MAYUKU CELEBRATES HIS 52nd BIRTHDAY IN STYLE

By

Michael Tidi

Seldom does one come across an individual about whom all those who knew him in life have nothing but good things to say. Hon. Barr. Daniel Omayone Mayuku, the member representing Warri South-West Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, is celebrating his 52nd birthday today, surrounded by well-wishers with his beloved and devoted wife, Dame Juliet, at his side. Attaining 52, in a country where life expectancy is plummeting by the day, is certainly a testament of God’s grace upon his life and the prayers of the hundreds of lives he has affected. Mayuku has always led by example, and proved to be the most tenacious human being I have met in recent time. Unlike many members of his generation, he is not stuck in a boring rut or set in his ways or narrow-mindedly allergic to new ideas. And he’s certainly not a typical Naija Big Man, not least because he has an egalitarian, democratic spirit and can not only cheerfully cope with criticism, but actively welcomes opposing viewpoints from those he regards as well-intentioned or well-informed.

There are many things I could say to pay tribute to him, he is 52 after all, which is a significant milestone! It is enough to establish the character of a man, and to know who he truly is. I have had the honor of hobnobbing with him closely; therefore, I know him. He couldn’t have been the best man around. But he is certainly a good man. He is not perfect neither is this piece an attempt to confer sainthood on him. But a chance meeting with him could align your thoughts with mine. Mayuku possesses a much physical energy, so much sheer enthusiasm for life and such a modern mindset that I find it difficult to think of him as middle-aged!

Born on August 8, 1964, in Warri, he was already armed with a bronze spoon – in a part of the world where some never eat with any spoon from birth. But, he brought more than eating utensils (which he is using proficiently to enjoy life); he made sure he also came equipped with one of the sharpest brains and intellect that would smoothen his way through life. Not done, he supplemented all these with incredible degree of self –discipline, as well as high ethical standards and mental courage. Excellence in Arts resulted in tertiary education at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Golden Fleece in his pocket, he headed for the Nigeria Law School, where he graduated in flying colors.

Human Right activism for him is quite a passion. So, he started as a right activist, questioning why oil exploitation have become a threat to the achievement of sustainable development, peace and progress, particularly in oil-rich Ugborodo community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, and the Niger Delta in general. He is so eloquent and provided very outstanding insights into the issues that led to the drafting of the famous Chevron GMoU with an uncommon courage. He was truly the nemesis of the IOCs that many feared to confront. Mayuku stayed the course and has given the struggle against marginalization so much credibility by the force of patriotic courage as well as the cultured tuned of his voice.

It is to the gain of Delta State, nay our country that Mayuku has retained a very active engagement with the Nigeria social space, playing multifaceted role that remain dedicated to the deepening of the content of Nigeria’s democracy and the building of a country that works for all our people.

As the people’s representative, he tirelessly uses his good offices to empower those in his sphere of contact and allow their long-nursed hopes and dreams to become reality. Warri South-West constituents whose political behavior has a clear index of a people that are appreciative of good gesture, has for the 4th consecutive time, rewarded the philanthropy of their noble son with resounding victories at the polls.

Mayuku is not a philanthropist in the classical sense of the word. He is more a benefactor, in the genre of the Good Samaritan, with a keen sense of a duty of care, towards the needy and distressed. He provides safe harbor of calm and resuscitation, to those tossed about by the vicissitude of life. He is simply an icon of splendid humanity, at its quintessential best.

The servant- leader relationship, between Mayuku and the legion of endangered humanity he is rescuing from disgrace, best exemplified what is most noble and endearing about him. His acts of kindness is done without condescension, but with utmost humility, that of a man who sees in others, no matter how degraded by society, our common humanity. He did not see his benevolence as an investment, on those from whom he expects future benefits-or even gratitude.

We are lucky to have outstanding patriots like Mayuku; he continues to give so selflessly of himself to worthy causes, with the genuine belief that a much better State, indeed, a much better country is possible and can be built by patriots from all over our country working together with passion, spirit and a sense of purpose and of sacrifice.

More grease to his elbow. May he have a wonderful birthday and productive year.

MAYUKU CELEBRATES HIS 52nd BIRTHDAY IN STYLE

 

ITSEKIRI YOUTHS BLAST AYIRI. ACCUSES TOMPOLO OF SPONSORING HATE PUBLICATION

Our attention has been drawn to a publication made by a certain TOMPOLO sponsored Gbaramatu voice newspaper targeted at smearing the name of our respected chief of warri kingdom and former director of delta state waterways security, Chief Ayirimi Emami over an alleged sponsoring of protest by the UGBORODO people of warri south west Local Government Area of Delta State. We the respected members of UGBORODO salvation movement (USM)condemn the publication supposedly sponsored by a fugitive in the person of TOMPOLO and his online watch dog GBARAMATU VOICE NEWSPAPER arrogating frivolous and fictitious names to the peace loving people of itsekiri extraction.

Speaking on behalf of the UGBORODO salvation movement, the president of the body, Mr Oritsematosan Ikperegbeyiwa and the secretary, Mrs Comfort Alero Mejebi who spoke emphatically that, IWERE PEACE MOVEMENT is not a name known to itsekiris anywhere in the globe, neither is it an association by any itsekiri of sought. There are no known nomenclature as Merie Oritsejolomi and Johnbull Omadeli who paraded themselves as president and secretary on behalf of the their fraudulent IJAW association bearing itsekiri appellations. It is therefore an attempt to impersonate itsekiri names to give our respected chief a bad name and smear his wonderful and rising profile. The UGBORODO people are very pleased at the peace and truce chief Ayirimi Emami has been trying to broker since he waded into the matter.

Furthermore, the protest by UGBORODO people are genuine and it is line with the failed promises by chevron Nigeria Limited who have failed to live up to their social cooperate responsibility to the host com. However, TOMPOLO can keep using his online outfit gbaramatu voice newspaper to continue to run like a “MAD DOG” as that will not save him from prosecution. We understand that he is a drowning man who would want to cling on something to either drown or save himself with. Our advise to him is that, he submits himself to the law enforcement agents for prosecution. It is laughable therefore how the ijaws of gbaramatu wouldn’t mind their business by helping the security agents fish out their son to face the music of his misdeeds, but are quick to help propagate falsehood about their itsekiri neighbors.
The question that comes to mind is simple, how come only a paid IJAW online outfit sponsored by TOMPOLO was the one that posted itsekiri news?
How come no itsekiri online groups posted such?
What is the connection between ijaws and itsekiris in time of peaceful protest as this?
Is this how itsekiri report news about ijaws?

My advice to them is to learn how to mind their business, because we don’t and will not resort to pipeline vandalism and criminality like the IJAW avengers just to get the attention of the government. We are resolute and hence, we will employ all peaceful form to get what we want from Government and Chevron..

Finally, Chief Ayirimi Emami has played a wonderful role in mediating and ensuring that normalcy returns to the area by taking out time from his business and addressing this age long brouhaha In the area. We are happy with him, he is our respected son. The leader of the USM asserted. Until our demands are met, we will not leave chevron gate….

Okowa orders Ugborodo protesters to vacate Chevron

By Emma Amaize, Festus Ahon & Perez Brisibe

ASABA—GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, yesterday, ordered the Ugborodo villagers, who laid siege to Chevron Nigeria Limited facilities in the community and Warri to lift the siege and give government chance to look into their grievances.He gave the directive at a meeting with representatives of the community, Chevron and security agencies in Asaba, yesterday, warning that nobody should take government’s capacity to protect facilities in the state for granted. Okowa urged the warring parties to also respect the decision of His Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwoli, the Olu of Warri on matters concerning Ugborodo with the oil company.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State 

Vanguard learned that he cancelled the additional names included in the Export Processing Zone, EPZ Interface Committee headed by Mr Austin Oborogbeyi and ordered a reconstitution to accommodate various interests in the area.

He directed that the Emma Meke faction of the community’s Interim Management Committee, IMC should nominate 10 persons, while each of the five communities that make up Ugborodo Kingdom should nominate three persons each, making a total of 15 persons to bring the EPZ Interface Committee to 46 members.

Okowa appointed Itsekiri leader, Chief Ayiri Emami, as the head of an eight-man committee to collate the names of the additional 25 persons and submit to him within one week.

Other members include Chief Thomas Ereyitomi, Austin Oborogbeyi, Ayo Ayomike, Alex Eyengho and Emma Meke. Reacting to the dispute Chevron’s General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Mr Deji Haastrup, said that the company does not interfere in the internal affairs of communities in areas of its operations, including Ugborodo.

OPEN LETTER TO CHEVRON NIGERIA LIMITED (CNL) UGBORODO NATIONAL YOUTH COUNCIL

Mr. Deji Harstrop,
PGPA Chevron Nigerial Limited (CNL),
Lekki, Lagos State.

Dear Sir,

REJECTION OF YOUR COMPANY PROPOSAL TO EMPLOY INDIGENES OF UGBORODO COMMUNITY THAT HAVE WORKED IN THE EGTL PROJECT DURING IT’S CONSTRUCTION WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION AND IDENTIFICATION FROM THE COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP FOR THE TURN AROUND MAINTENANCE OF THE EXCRAVOS GAS TO LIQUID PROJECT (EGTL).

I write to you on behalf of the Entire Youths of Ugborodo community to inform you that your company’s proposal to us to employ some youths and indigenes of our community that worked during the Construction of the EGTL without recommendation and identification by the community is totally rejected by the Ugborodo community youths.

This is so because some of the people Chevron Nigerial Limited employed during the construction of the Excravos Gas to Liquid Project (EGTL) in the name of Ugborodo indigenes are impostors and are not even Itsekiris.

This was carried out then by a strong conspiracy between the management of Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) and some unscrupulous elements of Ugborodo community through the IRDC.

This brought a situation where jobs meant for Itsekiris indigenes from CNL host communities are diverted and sold to staff of Chevron Nigeria Limited who are nonetribes and they give same to their people from other parts of the country and they are giving either ghost Itsekiri names or are made to answer the names of some indigenes of the host communities without the knowledge of the the true bearers, while most true Itsekiris who are indigenes of these communities never got any job through the years of the construction of the project.

This sad and wicked act have made most of our indigenes both graduates, skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled to have only seen EGTL from the community and have never stepped foot into it, not to talk about working there, whereas other people used their names to work there for for years even when they are qualified.

I want to state emphatically to the Management of Chevron Nigeria Limited that it is no longer business as usual, for the present executive of the Youths of Ugborodo will not tolerate this criminal and dubious act, that have made our indigenes jobless while their few job slots in CNL have been criminally and wickedly giving to others to the detriment of the indigenes of our community.

This backdoor pattern by Chevron Nigeria Limited of short changing our community is now old fashion because we are now wiser than that, hence we are saying all our indigenes to be employed for the turn around maintenance of the EGTL plant be recommended and identified by Ugborodo community leadership.

We demand our 60% in the total work force to be employed for the turn around maintenance as stated in the local content act of Nigeria for host communities.

That we are civil and doesn’t pick up arms against companies in our land doesn’t mean we are weak, any attempt to continue this evil act on our community may force us to apply legal means to push and achieve our demand for the survival of our land.

Many Thanks,
For: Ugborodo Community Youths.

OFE NENE
National Youth Chairman
Ugborodo Community Youths.

DELTA STATE GOVERNMENT, CALL THE IJAWS OF GBARAMATU TO ORDER!_SMK WORNS

Delta state Government, call the ijaw of Gbaramatu to order!

There have been series of publication and propagandas by the IJaws of Gbaramatu targeted at the itsekiris claiming itsekiris are fanning embers of war against them, simply because the itsekiris have refused to support their nefarious activities in the region.

Consequently, there have been attacks by the ijaw avengers on oil installations in the ITSEKIRI areas, which to our greatest dismay can trigger another round of bloodbath between the itsekiri people of warri and their ijaw brothers. However, looking at series of lies allegedly published by the ijaw new propaganda machinations in Gharamatuvoice newspaper, ghost names have been created, appended and credited to the itsekiris by the fraudulent online media outfit just to create panic amongst residents in the environment. To this end, we are urging the state Government to call the sponsors of the evil website to order, before he creates unrest in the area.

Recall that, some days ago, some ijaw bigwigs including the deputy Governor of the state, Barr Kinsgley Otuaro. Commissioner for higher education, Engr Jude Sinebe amongst other notable ijaw sons and daughters were present at the official launch of the website GBARAMATUVOICE NEWSPAPER. Kingsley Otuaro has been a front liner and a house hold name in the running of countless propagandas for the IJaws in time past, so supporting such a course to bring other ethnic nationality down isn’t out of reach to him, hence, he should be reminded that, he doesn’t only represent the IJaws of Gbaramatu but the entire state.

Furthermore, the evil website called Gbaramatu voice newspaper should stop spreading non existing names and ascribing it to the itsekiris. We are not violent people, but if they continue to push us to the wall, we will have no other option than to take they bull by the horn. A word they say is enough for the wise.

~~SMK

We Created 17,173 Jobs In One Year, Says Okowa

0

Editorial

May 24, 2016

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…Set To Commission Series Of Completed Projects

BY FIDELIS EGUGBO
THE Delta State Governor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa has said that within one year of being in office, his administration has created 17,173 (seventeen thousand, one hundred and seventy three) jobs.
Governor Okowa accompanied by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, Chief of Staff, Government House, Hon. Tam Brisibe; Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Chief Kingsley Esiso; Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Festus Ovie-Agas; Chairman of the Delta State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Norbert Chiazor and the South South zonal chairman of the union, Comrade Edward Ogude dropped the hint in a crowded press conference held at the Press Centre, Government House, Asaba yesterday to signal the commencement of the celebration of his one year in office.
While disclosing that a lot of projects have been lined up for commissioning as a result of the Democracy Day celebration, the governor stated that within the past one year, “it is my pleasure to announce that as at April 30, 2016, a total of 17,173 (seventeen thousand, one hundred and seventy three) private sector jobs were created by this administration; this figure consists of 6,800 (six thousand, eight hundred) direct jobs and 10,373 (ten thousand, three hundred and seventy three) indirect jobs of both skilled and unskilled workers.”
“As a Special Purpose Vehicle, the Office of the Chief Job Creation Officer accounted for 7,522 (seven thousand, five hundred and twenty two) of these jobs while the remaining 9,651 (nine thousand, six hundred and fifty one) were created through projects, programmes and initiatives implemented through the various MDAs,” the governor said, adding, “at the very core of our SMART agenda is job and wealth creation, because we realize that the only way to achieve sustainable economic growth is to create new jobs, diversify the economy through the development of non-oil sectors, and provide the enabling environment for enterprises and industries to thrive.”
Senator Okowa who took oath of office on May 29, 2015 as the Governor of Delta State, reiterated, “in August 2015, we launched the Job and Wealth Creation Scheme with the following programmes viz; Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP), Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP), and Production and Processing Support Programme (PPSP) which were focused on equipping participants with life skills, developing their leadership qualities, increasing their personal effectiveness, harnessing their productive potentials, and enabling them to become entrepreneurs, managers and leaders.”
He disclosed that within one year, his administration awarded contracts for the construction cum rehabilitation of fifty four roads through the State Tenders Board and the Ministerial Tenders Board, noting that some of the projects earmarked for commissioning as part of the Democracy Day celebration includes, Ejinyere/Orodje Street in Orerokpe, Okpe Local Government Area; Jeddo Ughoton Road and Access Road to Eagles Height University (Phase 1 Jeddo/Omadino Bridge), Okpe local Government Area; Oteri Township Road in Ughelli North Local Government Area; Okere-Urhobo Community Roads in Warri South Local Government Area (Olomu link Road, 1st and 2nd Olomu Streets, Otor-Okere and Agba Roads); Kefas Road with a spur to Uzere junction, Oleh, Isoko South Local Government Area; Uduophori road (Phase 1), Patani Local Government Area; Orikeze Street with a spur to Orikeze close, Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area; Usonia Road, off Nnebisi Road, Asaba; Faculty of Law Complex, Delta State University, Oleh Campus, Isoko South Local Government Area; Pedriatic Wards/Water Scheme in Patani General Hospital; and Azu-Owa Abavo Cottage Hospital, Abavo, Ika South Local Government Area of the state.
“Meanwhile, work on Cable Point Road dualization, Asaba, Okpanam Road Dualization, Asaba; Warri-Sapele Road Dualization in Sapele from Amukpe Roundabout; the construction of Amekpa-Afiesere-Ufuoma Road in Ughelli North Local Government Area; Lagos-Asaba Road dualization in Agbor; construction of Oza-nogogo-Alisimie Road in Ika South Local Government Area, and Okerenkoko Beach Road in Warri South West Local Government Area, are progressing steadily and should be ready for commissioning a few months from now,” the Governor said, emphasising, “it goes without saying that there is need for continual investment in infrastructure renewal and new constructions that will engender economic growth, lead to social improvements, and give all communities equal opportunity to benefit from the economy.”
While calling for collaboration between government and the private sector, Governor Okowa stated, “it is gratifying to note that local and international investors are taking keen interest in our state and the figure given for the constructed and rehabilitated roads does not include projects executed by the Direct Labour Agency (DLA).”

GOV OKOWA ADVOCACY COMMITTEE IN EGBEMA KINGDOM OF WARRI NORTH LGA

GOV OKOWA ADVOCACY COMMITTEE  IN EGBEMA KINGDOM OF WARRI NORTH LGA 

 

The people of Egbame Kingdom have been advised not to engage in the destruction of Oil facilities that will further cripple the economy. 

 

The Delta State Deputy Governor, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro who is the Chairman of the Government Advocacy Committee against Pipeline Vandalism of the state, gave the advice while addressing people of the kingdom when he led members of the Advocacy team as part of the sensitization against Pipeline Vandalism. 

 

The deputy governor who spoke to the people in their local language, said pipeline vandalism will have negative effect not only on the nation, and state but also the communities in the kingdom as well.

 

He said government condemn in strong terms the rate of this dastardly act going on in the riverine area, adding that  no government will attain meaningful development with this spate of destruction of oil facilities. 

 

According to him;  "The on going bombing of our critical oil facilities is unacceptable, government condemn it in very strong terms,  they should stop it, they should deepen intelligence as to the  remote and immediate cause and happenings and to create a platform of engagement and dialogue.  We believe very strongly that we have to engage the people in dialogue. Because only dialogue can bring about sustainable peace and security in the area, that is what we are doing and that is what we are  set to achieve". Barr. Otuaro stated. 

 

Barr. Otuaro advised the people not to be part of those perpetrating the act, but rather help government and security agencies in fishing out these criminals in their areas.

 

In his response, His Royal Majesty, Gold Oro Tiemo the Agadagba  of Egbema kingdom who was represented by High Chief Matthew Tiemo, said the issue of insecurity and attack on oil/gas installations in some parts of the state and local government is worrisome.

 

"As traditional institution we preach peace, we live peace and therefore cannot fiegn ignorance of this negative development,  we shall never be lured to indulge in such activities that are inimical to the economic wellbeing of the country, particularly Delta State". He said. 

 

He further suggest that the state government should meaningful reorganise the community base surveillance outfit for oil and gas facilities in the state by the involvement of prominent community leaders that have vast knowledge of their respective territories to act as overseers in each of the Kingdoms.

 

According to him,  this will not only generate  employment for the youths but will also create and promote a sense of owership of these facilities. 

 

He said despite their marginalization as an oil producing Kingdom, they have advised their youths never to part of such mischievous act.

 

He urge the government to unravel the brains behind the recent attack. 

 

The high powered advocacy Committee is expected to visit Gbaramatu Kingdom in continuation of  the sensitization tour against Pipeline Vandalism.

AHEAD OF PDP NATIONAL CONVENTION: SHERIFF TO RUN AS SOLE CANDIDATE FOR PDP CHAIRMAN(edwin efejuku

Reprieve on Monday came the way of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff.

The various party organs and stakeholders who were hitherto calling for his ouster gave him the nod to run as sole chairmanship candidate at the national convention billed to hold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Saturday.

At a broad based meeting at the party’s secretariat in Abuja, the stakeholders, including the Board of Trustees (BoT) unanimously endorsed Sheriff for the job, with the various dissenting groups in agreement.

Confirming the development, Sheriff, in a chat with journalists at the party’s secretariat, said his candidacy was first endorsed by the party’s Northeast zone and his home state of Borno in a unanimous voice vote.

He said, “Yes, I am contesting for the position of chairman at the convention. I have been unanimously endorsed by the Northeast zone and Borno State as sole candidate.

“The Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, moved the motion for my adoption and his Gombe State counterpart, (Ibrahim Dankwabo) seconded the motion.”

Sheriff had, after an earlier meeting with the party’s BoT, said the party had dropped its plan to amend the PDP constitution which had been one of the sources of disagreement among party stakeholders.

He, however, clarified that the decision to amend the party’s constitution was not his idea, saying that he only inherited the recommendation as contained in a report by the Ike Ekweremadu committee.

Sheriff confirmed the party’s decision to zone the PDP’s presidential ticket to the North for the 2019 general election.

The chairman also assured the BoT and other stakeholders that disagreements arising from the conduct of ward and zonal congresses across the states would be looked into, with a view to addressing areas of conflict.

The party also confirmed Senator Walid Jibrin as newly elected chairman of the BoT, with Chief Ojo Maduekwe as secretary

NEW NIGER DELTA MILITANT GROUP “AVENGERS” DARES BUHARI, VOWS TO CRIPPLE NIGERIA’S ECONOMY

The Niger Delta Avengers, a new militant group in the oil-rich Niger Delta region, has threatened to make the country’s economy worse by acts of sabotage, particularly in the oil sector.

 

The threat, made via a statement issued by the group, is a response to comments made by President Muhammadu Buhari during his visit to China.

 

While in China, Buhari had said that oil saboteurs will be treated harshly like Boko Haram terrorists, a comment the group considers a denigration of the Niger Delta struggle and an indication that the Federal Government considers oil more important than the lives of people of the Niger Delta region.

 

“The recent proclamation of the Federal Government to bombard the people of the Niger Delta, as stated in Beijing, China, is a clear indicator that President Buhari and his Northern brothers-led government scales the oil in the Niger Delta far more important than the lives of the Niger Deltans,” the group said.

 

As proof of the Niger Delta Avengers potency, the group cited the visit of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State to the Forcados Terminal, where they inspected the SPDC 48 inches export pipeline, which it claimed to have blown up.

 

“They never cared to see for themselves what the natives (Ogulagha people), the host community, are going through in the hands of SPDC as a result of the oil and gas exploration for decades. Ogulagha community is just one such case across the Niger Delta,” the statement added.

 

The militant organisation explained that the decision of the government to send the Minister of the Environment and the Vice President on a visit to the Forcados Terminal after it was blown up shows the importance of the facility to the economic well-being of the country.

 

“Bonny Export Terminal, Bonny Island in Rivers State, Chevron and Ugborodo community in Delta State are the heartbeat of Nigeria’s economy, but they are all facing same hardship as the Ogulagha community, which hosts the Forcados Terminal.

 

“It is a slight on our struggle and quite embarrassing for Mr. President to liken us to his kinsmen (Boko Haram), who are hell-bent on swimming in innocent blood until they Islamize the nation,” added the Niger Delta Avengers.

 

The organisation also accused the President of deliberately ignoring the menacing activities of Fulani herdsmen, but paying attention to pipeline vandalism, which he wants to use as a pretext to punish the Niger Delta Region.

 

This, it argued, provides further proof that the Federal Government values oil more than the well-being of the people of the Niger Delta.

 

While claiming it takes no pleasure in violence, the group, however, said it will continue blowing up pipelines to protest the marginalisation of the Niger Delta.

 

It dared the Presidency to do its worst, saying: “The Presidency can go ahead and setup a permanent security force, as stated by the Vice President when he visited the SPDC, Forcados Terminal.

 

We are not deterred by such threats as we are highly spirited and shall continue blowing up pipelines until the Niger Delta people are no longer marginalized by the Nigerian actors. Yes, the military have sworn to lay down their lives to protect Nigeria.

 

We have on our part sworn to do whatever is necessary to safeguard the interest of the Niger Delta people.”

 

The group also invited the attention of the Federal Government and the international community to the plight of the Niger Delta people and alleged that other forms of pipeline vandalism are encouraged and by officials of the Nigerian armed forces.

 

“We want the general public to note that the Nigerian Armed Forces collects three Naira per litre of the sum accruing from the total number of barrels loaded by any vessel in all illegal bunkering activities referred to as ‘black oil business,’ it claimed.

 

It followed this up with a piece of advice to the Chinese government and the international community that any country that lends Nigeria money is doing so at its own risk.

 

“There will be no litre of crude oil to service the loan deal they planning to do. This also goes to the international oil companies in the country to adhere to our warnings and advise the Federal Government to heed our demands, especially the development of the Niger Delta Region,” the group concluded.

 

Source: SaharaReporters

DELTA STATE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION CHAIRMAN BURNS FILES, EVIDENCE OF EMPLOYMENT OF CIVIL SERVANTS

On the assumption of office as governor,  Okowa ordered the sack of more than 2000 civil servants employed by the Uduaghan administration.

The sack, claimed the government,  was informed by the discovery of alleged infidelity in the employment exercise.  However, Okowa promised to recall those genuinely employed after a verification exercise must have been carried out.
‎

That promise is unlikely to be fulfilled.  SaharaReporters reliably learned that in order not to recall any of those affected, Mrs.  Okwuofu, on the instruction of Okowa, ordered that all files belonging to the sacked civil servants as well as Uduaghan’s approval of the exercise be burnt.

Last Tuesday,  Mrs. Okwuofu said  the state government was not going to revisit the issue of those whose appointment into the state civil service by the immediate past administration was put on hold by the present administration.

“The recruitment exercise fell short of what the standard should be. I was shocked to note that even as we speak, there is no existing file in the commission on that particular recruitment.  Even the director in charge of hiring and promotions could not produce any file that has to do with the said recruitment.

“From asking questions upon my assumption of office, I found out that everything about the recruitment exercise was irregular. Again, I cannot sight the governor’s approval for the recruitment; there was no record anywhere showing that those recruited were interviewed or examined before they were given appointment letters. How can people whose credentials were not seen by the Commission be placed on a particular grade level or designation. We found out that the whole exercise was fouled.” Okwuofu stated.

A  senior civil servant in the office of the Head of Service told SaharaReporters that Mrs. Okwuofu lied on the recruitment exercise.  The staff member alleged that files and Uduaghan’s approvals of the exercise were ordered burnt by Mrs. Okwuofu.

“There were approvals. They all passed through the Head of Service. I mean all the files. Mrs. Okwuofu’s action has rubbished the Okowa government, the Civil service Commission as well as the Head of Service, Mr. Patrick Origho, whose office all the files and approvals went through.

“The Head of Service must come out to respond to Mrs. Okwuofu and prove that there were documents for the last recruitment.                                                                                                          “She alleged that procedure required in the civil service commission recruitment exercise were not duly followed.

“This is far from the truth because the commission was advertised, Deltans applied online, candidates were shortlisted, and the interview was conducted over three days, during which qualifications were verified at the Association of Senior Civil Servants Secretariat.” the staff stated.

Also reacting to Mrs. Nkem Okwuofu’s claims, a former board member of the CSC,  who pleaded for anonymity, disclosed that members of the former board were told that files and other evidence related to his exercise were have been burnt on the orders of Mrs. Okuwofu.

The former board member also disagreed with Mrs. Okuwofu’s assessment of the exercise, saying that it substantially followed due process. He added that files and other documents on the exercise were left in the office of Mrs. Okuwofu’s predecessor in office.

The former board member said  Mrs. Okwuofu is out to discredit the previous administration because she was sacked by  Uduaghan from the boards of Delta Rainbow Television (DRTV)  and the Local Government Service Commission, which she chaired at different times.

“Interviews were conducted batch by batch for three days. Subsequently, appointment letters were issued to successful candidates. Mrs. Okwuofu is a novice as far as the civil service is concerned. The list of employees recruited, as at the time we were leaving office, was in the possession of the permanent secretary who is a professional.” the former board member stated.

Speaking on behalf of the sacked civil servants, Mr. Obus Regha, also, a victim, disagreed with  Mrs. Okwuofu. He expressed surprise that Mrs. Okwuofu could claim that there are no documents related to the exercise. 
He added that the  suspended civil servants, Delta State Activists Front, unemployed youths, unemployed graduates and well-meaning Deltans had demanded the immediate resignation of Mrs. Okwuofu.

Attempts to speak with  Mrs. Okwuofu were futile as she did not answer calls to her phone neither did she reply to text messages