tishbite42:
Lebanese man running we country

He is a Nigerian; Dad is from Eleme in Rivers State, Mum is Germany, He was born and raised in the US.

The young man is very good at hks work and has carved a niche for himself. The country need more of his type.

CHINA - NEW, POTENTIALLY FATAL LANGYA VIRUS DETECTED ...

Cause For Alarm Overseas

No, this isn't deja-vu ... China has discovered a new, potentially fatal virus within its borders, which experts say could trigger yet another pandemic.

The Langya Henipavirus, referred to as "Langya," has already infected 35 people, according to Taiwan's Centers for Disease Control ... it's in the same family as the Hendra virus and Nipah virus.

While none of the patients have died or suffered serious illness, it's a virus that hasn't infected human beings prior to this outbreak ... so there are a lot of unknowns.

Being under the Henipavirus umbrella, it has the potential to do some serious damage ... WHO data classifies Henipavirus with a 40-75% fatality rate.

The symptoms might look all too familiar -- fever, headache, cough, fatigue, etc.

A report by the New England Journal of Medicine says the infected patients had a history of being in contact with animals ... however, it's now possible the virus has already been transmitted from human to human.

Covid, Monkeypox, and Langya -- oh my!!!

AMAECHI:CLIMBING THE HILL.
A MAN AND HIS DESTINY.

By Marshall Israel.

For most part of 2019, 2020 and 2021, the Minister Of Transportation Rt. Hon. CHIBUIKE ROTIMI AMAECHI was in the news for his strides and achievements at the Ministry Of Transportation. Of course, his high stake in Nigeria politics has equally become the talk of the town. So recently when this high-profile leader turned 57, many believed that he may be moving closer to another chapter in his life.

By most people’s standards, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi is a star. At school, he was a cerebral students’ union leader known for his command of attention with his oratory prowess. School was followed by active community organising in Rivers State, where he helped built a ladder of connection between the government and the people.

After many years of mobilising the grass roots for change, then Amaechi gave politics his first shot as an aide to the Deputy governor, a position from where he later offered himself for election as House of Assembly Member representing Ikwere Constituency. That was followed with his election as Speaker Of the State Assembly for eight years.

As the Speaker of the Rivers State House Of Assembly and Chairman Conference of Speakers for 8 years, Governor and Chairman Nigerian Governors Forum for 8 years, two term presidential campaign DG who delivered successfully on both elections and now a Super Minister: these positions has made him a national figure who understands the dynamics of ruling a complex society like Nigeria.

But Amaechi’s unassuming posture is not letting out the cat out of the bag yet. Indeed, his ‘body language’ shows that he’s more concerned these days about the progress of his work at the MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION.

AMAECHI'S RAILWAY revolution has shown that with strong leadership, commitment and patriotism, Nigeria can come out from the doldrum and labyrinth of inadequate infrastructure and economic decadence. Revealingly, this budding statesman has equally been busy studying at Base University from where he will receive his LLB.

In the eve of the New Year (2022), he looked into the mirror. Yes, not for the wholesome good looks it carries, but a true deep reflection was going through his mind. In some ways, he could see the future from where he sat, in others, however, his to-do list at the MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION remains far from finished.

Amaechi is a champion of reform and strengthening of institutions as key to unlocking development potentials as evidenced by his achievement as Governor and now Minister Of Transportation.

As the clamour and agitation for Power to return to the Southern Part of NIGERIA in view of who succeeds President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023 gets stronger, the dynamics appears to be in favours Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi..

The truth is that what works for CRA in politics may never work positively for any one in this country. The way he talks is not how politicians talk. He is too open, honest and straight-forward to be a Nigerian politician. He perfectly fits as South South and South East presidential candidate should the Presidential ticket be zoned to the South. This is because Rivers State and other South South States belonged to the Old Eastern NIGERIA apart from Edo State and Some part of Delta State.

The turn of the South South, the economic nerve centre of the country, was cut short by the removal of Jonathan in fulfilment of a gentleman's agreement with the north, and so it is only fair that power returns to the region for the completion of their term in the power sharing equation of the country.

Amaechi is the most sellable Southern Presidential candidate hopeful in the entire north. This is undisputable. A recent opinion Poll in the North by a Non-governmental Organizations saw Amaechi leading other Potential Southern Presidential Hopefuls.

Amaechi's bold, courageous and fearless nature is exactly what is needed to bring about needed reforms in many areas of the Nigerian economy. Most of the dreaded cabals holding this country back can be only confronted by a man with the courage of Amaechi because he is strong, younger, healthy and vibrant.

Surprisingly to those who believe that no Former Governor in Nigeria is corruption-Free,
Amaechi is not an alumni of EFCC. He has no baggage of corruption in him.

So with the realignment of political forces in the country and possible emergence of leaders at different level, this year might be another year for Amaechi to climb the ladder of becoming the next President of Nigeria.

Marshall Israel,

#Amaechi

For the first time ever, surgeons transplanted a heart from a genetically modified pig into a human patient, in order to save his life ... If all goes well, this could be the start of life-saving treatment for many patients in dire need.
57-year-old David Bennett received a heart like no other ... He was ineligible for a human transplant and, while doctors couldn't guarantee the transplant would work, the surgery was a matter of life or death, so he rolled the dice.
“It was either die or do this transplant. I want to live. I know it’s a shot in the dark, but it’s my last choice,” he said before undergoing the 7-hour surgery Friday at a Baltimore hospital.
The FDA had approved the operation for emergency use, since David had no other options.
Though it's still unclear if the transplant will actually take, he seems to be doing well days after the surgery... And, docs at the University of Maryland Medical Center say his transplant showed a heart from a genetically modified animal can work inside a human body without immediate rejection.
That's great news, because in the past such transplants failed because the patient's body would reject the animal organ. Now, Maryland surgeons used the heart from a pig that had received gene-editing ... to thwart rejection.

With so many patients needing organs, and so few to go around ... this could be a huge breakthrough.

Elidrisy20:
But Biafrans hate everyone

It is priceless

Mixedfraction:


I stand to be corrected though but I think US is more scared of china than it is with Russia.. correct me if I'm wrong..

Please do a proper research.
Putin became apprehensive after Bush attacked Iraq.

US have always weakened any Russian ally with a perceived military or economic strength.

It became fierce during Obama's presidency. Obama, reinforced their allies bordering Russia. He successfully installed Anti missile shield close to Russias in guise of NATO alliance. It will be difficult for Russia to successfully launch it's Intercontinental ballistic missiles without the US detecting or shooting it down within minutes. Putin knows this and he feels US interest is to collapse Russia but its not totally true. It is politics. Mind game.

If you had followed Obama's debate in his quest for reelection with Romney. Romney was asked who was US biggest threat And he responded by mentioning Russia. But Obama saliently knocked off that thought as he mentioned technology and said Terrorism is their challenge.

US maintains 24 hours a day nuclear powered aircraft carriers that can run for 20 years without refuelling and warships on international waters. They can launch multiple nuclear weapons to Russia within a short term time interval.

US has military bases in Europe and close to China.

Russia always feels threatened by US.

Military confrontation by both countries will destroy planet earth.

Baawaa:
Because of Biafra of what,these people are senseless

Regrets will follow shortly

GreenArrow1:
Small price to pay for freedom.

I doubt you have witnessed a communal crisis because a full blown war will alter every part of your life. No one will be spared in its giving.

Tame your tongue and condemn evil to its entirety. What's prevailing in Igbo land is a total breakdown of law and order

Chief O.K Ugba

Ishi bu MBA.

The head that carries the burden of the town .

That's his house.

Razed by unknown arsonists.

His brother said the man installed solar lights in the village. The ESN misjudged him..they said he installed cameras to monitor their activities.

The mama mansion has been burnt down,.

His fleet of cars. G wagon. BMW X6. R Range Sports etc all burnt.

His entire house looted and razed.

His sin was that he installed solar lights in Amangwu Ohafia.

Once violence sets in it spreads like a wild weed.

My sympathy is not for the rich like Isi bu Mba

It is for the poorest of the poor . They will suffer the most .

Igbo land is already in a big mess.

According to online entertainment news platform, the rapper died one week after apparent drug overdose.

May his soul rest in peace.

.....BUT BUHARI IS THE PROBLEM.

Marshall Israel

Reno Omokri is protesting against PMB's medical trip in London. He believe PMB should have done his medical checkup and treatment in Nigeria.

But Reno Omokri is from Delta State. UK Just returned 15% of James Ibori's loot amounting to N526b or more. Did Reno Omokiri protest or say a word? Did he protest in support of James Ibori's trial in the UK?

Perhaps he was amongst the people that said Delta State didn't lose any money. He lost his voice and never said a word.

Has Reno Omokri ever called on the Niger Delta Governors to effectively utilize the 13% Oil derivation Money? NDDC, Ministry Of Niger Delta Affairs, Amnesty Office and South South Governors can collaborate and build the best hospital, University and Refinery etc in the Niger Delta. But they won't do it because Buhari is the Problem.

A fraction of N526b can build first class hospital in Delta State. A fraction of N526B can give Delta State Constant Electricity, good road network and establish small scale industries. From the stolen money, Delta State can build the best University in Nigeria.

As an Aide to President Jonathan as he then was, I would like to know how many health centers Reno Omokri built or renovated in his community. How many Primary and Secondary schools did he build or renovated in his community in Delta State?

In some States, there is nothing like scholarship and skill acquisition for young people. Nobody has Protested because Buhari is the Problem. In some States, there is little or practically no investment in Agriculture and Small-scale industry because Buhari is the problem. In some States, Health Care, education, roads etc are all dilapidated and moribund because Buhari is the problem.

For them, loyalty and Commitment to their ethnic groups and Political party is More important than good Governance and leadership. And if you speak on some of these things, the supposed beneficiaries, unemployed children of the unpaid Pensioners will come after you in defense of the system that has impoverished them because Buhari is the problem.

We are all Hypocrites. We lost our voices against our Governors, LGA Chairmen etc who are unabashedly embezzling Federal allocation with brazing impunity and ostentation. How many times have we protested against our Governors and LGA Chairmen?

Our Governors have not complained of not receiving Federal allocation and other Federal Government intervention funds. Every accruals to the States has always been given to them including the recent COVID19 funds that some States diverted. People were still blaming PMB until warehouses where COVID19 palliatives meant for the poor were broken by ENDSARS Protesters. Some Governors packed the foods in the warehouse and abandoned them until they got damaged. But Buhari is the problem.

As "Bad and Wicked" as PMB, no Governor has been punished Politically or administratively. In fact, Governors are more powerful and stronger under PMB than past administrations.

But why is it difficult for us to call out our Governors to account for the Money they have received from the Federal Government? Some States are operating without a budget. Nobody has seen the budget of some States and nobody has Protested because "Buhari is the problem".

What about the Local Government Chairmen?
Local Government normally build and run health Centers including primary schools. Did PMB also stop them from doing it? Nobody has Protested because Buhari is the Problem.

PMB is not perfect but he's not entirely our problem. We are only consumed and swallowed by bitterness, hate and bigotry against PMB and a section of this Country.

In 2023, PMB will leave Office but the hatred, bitterness and ethnic sentiment we are creating will live to hunt all of us.


Marshall Israel writes from Portharcourt.
5th April, 2021.

thorpido:
It's so sad he had the talent,made good money with his album sales but the ghetto never left him.

You can take a man out of ghetto but you can not take ghetto out of him.

DMX suffered a drug overdose Friday night and is currently in the hospital ... and the prognosis is not good.

Sources close to the rapper tell TMZ, the OD occurred at his home at around 11 PM. Our sources say the overdose triggered a heart attack.


DMX was rushed to a hospital in White Plains, New York and is in the critical care unit. We're told he has "some brain activity." Another source says he's in a "vegetative state" and doctors have cautioned he may not make it.

As we have reported over the years, DMX, who was the cornerstone of the Ruff Ryders label, has battled substance abuse and has been to rehab several times. His last rehab stint back in 2019 came after he completed a 12-month sentence for tax evasion.


At the time, we were told DMX hadn't relapsed, but checked himself into rehab out of fear he might again, as he felt temptations to use creep up on him again.

DMX made his return to the stage following rehab in December 2019 when he hit Hakkassan in Las Vegas, chatting it up and taking photos with fans before he hit the stage.

During the Vegas show, he took a moment to tell fans, "When you fall down, get back up, everyone here has been through some s**t and you never know what God is willing to do for you until you need him to do something for you."

Last we saw him perform was in July 2020, when X faced off with Snoop Dogg in a Verzuz battle which saw more than 500K viewers tune in, proving he still had an incredible ability to bring an audience.

We will, of course, update as information becomes available regarding his current situation.

https://www.tmz.com/2021/04/03/dmx-suffers-od-overdose-hospital-grave-condition/

9TH SENATE: ON THE PATH OF SELF-REDISCOVERY AND REAWAKENING UNDER AHMED LAWAN.

Marshall Israel.

It is not surprising to notice the burgeoning level of apathy and indifference displayed by most Nigerians whenever issues of the National Assembly, particularly the Senate is mentioned. Many Nigerians believe the National Assembly contributes very little or nothing towards advancing national growth and the interest of ordinary citizens. In fact, the popular thought is that the National Assembly may have outlived its usefulness and is overdue for a massive reform. Still, many others believe that the National Assembly is an assemblage of elites who are there to pursue narrow interests and enrich themselves at the expense of National good and their constituents.

This growing apathy towards the Legislative arm of Government have been ventilated minutely through several agitations and verbal attacks against the legislature, the most notable being the nationwide OccupyNass protests aimed at putting the legislature on its toes and possibly forcing the desired reform. Although, these agitations and protests have failed to yield any meaningful results, the scars of years of misrepresentations are still fresh and bleeding.

Every informed Nigerian is aware that the Nigerian Senate has suffered a worrisome leadership gap in the last decade and this sad occurrence has continued to stir a feeling of loss of confidence in the legislature and the legislative process amongst Nigerians, leaving them increasingly hopeless. This no doubt, has greatly affected the scorecard of the Senate and the Legislative arm of government at large before the the masses whom they represent.

In fact, only recently, in the 8th Assembly, we witnessed how the leadership of the Legislature was continually in opposition to the Executive not out of national interest or public good but purely out of partisan and selfish considerations. It was in the same 8th Senate that we recorded severally unparliamentary incidents must of which were a national embarrassment. From missing Budget to deliberate refusal to attend to the 2019 Appropriation Bill to the brazen refusal to confirm those nominated by the President for appointment into several offices to the hijack of the maze to the frequent exchange of fisticuffs and several other occurrences that bothered largely on leadership inadequacies.

All these unfortunate events put together further aggravated the situation on ground and fueled the apathy of Nigerians towards the legislature and holding it in public opprobrium. In the views of most Nigerians, there was nothing more to hope for as long as the legislative process was concerned.

However, despite the low expectations and loss of confidence in the Legislature by some Nigerians, the 9th Senate under the very dynamic leadership its President, Sen. Ahmed Lawan, has shown lots of promise and proven beyond doubt that the legislature can work again. With gentle and gradual but steady strides, the confidence of Nigerians on the Legislature and the Senate in particular is beginning to show considerable upswing as a result of the focused leadership and direction provided by the Senate President.

Every keen and unbiased observer would readily agree that the Sen. Ahmed Lawan-led National Assembly has shown marked improvement in effectiveness, accessibility, responsiveness and accountability to the demands of citizens in many respects.

Under the present leadership, the Legislative machinery is designed to serve citizens needs and demands irrespective of social class. For instance, under the leadership Sen. Ahmed Lawan, we witnessed a swift and timely response towards the EndSars protests that almost engulfed the nation. The Senate leadership did not just relate with the mood of the EndSars protesters but it took the bold step of taking up the issue with the Presidency with a view to addressing the issues and providing solutions.This rare display of empathy and concern to the plights of ordinary Nigerians in the streets truely signalled the dawn of a new Senate in particular and Legislature in general.

No one can truly deny the improved and more cordial working relationship between the Executive and Legislature under the leadership of Sen. Ahmed Lawan. The Senate Leadership has been able to work in harmony with the Executive in the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians without compromising the sanctity and independence of the Legislature. This, it has demonstrated through quick but thorough screening of all Presidential nominees and prompt passing of the 2021 Appropriation Bill.We all know how previous Senates dawdled with the Appropriation Bills sent to it as a tactical way of frustrating the programmes of the executive and forcing it to concede to their demands

The leadership of the Senate has also be able to effect a high level of decorum and order in the Senate. It is now possible to hold plenary without the usual rowdiness and infighting that characterized it. Even opposition Senators are given the opportunity to carry out their legislative functions and express themselves through bills and motions on the floor of the Senate without the regular political bullying and blocking by the Senate leadership or Senate members of the ruling Party. A clear departures from the known and usual parliamentary practice where minority members hardly had their say.
A clear case in point is the passage of the all important Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Contract Sharing Act despite being sponsored by a member of the opposition Party.

The 9th Senate has also extended its reach into the education sector, Petroleum and Oil industries, the protection of women's right, and lots more through strategic and impactful bills and motions. Indeed, Sen. Ahmed Lawan has proven to have the grit and charisma to lead the National Assembly and sustain it on its present path of efficient and productive legislation.

If nothing else, Nigerians will always remember that the Sen. Ahmed Lawan-led Senate passed the Appropriation Bill in record time and returned the Budget system to the January to December cycle, thereby, dismantling unnecessary bottlenecks and delays in the Budget cycle and making it easier for the Executive to execute projects and programs provided for in the Budget swiftly.

Marshall Israel is a Federal Commissioner representing Rivers State in the Public Complaints Commission. He writes from Portharcourt.

26th, March 2021.

When you use bitterness to kill yourself, it is Stupidity. We should have known why the North East is how it is today...anger and bitterness against the then sitting president.

The media is not fully reporting what is happening in the North East. The carnage is much. Hospitals, schools and markets are closed down in many parts of Yobe and Borno States. Villages and Communities are deserted and desolated.

People have relocated to Madugiri and Damaturu. IDP camps are littered everywhere. The economy of the North East is gone. It will take them decades to recover.

We are not free. We are in this together. We might go the road of North East in the South East. Buhari will go soon, and the problem we have brought upon ourselves in the South East will subsist for decades.

Jonathan has since left, how is North East today? It's better imagined than to experience it. A people that refuse to learn from others' experience will learn with their own PERSONAL experience.

One day, we will get tired of this narrative of Fulani herdsman,Secession, etc and then realise that the bitterness and hate we made to fester is here to haunt us.

They are killing Police Officers in the South East and we are clapping. When they are done, they'll come after you. Aba is already in the hands of criminals.

When the Federal Government drafts and mobilise the military into the South East, then we will understand the meaning of crisis. Just wait.

Marshall Israel

Fatima, a young adult woman who hails from Osun State, Southwest Nigeria narrates her ordeal in hands of his own dad who is supposed to care and protect her.

Please click the link below to get a glimpse of her pain as she narrates


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkkZrpLgQsM

Looking for Python programmers community in Nigeria. Hit me with info if you know any please

daddytime:
Congrats Madea.

You earned it.

I wish to be listed a billionaire someday

Jumlek2411:
Welcome to our Billionaire club.

Interesting...
Are you a billionaire in US dollar or Zimbabwe Dollar please?

Tyler Perry's got something else to take ownership of ... he's now a billionaire!!!

Tyler's net worth just jumped and made him the newest official member of the 3-comma club, according to a new Forbes report detailing his rise from being "poor as hell" to rich and powerful.


The numbers are in ... here's a breakdown of how Forbes is calculating Tyler's milestone net worth:

-- $320 million for his entire library of movies, TV shows, plays, etc., as he owns 100% of the content he's created

-- $300 million in cash and investments

-- $280 million for Tyler Perry Studios, which sits on 330 acres in Georgia

-- $60 million for his equity stake in BET+, the streaming service that debuted last year.

-- $40 million in homes and toys

Add it all up ... and that's a cool $1 billion. Not bad for a guy who once slept in his car.

Harvey Levin interviewed Tyler back in 2017 for the show, "OBJECTified," and Perry explained how he believed in betting on himself and why he relishes commercial success in addition to artistic success.

DeejayTeeno:


Are you related to tvc? Like the real Television Continental?

TVC is acronym for another media establishment

Follow the guide as satisfied by Dr Johnny Walker

mandalorian:
Hello house, my boy is barely one month old and he developed this skin issue. One of my colleagues said it is Ela(Yoruba) but from my experience, ela use to manifest as very red tiny rashes around the neck and joints.

Now this one is not on his neck (though it is in both his elbow joints, scarcely on his Tommy and this morning I say it at the back of his knee), his skin molts around the rashes. I just can't completely describe it that's why I included the pics.

I need help elders in the house. I took him back to the hospital where he was born but they said it will go but I don't like the look.

Mods pls help me push to fp.

My 2 months old baby was having rashes, but it wasn't that severe and i was advised to buy cacatin, it cleared the rashes in no time

Seerade029:


But under normal circumstances.

After Chairman, Comes the Vice/Duputy Chairman

The vice/deputy Chairman was not sworn in until Court has sacked Adams in the first instance. The consequence is that everything done by Adams was illegal in law. Victor Giadom would act till otherwise happens

DeejayTeeno:




Lol.. Like, say you done know say I go scroll down just to comment!

I no get time to read that Rubbish oooohhhh

Who Niger DeLTa help nOw? Leave those people in peace JhaaaaaaRe!

We are talking of Power Failure in Nigeria my NiGG*a go gather Epistle from Wikipedia PasTe for here dHey advertise comic fo*olishness. Lol, if you check am.. No be him I blame oooohhh NaH the Foolis*hness way dHey Trend for NLD I blame!

Nonsense and Ingredients!

Which Fo*olish Mod accept this Epistle seF?

But the body of the publication discussed the challenges of the region and how bureaucracy has not helped its development

How do you mean please?

proeast:
Continue writing long epistles no one would care to read. You have both the knife and the yam in your hands yet still crying of hunger.

Oga eme unu ka film. Make una continue dey Bobo una self there.

RUBBISH!!

By Obiaruko Ndukwe
The dance of the absurd taking place in the media space in recent times couldn’t have been had President Buhari not ordered for a forensic audit of the books of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
The National Assembly under Senator Ahmed Lawan and Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila seems to be unconcerned about the imminent dangers of a resurgence of youth restiveness in the oil and gas rich area of the country as some lawmakers with obvious insidious interest have continued to challenge the authority of the president on the all-inclusive probe of the commission which has been wobbling, 20 years after its creation.
The excessive freedom enjoyed by those who have been publicly accused by the supervising committee of the NDDC has been overstretched as the leadership of the 9th Assembly has either chosen to look the other way or become complicit in the macabre dance.
Since the decision by the president to look into the way billions of naira have been frittered away through the commission, the discordant tunes from a few, powerful lawmakers from the Niger Delta region has become worrisome that the reading public is now suspicious of their involvement in the pathological sleaze that has characterized the commission while leaving the region underdeveloped and gasping for air.
It is worrisome that in spite of the fact that the National Assembly is led by the ruling party, APC, yet, the synergy expected between the executive and the legislature is far from being the case as it concerns the Niger Delta region.
Is it not beyond surprising and an effrontery for a group of lawmakers to challenge the decision of the president in approving an intervention for the people of the region for the purpose of the pandemic? The impudence displayed by these lawmakers with agenda to frustrate the efforts of the Interim Management Committee, IMC, of the commission and the supervising minister, Senator Godswill Akpabio is a pointer that all is not well, particularly, when the supposed leader of the recalcitrant lawmakers is from the opposition party, PDP.
Could it be that the Senate President has conceded his powers to his deputy, who recently, walked into the headquarters of the EFCC with a letter written by the Clerk of the Senate, albeit on his instruction and requested for the probe and arrest of the minister, even when other senators were kept in the dark of such? With the denial of Omo-Agege of his involvement in the scandal, will the Senate President set up a committee to investigate him alongside the Clerk?
The desperation to have Akpabio removed and the Pondei-led IMC sacked is purely an effort to ensure that Buhari leaves no legacies in the Niger Delta region. The cry over the mismanagement of funds at the NDDC has been on, over time and this was enunciated by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, sometime in 2019 at Delta State.
There was a follow up visit to the president by the governors of the states under the NDDC which compelled the president to give Akpabio the mandate to appoint forensic auditors to look into the books, with an Interim Management Committee to oversee the running of the commission while the audit lasts.
Sadly, those who seem to have been squandering the funds meant to build high grade schools, hospitals, roads and bridges amongst other infrastructures, are desperate to have Akpabio’s head on the slaughter slab, as millions of naira have been deployed to different youth groups and a section of the media to further plant negative stories in other to discredit those saddled with this responsibility.
More worrisome is the involvement of high profile and principal officers at the National Assembly in this distracting dance that one begins to wonder if truly they mean well for the region.
What really do they intend to achieve in ensuring that Buhari does not add a stone to projects in the Niger Delta? Is there a fifth columnist working against the president but are pretending to be partners in progress with him?
The effort made by the NDDC to source for international grant of $126 million from the International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD, has been aborted at the point of delivery by this same lawmakers who wickedly slashed the budgetary provision for the counterpart funding from N1.3 billion to a paltry N100 million in the 2019 Budget of the NDDC! Funds from IFAD meant to massively engage in agriculture in the region were wished away with the stroke of the pen. Not done with the plot to keep the region perpetually underdeveloped and totally dependent on crumbs from federal allocation, these agents of darkness ensured that the budget of N10 billion for the construction of three specialist hospitals in the region was slashed to another paltry N100m! Yet, they prefer that billions of naira be allocated for non-existent training programs, desilting of the waterways and medical tourism overseas that yield nothing.
The 2020 Budget which has since been submitted in 2019 is yet to be attended to. Those who have gathered irrespective of party affiliations, to keep the region in agony at the risk of illegal activities of oil bunkering, environmental degradation and deprivation, and massive pollution of the air and water resulting in the cancerous black soot and death of aquatic life are not done with their offensive as they question the rationale behind the payment of contractors owed by successive boards of the commission.
The recent probe of N40 billion by the two houses of the National Assembly is only a disguise of their real intents. Why is this probe more important to the supposed watchdogs of the commission rather than allow for a thorough forensic audit? What is the real purpose of the ad hoc committees of the two houses in writing the Bureau of Public Procurement to deny the forensic auditors access to the nine states to verify the records of the commission? This is not only suspicious but scandalous by those who claim to be in support of the presidential order of the forensic audit!
One begins to wonder who is actually ruling the country when a few lawmakers have effortlessly challenged the powers of the president to seek to know what has been of the monies poured into the NDDC for over 19 years.
No wonder the same lawmakers who claim to have an oversight function on the Niger Delta have failed to query the Presidential Infrastructural Development Fund, PIDF, on the deliberate neglect of the East-West Road which is one of the five critical projects under the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, NSIA. While they are at war with the managers of NDDC, they have left the people of the region to suffer as they navigate from one state to the other through the East-West Road. In spite of a presidential approval of N100bn in 2018 for the completion of sections 1 to 4 of the road and a release of N19.5bn by the Minister for Finance three years ago for the payment of legacy debts, the PIDF under Uche Orji has failed to pay the contractors, thereby delaying their return to the site and allowing the road to deteriorate.
Without a recent intervention by the NDDC to repair the failed sections of the road, the people of the region would have completely been cut off from the West.
It is clear that there is an orchestrated plot to make sure that the APC-controlled federal government fails in the Niger Delta region. And who are those responsible for this mess? Obviously, they are not far from us as the fate of the Niger Delta region now depends on them!

Ndukwe is president, Citizens Quest for Truth Initiative.[i][/i]

https://thenationonlineng.net/is-niger-delta-still-part-of-nigeria/

EngrXrix:
Sweet Jesus

You wont believe how these elites have raped the region and by extension Nigeria. It is alarming i must say.

Peter Nwaoboshi can't deny that Nelson Agbamuche is his surrogate who handles his fictitious contracts in Nddc. The DSS will always trace the flow of funds from the bank accounts of the aforementioned companies. He should not be in a hurry to deny. And even if he chooses to deny, will he not also tell us the ones he owns or does he want to tell us that as Senate Committee Chairman on NDDC, he had no jobs from the Commission? That's unNigerian. Lol. If an ordinary member of the Senate Committee on NDDC could own jobs valued at N300m, then, why should we believe that he, as the Chairman of that Committee does not own any jobs. The dots are not connecting. Peter Nwaoboshi cannot hide from the searchlight of the Anti crime agencies.

DrDax:
when you throw stones into the market......

They chose to serve their stomach and thereby negating the people.

NOC1:
The National Assembly is the architect of the failures in this country.
Their oversight activities is where the mastermind and drag the country to the mud

They are self serving

THE NIGER DELTA DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (NDDC) ON TUESDAY ACCUSED SOME FEDERAL LAWMAKERS OF DEMANDING PAYMENT OF N6.4 BILLION FROM IT FOR UNVERIFIABLE PROJECTS.

It also accused the members of asking it not to send “certain files” to its forensic auditors in a bid to scuttle the probe ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the NDDC urged the management of the National Assembly to investigate the activities of the lawmakers.

Acting Managing Director Prof. Keme Pondei, who spoke at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, said most members of the two National Assembly committees on the NDDC were not aware of the motives behind the action of the chairmen of the committees.

Senator Peter Nwaaoboshi is the chairman of the Senatr Committee on Niger Delta while Rep Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo is the chair of the House of Reps committee.

Piondei said: “We have faced so much pressure from some members of the National Assembly not to send certain files to forensic auditors. We fear this will compromise the integrity of the exercise and have refused to do their bid.

“We have refused to pay out N6.4bn for the 132 jobs which have no proof of execution. We believe that an IMC set up as a cleansing structure cannot become part of the old story of rot,” he said.

Pondei lamented that 50 per cent of NDDC inability to deliver on its mandate came from the stranglehold of the National Assembly on the commission.

He said the IMC was courageous enough to tell members of the public the truth about the overbearing and selfish attitude of some federal lawmakers on the commission.

Pondei also alleged that the National Assembly was fond of delaying the passage of the commission’s budgets.

He said: “The 2019 budget was passed two months to the end of its implementation period. In fact, the hard copy was received by the commission on April 10, 2020 when the implementation period ends in May 31.

“Given the procurement rules, it is not enough time to call for tender and execution of the jobs. The statutory period for advertising tenders is six weeks.

“Two, the budgets are bastardised by the National Assembly in a way that renders it useless. A case will suffice. In the 2019 budget, we had a provision of N1.32bn to pay our counterpart funding to the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) for the $129.7m Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises Programme in the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND).

“The National Assembly cut the provision to N100million. Are we going to IFAD, a United Nations agency, to tell them to bring their $129.7m when our National Assembly says we can only pay N100m out of N1.32billion obligation?

“The National Assembly members insert items we have no plans for. These items are then forced on the commission when it is not part of its master plan. Rather than be a major intervention agency, the commission is busy erecting streetlights and drainage, something local governments should do.

“The NDDC operates accounts only in the Central Bank of Nigeria and it is highly regulated. Anybody, who wants to check the NDDC is free to do so.

“Some people have decided that until this IMC is removed, they will not know any rest without minding whether the people of the Niger Delta benefit or not. They want to scuttle the forensic audit because the audit is bringing out a lot of things.”

While acknowledging that the National Assembly reserved the right to probe the NDDC, he said such investigations, when done in normal times, would be a welcome development.

He said: “The probe at this time is actually distracting the commission from focusing on that exercise, which all stakeholders, including governors of the nine Niger Delta states agreed with Mr. President is the way forward for the commission.

“We suspect that the probe being trumpeted by the National Assembly is not for altruistic reason but an attempt by some members to arm-twist the IMC.”.

Pondei also accused some politicians from the region of wanting to have control of the NDDC because of the 2023 governorship election in Delta State.

He said: “Sometimes last year, there was a board that was screened by the National Assembly to run the NDDC but was not inaugurated before an IMC was instituted. Many people, who felt that should not be, have continued to fight until the people they need to run the NDDC are put in place.

“But I think there is something very wrong there. How can the National Assembly nominate people to run the NDDC and give the list to Mr. President. Then Mr. President will pass the list to the same National Assembly to screen.

“There is separation of powers. Mr. President has the right to nominate whoever he feels to run a place. He has the powers to hire and fire. So, they should leave Mr. President to exercise that power. Their attempt to dabble into the powers of Mr. President is causing the blackmail.

“They want NDDC to remain the way it has always been; a place that generates money for elections. But we cannot continue to use the NDDC as a place to generate money for elections. The real problem we are seeing now is because of the governorship election in Delta State. That is just the basic truth.”

But Tunji-Ojo, the House Committee Chairman on Niger Delta, denied it all.

He said the lawmakers would not succumb to any form of blackmail in their quest to unravel corruption in the commission.

He explained that the House was merely investigating allegations and counter- allegations of corruption in the intervention agency as part of its oversight function.

The chairman also assured that the probe would not hinder the forensic audit.

Tunji-Ojo said those scared that the forensic audit might be affected need not be since the House had on its own made provisions for it in the 2019 budget of the commission.

He was reacting to a series of allegations leveled against the House and the two chairmen of the National Assembly on Niger Delta by the IMC Executive Director in charge of Projects Dr. Cairo Ojuogoh.

Ojuogoh had while featuring on Arise Television News programme, alleged that the House was delaying the passage of the commission’s 2020 budget and was bent on halting the forensic audit of the intervention agency

“It is an exercise of the system of checks and balances and not a duplicity of effort. Therefore, we will continue independent investigations in order to be equipped with information in anticipation of the outcome of the forensic audit,.” he argued

Tunji-Ojo said since blackmail had not succeeded in stopping the National Assembly from carrying out its oversight functions, anyone who has nothing to hide should be bold enough to defend himself instead of throwing tantrums.

Tunji-Ojo also dismissed claims of award of emergency contract not budgeted for by the commission.

He said: “Obviously, this is share blackmail and we expected this from the outset when the investigation process started.

“The bottom line is that we are not going to be deterred. This is coming after threat to life by militants and different text messages which have failed. The next agenda to stop the legislative work is blackmail.

“I can say it categorically that we are more determined to work for the people of the Niger Delta.”

On allegations that he demanded for payment for an emergency training which was allegedly smuggled into the 2019 budget, Tunji-Ojo said: “I have gone through the 2019 budget as approved and I can tell you that there is no provision for emergency training.

“I have said it before and let me repeat it that I don’t have a single contract in NDDC.

“All these allegations are coming because the National Assembly decided to institute a probe after calls and petitions.

“Threats have been used as a weapon to stop the National Assembly and they have not worked. The latest one is this issue of blackmail and we have told them that if they have any document against us, they should release it or approach the relevant security and anti -agencies.

“I don’t see why anybody should be scared of his or her own shadow. We are all working for the Niger Delta people.”
[27/05, 9:15 pm] Inyie: Good evening CQ.

I bring you greetings from leadership. Trust we are all staying safe and obeying the social distancing order?

It's imperative to inform us that our work is paying off. In the past few days, after our articles and press statements, we have read all sorts of articles from enemies of the region.

To corroborate our position, the EDP, Dr. CAIRO Ojougbo spoke on an interview organized by Reuben Abati on Arise Tv. Today, the AG. MD IMC also stated his views in strong terms.

We won't keep calm, we will continue to sustain the pressure until things are done right.

Therefore, the above statement from the AG. MD should be Shared with any of the pictures provided above.

Let's get to work and keep the fire burning