communities, who are able to help our system at the moment with information, gather intelligence and also link them up with where they have to go to, especially in the riverside areas. So, they are quite happy with what we are doing.

When we collaboratively work as six states within the South-South region, I believe that we will definitely achieve better results than what we are achieving as individual states. So, we are convinced and we are going ahead to do what we think is right for our people.

Some experts have criticised the approach by governors in tackling security challenges. They are of the opinion that first and foremost, there is the need to tackle the issue of poverty. How are the governors of South-South region thinking about combating and eradicating poverty because a lot of people in the riverside areas are in abject poverty?

Definitely, yes! I believe that in the last four years, I can speak for most of my colleagues and also speak for my state; we do know that poverty has continued to create a situation in which people don’t find food on their table and a lot of people are beginning to take to criminality. We are doing all kinds of things as governors to try to engage our youths; it is not easy because the finances of the nation are still down and the finances of the states have also been equally so badly affected. But, a lot is being done just as we have various empowerment programmes to engage our youths.
I am aware that in all the states, youths are being engaged in agriculture. Entrepreneurial programmes are also running in all the states, my state particularly. I am very much aware of that. Beyond that, we are beginning to look more into technical education. We are going to continually ensure that our children acquire some skills and not just the paper work in terms of education. We are looking into several means of empowering not just the young boys out of school, we are also empowering the girl-child and our women and these programmes are designed to begin to take people out of poverty.

We definitely need a lot more years to begin to take people out of poverty because we came at a time in 2015, when as you are very much aware that in the first two years, it was very difficult because of the recession we went into. If people believe that we can just re-work the economy within just two years out of recession, then we may not be telling ourselves the truth. So, we are mindful of this and as we continue with the programmes that we are doing to be able to engage many more youths, we must continue also to tackle the level of insecurity that we have.

Unfortunately, the issue of the farmers/herders clash that is coming now is actually something very different from the poverty that we find within our people. You find that most of the people that rear cattle are not from the South-South region of the country. That also is creating a lot of problems for us; we are dealing with it in many ways and that is why we also believe that in working together, we can handle this issue a lot better than we are doing at the moment.

When you talk about the issue of piracy, yes, some of our boys are hungry out there, but we are doing everything to engage them and we do not believe that criminality is the way out in trying to solve the problem of poverty. It ought not to be.

The issue of the BRACED Commission seems to have died at some point, now that you are bringing it back, what is going to be the agenda?

Talking about the BRACED Commission, it is a functional secretariat or what you call the working secretariat for the Governors’ Forum of the region, because the governors constitute the BRACED Governing Council. We are re-starting it really; it was created in 2010 and it worked up to 2014, but was slowed down. Unfortunately, I don’t want to look at the issues, but we have realised the importance of the commission to be able to deal with the issues of insecurity, economy, agricultural development and other sectors of the economy.

The secretariat is supposed to re-work the programmes of the various states and find out how we are going to collaborate with ourselves to be able to bring out the best of the states and the best of the region. So, we are definitely going to support the Director-General and his team to be able to function better. Luckily for us, a lot of work had been done in the past and it is for us to be able to put those works into action and that is exactly what we are doing.

Concerning security in our various states, we work very well with the various security agencies in our states; everybody knows this and somebody like the Inspector-General of Police has been talking about community policing, because the security agencies have realised that they can’t work effectively without the civil society or the civilians themselves.

So, they have realised that this collaboration is in the best interest of our various states and in the best interest of our nation, and when we have worked out the details, we will approach Mr. President and let him know what we are going to do. It is not going to be a question of hyping what is going to be done; it is going to be done in the best interest of the nation and in the best interest of the states of the South-South region and best for us, particularly as most of us also produce oil. It will also help us to secure our oil facilities the more.

So, it is a holistic arrangement and that is why we have asked the BRACED Commission to put this together very quickly and then we propose another meeting in which we are going to take the details of it and move on to see that what is right is done.

Programme Promo!

Okowa speaks on AIT Democracy Today

Pls watch AIT on DSTV Channel 253 at 7pm today as Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa speaks on the new resolve by the South-South Governors on the security and economic development of the region.

He will be speaking on the renewed unity, security and economic development of the South-South people as well as President Buhari's inauguration of the Advisory Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

God bless you as you tune in.

Signed:
Olisa Ifeajika
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

Okowa extols Obi of Owa at 82

Delta Governor, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has congratulated the Chairman of Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers and Obi of Owa Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Obi (Dr) Emmanuel Efeizomor, as he clocks 82 on March 10.

Felicitating with the foremost traditional ruler, he described him as “a symbol of peace, stability, unity and development" of his people of Owa Kingdom and Deltans in general.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, the governor eulogised the renowned traditional ruler, saying he was an exemplary man of peace and extreme humility.

According to him, Obi Efeizomor remains not only a shining light and custodian of the culture of the Owa people, but also a revered monarch whose wise counsel to governments at the state and federal levels over the decades, remain invaluable and enduring.

Okowa urged the monarch not to waver in his belief in the peace and unity of his fatherland, but to do all within his power to ensure that his domain continued to be a model of peace to other kingdoms.

"Your majesty, you have remained a symbol of humility and contributing immensely toward the attainment of Stronger Delta by our administration.

"Under your reign, the Owa kingdom has produced a Senator, Deputy Governor and a Governor and all of these has brought incredible infrastructural transformation and continuous peace to the kingdom.

"I urge you to remain committed to the unity of our fatherland, and continue to do all within your power to ensure that your domain continues to enjoy limitless peace.

“As Chairman of Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers, you have continued to play active roles in our Stronger Delta vision and we are grateful for your kind support always.

“As a peace builder, you have done your best to positively impact on the development of your kingdom and the state; your humility and friendliness have made you a beacon of everything Godly, cherished by all who meet you," he said.

The governor added that "as a government, we appreciate your good counsel at all times and all you and your colleagues are doing at the grassroots to make governance easier in the state.

“On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, therefore, I congratulate you, Your Royal Majesty, Dr Emmanuel Efeizomor, OON, Obi of Owa Kingdom, on the occasion of your 82nd birth anniversary.”

He prayed that Almighty God will endow the monarch with longer life and wisdom to enable him continue to serve his kingdom, God and humanity.

Programme Promo!

Okowa speaks on ChannelsTv Politics Today

Pls watch Channels Tv on DSTV Channel 254 at 8pm today as Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa speaks with Seun Okinbaloyin on "Politics Today".

He will be speaking on the outcome of the South South Governors Forum meeting which held on Thursday at Government House, Asaba.

God bless you as you tune in.

Signed:
Olisa Ifeajika
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

ANIAGWU CHALLENGES OUTGONE CORPS MEMBERS ON NATION BUILDING, SELF-RELIANCE

The Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, has urged the 2019 Batch A outgone corps members, to leverage on the experience they acquired in the ministry to contribute to nation and self development.

Aniagwu who gave the advice yesterday during the sent forth ceremony of the for the corps members, said they should, use the wealth of experience which they have gathered in the university and the ministry to bring change to the society.

According to him, “Education is an Eliza, it gives you an advantage to conquer whatever environment you are” so whatever experience you have garnered both in school and ministry should be channeled positively to the benefit of the society as well as in whatever sector they are called to serve.”

Aniagwu who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Paul Osahor, said: “In advance democracies, they have discovered that economy is built by individual initiative” and called on the corps members to avail themselves skillfully in any of the sector, to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of the society.

He also advised them to avoid any vice that may jeopardized their future especially and they should acquire a skill no matter what they studied in school “because when they do the sky will be their starting point”

“And when you are skillfully employed you are place in such position to make contribution to the society and to create wealth which have multiplied effect on others and take them away from vices,” Said Aniagwu.

The Information boss advised them to take advantage of the skill acquisition programme of the Delta state government especially those from the state to better themselves in order to create a meaningful society.

He said that most of the crimes today, were because of the erroneous belief that there was no Job, urging them to engage themselves and shun the get-rich-quick syndrome, stating that it was one of the vices that had contributed to the degeneration of society.

Meanwhile, directors in the ministry appreciated the outgone corps members for their selfless service to the various departments and urged them to continue in the same vein wherever they are found, wishing them all the best in every sphere of their lives.

Present at the event were the Director of Information, Mr Dona Obuseh; Director of Publication and Producttion Services, Mr Lucky Omokiri; Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr Kingsley Olomukoro; Director Government Printing Press, Mr. Harold Ojji; and the Director of Administration, Ms Maria Adheke.

The ceremony featured worship and praise session while the highpoint was the presentation of gift by the commissioner to 17 corps members that past out this week.

Okowa greets Osinbajo at 63

Delta Governor, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has sent warm felicitations to the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, as he clocks 63 on March 8.

Okowa, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, recalled with gratitude the vice president's contribution to the restoration of peace in the Niger Delta.

While felicitating with him, the governor said, "today, as always, we celebrate the grace of God on you and your family for the great things you are doing for our country."

He remarked that the vice president deserved some commendation for his leadership role in improving the nation's economy as Chairman of National Economic Council (NEC).

He added that Osinbajo's selfless service to the nation and his many accomplishments in personal and public life were some of the reasons he was being celebrated today on the occasion of his 63rd birth anniversary.

According to him, the diplomatic shuttles of Osinbajo to the states of the Niger Delta led to the cessation of hostilities and destruction of oil assets in the creeks of the region.

"As Chairman of the National Economic Council, you have played significant roles in the growth and development of the nation's economy and we can't thank you enough," the governor said.

"On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, I congratulate His Excellency, the Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, GCON, as he celebrates his 63rd birth anniversary.

"Your Excellency, the ideals of uncommon patriotism, unparalleled humility and sterling leadership qualities which you epitomise are worthy traits that will continue to inspire us in our Stronger Delta vision.

"As you celebrate this day, it is my prayer and that of Deltans, that God will continue to bless you with good health, wisdom and many more years in the service of God and country," Okowa stated.

Okowa congratulates Bulkachuwa at 70, retirement

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Thursday congratulated President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, as she turns 70 years on March 6.

Okowa, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika in Asaba, on Thursday also congratulated Justice Bulkachuwa on her retirement from service having attained the mandatory age of 70 years.

He described Bulkachuwa as a ``fearless judge who surmounted all obstacles to attain her dream of becoming one of the country's top jurists’’.

Okowa remarked that Bulkachuwa helped to improve access to justice with the successful establishment of new divisions of Court of Appeal across the country.

He urged the learned Justice not to retire into private life, saying that her services were still needed in the larger society.

According to him, Bulkachuwa will long be remembered as a woman who contributed to the development of the country.

“As you go into retirement, I urge you to bring the lessons of the years past to bear on your future activities.

"I urge you not to retire into private life as the world at large still needs your services, especially as a role model to the girl-child.

"My Lord, it is to your credit that access to justice has improved today in Nigeria with the creation of additional Courts of Appeal," the governor said.

"On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, I congratulate a legal icon, a great amazon, colossus in law and administration of Justice, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, on the occasion of your 70th birth anniversary and retirement as President of the Court of Appeal.

"As a gender champion and an astute role model to the girl-child, you have shown that it is possible for women to achieve their dreams if they dare to aspire.

"As you embark on your well-deserved retirement, it is our prayer that God will grant you many more years of service to the nation and humanity," he added.

Delta govt believes in child’s right - Okowa

The Governor of Delta, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, on Wednesday reaffirmed that his administration would continue to execute programmes in line with its commitment to protecting the rights of the child.

The governor gave the assurance in Asaba when he received Chief Field Officer of United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Nigeria, Dr. Guy Yogo.

He commended UNICEF for challenging governments at different levels to pay special attention to the welfare of the child, but stated that his administration had always engaged in programmes that protected child’s rights.

He disclosed that the state government believed that the child had rights, and that the government would continue to defend the position.

The governor expressed gratitude to UNICEF for its sustained effort at ensuring that children were protected through programmes like immunization.

According to him, when you impact on the mother and the child, you actually impact on the future of the people as children represent the future and anything that happens to them tends to create a block in our progress.

Okowa said, “in our state, we are paying special attention on the rights of the child and we are bringing it to the fore as they have a right to exist; that is the major drive that has brought us to the state health insurance programme.

“Since 2004, the National Health Insurance Act was founded and there have been challenges which have made it not to attain the level it ought to be nationally due to low advocacy.

``There is no buy-in from state governments but in Delta, we are trying to provide basic healthcare of which 50 per cent of the funding is to be covered by the government.

“We are taking the insurance scheme serious as we have ensured that children under the age of five and women are covered; we have taken a holistic approach to ensure the welfare of our women and children.

``We are also trying to engage everybody with the healthcare scheme which will ensure that both men and youths are also covered; families will be covered, so, we are doing a lot of advocacy to get Deltans interested in this scheme.

“To a large extent, the civil servants are already enrolled in the scheme; local government councils are already coming on board as we carry the advocacy to the grassroots.’’

He said that with sustained advocacy, Delta would set the standard for other states to emulate ``because a success story here will definitely create an effect that I believe other states will see and be able to buy into the scheme.

“Whatever area UNICEF will offer technical assistance and other forms of assistance such as mobilization will be accepted by us because, in the last three years, a lot has been done and a lot more is yet to be done.

``We hope to keep up with the standard we have set because nationally we are still the leading state.

“As a state, we are mindful of the fact that unemployment rate is at an all time high and youths who have graduated still look for jobs.

``We believe that the best way to ensure employment for our people is to ensure that right from schools days, our children should be impacted with skills so that they can have something to think through.’’

He said that the government was working on school curriculum to include some level of skill acquisition, adding that the technical education in the country had taken a back seat.

``We are trying to strengthen technical education by making sure that all local governments have one technical school and we have revamped six technical schools in the state which are currently active and functional.

“We have set up empowerment and entrepreneurial programmes that covers women and youths; a lot more has to be done in spite of limited resources, but we will continue to do our best to impact positively on our people.

``With support from organizations like UNICEF, I believe that we can achieve greater things.’’ Okowa added.

Earlier, the UNICEF boss had commended the governor for the successes being recorded by his administration.

He said that the UN body would partner the state to achieve more results in health insurance programme as sustainable pathway to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the state.

Yogo added that UNICEF would help the state in building transformative partnerships to accelerate results for children and women in the state, and to also eliminate open defecation.

Delta State Government has reiterated its determination to pay the new minimum wage and ensure its sustainability.

The Commissioner for Finance, Sir Fidelis Tilije, stated this recently on a radio programme, “Trend Talk” on Trend 100.9 FM in Asaba.

Sir Tilije who was fielding question from the interviewer, Nnamdi Atupulazi on the issue of the minimum wage, stated that before now, Governor Okowa had promised to pay the new minimum wage immediately the federal government and labour agreed on what was to be paid.

According to the finance commissioner, the state government would sustain the payment of the new minimum wage by improving on the tax level of the state and also use the increase in VAT from 5% to 7.5% by the federal government.

The Commissioner said, “So far so good what the state has is enough to sustain the payment of the new minimum wage,” adding that Delta State was among the first to commence the payment of the new minimum wage in the country.

Sir Tilije revealed that the payment of the new minimum wage had made the state wage bill to increase with N742 million.

He also stated that Governor Okowa was a labour-friendly governor who would do everything possible to make workers happy.

Okowa Pledges Commitment To Generation Of Youth Entrepreneurs

By ANDREW IKEHI

The Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has said that his administration will continue to ensure that it moves youths in the state from the era of being economically dependent to the era of being not only economically independent, but successful entrepreneurs and employers of labour.
This, which the Governor said is already yielding the desired result, is one of the critical planks of his administration’s accelerated industrialization agenda, aimed at mitigating poverty and reducing the unemployment index of the state.
The Governor, who stated this in Asaba, the State capital during a one-day orientation workshop for 2019/2020 trainees of the state government’s Skill Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP) said that over 4,000 youths have so far been trained, equipped and established within the previous circles of the project since its inception in 2015.
Represented by the Chief Job Creation Officer of the State, Chief Eric Eboh at the event, Governor Okowa said that in the 2019/2020 circle of the project, 850 Youths were selected and would commence training at their various centers today, Monday, January 13, 2020.
The Pointer reports that the orientation workshop, which was held in Asaba, the state capital, was also, previously held in Warri and Ughelli respectively.
Addressing the trainees at the workshop, the Governor, while urging them to remain focused and committed to their chosen trades, said that at the end of his tenure as Governor of the state, he would be proud to have left behind a legacy of well motivated, highly inspired, properly skilled and adequately enabled youths that would be self employed business owners.
His words, “Today, it is on record that you are joining the train of prosperity which this administration has packaged since 2015 that has been carrying youths from where they were to where they should be.
“It is the vision of this administration to ensure that youths in the state move from the stage of being dependent to the stage of becoming self employed and employers of labour. So, I urge you to remain committed and focused on what you are being trained for” the Governor advised.
In their various remarks at the event, the State Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Ifeanyi Egwuyenga and the Executive Assistant to the State Governor on Youth Monitoring and Mentoring, Mr. Eddy Mekwuye urged the trainees to justify the State Government’s huge investments on the project by taking their training's seriously.

Okowa mourns renowned author, Prof. Chukwuemeka Ike

Delta Governor, Sen. (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, has commiserated with the Government and people of Anambra over the passing of renowned author, scholar and traditional ruler of Ndikelionwu Kingdom, Prof. Chukwuemeka Ike.

Ike who died on Thursday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra, after a brief illness, was 88 years.

He was Registrar of West African Examinations Council (WAEC) before joining the University of Ibadan where he rose to become a Professor.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, on Sunday in Asaba, the governor noted that the monarch was among the generation of African writers that emerged at the twilight of colonialism in the continent under the aegis of African Writers Series powered by Heineman Publishing Company.

He said "On behalf of the Government and people of Delta, I commiserate with the Government and people of Anambra over the passing of renowned author and traditional ruler of Ndikelionwu Kingdom, Prof. Vincent Chukwuemeka Ike.

"My last encounter with the renowned Professor and traditional ruler was in 2017 at the 57th Founder’s Day of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he chaired the 2017 Dignity of Man Award conferred on me.

"Prof. Ike at the occasion went down memory lane and recalled that experience of Africans, discriminations in different forms caused the University of Nigeria to adopt ‘Restore the Dignity of Man’ as its motto.

"I am glad to note that he fought discriminations in his various books and he consistently called on Africans to be proud of what they have and reduce imbibing foreign culture.

"He will be fondly remembered for his novels 'Toads for Supper', 'The Naked Gods', 'The Chicken Chasers', 'The Bottled Leopard', 'The Potter’s Wheel,’ and 'Sunset at Dawn'."

Okowa prayed that the almighty God would grant the soul of the departed monarch eternal rest.

JOB CREATION TRAINERS TASKED TO SUSTAIN STEP PROGRAMME

Accredited trainers selected to train beneficiaries of the Delta State Government’s Skills and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP) for the 2019/2020 Cycle have been charged to adhere strictly to the Training guidelines and Code of Conduct.

The Chief Job and Wealth Creation Office, Prof Eric Eboh, gave the charge at a one day Orientation Workshop for Trainers organised by the Office of the Chief Job Creation Officer in Asaba.

The trainers numbering 141 were engaged out of 215 trainers accredited for the STEP 2019/2020 Cycle based on their capacity, availability/willingness, functionality and accessibility.

Delivering his lecture tagged, “Presentation ofProgramme Philosophy, Rules and Guidelines & Code of Conduct,” Prof Eboh pointed out that the state government’s philosophy of initiating the Job Creation Scheme was to create a lasting legacy of new generation of youth entrepreneurs who are well motivated, inspired, skilled and adequately enabled to become self-employed and business owners.

While stating that the Trainers’ Orientation Workshop was to prepare them for the 2019/2020 and fifth cycle of the programme, he said over 5,000 youths have benefited from STEP/YAGEP in the past five years.

He gave the three dimensions of job creation skills training as entrepreneurship skills, occupational skills and personal effectiveness, tasking the trainers to uphold the Job Creation Brand of professionalism, quality, integrity and discipline.

He emphasized that these brand qualities were the reasons the Delta State Job Creation Scheme earned His Excellency, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, several national and international awards and an endorsement of national and international organisations and development agencies including the World Bank, European Union and United Nations.

He advised them to shun the act of colluding with trainees on absenteism, denial of trainees the use of equipment and training facilities, non-use of training modules among others in order to sustain the programme.

On his part, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Youth Monitoring and Mentoring (DYMM), Mr Eddy Mekwuye, in his lecture, “The Role and Activities of Directorate of Youth Monitoring and Mentoring in Relation to STEP Trainees,” said the mandate of DYMM was to sustain the success recorded in the programme over the years.

He urged to do the right thing at all times to ensure that the programme yields the desired results.

Responding separately on behalf other trainers, Mrs Bridget Chineze and Mr Akpomreta Akpobome both in Fashion Design & Tailoring expressed their gratitude for being among the accredited trainers selected to partner with the state government in the 20019/2020 Cycle.

They pledged to put in their best to help the government achieve its vision of building a new generation of entrepreneurs.

Ayakoromo Bridge Not Abandoned Says Delta Govt

The Delta State Government has denied news report that the Ayakoromo bridge project in Burutu Council Area of the state has been abandoned.

The State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, in a statement on Tuesday in Asaba, said the State Government was desirous of completing the project, assuring that work on the bridge will commence in the early part of the year.

The Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative (IPDI) in conjunction with Ayakoromo youths had threatened showdown with the state government over the project.

But Aniagwu urged IPDI and Ayakoromo youths to sheathe their sword and shun their planned protest as government had already made provisions for the completion of the bridge in the 2020 budget.

“As a Government we are committed to the construction of the Ayakoromo Bridge to link communities in Ughelli South and Burutu Local Government Areas.

“The Okowa administration is concerned about the slow pace of work on the bridge and had already taken steps to fast track its completion by making enough provisions for the project in the 2020 budget.

“The State Government remains committed to the development of riverine communities in Ijawland as well as other parts of the state and will stop at nothing until we give a new lease of life to rural and coastal communities in Delta State.

“I therefore appeal to IPDI and Ayakoromo youths to tow the path of peace even as Government is doing everything possible to make life more meaningful for them.” Aniagwu stated

Ayakoromo Bridge Not Abandoned Says Delta Govt

The Delta State Government has denied news report that the Ayakoromo bridge project in Burutu Council Area of the state has been abandoned.

The State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, in a statement on Tuesday in Asaba, said the State Government was desirous of completing the project, assuring that work on the bridge will commence in the early part of the year.

The Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative (IPDI) in conjunction with Ayakoromo youths had threatened showdown with the state government over the project.

But Aniagwu urged IPDI and Ayakoromo youths to sheathe their sword and shun their planned protest as government had already made provisions for the completion of the bridge in the 2020 budget.

“As a Government we are committed to the construction of the Ayakoromo Bridge to link communities in Ughelli South and Burutu Local Government Areas.

“The Okowa administration is concerned about the slow pace of work on the bridge and had already taken steps to fast track its completion by making enough provisions for the project in the 2020 budget.

“The State Government remains committed to the development of riverine communities in Ijawland as well as other parts of the state and will stop at nothing until we give a new lease of life to rural and coastal communities in Delta State.

“I therefore appeal to IPDI and Ayakoromo youths to tow the path of peace even as Government is doing everything possible to make life more meaningful for them.” Aniagwu stated

This is a laudable initiative, God bless the organisers of this event.

By the special grace of God I will in attendance.

I am here Oniovo

Urhobo Economic Investment Summit 2019

Call for Sponsorship & Exhibition.

Kindly visit www.ueig.org

Together we are changing the narratives for the good and development of Urhobo Nation.

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#Ekpobaro

Na true talk oooooooo EEU don talk am as e bi, na the man wen sabi oooo

wow this is great and am happy to hear this....Governor Uduaghan has started proofing his critics wrong.