234Next

20/07/2010

“Let me also inform everyone at this juncture that the computers distributed today (yesterday) are the first batch to benefiting schools. The Directorate is at the verge of concluding plans for the procurement of more HP flat screen desktop computers and accessories including generators to accommodate more schools across the state under the Computer Literacy and Appreciation Programme,” he added.

In his remark, the State Chairman of the All Nigerian Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools, ANCOPSS, Mr. Francis Jegbefume noted that in actualizing Vision 2020, the place of technology cannot be over_emphasized and thanked the state Governor for the gesture.
Vanguard

13/07/2010

The Nation

06/07/2010

In his opening speech at the lecture, Onosode described the event as an intellectual exercise, moreso when the university is “place to foster new ideas, production and distribution of knowledge for development, ideas that will create jobs, generate wealth as knowledge is the only way to bring about development.

“Nigeria cannot be a toddler at 50 years, looking at what had been done since, especially following the ill health of President Umaru Yar’Adua and his eventual death. The impending 2011 elections offer us another opportunity to get it right by enthroning a credible government,” he said, adding that good governance can only be achieved through credible election.”

Uduaghan defends his electoral status

In his lecture, entitled: “The Imperative of Conducting Credible Elections in 2011,” Uduaghan, apparently trying to clarify his own electoral status, declared: “I was elected in a free and fair election. There was no quarrel with my election. There are no elections, however, without challenges. The election of US President George Bush was challenged.”

He said the topic for the lecture should not have come at a better time than now when the next election is near and had become a cause for anxiety in the nation.

“The next general election is only a few months away and there is justifiable reason for anxiety. Our broken down electoral system has not given people a lot of confidence. Most are unhappy with the outcome of the last one, scathing criticisms from international and domestic observers trailed the exercise and this has affected our standing in the comity of nations,” Uduaghan said.

Uduaghan asked:

What went wrong? What is to be done? How do we strengthen these institutions? How do we build credibility?

“In the outpouring of criticisms, politicians, political parties and the electoral commission have not been spared. For me therefore, this is the most appropriate time for action. Confronted with a challenge such as this, we can either do one or two things:

Sit on hands and grumble and blame everyone, or take responsibility towards the restoration of this broken system.”

In providing some answers, he affirmed that there is no magic pill somewhere that can cure all our problems and end the national malaise about elections and how it is conducted.

To answer the question, the Delta governor said there is a bit of everything, an interconnection of our attitude at the electorate, the system we run and the people who run this system.

According to him, the most important feature of a democracy is “holding credible periodic elections. There can be no government of the people by the people and for the people.”

A credible election, the type we all seek should be an election conducted following due process, accepted by the people as representing their free choice, respected by political contestants as valid representation of their true strength and resistant to obnoxious interferences.

He quoted profusely from the Bola Babalakin panel report, set up by the Ibrahim Babangida Administration in 1985 on the 1983 general elections. All the recommendations were touched during the lecture pointing to the way forward.

He frowned at lack of effective voter education, and endorsed the resurgent campaign of one man one vote as a “strong mobilising tool to educate the people.

“The voting public must hence forth be ready to monitor the process at every stage. Ultimately, the supreme will of the people must prevail, if we are to have a democracy we will all be proud of.”

Uduaghan declared that the battle for change has only just begun. “To be on the right side of history, everyone must play their part. The Civil Society, academia, the new look INEC, party leaders, politicians, the youths aid the elite who prefer to siddon look the media and the general public must be mobilized to the civilian equivalent of war footing against forces that have kept us down over the years.”

Vanguard

30/06/2010

Speaking at a lecture organised by the Forum for Justice and Human Rights Defence (FJHD), which x-rayed his first 1,100 days in office, the governor noted that the state cannot become a world-class economy with the present state of power supply.

He said although the state’s current energy demand is 1,000MW, only 100MW comes from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

The governor said his administration is building mini power plants of 120MW capacities that would be ready for inauguration before December.

Represented by his aide on Mass Mobilisation, Solomon Edojah, Uduaghan said: "To boost power distribution, we have embarked on the phased construction of the Delta State power grid transmission line from the Delta 1V power station at Ekakpamre to Ogwashi-Uku.

"This administration has also completed 200 of the 350 ongoing electricity projects, involving the construction and installation of 300KVA, 33/11KV transformer substations and 7.5MVA. 33/11KV transformer sub-stations with accompanying overhead/low tension lines."

Uduaghan said his administration also initiated an independent integrated approach to steadypower supply to all parts of the state.

"Our vision in the energy sector, which embraces generation, transmission and distribution, is to establish independent power plants through private-public partnership. The programme is anchored on the vast gas resources in the state.

"The state has started the construction of its own small scale power plants that will generate about 120MW before the end of the year."

Uduaghan said the state is partnering the Federal Government through the National Independent Power Projects.

He said the state has paid its N15.9 billion counterpart fund for the projects."It is hoped that in the next 18 to 20 months, our efforts in the area of power generation will become visible. Let me point out, however, that in generating and distributing power, there is the problem of federal regulations to contend with, but we are very positive that success will be achieved," he said.

The Nation

28/06/2010

Governor Uduaghan in his address at the reception in honour of President Goodluck Jonathan in Asaba, weekend, criticized attempts in some quarters to minimize and pass the buck over who is responsible and what is the extent of damage done by oil companies.

Specifically, Governor Uduaghan dismissed comments by Shell Managing Director, Mr Mutiu Sunmonu that the extent of spill is small compared to the Gulf of Mexico.

“Mr President at this point, I feel the need to place before us an issue of great importance, the issue of environment. The world has become extremely sensitive about the environment and how we should relate to it. If we are in doubt, the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico by BP has become a subject of global attention. The US/ BP oil debacle makes an interesting case study. Compared to what we have here is grossly underestimated, I dare say.”

“knowing that we share the same cultural and environmental experience, is in danger of complete devastation by oil spill,” he added.

BP is under tremendous pressure to resolve the problem its oil spill has caused. Sums like 20billion dollars victim funds is on the table in addition to a possible criminal investigation, in short the very survival of BP as a company is now an issue.

“BP, as we all know is one of the largest oil companies in the world, and it is being held accountable for its action. Now you may ask, do we not have issues of oil spill and environmental damage here in the Niger Delta?

The answer is of course yes, even more than is commonly accepted and thus makes criminal investigation of the extent of oil damage in the Niger Delta more urgent and as compelling as what we find happening in the Gulf of Mexico with BP.

Mr President our environment, if I may speak in a direct personal terms, knowing that we share the same cultural and environmental experience, is in danger of complete devastation by oil spill.

The time to call the oil companies to account is now,” he added.

Vanguard

23/06/2010

Dr. Okobah, spoke in Asaba on the significance of the projects and the visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to Delta State. She congratulated the Delta State government for the successful completion of the two projects. She insisted that the projects were of remarkable significance to the socio-economic transformation of the Niger Delta region in line with the developmental vision of Federal Government.

Dr. Okobah also observed that the visit was a clear testimony of the excellent relationship between the presidency and the state government. She enjoined Deltans to continue to support the policies and programmes of the state government for the greater good of all.

Vanguard

22/06/2010

The Governor, has meanwhile, expressed concern over the spate of violence in Irri community, Isoko South council in recent times and appealed to the people to bury the hatchet, adding that the state government was handling the issue to ensure that lasting peace was restored to the community and urged the youths to embrace peace.

Contrary to the plans of people in this group, he said, God took control of the events that characterized the President’s visit and everything went well.

Governor Uduaghan said God gave Delta a fair weather throughout the duration of the visit and as such, he had every reason to thank God.

“I have decided to thank God for the successful hosting of the President despite all the hitches. God fought a great battle for me regarding this visit and made everything to go well without problem. I have every cause to thank him. Everyone in this church should join Delta State to thank God for the successful hosting of Mr. President.”

His thanksgiving coincided with the 38th Anniversary of the church and 80th birthday celebration of the founder, Archbishop Christian Apena.

The Governor charged industrialists from the state to assist the government in developing the state by investing in the rural areas.

“I am calling on wealthy Isoko indigenes and Deltans outside the state to come back home and invest. Government cannot do it alone. We are providing the infrastructure, come and assist the government to empower our people.”

The Governor added that his administration would partner Bethesda Gospel Mission in Irri in building capacity.

Vanguard

22/06/2010

The ground-breaking ceremony, which is being organised by the Reyenieju Warri Federal Constituency Office, will be performed by the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, to be assisted by the member representing the Warri Federal Constituency, Mr. Daniel Reyenieju and the Managing Director of NDDC, Mr Chibuzor Ugwhoha.

Vanguard

21/06/2010

HRM Oreki II who spoke to Vanguard at Oghara, yesterday, dismissed the speculation that his people were planning to protest against President Jonathan during the visit because of the brush between Ibori and EFCC.

The monarch said: “There will not be any trouble when the President visits Oghara. We are prepared to receive him.”

Meantime, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan said the government and people of the state were ready to play host to President Jonathan who is on a one-day official visit.

Hitch-free visit

The governor told Vanguard in an interview: “We are prepared to receive President Jonathan on Saturday, June 19. We have made necessary arrangements and I expect a hitch-free visit because he is a son of Niger-Delta and we are all proud of him.”

The governor called on Niger-Deltans to support the administration of Dr. Jonathan, stressing: “We will not have any excuse for not supporting him. His success is a success for all of us and we should work for him to succeed.

“As a medical doctor, I am happy that the state government has finally completed the Delta University Teaching Hospital, Oghara, and the President will be here to commission it tomorrow.

This is because I know the pains medical students in our university had gone through all these years, because of it. Besides, it will be a referral centre for Deltans, who for no fault of theirs, have been travelling out of the state for medical attention.”

He added: “As somebody from the Niger-Delta, I also know the importance of having the headquarters of the Nigerian Navy Logistics Command in Oghara and that is why the state government did everything to complete the project.

“It is only those who don’t understand what government is that will tell you that it’s wrong for me to complete projects that were started by my predecessor in office. That is the problem with some people in our country.

So, do they expect me to abandon road, electricity and infrastructural projects meant for the benefit of our people because a new government came on board? I said it before and I am repeating it now, the government before us was a PDP government, we are a PDP government and we will not abandon the projects of our party.”

Vanguard

14/06/2010

WARRI—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan is expected to pay an official visit to Delta State, next weekend. Information available to Vanguard indicated that during the visit, he will commission the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, DSUTH and Nigerian Navy Logistic Headquarters, both at Oghara, the country home of the former Governor of the state, Chief James Ibori.

DSUTH is believed to be one of the best equipped teaching hospitals in Africa. It was initiated by the Ibori administration but completed by the incumbent Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan. The foundation of the Nigerian Navy Logistics Headquarters was also laid by Ibori, but, completed by Uduaghan. Preparations are already on by the state government to receive President Jonathan, while the people of Oghara community have pledged to maintain the peace during the visit.

Those who see the President’s proposed visit as an endorsement of Governor Uduaghan are said to be planning a protest during the visit, but the state government appeared unperturbed and focused on not giving room to distraction.

The Delta Waterways Security Committee, DWSC, and other security agencies have drafted their men to the community since last week, it was learnt on a reconnaissance mission, while Governor Uduaghan had also visited the community, to secure the cooperation of the people for the President’s visit.
Vanguard

14/06/2010

Delta State Chapter of the association made the commendation during its Annual General Meeting (AGM), which recently held at Kwale, Ndokwa West Local government area of the State.

Speaking on behalf of the association, the Secretary General, Dr. Norris Ovilis disclosed that the approval of the internship programme for optometrists was a positive development in the health sector of the State economy.

Ovilis noted that Governor Uduaghan has shown interest in optometry through the approval of the internship programme for optometrists in the State.

He, therefore, appealed to the Governor to put in place, an appropriate mechanism that would ensure immediate commencement of the laudable programme, adding that the State government should not allow anybody or group of people to sabotage its good intention for optometrists.

He noted that the Governor had positively touched the socio-economic lives of Deltans with his three – point agenda.

While saying that members of the association would do their best to ensure that everybody in the State enjoys good eye care service, Ovilis implored members of the public to visit their optometrist regularly for eye check up in order to prevent preventable blindness.

Meanwhile, a new executive that would pilot the affairs of the association has been elected in a keenly contested election that was devoid of rancour during the AGM and those elected included the State Chairman, Dr. Isaac Ejebe; State Vice Chairman, Dr. Henry Okoisama and the State Secretary General, Dr. Norris Ovilis. Others were State Assistant Secretary General, Dr. Ikenna Ugwu; State Treasurer, Dr. Amorighoye Oritsematosan; State Financial Secretary, Dr. Patrick Ojarikre and the State PRO, Dr. Chuks Odiase.

Vanguard

08/06/2010

The ceremony was centered on women and children who have remained the most vulnerable group of the society all over the world.
It is painful to see that in most rural areas, women still lack access to health, water and other basic amenities. They are mostly illiterates and inferior in all strata. This calls for urgent need to provide the needs of these group of people in the society.

However, government cannot do it alone that is why individuals, Non government Organisations, privileged Nigerians and private sector should help to ameliorate the suffering of these less privileged in the society. It is for this reason that Mrs. Roli Shiela Uduaghan established “Mastercare Foundation”, a Non Governmental Organisaion that give hope to the hopeless.

The Foundation began as the charity unit of the Mastercare Fellowship before she became the first lady of the State. It is a gender sensitive programme, focusing mainly on issues affecting widows, economically disadvantaged women and children across the state. It also helps to facilitate the agenda of Delta State government.

In her adress of welcome during the presentation, Mrs. Uduaghan, who is the co-ordinator of “Mastercare” enumerated the numerous achievements of the foundation since its inception. She described “Mastercare” as a window that privides opportunity to assist in facilitating the human capital development agenda of the state government. “Our object is to provide economic suport that will enable widows engage in more productive and rewarding economic activities, which will help them to attain a higher standard of life”. According to her, the focus on orphans and neglected children is directed towards equiping them with qualitative education, skills acquisition and provision of resources for a brighter future.

To achieve the organisation’s objective, several activities have been carried out across the state. They include provision of free eye treatment in the three Senatorila Districts where over 4,239 prersons were screened, while 2,566 among them were given free reading glasses. 277 adults which includes men and 16 children were operated upon. Other areas of their intervention include the provision of skill acquisition equipment, in various areas of specialisation to widows across the state. In the riverine areas of Delta South, fishing equipment and canoes were given out to 9 widows.

In the Delta North Senatorial Distric where the women are mainly farmers, 100 motorcycles with carriers were given to 2,500 widows, while 9 tricycles were given to two coperative societies. High-yielding and insect resistant cassava and maize, including fertilizer were given to 2,500 women. In the Central Senatorial Distric and two other local governments in Delta South where the women are involved in cassava farming, 100 complete cassava processing mills and 2 rice processing mills were given out to widows in Senatorial District and two local governments.

The foundation also carried out public enlightenment and sensitization campaigns for women, students in higher institutions and prisons on various social issues. 15 toilet facilities were also provided in public primary schools in twelve local governments. It also embarked on awareness campaign while voluntary testing were carried out on over 800 women and 39 tested positive.

To give the women a good leverage to do business, the foundation continues to organise various workshops for them to enhance their performance in business. They have also continued to enlighten their women on the dangers of breast and cervical cancer, and also pneumonia.
Mrs. Uduaghan pledged her continued support to women through her numerous programmes.

Speaking at the event, the First lady and wife of President, Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan, called on Non-governmental Organisations to lend a helping hand to the less privileged in the society as government alone cannot cater for the needs of the people. Commending the vision of Mrs. Uduaghan, she said, “It’s clear that the “Mastercare Foundation” has been identifying with the weak, the helpless, putting smiles on the faces of people who have given up hope, giving free medical treatment to widows, orphans, indigent children and touching lives positively in many ways”.

She also expressed happiness that Mastercare shares the same vision of her Non governmental Organisation “AAruera Reachout Foundation” by responding to the burning desire to bring succour to the less privileged especially women and children.

She saw the foundation as an integral part of an important mission to improve lives and enhance the future of our citizens, and therefore, challenged Mrs. Uduaghan to do more to uplift the downtrodden and give them a sense of belonging. She expressed conviction that women are capable of making the country better if given the right atmosphere, motivation and encouragement.

In his remark, the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmnnauel Udughan said that the policies of the foundation is in alliance with the state’s agenda of empowering its citizens.

The Chairman of the occasion, Mrs. Grace Alele Williams, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin and the first female Chancellor in Nigeria, urged citizens to help improve the life of the less privileged because government cannot do it alone.

Also in her keynote adress, the Managing Director, Bank of Industry, Ms. Evelyn Oputu said that gender issues is not about women, but developmental issues and should be seriously taken care of. She commended Mrs. Uduagan for her project and added that the country can experience development when women are empowered.

The occasion attracted dignitaries like wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Helen David Mark, Wife of the Deputy Senate President, Mrs. Nneka Ekweremadu , Women Affairs Minister, Mrs. Josephine Anenih and wife of the Senate Majority Leader, Mrs. Angela Folarin. Other dignitaries are, wife of the Minister of the Niger-Delta, Mrs. Helen Orubebe, wife of Ebonyi State governor and her counterparts from Abia State and Anambra. Delta State Deputy Governor and his wife, Mrs. Nelly Utama, also graced the occasion.

Highlights of the event was the review of the “Mastercare Foundation” book by professor Sylvester Monye. There was also drama presentation to illustrate the plight of the women and how mastercare has helped in the giving succor to thevwomen.

The Sun

02/06/2010

He enjoined local government areas in the state to take the payment of salary to its staff as a priority, since delay in payment of salary reduces morale.

Dr. Udaughan who said state civil servants receive salaries before the end of every month, urged local government areas to tow the line of state government on salary issue, adding that the “state civil servants always receive salary before the end of every month and we have been maintaining it for sometimes now.”

The President of NULGE in the state, Mr Ofoyenor, commended the Governor for repositioning local government administration in the state.

Vanguard

27/05/2010

Planned under the auspices of the Delta Diaspora Direct (D3) initiative of the Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan administration, the visit is a follow-up to the successful launch of the D3 in America in September last year and in Europe in April this year respectively.

According to a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Oma Djebah, the purpose of the visit is to enable Deltans in the Diaspora participate in discussions with senior officials of the Delta State government on a range of areas, in particular public sector and institutional reforms as well as agricultural, medical, environmental and infrastructural sectors.
Djebah said the delegation will be led by Harvard- trained Dr. Eloho Otobo, the Director of Strategic Planning & Deputy Head of Peace Building , UN Headquarters, New York, USA. The delegation is made up of experts in public and private sector policy initiatives and implementation.

According to the Commissioner, members of the delegation were selected based on their expertise on a wide range of public policy issues and as recognition of the capacity and contributions of Delta Diasporans to the development of the state.
The Diasporan experts are also expected to serve as panelists on a roundtable discussion during the Delta State Information Summit which dovetails into the third anniversary celebration of the Uduaghan administration.

The statement added that a key objective of the D3 initiative, conceived and implemented by the Uduaghan administration is to draw on the expertise of Deltans abroad who are willing to offer their time and expertise, web of contacts across the globe as well as human and material resource to help accelerate the development of the state.

It would be recalled that the D3 initiative was formally launched in New York in September last year at a high profile event chaired by former US Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Walter Carrington with Governor Uduaghan as the special guest of honour.

Only last April, the European plank of D3 was launched in Geneva, Switzerland with renowned computer programmer and internet inventor, Prof. Philip Emeagwali, presenting the keynote address with a focus on Innovations and cutting edge technology as the engine of growth in the 21st century
THISDAY

24/05/2010

Utuama, who is the Chairman of the Committee on the third anniversary of the administration of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, the governor of the state, disclosed this yesterday in Asaba while briefing the press on activities lined up for the celebration.
He informed that the state government was poised to reposition its media outfits and has budgeted N1.6 billion to reinvigorate the DBS and another N150 million for the Pointer Newspaper, adding that the government intends to put DBS on satellite very soon.

According to him, the Democracy Day Celebration in the state this year “will not be an occasion for the traditional recital of achievements, rather, it provides a unique opportunity in a very modest way to take stock of how far the three- point agenda of the administration has been implemented, the way forward for the overall optimal goal of the state, and its socio-economic transformation into an economic hub of our nation.

“The opportunity should therefore be used in advising ourselves on any observed individual and/or collective responsibilities as well as weaknesses that could hinder the attainment of our set objectives which is the development of the state.”
Utuama explained that the state government has therefore planned an inter-denominational thanksgiving service at the Living Faith Church, Asaba on Saturday , May 29, the Democracy Day.

He noted that the governor has remained focused in his electoral promises, making the state safe for all to live in. ‘’Infrastructural revolution aimed at creating the enabling environment for sustainable development of the state, economic empowerment and social security are being accorded priority attention in line with the three-point agenda of the present administration.”
Utuama listed other activities lined up to mark the anniversary to include inauguration of roads, bridges, and health facilities.

THISDAY

21/05/2010

“No one can deny the honesty, forthrightness and humility of the late president. He was not one to harbour grudges or take it out on you. In a way, you could say he was a patron-saint”, Governor Uduaghan said.

Dr. Uduaghan said it was painful that the president did not recover after he took ill last November, adding that the late president lived a courageous and fulfilled public life.

The governor also recalled Yar’Adua’s determination to enthrone the rule of law and due process in the nation’s polity, while describing the death as “sad and unfortunate."

Tribune

07-05-2010

Reyenieju spoke to Vanguard at the Olu of Warri Palace ground, Warri, after the grand reception accorded Uduaghan by Itsekiri people.

According to Reyenieju, with such a generous offer from the government of Delta State, “nothing should delay the immediate take-off of the Commission.

“The people of the region “have been full of praise for the National Assembly for passing the Act after a painstaking job.”

He appealed to the Federal Government to accept the offer and direct that the headquarters of the commission be located in Warri.

He also said that those with the requisite entrepreneurial and technical skills in Warri Federal Constituency were now fully prepared to take full advantage of the opportunities to be provided by the Nigeria Gas Content Development Law 2010 to make their contributions to the oil industry.

Her noted that with this Law in place, the current marginalisation and alienation being suffered by the indigenes of oil producing communities, “even when they possess the necessary requisite qualifications and qualities will now be frontally addressed.”

Vanguard

04/05/2010

The governor, who made the promise at the May Day celebration in Asaba, on Saturday, said he was waiting for the outcome of negotiations at the federal level before his administration would raise a team to discuss the new wage with workers.

Dr. Uduaghan said he would continue to implement policies and programmes that would enhance workers’ welfare and urged workers to put in their best because he would not disappoint them.

He explained that workers were central to the success of any administration even as he said that without workers, no administration would implement any programme successfully.

His words, “Without workers we cannot accelerate the growth of infrastructure , without them, we cannot build roads and we cannot do anything. Workers hold the key to development”

Tribune

03-05-2010

Prof. Aja Aja said they were on a fact-finding mission to evaluate how projects inherited were managed by the incumbent government to see whether there was continuity in governance, saying that at the end of the study tour, they would make recommendations to the appropriate quarters to guide future policy decision making in the country.

He stated that availability of funds, coupled with leadership responsibility that is development- oriented, are what develop a community, adding that “these characteristics we have seen in the administration of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.”

He said: “This area was uninhabited and inaccessible before now. This kind of situation is what gives rise to youth restiveness in the region. But now, the area is opened up to land speculation and job creation as we have seen and the difference is clear. There is now peace and job security.”

Vanguard

19/03/201

He regretted that even though Delta State is already working on a private energy plan that can generate between 100 to 250 mega watts, “we will still not have access to it when it is ready because the sector is not yet deregulated”, adding further that we may generate any amount of megawatt, but it has to be sent to the national grid, and it is only from there that whatever you generate can be transmitted and distributed”.

He argued that the relative efficiency Nigeria has recorded in the telecommunication sector is because the sector has been completely deregulated.
The governor expressed concern that the failure of the Federal Government to fix the energy problem has slowed down the development pace of the country in general and Delta State in particular.
According to him, one-third o f the people of Delta State are not on the national grid, stressing that for the fact that the Federal Government is in charge of generating, transmitting and distributing power, “we can use our own power plant initiative to deal with that group of Deltans”. He announced that despite the regulation by the Federal Government, the state is building a modular power plant.

In his presentation, Professor Philip Emegwali, the U.S-based Nigerian computer guru, lamented that the situation in Nigeria had caused the country to lose so many of its human capital.
He said: “Nigeria can become an economic power if it improves the situation in the country so it can record ‘a brain gain from the brain drain’.”

Emegwali challenged Nigerians to develop visions that can launch the nation into the next level, “because it is when you show the light that the people can find their way.”
“Africa and indeed Nigeria can alleviate poverty by expanding the frontiers of science, climbing the tree of knowledge”, he said, stressing that, “we must challenge the status quo”.

THISDAY

27/04/2010

The resolution followed a matter of urgent public importance brought before the House by the Majority Leader, Chief Emeyese, and unanimously supported by other members.

Also yesterday, the House passed a motion calling on oil companies operating in the country to locate their head offices in the Niger Delta.

Mover of the motion, which was also brought under matters of urgent public importance, and Chairman of the House Committee on Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Reginald Donbraye, said “the motion is in the interest of Niger Delta struggle.”

The lawmaker explained that if the oil companies relocate their head offices to the region, it would check unemployment as well as attract the huge revenue which they pay as taxes where these offices are

Vanguard

19/03/2010

In a statement signed on his behalf by the state Commissioner for Information, Mr Oma Djebah, the governor maintained that the State would not be deterred by the cowardly act of a few who were opposed to a peaceful and non-violent approach of resolving the historic grievances of the region.

“I want to assure everyone that we will not be intimidated in our determination to fast-track the development of our people, I want to also re-assure all of you that no effort will be tolerated for evil doers to thrive in this state,” said the governor.

Immediately after the explosion, the Governor quickly ordered the evacuation of participants to a safe location just as the event had been put off by the organizers.

Meanwhile, residents in the vicinity have deserted their homes just as schools and market places within Government House have closed indefinitely.

The Sun

16/03/2010

It also noted that the current confusion about land acquisition for the project was a product of communication breakdown between the relevant stakeholders.

The group stated its support for the elders’ call for due process in acquiring the land and all other matters in handling of the EPZ affairs, to ensure that no one was left uninformed about the current state of affairs on the progress made so far in the realization of the lofty dreams of Governor Uduaghan in attracting the project to the ancient town.

The KPU said in a statement signed by its President-General, Chief Walter Odeli and others, and made available to Vanguard in Warri that “as a body committed to the peace, progress and development of Koko town, we are offering and willing to negotiate a truce among all stakeholders in the EPZ project.”

It noted that government’s explanation and the position taken by the elders were all in order as they sought to better the lot of the people.

The group expressed satisfaction with the level of consultation by the government in the whole matter and appealed to all stakeholders to be patient with the governor, saying the “governor is no doubt working in the interest of Koko community and the state in general”.

There had been controversy between the elders of Koko and the government of Delta State over the manner the land for the project was acquired without consultation with the elders.

But the state government came out with an explanation last Thursday on the true position of things and directed the Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban Development to take urgent steps to enter into negotiations with the community elders to facilitate quick payment of compensation whenever the various factions in the community settled their differences.

Vanguard

14/03/2010

Represented by the State Commissioner for Environment, Dr Bello Orubebe, Governor Uduaghan said operations of oil companies should not impair the occupation and daily lives of the people of the region.

Pointing out that their people were peace-loving and keen to ensure that sustainable development took roots in the state, he said the state government was embarking on the beautification of all its cities.

He said: “We are taking steps to protect our environment. Already, we have set up a committee on green economy. The Federal Ministry of Petroleum has nominated two of its staff to join the committee.”

Earlier in his speech, the Vice Chancellor of Delta State University, Professor Eric Arubaye, said the institution had a vibrant centre for environmental studies, equipped to carry out research for problems in the region.

He urged oil firms and other environmental organization to partner with the school in solving environmental problems.

Professor A.S Akpotor, Director, Centre for Environmental and Niger Delta Studies (CENDS), said the centre was established to conduct research on the history, ethno-cultural diversity, religion, language, policies, natural resources development and management of the Niger Delta.

Vanguard

04/03/2010

Uduaghan who spoke at Oleh, headquarters of Isoko South Local Government Area while commissioning a cassava processing factory, chairman’s quarter, legislative building and caterpillars, being projects executed by the council, said the cassava plant would boost cassava production in the area.

…Says govt monitoring councils

He said the state government was monitoring councils in the state to ensure that their revenues were being judiciously utilized and said the state government was challenged by the cassava processing factory.

Earlier in his address, Chairman of the local government council, Chief Askia Ogieh said the establishment of the cassava processing factory became foremost in their minds as cassava and the production of garri had been part of their tradition, typified in subsistence production occasioned by low output with all attendant processing difficulties.

Ogieh said the factory has a production capacity of 50 tons of starch production and 24 tons of garri production per day, adding that over 100 persons would be involved directly in cassava multiplication farms and production work at the factory.

He maintained that the purchase of the caterpillar bulldozer / grader/ wheelloader would enhance the opening up of new roads in the area and said that the equipment would also be hired to private and corporate bodies so as to improve the internally generated revenue of the council.

Ogieh said his administration decided to construct an ultra-modern legislative building befitting of legislators with complete inter locking tiles and landscaping and expressed hope that with the provision of the facility councilors would have the necessary comfort for good legislative business.

Vanguard

25/02/2010

THE troubled Niger Delta region may soon become a haven for non-oil investors, going by the plans of Delta State government to upscale infrastructural development for prospective manufacturers and sector operators.

Specifically, the state government, last week, in Warri, said the challenges of power supply, transportation, information and communications technology and urbanisation would now be addressed more vigorously, under a strategic agenda to diversify the state's economy, which is currently reeling under the vagaries of oil production and its concomitant negative fallouts.

The state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, who spoke at the launching of Warri Industrial and Business Park's Masterplan on Thursday, said the strategy was scripted to bring lasting peace and widespread prosperity to the troubled region.

According to Uduaghan, the state government has already embarked on the provision of 100 megawatts of electricity, which will ultimately be upgraded to 450 megawatts.

"What we have is a modular system of power plant and our intention is to continue to add about 50 or 100 megawatts until we get to the 450 MW target for our Independent Power Projects (IPPs).

"We are hoping that with the plan, in addition to the one from the Federal Government, we should be able to improve on the power situation in the state both for individuals and industrial use," the governor said.

The governor told his audience, which included Managing Director of Bank of Industry, Ms Evelyn Oputu and other top government and private sector officials that "the second major strategy in terms of infrastructure, where we want the people to feel the impact of good governance, is in the area of good transportation system, in terms of airports, railways, roads and seaports."

He said: "We are all aware of the fact that railways, seaports and airports are all federally regulated, hence there are some restrictions here in terms of what you can actually do.

"Even the key roads that you require for transportation are all federal. So, everything about transportation is federal, but there is no way we can say we want to wait for the Federal Government to do it, hence we have started constructing the Asaba Airport, being the other side of Onitsha.

"Onitsha, we all know, is a very big economic zone and Asaba is the economic hub of the state, given its closeness to Onitsha. We hope that in the next three to four months, the Asaba Airport will be completed and planes will start to fly in there.

"The Osubi Airport, which is very close to Warri, has a very short runway and is being operated by Shell. We are discussing with the company so that it can allow us construct another runway that could take bigger planes and we are very close to an agreement on that. We plan to construct a 3.8 kilometre runway, which will accommodate the bigger planes coming to the airport in Warri.

"On the road infrastructure, we started the Asaba - Ughelli road, Warri-Effurun dualisation too. This is in realisation of the fact that the Warri port is a very busy port. The port has picked up and Onitsha market traders are big traders, so instead of using Lagos, they can use the Warri port as a very good alternative.

"This means that if their goods come into Warri, they can get it across to Onitsha by road in one and a half hours. This will save time and money and also reduce the pressure on the other roads.

The second road we are dualising, which is of course a federal government road, is the Ugbeni- Koko road, which is also commercially active, as it is very close to another port."

He explained that ICT and improved urbanisation system are critical to the state's development agenda, "given the profile of our focus to positively turn around the fortunes of the state."

Uduaghan disclosed that some areas in the state would be designated for industrial and commercial activities, "so that the investors will just come in with their portfolios and establish there. It is like buying a house that has been fully furnished and what you just do is to pay and move in.

"Warri Industrial Park is one of such areas that has been designated as an industrial cluster. We also have the Koko area too, which we have designated for that purpose. The Federal Government has just approved Koko as an Export free Zone for Delta State. We still have a place in Kwale that we have marked out as an industrial cluster and there is another one close to Asaba, which has been designated for the same purpose.

"In such industrial clusters, we put infrastructure like water, sewage, power and so on. For the Warri Industrial Business Park, we have an international and world acclaimed consultant, Jurong, from Singapore, who is working on the masterplan for the project.

"As at today, the plan is ready and that is what we are unveiling for people to look at, so that the investors can look at it and see if there are still some areas we can improve upon, before they bring out the final masterplan.

"We have also engaged KPMG, a firm of auditors and chartered accountants to look at the feasibility study of the project. This is also being presented alongside the master plan.

"We are of the opinion that the fallout of the industrial park will affect positively the bigger Warri. The spillover effect is better imagined in terms of development and that is basically why we are here to unveil the industrial park," the governor added.

Guardian

22/02/2010

The event which held at the First Baptist Church, Garki, Abuja was also used by the Governor to thank God for his 22 years in marriage.

Dr Uduaghan who was in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, when the Court’s verdict was delivered, gave testimonies of God’s divine favour in his life and in the affairs of Delta State.

The Governor, who was accompanied in the thanksgiving by senior government officials, including his wife Roli, attributed the court victory to God and re-affirmed his determination to serve the people better.

He particularly expressed delight in the Court verdict as it was delivered on the same date he clocked 22 years in marriage, pledging that he would not be tired of giving thanks to God.

Dr. Uduaghan who admitted that the governorship seat was not a bed of roses, however called for regular prayers by every segment of the society to enable Delta State overcome its challenges.

Vanguard

22/02/2010

In the judgment, which commenced at about 4.50 pm and delivered by Justice Dongbam Mensem, the court ruled that Okocha failed in his appeal which included unlawful exclusion from the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the candidate of the AC and lack of fair hearing at the lower tribunal.

Mensem said Okocha could not prove that he was duly nominated by the AC as its candidate in the election, adding that it was declared at the lower tribunal that he did not also meet the required nomination conditions as expressed by the electoral law.

The court added that about 10 members who he claimed to have nominated him were not members of the party at the time he claimed they nominated him. It noted that the membership card of the persons read 2007, whereas Okocha claimed he was nominated in 2006.

Justice Mensem also ruled that the AC candidate could not also prove that he was not given fair hearing at the lower tribunal, since the onus is on the petitioner to prove beyond doubt that he was not given fair hearing.

The court therefore dismissed all his grounds for appeal and upheld the election that brought Uduaghan to power in 2007. The Appeal Court venue of the jugdment had been besieged by the PDP supporters as early as 9 a.m since the ruling was fixed for 10 a.m, but it did not commence until 4.50p.m as the judges were said to have been in Abuja for a conference.

Guardian

20/02/2010

Executive Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Micro Credit, Dr. Antonia Ashiedu, gave this assurance when elders and members of Izu-Anioma paid her a courtesy call in her office.

Dr. Ashiedu thanked the Izu-Anioma for the valuable advice they have been giving to the state government.
According to her, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan will not have succeeded in the implementation of its three-point agenda without the full support of Deltans.

Earlier, the leader of the five-man delegation, who is also the Oza-Okita of Asaba, Chief Uso Onianwa, said they were there to intimate her on the planned civil reception by Anioma people for Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, billed for April 3 this year at the Cenotaph, Asaba.

Vanguard

19/02/2010

Uduaghan said in Asaba yesterday that the abundant mineral deposit in the two sectors has gained international recognition and attracted foreign investors.

He explained that local investors were also interested in the state's economy and would assist in realising its potential in all sectors of the economy.

The governor remarked: "As at today, we are already looking for land for Obasanjo Farms, also a company from Saudi- Arabia is interested in the gas sector. We will unveil the Warri Industrial Business Park this week."

He assured that when the partnership agreement comes to fruition, there would be abundant opportunities for economic growth in the state.

On the crippling fuel crisis in the country which has led to substantial increase by marketers in the pump price of the product, Uduaghan said that the state government would set up a monitoring team to ensure that it is available and sold at the normal price.

Guardian

16/02/2010

Utuama, a professor of law, made the remarks at the 2010 mukoro mowoe memorial lecture series which held at the weekend in effurun, Delta State.

He observed, “everyone in our country today is hitching for credible elections, because that is the only way we can achieve good governance and development.

“We all have a responsibility, having chosen the path of democracy as it provides that leadership should come through regular election where people freely chose their leaders.

“Voters must be convinced that their votes count and that majority of the people responsible for the electoral process have operated legitimately within the legal framework. In fact, these values inform all our actions as an administration.”

Utuama reasoned that good governance could only be assured through a strong commitment to set goals, declaring, “as a state, we are committed to genuine and transparent electoral process, which engenders the implementation of programmes that can promote the socio-political and economic development of our society.

“That is why we are pursuing the three-point agenda of peace and security, human capital and infrastructural development. Our interest is to go into other sectors and avoid restricting ourselves to oil and gas.”

He described the late Mowoe, in whose honour the lecture was held as “a committed and avowed custodian of Urhobo cultures and mores. Chief Mukoro Mowoe was a respected and respectable citizen, indeed, the leading Nigerian figure in the province of warri of the 1940s.”

In another development, utuama has informed that the state government was in the process of formulating policies and programmes that would cater for the welfare of the elderly in the state.

Utuama, at a lecture in honour of the 50 years ofprivate legal practice of John Alele in Warri noted that the elderly that have contributed their quota to the growth and development of the society deserved to be honoured and catered for.

Vanguard

14/02/2010

Bozimo, who started a routine visit to prisons in the state from the Warri Prisons on February 1, 2010, explained that those with no diligent evidence to prosecute them, those for which there was no case submission and detainees with serious health problems were also released.

The visit took the Chief Judge to six prisons in five different cities across the state. These included Warri Prisons with 513 inmates awaiting trial out of which 22 were released. Five inmates were released from Kwale Prisons, which had 197 inmates awaiting trial.

At Sapele Prisons where a total population of 225 inmates await trial, 20 detainees were released while three inmates were set free from Sapele Remand Home, which has 34 inmates awaiting trial.

At Agbor Prisons, the Chief Judge ordered the release of 10 inmates out of the 136 inmates awaiting trial while six out of the 277 inmates awaiting trial at Ogwashi-Uku Prisons were released by Mrs. Bozimo.

Guardian

15/02/2010

THISDAY

02/02/2010

According to IMG, “Delta State is lucky that the governor appointed the right person at the right time to manage the scheme. We know that there is still a lot of poverty around, but the effort of the woman-in-charge, Dr. Anthonia Ashiedu, pursuing the policy as a do-or-die affair to relieve the pains of the grassroots, gives us hope.”

Meanwhile, the group has sent a condolence message to the family of Prof. Grace Alele-Williams over the death of her husband, Professor Babatunde Williams.

The group said: “We sent our heartfelt condolence to our big sister to take heart; we thank her departed husband for giving her all the encouragement in life that she needed to honour our Niger Delta as the first woman vice-chancellor in Nigeria.

The beautiful life they both lived will inspire the younger generation and we beg God to give our mother the courage to bear the loss.

“We wish the governor builds a befitting headquarters of the micro-finance scheme and name it after Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a world class finance guru and current Managing Director of the World Bank for placing Delta State’s name in the history of the World Bank.

“We are still waiting for Governor Uduaghan to name either Delta State University, Abraka; College of Education, Warri or State Hospital, Oghara after Prof. Grace Alele-Williams, the manner Governor Rotimi Amaechi named the State Hospital after Justice Karibi-Whyte (rtd), an Ijaw, while he is still alive.”

Vanguard

27/01/2010

Vanguard

25/01/2010

Bozimo, who spoke at the presentation of the new rules in Asaba, explained that the procedure emphasised the quick dispensation of justice in compliance with the principle of law, that justice delayed is justice denied.

"We are all aware that to the man on the street, no less than the businessman, the courts no longer represent his last hope for having his grievances promptly addressed," she said.

Again, she said that the new rules encourage court-based mediation as reflected in the provisions of Order 29, Rule 1, which states that a court or judge with the consent of the parties may encourage settlement of any matter(s) before it either by arbitration, conciliation, mediation, or any other lawfully recognised method of dispute resolution.

According to her, this is hinged on the premise that the court or judge shall not personally conduct such settlement, which it shall instead refer to appropriate person or institution for amicable resolution within a time frame specified by the court or judge, failing which the proceedings shall resume before the court or judge.

Justice Bozimo said: "By this provision, the court user can no longer view the court as over-bearing as was the position under the 1988 Rules. The judge is now empowered to promote and encourage alternative dispute resolution in the determination of the cases in his court. This no doubt will improve the profile of the court and the face of justice in the manner it is perceived by the public. This has the added benefit of strengthening the integrity of the judiciary."

The Delta Chief Judge explained that the provision of the new rules that promotes court-based mediation, being new to the state's jurisprudence, calls for training and/or re-training of judges who are now assigned the responsibilities previously unknown under the old rules; the court registrar and other support staff; and private lawyers, as well as those in government service, in the skills of mediation and conciliation.

This, according to her, has the benefit of opening a new vista of career for legal practitioners and other interested persons to be trained as Professional Negotiators and Mediators (PNM) as emphasis all over the world now is on the benefits of the multi-door settlement of disputes that leaves former protagonists going away happy and satisfied and thus promoting a peaceful society.

The committee, which was headed by former Chief Judge of the state, (Mrs.) M.A. Okungbowa had former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Chief T.J.O Okpoko (SAN) as a member. Other members of the committee are former Justice F.A. Nwulu, Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN), Chief Albert Akpomudje (SAN), Chief J.I.Ojeh, Chief Isaac Jemide, Chief V.E. Otomiewo, Chike Onyemenam, A.O.Akpiroroh, C.Omoru, Chief C.O Ogedazi, M.M.Nnamdi, and B.O Odigwe who acted as the secretary.

Guardian

14/01/2010