Urhobo News

It was a celebration of excellence, professionalism, nationalism and good success in Port Harcourt last Saturday as His Excellency Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State conferred the State’s most dignified civil awards on some deserving citizens and significant corporate players with manifestly developmental business operations in the State.

Amongst the iconic dignitaries so recognized and given the important awards by the Rivers State Government was the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engineer Dr. Lars Richter, the company’s South-south and South-east Regional Manager, Engr. Juergen Fischer and the company’s Special Projects Manager in Port Harcourt, Engr. Rimon Marisho. The Managing Director and the two other senior officials of the company were awarded the Rivers State Medal of the Order of GSSRS (Grand Service Star of Rivers State). It is the highest civil award made by the Rivers State Governor to any individual.

Governor Wike said the Government awarded the GSSRS Medal of honour to the Julius Berger Managing Director, Engr. Lars Richter and his Regional Manager and Special Projects Manager, Engr. Juergen Fischer and Engr. Rimon Marisho, respectively, for the unmatched productive capacity and technical competence exhibited by Julius Berger as the company successfully partnered with his administration to deliver the promised and planned infrastructural renewal and development of Rivers State, and Port Harcourt in particular.

The operations of the company as it delivered its contracted works for roads, bridges and flyovers in Rivers State, also generated a multiplier effect on employment opportunities for the people of the State, and that, in turn, had a positive empirical effect on crime reduction in the State, said Governor Wike.

Governor Wike therefore on behalf of the Government and people of Rivers State cited, commended and thanked the Julius Berger Managing Director and his workaholic operational team as a worthy, successful partner in progress for  the steady and irreversible infrastructural development and socio-economic advancement of Rivers State.

Other recipients of awards at the ceremony in Port Harcourt includeed the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Shehu Malami who was also vested with GSSRS; His Excellency Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State (GSSRS); His Excellency former Governor Olabode George who was vested with the Medal of Distinguished Service Star of Rivers State (DSSRS); and His Excellency former Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State (DSSRS).

The Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Shehu Malami gave the vote of thanks on behalf of the award recipients as the ceremony came an end.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations in Lagos has awarded Julius Berger Nigeria Plc its ‘Lifetime Reputation Award’

Speaking at the event considered as Nigeria’s Communication Industry Oscars in Lagos last weekend, the President and Chairman of Council of the NIPR, Mallam Mukhtar Sirajo, fnipr, said that “the Award signifies the very consistently positive image and inspiring reputation of the company, for a very long time.” According to the President of NIPR, Malam Muhktar Sirajo, to underscore the Award given to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc is the fact that the company was the sole awardee who got the voting public united in one voice, adding, “this underscores the very positive image and reputation of the company in a very long time.”

He further said that the Award is deserving recognition to Julius Berger’s revered consciousness of its reputation and its media communications excellence in its numerous endeavours. Urging the company to continue the existing good work of positively managing its reputation, the NIPR president congratulated Julius Berger specifically for the feat of being the sole nominee for the Award category and winning the grand prize.

The Chairman Lagos NIPR, Mrs Comfort Obot Nwankwo had similar words of praise for Julius Berger. She said that, “to underscore the importance of what Julius Berger has achieved is to be mindful of the fact that Lagos NIPR keeps raising the bar of the awards….So, for the NIPR Lagos to declare an individual or organisation as deserving of an Award which we usually determine via online voting, it must be seen and taken to be the reality on ground. Congratulations to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.”

Very important dignitaries at the Lagos NIPR Award ceremony included Lagos State Governor, His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu, immediate past president of NIPR, Dr Rotimi Oladele, Vice President of the NIPR, ACG Wale Adeniyi, current Chairman of Lagos NIPR, Mrs Comfort Obot Nwankwo, the Lagos State police commissioner, amongst several others.

PRESS RELEASE

5th December, 2022

TONY NWAKA’S JOURNEY IN VAINGLORY AND PRIDE THAT PRECEDES THE FALL

The attention of the Delta State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Council has been called to the effusions by one Tony Nwaka, Ph.D, the candidate of the feeble and futile All Progressives Congress (APC) seeking to represent the Aniocha/Oshimili Federal constituency in the House of Representatives in 2023.

A statement by Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, Deputy Director, Media, and Publicity Committee, Delta State PDP Campaign Council stated that the party would have ignored the childishly silly and excessive boastfulness of Tony Nwaka about his personal abilities and achievements, but thought it necessary to respond for the sake of those who may have been taken in by the error and false presentation.

The intervention is also to deflate the puerile assertions and invectives thrown against the person of Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, the effective Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, the pride of Aniocha/Oshimili and PDP in the Green Chambers, and the party’s candidate for Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives in the 2023 elections.

It is important to let Tony Nwaka know that nobody is against his right to seek to contest for the election to represent the people of Aniocha/Oshimili in the House of Representatives. Of course, he is already the candidate of the lackluster and wicked APC, otherwise referred to as the proverbial ‘Bad Drug” that has thrown this nation into negativities in all ramifications from which the PDP seeks to rescue and reset Nigeria. But we ask him to go out there and campaign, rather than indulge in an exercise of vainglory, deceptively woven to goodwill the people.

The Delta PDP calls on Tony Nwaka to back down from his high horse of futile academic exercise that is not a prerequisite for winning elections. It is mindless of him to want to destroy Ndudi Elumelu, whose good works remain sweet-smelling savour before the good people of Aniocha/Oshimili by pandering to base and irresponsible sentiments.

Which ideas does Tony Nwaka of APC have that he wants to offer? Is it the idea of one from a political party that has been acknowledged by Nigerians and Deltans in particular, as a party of liars and political deceits? Or is it an idea of one from a political party that has set Nigeria on a downward spin? Where was Tony Nwaka when his ruling party unsettled the good people of Nigeria by afflicting them with poverty, so much so that the nation has now become the poverty capital of the world? Through unmitigated cluelessness, the economic prosperity of Nigeria has been thrown overboard by the APC Federal Government, and here is someone claiming he has ideas to give to the people of Aniocha/Oshimili when he could not give his ill-informed party the idea to stimulate this country and put her on the path of economic growth?

Let’s ask Tony Nwaka what idea has he given to his ruling party to ease the insecurity situation in the country, as well as make the farms less harmful a place to go to by farmers?

Nigerians have rejected APC and all its candidates, beginning with the sick Presidential candidate, Tony Nwaka for their cluelessness. So, have the good people of Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency rejected Tony Nwaka.

For the good people of Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, the PDP candidate for the 2023 election, like the good wine, he does not need to be bushed. His antecedents in good representation over the years, with tangible and verifiable results speaks volumes about his acceptability by the people.

Tony Nwaka should not seek to hypnotize the people with his unproductive sweet tongue; we challenge him to go to the polls, where Ndudi Elumelu, his Achilles’ heel is waiting to give him a resounding defeat and fall.

PDP! Power to the people!!

Dr. Ifeanyi M. Osuoza.

Deputy Director/Secretary,

Media and Publicity Committee,

Delta State PDP Campaign Council.

Chief Joe Omene Exposes Real Omo-Agege, Describes Him As Greedy, Self-Centred, Betrayer, Worst Delta Politician Ever.

By Dr. Ifeanyi M. Osuoza.

We have always known that Delta APC Gubernatorial candidate and Deputy Senate President, Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege, is not the sanctimonious, squeaky clean, Knight in shiny Armour saviour, his obsequious loyalists and some of those selected smiling photographs on social media and Google images portray.

But we had refrained from deconstructing him at a personal level since we are not a political party that succumbs to low, dirty personality propaganda and hoped that one day, someone very close to him would do us the favour of presenting him the way he really is.

Today, the chickens have finally come home to roost as Chief Joe Omene, a great leader, elder statesman, and former President General of the Urhobo Progressives Union, UPU, has literally exposed and derobed Omo-Agege, leaving him bare to tan in the harsh electoral harmattan season of Delta’s political landscape.

A recent 6 minutes, 57 seconds trending video, posted on Social media by RERO TV, left no one in doubt about Omo-Agege, as High Chief Joe Omene, took the Deputy Senate President to the cleaners, in a caustic, unsympathetic, and forthrightly authoritative, sage-like baritone, which tore the reputation, personality and integrity of the Delta State APC Gubernatorial Candidate to shreds.

Hear him: “The Omo-Agege you’re seeing, just think of any politician from Urhobo, he’s the worst. He’s a very greedy man, self-centred, and everyday, when I see him criticize Governor Okowa in the papers I just laugh. Assuming he becomes Governor, he will be far worse.

“He is also a betrayer. Just look at the people he started working with, he has betrayed all of them,” the distinguished Urhobo leader declared.

This was just the first salvo in a steady six minutes profiling of Omo-Agege, which is better heard than reported, except to hint that Chief Omene went on to give a graphic and detailed commentary of how the Delta APC Guber candidate betrayed former Governor, Chief James Ibori, who brought him into Government from the United States and gave him top positions like SSG and Commissioner Special Duties, only to be betrayed because Omo-Agege did not get the Governorship ticket.

Chief Omene revealed how Omo-Agege betrayed Chief Great Ogboru, who was instrumental in ensuring the two Senate tenures he’s now enjoying and even the UPU, which stood as guarantor for his Senatorial ambition as Deputy Senate President, only for him to deviously embark on a divide and rule regime as the highest political office holder in Delta Central and Urhoboland, in order to exploit the division in Delta Central political structure, for his own selfish ambition.

He even called those who endorsed him for the position of Deputy Senate President “insurgents”, after he had secured the position. Hear Chief Omene again: “We endorsed him without any preconditions and even wrote to President Buhari as the umbrella body of Urhobo ethnic nation, but he later called us insurgents after he had got the position.

“He called us insurgents, but when we were endorsing him we were not insurgents o. After endorsing him and getting what he wants we became insurgents. How can a lawyer say something like that about people who were in Court? It’s not proper for a lawyer.”

Shedding light on Omo-Agege’s clannish development agenda, Chief Omene had this to say: “You’re the Senate President (sic). As the (Deputy) Senate President he brought Law School, where did he site it? Orogun! He brought Polytechnic, where did he site it? Orogun! He brought so many other things, where did he site them? Orogun! He didn’t site anyone in any other part of Urhoboland. No ooo.

“That will tell you the kind of person he will be, assuming some people vote for him foolishly to become Governor. He does not have the overall interest of Urhobo,” the great Urhobo elder statesman said unflinchingly.

Delta PDP has never had any doubts about the Chameleonic nature of Ovie Omo-Agege. He was once a member of our great party and the circumstances under which he left the party were less than noble, disturbingly dishonourable, acrimoniously petty, and uncharitably rancourous, as he fermented all manner of disharmony within party ranks in his selfish quest to overturn an already accepted zoning arrangement, because of his “emi lo kan” mentality, just like his Presidential candidate in APC.

Chief Joe Omene has done Deltans a great service by exposing the real Ovie Omo-Agege to the world and we are quite gratified by this honest revelation. We have also been vindicated in our unwavering position that even in his own community and so-called stronghold, Ovie Omo-Agege already has major trust, personality, and integrity issues and the initial effervescence of his emergence which is fast fading, will continue to dissipate and evaporate rapidly, as the 2023 election draws ever closer.

© Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza is the State Publicity Secretary, PDP, Delta State & Deputy Director, Media, and Publicity Committee, PDP Campaign Council.

Press Statement

Obuah Lauds Wike’s Foresight Over State Honours

…Says Sim Is Experienced Public Officer

Bro Felix Obuah, recipient of Distinguished Service Star of Rivers State (DSSRS) says Governor Nyesom Wike should be commended and appreciated for being in touch and actively alive to every good deed for public interest from any quarter in the State.

His Excellency is not only sensitive to such deeds but also most willing to reward such hard work and dedication, the Director-General of Rivers State PDP Campaign Council, Bro Obuah further added.

Bro Obuah noted that the ability to appreciate and reward hard work is a divine character which is a remarkable attribute of Governor Nyesom Wike which nobody will deny him whether friend or foe.

The immediate past State PDP Chairman and former Sole Administrator, Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Bro Obuah, made the remarks while speaking to newsmen after receiving the State Honours Award, Saturday night.

He simply described Gov Wike as a good man who does not hide his feelings about anything and says it as he deems it right.

“This is one attribute that endears him to me as you can easily know his position on any matter. This rare attribute helps to treat matters with dispatch.

“No wonder all the projects embarked upon by his administration are executed and delivered as planned.

“Let me once again, enjoin our people to continue to support and pray for His Excellency and his administration even as we expect yet another experienced public officer in the person of Sir Siminalayi Fubara to succeed him after he has completed his tenure to the glory of God”, Bro Obuah prayed.

Jerry Needam

Special Adviser Media and Publicity

To Bro Felix Obuah,  Director-General,

PDP 2023 New Rivers Vision Campaign Council,

Rivers State.

2023: Don’t be deceived by fake promises, Okowa tells Nigerians

Vice-Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor of Delta, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has called on Nigerians to be prayerful and watchful in order not to be swayed by politicians with fake promises.

He said that with the 2023 general elections a few months away, some politicians had started making empty and unrealistic promises to Nigerians as was the case in 2015.

Okowa made the call at the Thanksgiving Service to mark the end of the Annual Convention of Pasture of Life Ministries International, Asaba.

He said that the task to rebuild Nigeria was herculean, but pointed out that many people aspiring to lead the country did not understand the enormity of the problem facing the nation.

According to him, the times we are in Nigeria is very difficult and many persons want to make it look like its very easy to rebuild Nigeria, that will be deceitful of any man to say so.

“We were deceived in 2015 at the campaigns because promises were made in such a manner that people said let’s drive out Jonathan’s and the APC came into government and we are where we are today.

“Here again people are beginning to its easy to fix Nigeria in 6 months but when you have not been in governance you will not understand exactly what the situation is and for somebody who says it’s easy to fix Nigeria, it means the person does not even know the depth of the problem of Nigeria as at today,”

The PDP Presidential running mate said a lot of work needs to be done, adding that it requires the collective responsibility of every citizen to turn things around for the country.

“There is a lot of work to be done, and it requires great leadership and followership to work together to fix this country.

“It requires the collective efforts of our fathers and mothers but it also requires a lot of our youths to work together because people who don’t understand the workings of governance can easily be deceived.

“We must seek the face of God, we must ask God prayerfully to allow His will to be done for this nation. So, we must all arise and pray that the will of God be in this nation so that we are not deceived again like we were deceived in 2015,” he added.

Okowa further said Nigeria had never been so indebted like it is now saying, “the level of debt that we are in now in this country, we have never seen it before since 1999.

“All l ask is that our youths should shine their eyes, pray, don’t be deceived again. Some people who told us that the naira and the dollar will become equal were deceitful.

“There are somethings that they will tell you and you will know that it is not possible because you have knowledgeable mind and you are educated.

“So, let us not just accept everything that people say, let us be cautious and prayerful and the Lord will truly guide us as a nation.

“As to whether Nigeria will return back to glorious days and surpass, yes it will; will it take time? yes also. We need to be prayerful,” Okowa stated.

Guest Preacher Bishop Emmah Isong of Christian Central Chapel International (CCCI), Calabar, in his sermon “Them that love God” told Christians not to struggle to make it in life but just love God for all things work together for good to them that love God.

He urged Christians to love God and always pray for the nation in all they do and God will always show up in their lives, stressing that, “when you love God stumbling blocks put on the way against you will become stepping stones for you,” Bishop Isong said.

Welcoming guests earlier, Presiding Bishop of Pasture of Life International, Bishop Jude Akhere had thanked the Governor for his immense contributions to the growth and development of the state.

He said he had lived in Asaba for 36 years and knew what the city looked like before the Okowa administration came on board.

He described Okowa as a governor with determination to change the status of Asaba capital city with several projects including Stephen Keshi Stadium; Professor Chike Edozien Secretariat; Maryam Babangida Way; DLA Road; Koka Flyover and Interchange

Asaba Storm Water Drainage; Okpanam Road; Asaba Leisure Park and Film Village.

Bishop Akhere also lauded the Governor for the establishment of three new universities, widow’s monthly payment; Youth Empowerment Programmes; Contributory Health Insurance as well as free health care for children under 5 and pregnant women had contributed immensely to the reduction maternal mortality in the state.

2023: Uduaghan urges Isoko nation to vote PDP candidates

As the Delta South Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ward-to-ward campaign train berths at Isoko South, immediate past Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has called on the people to vote for all candidates of the party in the 2023 general elections.

Speaking at Umeh in Isoko South Local Government Area on Monday, Uduaghan said the state government executed some legacy projects in the community, including the famous Umeh Road and called on them to reciprocate government’s kind gesture by voting for all candidates of the party in the general elections.

He lauded an illustrious son of the area, Chief Duncan Afahokor for attracting development to the community, describing him as a “hero”.

“My dear people of Isoko nation, today I am very emotional, because this community has produced a hero that we are not giving the right recognition.

“Chief Barr Duncan Afahokor is a hero and I thank him again for what God used him to do for the people of Umeh community.

“Through him, we constructed the Umeh Road, Umeh Primary School and other projects which have no doubt transformed the community today. So I call on you all to vote more so that you can get more,” Uduaghan added.

He urged the people to shun all entreaties from opposition parties describing their promises as fake and unrealistic.

He called on the people to vote for Atiku Abubakar and Ifeanyi Okowa for President and Vice-President; Sheriff Oborevwori for Governor; Michael Diden for Senate; Engr Jonathan Ukodhiko for House of Representatives and Hon. Ferguson Onwo and Bino Obowomano for House of Assembly.

Director-General of the Delta PDP Campaign Council, Chief Solomon Funkekeme reminded the people of all the good projects done for the community and urged them to cast their votes for all party candidates.

The campaign train which also visited Okpolo/Enhwe, Igbide, Emede and Olomoro wards, had in attendance Chairman Delta South PDP Chief Julius Takeme; Former Senate Chief Whip, Senator Stella Omu; Senatorial candidate Hon. Michael Diden; Hon. Nicholas Mutu; Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi; and Engr. Jonathan Ukodhiko.

Others include Majority Leader Delta State House of Assembly Hon. Ferguson Onwo; MD/CEO DESOPADEC Bashorun Askia Ogieh; High Chief Mike Loyibo, Commissioner for Transport Chief Mike Okah: Commissioner for Trade and Investments Churchill Amagada and Chairman Isoko South PDP Chief Godspower Obaro.

The rally also featured defection of some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the PDP. They said they were leaving because the APC had failed Nigerians.

 Okowa congratulates Obiora Okonkwo at 57

Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor of Delta, Sen (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has congratulated business mogul and Chairman, United Airlines, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, on his 57th birth anniversary.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, Okowa lauded the Ogidi-born consumate entrepreneur for his acknowledged accomplishments and contributions to the socio-economic growth of Nigeria.

He described Obiora, a former governorship candidate in Anambra State and currently, the state’s Director of Atiku-Okowa 2023 Presidential Campaign Committee, as a savvy businessman and great philanthropist, with a huge passion for touching lives positively.

Okowa remarked that as an astute politician, Obiora had added immense value to the Atiku-Okowa Presidential Campaign in Anambra.

“My brother, Obiora, you are a pride of Ndi-Igbo, and I must commend you for your huge investments in the socio-economic and political development of your state, Anambra, and Nigeria.

“You have contributed immensely to the greater popularity and acceptability of the Atiku-Okowa ticket of the PDP in Anambra and the South-East of which we remain grateful to you and your colleagues,” he said.

“On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, I congratulate you, an illustrious son of Anambra and Igbo nation, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, on your 57th birth anniversary.

“Your contributions to entrepreneurship and economic development in Nigeria will continue to inspire us in our quest to rescue, reset and rebuild our country, Nigeria.

“It is my prayer that God will continually bless you with robust health and more years of service to Him and humanity,” he added.

2023: Esiso urges Deltans to vote Oborevwori for inclusive governance

Delta State Chairman Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Kingsley Esiso has called on the electorate in the state to vote for the party’s governorship candidate, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori for inclusive governance and democratic dividends.

Esiso who made the call at the party’s ward-to-ward campaign rally at Aviara, Irri, Oleh and Uzere Wards in Isoko South Local Government Area, also urged the people to vote for all candidates of PDP in the 2023 general elections to enable the party rescue, reset and rebuild the country.

He said that Deltans have decided not to vote for a man who will turn government to personal and family property.

Esiso said a vote for Oborevwori and other PDP candidates was a vote for inclusive governance and an opportunity to resolve the many challenges bedevilling the nation.

He urged the people to join hands with the party to drive away the All Progressives Congress (APC), adding that they brought no development but hunger, poverty, economic stagnation and insecurity across the country.

The rally which also featured defection of some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the PDP, had in attendance Deputy State Chairman Chief Val Areyenka; Chairman Delta South PDP Chief Julius Takeme; Former Senate Chief Whip, Senator Stella Omu; Senatorial candidate Hon. Michael Diden; Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi; and Engr. Jonathan Ukodhiko.

Others include Majority Leader Delta State House of Assembly Hon. Ferguson Onwo; Chief Ross Uredi; MD/CEO DESOPADEC Bashorun Askia Ogieh; Prince Johnson Erijo, Commissioner for Trade and Investments Churchill Amagada; Chief Iduh Amadhe; Dr Paul Oweh; Hon. Victor Asasa; Hon. 2023: Esiso urges Deltans to vote Oborevwori for inclusive governance

Chairman Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Delta, Chief Kingsley Esiso has called on the electorate in the state to vote for the party’s governorship candidate, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori for inclusive governance and democratic dividends.

Esiso who made the call at the party’s Ward-to-ward campaign rally at Aviara, Irri, Oleh and Uzere Wards in Isoko South Local Government Area of the state, also urged the people to vote for all candidates of the PDP in the 2023 general elections to enable the party rescue, reset and rebuild the country.

He said that Deltans have decided not to vote for a man who will turn government to personal and family property.

Esiso said a vote for Oborevwori and other PDP candidates was a vote for inclusive governance and an opportunity to resolve the many challenges bedevilling the nation.

He urged the people to join hands with the party to drive away the All Progressives Congress (APC), adding that they brought no development but hunger, poverty, economic stagnation and insecurity across the country.

The rally which also featured defection of some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the PDP, had in attendance Deputy State Chairman Chief Val Areyenka; Chairman Delta South PDP Chief Julius Takeme; Former Senate Chief Whip, Senator Stella Omu; Senatorial candidate Hon. Michael Diden; Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi; and Engr. Jonathan Ukodhiko.

Others include Majority Leader Delta State House of Assembly Hon. Ferguson Onwo; Chief Ross Uredi; MD/CEO DESOPADEC Bashorun Askia Ogieh; Prince Johnson Erijo, Commissioner for Trade and Investments Churchill Amagada; Chief Iduh Amadhe; Dr Paul Oweh; Hon. Victor Asasa; Hon. Christian Iteire; Dr Michael Tidi and Chairman Isoko South PDP Chief Godspower Obaro.; Dr Michael Tidi and Chairman Isoko South PDP Chief Godspower Obaro.