Tag: Okowa

  • Atiku, Okowa, Davido, Others Storm Osun For Adeleke

    Atiku, Okowa, Davido, Others Storm Osun For Adeleke

    Ahead of the July 16 governorship election in Osun State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, his running mate and Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa and other officials have stormed Osogbo.

    The mega rally held on Thursday in the south-western state is to seek support for the PDP governorship candidate in Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke.

    Also in attendance is a popular singer, Davido, PDP National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, other PDP governors and former Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

    Details later…

  • Delta State Governor, Okowa fires aide over ‘insolence’ Facebook post

    Delta State Governor, Okowa fires aide over ‘insolence’ Facebook post

    Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, on Thursday, sacked his Executive Assistant on Communications, Latimore Oghenesivbe, for what he described as “manifest recklessness and insubordination”.

    This was contained in a letter dated December 29, 2021, signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Patrick Ukah, and made available to journalists in Asaba.

    Oghenesivbe had alleged that Okowa didn’t treat him fairly for the past five years he has worked with him, adding that the governor was surrounded by certain persons that have made him nepotistic in his dealings.

    In a Facebook post by Oghenesivbe titled, ‘Tribal Bigot’, the aide said he had been denied certain benefits that accrued to others in the media department of the state government.

    Oghenesivbe said he got two 25kg bags of rice and N50,000 out of the recent N25m released by Okowa to his media team.

    But in the letter, the governor expressed displeasure over Oghenesivbe’s conduct, adding that “there has been manifest recklessness and insubordination”.

    “As this trend can no longer be tolerated, I regret to inform you that your service as Executive Assistant, Communication, is no more required and your appointment is hereby terminated.

    “Accordingly, I am to request that you take necessary steps to hand over all government properties in your possession to the Permanent Secretary, Directorate of Government House and Protocol forthwith,” the letter read in part.

  • Okowa, Dikio, Nexim bank, others seek revival of Niger Delta economy

    Okowa, Dikio, Nexim bank, others seek revival of Niger Delta economy

    Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa

    Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd) and the Executive Director Business Development, Nexim bank, Stella Okotete, have proffered solutions to the economic challenges of the Niger Delta region.

    The trio spoke in Warri, Delta State at a one day economic summit organised by the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) for its delegates with the theme, ‘Restoring Wealth Creation In Niger Delta Region’.

    Others, who also reflected on the way out of the region’s poor economic indices, a security expert, AVM Terry Okorodudu (rtd); ex-freedom fighter, High Chief Bibopere Ajube aka Shoot-at-Sight and business development coach, Francis Okumagba

    Okotete said while other regions in the country were taking advantage of their resources to create the needed wealth, people in the Niger Delta, particularly the youths were relying on handouts.

    She said with the agricultural resources in the region and the huge talents in the entertainment industry, people should form clusters and build the structures that will make it easier to access funding from institutions like the Nexim bank to begin export trade.

    According to Okotete, “Non-oil sector is what is driving the economy of every country and in this region, there are a lot of resources that can be exported. The various governments in the region need to create the enabling environment for more investors to come.

    “The government needs to create a balance between economic and infrastructural development. It’s not just enough to build roads, yes roads are good but they should also build industries.

    “We must look at the export space. Export creates massive wealth. We must wake up and look into the future. Nobody will build the Niger Delta for us, it is only we that can do that. Let us start selling our region to the world and create a better future for our children.”

    Okowa, who was represented by the Executive Secretary Delta State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Orezi Esievo, called for more private sector involvement in the development of the region, saying government alone could not do it.

    The governor, who spoke on the importance of SMEs to any economy, said his administration is open to partnership that will ensure sustainable wealth is created for people of Delta State and the region as a whole.

    On his part, AVM Okorodudu (rtd), said it was unfortunate that since 2009 when the amnesty programme started, agencies of government like the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), had failed to carry out their responsibility of reconstruction.

    Okorodudu who commended Dikio’s effort, noted that funding the training of ex-agitators was an expensive venture, but added that it was sheer waste of resources to train them without employing or engaging them.

    On their parts, Senior High Chief Ajube and Okumagba, urged the ex-agitators to be inspired by the stories of successful people and stop allowing their immediate environment distract them from success.

    They stressed that youths in the region needed to renew their mindsets and believe in the possibility of becoming great industrialists and entrepreneurs.

    In his remark, Dikio, said the summit was aimed at highligting the limitless opportunities readily available within the region to enable the ex-agitators have an idea of how to benefit from it.

    “This summit is a test-run of a larger one to come next year that will be all encompassing. Basically, we are here to preach the gospel of shared prosperity. We can talk about how rich and prosperous Niger Delta is but if we don’t do something about it, it will be more wishful thinking”, Dikio said.

  • Okowa charges appointees on Stronger Delta agenda

    Okowa charges appointees on Stronger Delta agenda

    Governor of Delta state, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, has urged political office holders to be committed to his administration’s Stronger Delta agenda.

    The governor made the call on Tuesday while swearing in a Special Adviser, Chief Emuobo Gbagi and inauguration of boards of five parastatals and agencies in Asaba.

    He said that all government functionaries should “sit up and get running, because there is a lot to be done”.

    According to Iowa, I see you appointees as a vehicle for rendering of selfless service to Deltans and not as opportunity to enrich yourselves or for ego trip.

    “You (political appointees) must hold the position in trust for the people; it is not about eye service to the Governor but, about the impact that you will make in the life of the people.

    ”We are to render service to the people, work with the people, communicate with the grassroots, and bring development to them; only then would we have performed as a government,” he said.

    The governor congratulated Gbagi and others who were inaugurated at the ceremony and urged them to cooperate with civil servants to ensure seamless rendering of service to the people.

    “There is a lot to be done and we will continue to do our best to meet with the aspirations of Deltans.

    “I want to state that it is not possible to give appointment to all Deltans who saw to my emergence as Governor; what I will assure is that as much as possible we will deliver the dividends of democracy and reposition our state to be prosperous for stronger Delta to be achieved.

    “We will continue to stay focused on our goals; everybody should provide the enabling environment that will engender peace for investment to thrive, because the more resources we have, the more we engage in development programmes,” he stated.

    The Boards inaugurated were those of Delta State Library Board with Dr. Israel Abido as Chairman and Mrs Ayo Ojeifoh, Mr Donald Akpojohare, Mrs Blessing Oghogho as members.

    Delta State School of Health Technology has Dr Chris Oharisi as Chairman, while Mr Sunny Tatabuzogwu and Mrs Osuobeni Ebikabo-Ere as members.

    Chief Christiana Etaluku is new Chairman of Delta State Post Primary Education Board, with Mr Anthony Nzugwuogwu, Mrs Eunice Angozi and Mr Venture Oyiborhoro as members.

    Delta State Waste Management Board has Mr Emmanuel Chinye as Chairman and Mr Jude Onya, Mr Mofe Edema, and Mr Daniel Ighedo as members.

    Also inaugurated was Chief Andrew Orugbo as Chairman of Governing Board of Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro.

    Orugbo responded on behalf of all the appointees and congratulated the governor on the recent reaffirmation of his electoral victory by the Gubernatorial Election Petitions Tribunal.

    He assured that they will carry out their duties diligently to the benefits of Deltans.