2016 CAPITAL PROJECT: RE-DEFINING KOGI STATE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPEMENT.

Pss consulting international institution a strategic and sustainable managrment system experts has louded the 2016 capital project of Kogi State.

In a statement issued to smartnews online by the managing patner Pss consuting, Praise Ifeniyi, SSMP, he states,  following of the ascending of the year 2016 capital project by His Excellency, the executive governor of kogi state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

The kogi state 2016 capital project have been vetted and described as sustainability oriented, and enmploy the state government to embrace a performance strategy and sustainability management oriented conference in the state to applured the president Buhari's sustainability and developemental initiatives.

CROSS SECTION OF DELTANS SPEAK ON 25 YEARS ANNIVERSARY

Pastor Dr Gloria Bank Onephronjire: "I want to talk as a mother Delta state was given birth to 25yrs ago. It is not easy to nurture a baby to adult especially when the we are talking about here now. 'Delta state' was nurtured by different fathers. A child brought up by different fathers may find it difficult to do well.

Based on the above fact, we can say that Delta state has tried to some extent in terms of development because the people that have ruled the state for these 25yrs have different ideas and policies without continuity. When one goes the second one coming will begin from a different platform instead of continuing with the program and policies of the previous government. This has affected the rate of development in the state. In this regards Delta state has tried.

However, if you look at it from the angle of adulthood a child of 25yrs should be able to fend for his or herself and this regard Delta state has not tried and this is tied to the leaders. The leaders are responsible for the slow pace of development in the state. They should be held responsible and any corrupt one should be probed irrespective of political affiliations. For example China became developed when corrupt leaders were being killed that put fears in the minds of those coming to rule. Also the women and youths should be empowered. There is the saying, that if you empower a woman you empower a nation, while the youths are the leaders of tomorrow. So the women and youths should be empowered for rapid development of the state".

 2) Comrade Edariese Peter A., President General Oviri-Olomu Community. "If we look at the development of Delta state, one can say that Delta state is moving at a very slow pace judging from the fact that Delta state is an oil producing state with revenue accruing to it from the federation account, Derivation and NDDC. What is saying is that Delta state has not received the development that is can measure or equal to the revenue accruing to it since this 25yrs of creation.

Delta state is supposed to be one of the most developed States by today. If we are to look at Warri for example, a city that has been known for years in Delta state, the roads are in squalor, in shambles, and not assessable. If you are going into Warri, the road leading to it is in a very bad shape with potholes everywhere and still a one lane road when it is supposed to be dualized. If Delta state life is to be judged by Warri as a known city then one can say that Delta state is highly underdeveloped.

I want to advised that only those who have interest in the development of Delta state should be allowed to govern the state while past corrupt leaders should be probed irrespective of their position",

3) Bishop Dr Diamond Emuobor, Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Ughelli North LGA."First, I want to thank God for the creation of Delta state which was realized after much agitation by Deltans on August 27th 1991. It brought happiness to the extent that we fill we can now develop to became the hub of industrialization in Nigeria because we are favored by God as we have all that is required to develop. We have the seas, the rubber and to cap it up the crude oil as well as a formidable human resources. Delta state is also a Christian state. So, the state was godly design to be envied by other States of the federation.

But what we find today is opposite because of wrong foundation from the creation to the appointment of an administrator They appointed an administrator who was a non indigene who was only interested in enriching himself and so were others who came to govern the state. They went away with our money if not the development of the state would have been higher than this by now.

Then when politics came, the politics of senatorial district became another problem. Instead of joining hand to develop the state, we became acrimonious to one another because of senatorial politics. Huge finance of the state has been wasted in court cases which have also affected the development of the state. We should support whoever that wins the election so that our state can develop.

Today there are roads that have not been tarred, schools without fence and benches, communities without pipe borne water in the state. All these are signs that our development is low. Look at what Ogbemudia did in the then Bendel state. The politics of partisan has not helped us; we should put party aside when it comes to developing our God given state.

 For this present regime, our governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa is a politician who started politics from the grassroots, as local government chairman, a commissioner, secretary to the state government, a senator and now a governor is very sure he will do well despite the financial position of the state. He has started well so he will end well by the grace of God."

PDP CONVENTION: PDP EXTENDS MAKARFI’S TENURE, AS OKOWA EXPRESSES CONFIDENCE IN THE UNITY OF THE PARTY

The National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has extended the tenure of the caretaker committee of the party led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi by another twelve months.

The resolution was reached at the convention which took place at the PDP Secretariat, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, following the decision of party delegates from different parts of the country to amend the agenda of the convention.

Senator Makarfi had earlier inaugurated the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party in a meeting held at the Rivers State Government House.

In all the activities, delegates of the party from Delta State led by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa played active roles in the decision-making processes.

Senator Makarfi, in a briefing said, in the absence of elected national officers, members of the caretaker committee of the party would be members of NEC which comprises PDP Governors, National Assembly Caucus , Board of Trustees, National Caucus, 36 State PDP chairmen and national officers of the Party.
In an interview with journalists, Governor Okowa described what was going on in the PDP as the beauty of democracy, noting that the party was becoming stronger and more united.

The governor, adorning an attire designed with PDP colors and logo, stated that the party has structures that were laid to stand the test of time and expressed satisfaction with the large turn-out of delegates, including former governors, former chairmen of the party at the convention.

EKIUGBO COMMUNITY SAYS GOV. OKOWA IS A PURPOSEFUL AND VISIONARY LEADER

The people of Ekiugbo Community in Ughelli North Local Government area of the state have described Senator Ifeanyi Okowa as a purposeful and visionary leader whose administration’s policies are strategic towards enhancing the living standard of Deltans.

A member of the Delta State Bursary and Scholarship Board and the President of the Ekiugbo Community Development Union (EDU), Hon. Orishedere Sunny, who stated this in Ekiugbo while speaking on the achievements of the state governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and the 25 years anniversary of the creation of the state, said a lot had been achieved, especially in the area of infrastructures such as road construction, empowerment and job creation aimed at making the teeming youth self-reliant.

Speaking shortly after the first entry visit embarked upon by the officials of the Community-Driven Development Social Implementation Unit (CDDSIU), led by its Project Director, Mrs. A.A Orubu, Hon. Orishedere Sunny, however, commended Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for the payment of the state counterpart contribution for the World Bank and European Union assisted scheme, stressing that the initiative had provided the framework for rural Communities in the state to benefit from the programme.

He disclosed that the decision to attract the project to his country home, Ekiugbo  was borne out of the love he had for his people and to develop the Community, while calling on well meaning individuals in the society to take advantage of the scheme to enhance the socio-economic well-being of their localities.

Hon. Orishedere Sunny, who is a Ph.D holder in Information and Communication Technology, harped on the need for government at all levels and good spirited individuals to shift focus to ICT, adding that approach would have overbearing impact on all spheres of human endeavours.

The board member called on Deltans from all walks of life to always support the administration of Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa in its determination to continue to develop all nooks and crannies of the state despite the lean resources accruing to the state.

Earlier, the Project Director of the Community-Driven Development Social Implementation Unit (CDDSIU), Mrs. A.A Orubu said that the Community-Driven development, Community members were at the drivers’ seat, adding that the scheme was a paradigm shift from contract-driving approach.

Mrs. Orubu said for the rural Communities to benefit from the project, each Community was expected to pay ten percent counterpart contribution either in cash or kind depending on the nature of the micro-project it had chosen while the state government in collaboration with the World Bank and the European Union would provide the remaining ninety percent amounting to ten million naira for two or three micro-projects.

The Project Director emphasized that during the second entry visit to the Community, different groups including the elders, men, women/ vulnerable and the youths would identify and prioritize the projects of their choice as well as elect eight-member project management committee through option A4, noting that the Community would produce their Community Development Plan that would capture the bill of quantity for their projects to be forwarded to the World Bank for approval.

She further disclosed that after the Community had secured approval of her Community Development Plan, the eight member committee, the Chairman, secretary, treasurer of the Community Development Association as well as the sub -committee members would be trained on the best ways to carry out the execution and management of the project in tandem with the World Bank standard and called on rural Communities in the state to key into the project.

CONSULTANT SCORES DELTA STATE HIGH ON MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS PROJECT

The Federal Government Consultant on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Projects in Delta State,  Architect Femi Fakolade, has scored Delta State high in the ongoing execution of projects of the 2014/2015 State cycle of MDGs-CGS projects.

Speaking with newsmen after a Monitoring and Evaluation exercise of projects being executed by the Directorate of MDGs/SDGs across the Three (3) Senatorial Zones of the state, Architect Fakolade said that the quality of work at the various project sites such as the Agbor-Obi Maternity/Labour Ward of the Primary Healthcare Centre in Ika South Local Government, the Solar Powered Borehole projects at the Umutu Primary Healthcare Centre in Ukwuani Local Government, the Primary Health Care Centre at Osubi inside the Trade Fair Complex in Okpe LGA, Emede in Isoko South as well as the two (2) Bedroom bungalow self contained Medical Staff Quarters of the Primary Healthcare Centre Ewu in Ughelli South LGA, spoke volumes of the level of project execution compliance of the contractors handling the projects.

The Federal Government MDGs Consultant stated that the quality of work is impressive and lauded the project contractors for their high level of compliance with the time lines of Eight (8) weeks completion date, describing the feat not only to the dexterity of the Management and Staff of the Dr. Andy Ilabor led Directorate of MDGs/SDGs, but also to the impressive synergy between the FG and Delta State in the area of Counterpart funding for the project.

In his remark, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor of Delta State on MDGs/SDGs, Dr. Andy Ilabor attributed the success rate of project execution to the Commitment of the contracting firms, who, in spite of challenges, put all machinery into place to key into the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa  ‘’SMART’’ agenda.

Dr. Ilabor said, ‘’ it is astounding that in spite of the fact that the Contractors have not been mobilized, they put in their expertise and achieved the milestones we are witnessing in the Bill of Quantities they received.

We use this opportunity to thank His Excellency the ‘’SMART’’ Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for creating the enabling environment to attar the counterpart funds in order to match the Federal Government Grants for the successful implementation of these pro-poor projects in Delta State’’.

Respondents, such as the Deputy Director of Nursing Services of the Agbor-Obi Primary Healthcare Centre, Mrs. Uche Ogwu, the contractor handling the Maternity ward project, Sir Emma Ogbebor, the Umutu PHC Solar Borehole contractor, Engr. Oduah Joseph, the Osubi PHC Solar Powered Borehole project  contractor, Vicniro Ventures as well as hi Emede in Isoko South counterpart, lauded Governor Okowa for enabling them key into the ‘’SMART’’ agenda of his administration through delivery of people oriented projects.

On hand to receive the Project Monitoring and Evaluation team led by the SSA (MDGS/SDGs), Dr. Andy Ilabor were community representatives and youth leaders who pledged to sustain the projects.

IBB, A TOWERING NATIONALIST @ 75 - OKOW

Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has described former Nigeria's President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) as a nationalist whose legacy as the eight Nigeria's Head of State will always stand him out as a towering nationalist.

Governor Okowa in a message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Ehiedu Aniagwu to commemorate General Babangida's 75th birthday stated that the world, especially, Deltans deserve to join IBB in celebration.

According to him, "IBB is an icon, a nationalist whose impact as President is still being felt in the country and in the diasporas, he occupies a special place in the hearts of government and people of Delta State because, but for his interest to enthroning an egalitarian society, where love for the nation supersedes personal interest, Deltans would have still been agitating for their own state."

"IBB created Delta State in 1991 and as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the creation of our dear state, we remember his astute and sagacious contributions towards the realization of our dream state. 

"As a State, a lot has been achieved since its creation and as we showcase our achievements to the world while working towards harnessing our potentials as a people, we owe you, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida a great deal of appreciation for making this dream a reality.

We are happy that as a worthy son-in-law of our state, his 75th birthday is coinciding with our rolling out of drums to celebrate 25 years of a progressive Delta State," the governor said, adding, "the Government and people of Delta State wish to use this medium to congratulate Gen. Babangida as he celebrates 75 eventful, historical years on earth; we wish him happy more years of active contribution to the growth of our dear country, Nigeria and development of humanity."

SAPELE OKPE COMMUNITY GETS NEW EXECUTIVE

Public condemnations by indigenes of Sapele-Okpe have continued to trail the court suit instituted by the erstwhile Caretaker Committee Chairman, Sapele Okpe Community, Mr. Moses Ogodo against the traditional ruler of Okpe kingdom- HRM, the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom following the recent removal of the community leader from office.

A cross section of stakeholders in Sapele Okpe community and executive of the Sapele Okpe Land Trust Association, while giving their approval to the new executive of the community and fully backing the action of the Okpe monarch, stated that the unguided recourse of the former care taker committee chairman is a sacrilege, most unfortunate and an insult to the integrity of the traditional stool of Okpe kingdom by a subject.

The condemnation of the action of the former Sapele-Okpe community chairman came at a reception organised by members of the Sapele Okpe Land Trust Association under the leadership of Chief Ede Dafinone while recognizing and giving full approval to the newly sworn-in members of Sapele Okpe community led by its interim chairman, Mr. Anthony America Ayomanor.

While defending the action of the Okpe monarch for removal and appointments of executive and members into Sapele Okpe community, Chief Ede Dafinone stated that the Orodje took the decision following avalanche of protests from different quarters of the community on the overstay in office and other allegations against the Moses Ogodo led interim administration.

Chief Dafinone explained that the decision by the Orodje was taken in order to avert another crisis in the community, especially the clamour by the protesters calling for a change in the interim executive, after five years in office, apart from lingering issues from previous court cases which the out-gone leadership failed to address.

The former Senate aspirant disclosed that the swearing-in process of the new executive of the community was performed by the Orodje, who is the chief custodian of Okpe tradition and was observed by members of the four quarters of Sapele-Okpe community with relevant security agents, including members of the Nigeria Armed Forces, the Police, the Navy and the State Security Services- SSS present at the ceremony.

He pointed out that it is the oversight function of Sapele Okpe Land Trust Association to supervise the role of Sapele Okpe community and it was on the strength of the endorsement of the new team by the Orodje that the Land Trust is giving its blessing and support to the newly elected team of the community.

Chief Dafinone, charged them to be good ambassadors and be conscious of the mandate assigned to them, stressing that in order to foster peace, progress and development in the community, the new executive should strive to reconcile all aggrieved persons and groups back to the centre, thereby allowing the community to function as one.

According to the Okakuro, ensure that the four quarters of the community are brought to the center and work towards conducting a free and fair election within the one year tenure of your administration.

Among those who lend their supports for the new team were, Prince Ogodo, who berated the action of his brother- Moses, describing it as an insult by a son on his father, however pleaded that plans are on the way to appease the monarch by calling the offender to render unreserved apology to the king, in the process of purging him of his wrong doings.

Also, Chief Geoffrey Dafinone chastised the action by the former community chairman. describing it as a sacrilege by an ungrateful subject insulting his king after benefiting much by his overstay in office, while the Financial Secretary of the new team, Mr. Victor Abeke equally condemned the action against the monarch by the erstwhile community chairman
 
According to Mr. Abeke, Moses ought not to allow power and greed to becloud his respect for the monarch, advising the he ought to have mellowed down and start thinking of working with the new executive towards achieving a common goal of peace, prosperity and development of the community.

Nobody actually allowed him to stay that long in office and his overstay was occasioned by the lingering court action by a former elected chairman, Mr. Michael Egbejule, advising the new Exco to ensure that they carry everyone along in the activities of the community and resolve all pending issues.

Earlier, the new chairman, Sapele Okpe Community, Mr. Anthony America Ayomanor (AAA) pledged to work according  to the mandate assigned them as he  promised not to disappoint the Orodje and the entire quarters that form the community.

He promised to be fair and just, by uniting all interest groups and to ensure peace and progress, stressing “just now, we are going to move Sapele forward and usher in peace, progress and development”.

Several efforts through phone calls made in attempt to get Mr.  Ogodo comment were abortive, as he refused to pick calls, however in a current edition of the Urhobo Voice newspaper, he averred that he remains the Chairman of Sapele Okpe Community.