''As we say in Anioma, when a person is not present at the internment of a corpse and he/she dares to exhume it without asking relevant questions, there is a tendency for it to be done wrongly'' - Those who do not know, do not really know. GOV OKOWA'S SONG.  The Executive governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa spoke candidly on Chief James Ibori . Hear him: “There was   Grassroots Democratic Movement, GDM, though a small party then during the Abacha time; then UNCP where we had the moneybags and big politicians, but somehow, some of us,   the younger ones felt that we needed to create a new politics, that was in 1996 and we found ourselves joining the Grassroots Democratic Movement. Why, because the national chair then was also very young, so he was able to recruit some of us, who were young into the place and nobody actually believed in us. Therefore, it was in the Grassroots Democratic Movement, what we called the GDM that I actually met Chief James Ibori

When the military midwifed the current civilian dispensation in 1999, Prince Ned Nwoko, a Nigerian-born but United kingdom- based maritime and human rights lawyer was amongst the top rank of the Nigerians who won elections to sit at the National Assembly. Nwoko blazed the trail because amongst the ranking human rights campaigners who fought for the emergence of democracy, after over four decades of military interegnum, he was one of the few who decided to take the bull by the horn by venturing into the arena of partisan politics. But at the back of his mind was to render selfless service to his fatherland and his people and not for money making. He gave his all to win the coveted position to sit amongst the national legislators to build the democratic institutions that would become legendary in bringing about prosperity to the people. Ned Nwoko’s political trajectories can be likened to a beautifully packaged journey whose destination has a very liberating and an inspirational mindset.

THIS POST IS UNDER REVIEW. IT WILL BE BACK SHORTLY. BEST REGARDS ANDY ADAIGBE

                               Hon. Fred Ofume                                Dr. Cairo Ojougboh Governor Ifeanyi Okowa  By Andy Adaigbe. The Ika South Local Government Council Chairman, Hon. Fred Ofume has stated that  the PDP Deputy National Chairman in the defunct Sheriff's faction,  Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, was like a father to him who contributed immensely in making him the Council Chairman of Ika South. The Ika South Council boss stated this in his office at Agbor, while briefing newsmen on his achievements in the past three years that he has been in office. He said,  " Apart from God, the person who contributed immensely to my becoming the chairman of Ika South Local Government Council, is Hon. Dr. Cairo Ojougboh and we are still very cordial. God used him to bring me to political  limelight and of course Dr. Cairo expects me to keep the light shinning. How I keep the light shinning behoves on me as an adult. We are from the same village and as a matter of fact, he is my rel

The management of Delta Broadcasting Service Asaba has vowed to overcome the natural disaster that befell the station and restore normal broadcast of programmes on both the radio and TV services within the shortest possible time.    The General Manager of the station, Mrs Evelyn Binitie stated this while setting up a five man high powered committee saddled with the responsibility of returning the signals of the broadcast outfit back on air.     The committee which had the Deputy General Manager, News and Current Affairs Mr Frankwhyte Osabohien as Chairman, also had the Deputy General Manager, Outside Broadcast Mr Ruke Edjeren as member. Other members of the committee included the Assistant General Manager Engineering Services Mr. Monday Imariegbe, the Assistant General Manager ICT Mr. Gabriel Muemoifo,the Assistant General Manager Public Relations Comr. Innocent  Ofonyeadi and the Chief Technical Officer Mr Samuel Okonkwo as secretary.     Addressing the committee members, the General

 By Andy Adaigbe. It was a joyous atmosphere last week at Agbor, When the Senior Pastor of Word of Grace Minitries, Rev Goodwill Adogho, celebrated his golden jubilee and also thirty two years in the Ministry as a Pastor.     One of the most popular Popes of all times, Pope John XXIII once said: “Men are like wine, some turn to vinegar, but the best improve with age”. Over the years, these golden words have proved to be true in the lives of many and one of such example is the respected cleric, Rev  Goodwill Adogho who is the senior Pastor of Word of Grace Ministries at Agbor in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State. Described by many as a bridge builder and a very considerate person, Cheerful and full of life, Passionate in the Father's business,  a man of integrity and civility, the pastor who on July 5, clocked 50 and turned golden, has continued to endear himself to more people with his admirable character, selfless nature, magnanimity and purposefulness. No matter how

 Excerpts:  Sir, how do you feel as Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly? Indeed, I feel humbled, I feel honoured and trusted not only to be so recognised but also to be inducted into the esteemed   class of the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly. To me, it is a demonstration of a very strong sense of conefidence on my abilities by my colleagues. So, while I remain appreciative of that overwhelming vote of confidence, I am very mindful with a sense of commitment to the burden and sensitivities of the position as well as a determination to secure visible and enduring legislative gains to the people of Delta State. What are your experiences since you emerged as Speaker on May 11, 2017? In all modesty, I was elected as a legislator to represent my constituency but now and by the special grace of God, it has pleased my colleagues to elect me as the Speaker of the  House. As a member representing Okpe Constituency, my primary focus was my constituents. But today, I represe

 Excerpts:  Sir, how do you feel as Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly? Indeed, I feel humbled, I feel honoured and trusted not only to be so recognised but also to be inducted into the esteemed   class of the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly. To me, it is a demonstration of a very strong sense of conefidence on my abilities by my colleagues. So, while I remain appreciative of that overwhelming vote of confidence, I am very mindful with a sense of commitment to the burden and sensitivities of the position as well as a determination to secure visible and enduring legislative gains to the people of Delta State. What are your experiences since you emerged as Speaker on May 11, 2017? In all modesty, I was elected as a legislator to represent my constituency but now and by the special grace of God, it has pleased my colleagues to elect me as the Speaker of the  House. As a member representing Okpe Constituency, my primary focus was my constituents. But today

Your Excellency, As you mark your 58th birthday today, I bring you best wishes and good tidings from myself and a multitude of other Deltans and Nigerian people who are appreciative of all that you do to advance the cause of Delta State and restore the lost glory and dignity of our land, Nigeria. In this our time and era, there is no voice so firm and clarion to make a case of the common man at the grassroots as yours. There is no vision so clear and focused to develop, advance and sustain the daily endeavours of every Delta resident as your PROSPERITY agenda. As our leader and torchbearer, you have never reneged in your willingness and ability to reciprocate the loyalty and allegiance that you enjoy from your followers. At the slightest opportunity availed to do so, you always protect and stand by your supporters through thick and thin. Little wonder you enjoy unalloyed and immaculate loyalty to the extent that most of your supporters are prepared to take the battlefield salvoes on yo

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR OF DELTA STATE, SEN. DR. IFEANYI OKOWA. Your excellency, as you mark your 58th birthday, I wish to use this opportunity to ACKNOWLEDGE AND HONOUR you, for you are a GREAT LEADER, as well as a peace loving Governor whose devotion to the PROSPERITY for all Deltans, is legendary. I speak for myself and a multitude of other Deltans who are appreciative of all that you do for the cause of democracy and exceptionalism in this country. Your lifestyle is so firmly committed to the prosperity of all Deltans mantra and it has not come without a price. You have laid much on the line to fight for our future, and we thank you.  I value your courage in the ongoing efforts to making sure that Delta State becomes one of the developed states in Nigeria and continue to have global recognition.  Your Excellency,  If you ever decide to contest for any elective position after your 8 years tenure as governor, you sure have the votes of my

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR OF DELTA STATE, SEN. DR. IFEANYI OKOWA. Your excellency, as you mark your 58th birthday, I wish to use this opportunity to ACKNOWLEDGE AND HONOUR you, for you are a GREAT LEADER, as well as a peace loving Governor whose devotion to the PROSPERITY for all Deltans, is legendary. I speak for myself and a multitude of other Deltans who are appreciative of all that you do for the cause of democracy and exceptionalism in this country. Your lifestyle is so firmly committed to the prosperity of all Deltans mantra and it has not come without a price. You have laid much on the line to fight for our future, and we thank you.  I value your courage in the ongoing efforts to making sure that Delta State becomes one of the developed states in Nigeria and continue to have global recognition.  Your Excellency,  If you ever decide to contest for any elective position after your 8 years tenure as governor, you sure have the votes of my family, friends

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, on Sunday said he dissolved the state executive council to flush out those he termed disloyal to the system. He also said the first was taken  in consultation with the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party  (PDP) in  the state. Speaking during the Election Thanksgiving Service in honour of the Majority Whip of the Rivers State House of Assembly at St. Martin’s Anglican Church, Ogu on Sunday, Governor Wike said that the dissolution  was done to rejig the machinery of government to move the  state forward. He said: “This is when you know  those who are loyal  and those  who are not loyal. There  is no crack in government.  We are working together. The  dissolution  was done in consultation with the leadership of PDP  in the state. “You must work with those who are loyal.  Those who are  not loyal will be shown the way  out. Those who are loyal will come back.  When you are going into another dispensation, you have to put things in order”. T

By Andy Adaigbe The governor of Rivers State Nyesom Wike has sacked all members of his cabinet, less than 48 hours after the State’s commissioner of information Austin Tam-George resigned. No reason was given for the dissolution of the cabinet “Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has dissolved the State Executive Council. The governor directed all former commissioners to hand over to their respective Permanent Secretaries,” Wike’s special assistant on electronic media, Simeon Nwakaudu. said in a statement. “Governor Wike thanked the former commissioners for their service to the state and wished them well in their future endeavours.” Nwakaudu said the governor had directed all the former commissioners to hand over to permanent secretaries in their respective ministries. It will be recalled that Mr. Austin Tam-George tendered his resignation less than 24 hours after Harrison Iheanyichukwu, the state commissioner for works, was sacked. Tam-George did not state the reason for his ac

The Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ, Ika Corresponds Chapel has congratulated the new executive of the state council of the union led by comrade Michael Ikeogwu, on their landslide victory in the NUJ election.  The Chapel, in its just concluded congress held in Agbor, under the chairmanship of Comrade Maxwell Momah, said the victory of comrade Ikeogwu was a victory for all NUJ members in the state and urged the Union members to support the administration in order to move the union forward.  In the same vein, Comrade Momah, encouraged the new executive to deliver on their mandate in line with their manifesto. He said there was need for the the state exco to carry the chapel members along in their policies formulation and implementation in accordance with the best practices of the Journalism Profession.

By Andy Adaigbe. There are strong indications that  the Delta state college of education, Agbor will soon be upgraded to a University Status. This may not be unconnected with the recent moves by different groups and individuals to prevail on the state government to upgrade the school to a University of Education.  Recently, The executive members of Agbor Community led by its President General, Mr Lucky Mgbeken, paid a courtesy visit to the Provost of College of Education, Agbor, Dr. Joseph Ukadike where they said they had visited His Royal Majesty, Dr. Benjamin Keagborekuzi I, the Dein of Agbor Kingdom and His Excellency, the Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, appealing to the governor to assist in upgrading the College of Education Agbor to a University of Education. The Agbor community leadership said the appeal became necessary because the students' intake into the NCE programme of the College was at its lowest ebb. According to them, functional education was a s

 I Was Neither Arrested Nor Detained The Executive Chairman, Ika South Local Government council, Delta State, Mr. Fred Ofume has refuted reports by some sections of the media, particularly the social media alleging that he was arrested recently by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad ( SARS) for allegedly ordering the demolition of the property of one Mr. Alex Ikpeazu valued at Over N100 Million. Addressing journalists at the weekend in his country home, Agbor, the administrative headquarters of the Council, Ofume, while describing the allegation as baseless, false and unfounded, said he has never been arrested by any law enforcement agency on any issue bothering on threat to life, malicious damage or any other misdemeanours acts as claimed by the report which according to him, originated from Sahara Reporters. Putting the records straight, the council boss said "It is true that the Council, Ika South Local Government council has been having crisis with One Mr Alex Ikpeazu over the true

Rivers, Delta, Akwa Ibom get highest payment The Federal Government has paid the sum of N516.38 billion to states as refunds on over-deductions for external debt service.  If the governors make good their promises to pay the backlog of workers’ salaries, then there would be an unprecedented economic relief throughout the country in the days ahead.  The governors had at their meeting in Abuja, last weekend, promised to pay the backlog of workers’ salaries from the second tranche of the refund.  Rivers State topped the list with N34.925 billion, followed by Delta and Akwa Ibom with N27.606 billion and N25.981 billion, respectively. Gombe received the least refund of N8. 945 billion.  The Federal Ministry of Finance, in a statement by its Director of Information, Mr. Salisu Na’Inna, in Abuja, yesterday, said the payment was in line with the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari on November 21, 2016, in partial settlement of long-standing claims by state governments.  There had been long-

Google, Thursday, announced plans to train 6000 African journalists in data journalism skills by the end of February 2018. Google News Lab and the World Bank according to a press release are working with Code For Africa to empower journalists in Africa by giving them the necessary support to better understand the Web and how to use the tools available to them online. The Code For Africa Digital Journalism initiative will take place over the next 9 months (to February 2018) and see 6 000 journalists trained in 12 major African cities – Abuja, Lagos, Nairobi, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Casablanca, Dakar, Freetown, Dar es Salaam, Kampala, and Yaounde. Code For Africa is a data journalism and civic technology initiative operating across Africa that trains and supports journalists and civic activists to better understand and use web tools for news reporting and storytelling. Training will take place in three formats. Beginning June 15, in-person training sessions will be held in the c

My dear colleagues, we are very fortunate to be given consideration to serve in the Government of Delta State, this is because with the huge population of the State, the diverse cultural, political and social wealth that abounds in every nook and cranny of the State, our differences in language, culture, social background, religion and economic prospect in different occupational backgrounds, any person that is called upon to assist Governor actualize the prosperity agenda of Governor Okowa is not only lucky but also expected to enrich the flow of ideas in the state  for the benefit of the people. Everyone’s appointment carries political significance because we are all expected as servants of the people duplicate the presence of Governor Okowa in every Unit, ward, and community and make the people feel his presence. This is because as political aides of the Governor we carry a heavy burden of responsibility to live above board in conduct and character. We must in our daily conduct as re