GOV OKOWA ABHORS FINANCIAL RECKLESSNESS, RAISING VIBRANT YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS TO ERADICATE ACUTE POVERTY IN DELTA STATE.

 -Says Delta State Commissioner for EconomicPlanning, Dr Kingsley Emu.

The Honourlable Commissioner for Economic Planning in Delta State, Dr Kingsley Emu has commended His Excellency the Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa for his good governance initiatives, which has been consistently and progressively transforming the
state in virtually all sectors.

He said the Okowa administration has performed creditably well within two years in the area of massive infrastructure development, peace building, revolution in health and education sector, sports, open door policy in governance, prudent management of financial and material resources.

We have also done well in youth empowerment, human capital development,  investment drive, micro credit loans to market men and women, cooperative societies, youth start up packs for young entrepreneurs under the various vocational training and skills acquisition programmes of the SMART AGENDA and Prosperity for All Deltans mantra.

Emu made the commendation in Asaba when he received the newly appointed Executive Assistant on Communication to the State Governor, Barrister Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe in his office, in continuation of the Executive Aide’s familiarization visits to top government
functionaries, heads of Departments and Agencies in Delta State.

The Ministry of Economic Planning boss further asserted that Gov Okowa is not interested in running a “Father Christmas” government and made it clear to members of cabinet, ab initio, that he wants to reduce poverty significantly through short and long term socioeconomic plans within the lifespan of his administration, adding that the SMART AGENDA is the
oxygenated blood pumping life into all sectors of the state economy to guarantee prosperity for all Deltans.

“This administration within two years was able to decongest the state labour market by creating over 24,000 jobs directly and indirectly through  the Job Creation Office, Ministry of Works, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurship and Skills Training Entrepreneurship Programmes (YUGEP and STEP), as Deltans are engaged on a regular basis in both skilled and unskilled jobs at construction sites across the three senatorial districts.

“Under the aegis of its Production and Processing Support Programme (PPSP) segment of the broad mandate of the Job Creation Office, the administration has given active support to investors, mainly farmers, to re-kit their holdings.

"At the last count, 815 farmers have benefited from the PPSP initiative.

Besides, the Okowa administration has equally undertaken the following; distribution of tractors at great subsidy to 18 cooperative groups; distribution of outboard engines and fishing gears to 18 cooperative groups, distribution of fingerlings, feeds and cash support to 100 fishery farmers, the distribution of improved cassava cuttings, fertilizer and cash to 475 farmers.

“Distribution of 200 day old chicks, feeds and cash each to 10 poultry broiler farmers, distribution of 200 layers, feeds and cash each to 50 poultry layers farmers, distribution of 10 growers, feeds and cash to 50 piggery farmers and the provision of seedlings, cash and agro-chemicals for 40 tomato farmers.

This administration has done so much in terms of boosting agro businesses and our youths have been deeply involved in these various STEP and YAGEP programmes, the acute economic recession notwithstanding.”

Emu further asserted that the comprehensive list of Okowa’s achievements is now in prints captured in virtually all sectors of the state economy; agriculture, education, job creation, infrastructural development, transportation and aviation, health, security, peace building and the rest; a clear indication of the genuine commitment and determination of His Excellency, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa to leave a sparkling legacy behind after his projected eight (8) years in office which terminates on May 29, 2023.

“I was delighted when the news of your appointment (Oghenesivbe Fred Latimore) came up because of your good track records in media politics and personalized creative writing skills in political communication.

We once lost you to the opposition and now that you are back stronger and better,
it is important that you increase your tenacity in strategic political communication to further project the agenda, policies and actions of government.

"I have no doubt in my mind that you will use your wealth of experience to proactively articulate the SMART AGENDA, His Excellency’s socioeconomic policies and achievements to the mass audience via well researched articles, news materials, radio and television interviews, talk-shows across the country so that Deltans at home and in the Diaspora can better and further appreciate the good governance initiatives of the Okowa administration.

“It is also part of your core duties to tackle misinformation and cheap propaganda against the governor and this administration, using available information super highway networks to the best of your abilities.

" The issue of proper information management is key and very important because the major opposition, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State, is regularly publishing materials aimed at misinforming Deltans on the one hand and to sway gullible minds as we fast approach 2019 election year.

So, be strong and be ready to do the needful.

“I enjoin you to read widely about the administration’s vision and this you can do by working very closely with members of the State Executive Council (Commissioners) and heads of Agencies and Departments.

"I am impressed with the level of work you have put out so far, particularly your well articulated radio and television interviews about the achievements and policies of government.

It is expected that you keep the temple and dig deeper into the fountain of political knowledge to do the unusual; to further justify your pen name; THE PEN EAGLE. I have no doubt in my mind that His Excellency the Governor will greatly assist you so as to increase your performance from time to time.”

Responding, Oghenesivbe thanked the Honourable Commissioner for Economic Planning, Dr Kingsley Emu for his love and words of encouragement, adding that the Okowa administration is making commendable progress because of the high calibre of technocrats and super breed of professionals carefully selected to drive the SMART AGENDA to fruition.

“Sir, your pedigree in the banking and financial sector in Nigeria is a unique testimony which has greatly reflected in your performance as one of the best brains in our state and the world over.

I look up to men of pedigree like you as I diligently and proactively focus on my assigned responsibilities.

"I have no doubts in my mind that the watertight unity within the OKOWA SMART FAMILY will produce greater results in terms of quality dividends of democracy for Deltans within the next two years of this administration’s first leg with a second leg that will last till May 29, 2023.

“Once again, I respectfully thank His Excellency the governor of Delta State for finding me worthy to be appointed into his administration’s SMART team, even though I just returned from a brief stay in the failed opposition on pre-election publicity contract.

"The opposition in 2015 deployed strategic political propaganda to sway the
fragile conscience of millions of Nigerians and that singular act landed our country into needless acute economic recession and poor leadership crisis.

I am pretty sure that Nigerians will reverse the trend in 2019 by voting our great party, the PDP into power at the federal level.

I pledge to truly serve the State, His Excellency and our great party, the PDP, without blemish.”

It will be recalled that during 2015 pre-election Channels Television Sunrise Daily programme, Dr Kingsley Emu argued for the PDP while Barrister Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe spoke for the opposition, the APC.

The visit afforded the duo a unique opportunity to reflect on their television debate and discussed issues of mutual benefits as members of the PDP and Okowa administration, going forward.

It was indeed a great moment that will linger in their memories for a long time to come.

This goes to show that in politics “there are no permanent enemies, only permanent interest.

CVR: NDP Urge Members To Participate Actively

* Vows To Win Future Elections, Woo More Members

Okonta Emeka Okelum, Asaba

As the nation-wide continuous voters registration is on-going, the Delta State leadership of National Democratic Party (NDP) has urged her membership to actively participate in the exercise.

Speaking to an expanded party's state executives members, Madam Lizzy Unoma Allanah, urged them to take meaningful advantage of the on-going exercise.

The state party leader in a private media chat with news-men stressed that the party is committed at 

 seeking meaningful strategies at strengthening and refocusing the party for progressive exploits.

Very soon we will unleash proactive strategies that will endear our party to more new members.

First, we are encouraging all our members in the state to cease this opportunity to go get their voters card.

For some of them, who had relocated to our council area and are ready to vote here, we appeal to them to go to the registration centre to update their voting status, Madam Allanah told our reporter.

Addressing party's state executives present at the function, the party's state deputy chairman, Pastor Henry O Henry, informed the members present that the party's fortune is beginning to record positive prospect and set to secure more electoral victories in Delta State.

Today, as I speak with you, we have more State House of Assembly, Councillorship & Local Government Area Chairmen Aspirants, who have faithfully identified with the party.

He challenged those indicating interest in the party to go home to their respective wards and local government areas, do their home works, brainstorm with party leaders and seek better ways of strengthening the party at grassroot levels.

Pastor Henry O Henry, instructed party faithfuls and aspiring election party flag-bearers to always maintain cordial relationships with party leadership for proper direction and guidance.

Pastor Chukwuka Odili, an aspiring and upcoming Councillorship candidate for ward 11, Oshimili South LGA, was introduced to the state exco present.

The pastor turned politician thanked the party leadership for finding him worthy of their association and assured all that he is actively working on strategies that will help him secure electoral victories and enhance the fortunes of the party.

Responding, state party exco members at the meeting suggested that there is great need for establishment of a functional pre-election screening committee.

The member's concern over a more regular and periodic meetings, got the approval of the state party leadership.

The state chairperson of the party, Madam Allanah, assured members that in partnership with other party stakeholders, she had screened from a distance some of the aspiring candidates and found some of them worthy of bearing the party's electoral flag.

The party is open to influx of both new members, aspirants, proactive members and creative thinkers.

We don't just need people to flood into our party, we desire people who will work with us at advancing forward the party.

We also need those who can do all within their power at selling the party's image state-wide to a point of envy, Madam Lizzy Allanah emphasized.

ERADICATING EXTREME POVERTY AND HUNGER: THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Otive Igbuzor

The challenge of how to eradicate poverty has engaged scholars throughout history. There are several theories that have emerged on the causes of poverty and how to eradicate it. We shall examine some of the categorisations. Bradshaw has identified five theories of poverty.

 The first theory of poverty argues that the individual is responsible for his/her poverty situation. This theory blames individuals in poverty for creating their own problems, and argue that with harder work and better choices, the poor could have avoided (and now can remedy) their problem.

The second is the theory of cultural belief systems which argues that poverty is created by the transmission over generations of a set of beliefs, values and skills that are socially generated but individually held. The theory contends that individuals are not necessarily to blame because they are victims of their dysfunctional subculture or culture. 

The third is the theory of poverty caused by economic, political and social distortions or discrimination. The theory points out that it is the economic, political and social system which causes people to have limited opportunities and resources with which to achieve economic well-being.

The fourth is the theory of poverty caused by geographic disparities and argues that people, institutions and cultures in certain areas lack objective resources needed to generate well-being and also lack power to claim redistribution. 

Bradshaw’s fifth theory is the theory of poverty caused by cumulative and cyclical interdependence which argues that the individual and their communities are caught in a spiral of opportunity and problems, and that once problems dominate, they close other opportunities and create a cumulative set of problems that make any effective response nearly impossible.

According to Albrecht, theories of poverty generally fall into two major categories: cultural and structural.

Cultural explanations are generally based on what has been called a “culture of poverty” in which the primary problem lies with the individual. According to cultural theories of poverty, people are poor because they have a distinctive culturally determined way of life that largely explains the occurrence and persistence of poverty. 

Relevant aspects of this "defective" culture include a limited time horizon, impulsive need for gratification, low aspirations, and psychological self-doubt. When these aspects are taken together, the resulting worldview helps poor people to cope with pervasive hopelessness and despair. Poor families and communities then socialize their young with these ingrained values and norms, and consequently limit or obstruct their successful participation in mainstream institutions.

The resulting "underclass" thus becomes permanent and is "locked into its own unique, but maladaptive culture".

 According to the structural theories of poverty, the causes of poverty can be found in the social or economic system rather than in the individual.

These theories argue that people are poor because of racism, gender, class and segregation which limit or deny certain categories or groups of people access to training or jobs that are sufficient to maintain an acceptable standard of living or quality of life.

Finally, we can classify the theories of poverty into Marxist theories and neo-liberal theories. Marxist theories argue that poverty and inequality are functional components of the capitalist mode of production and that capitalism necessarily produces inegalitarian social structures.

 Inequality is therefore transferred from one generation to another through the environment of services and opportunities which surround each individual. 

The end result is the reproduction of a hierarchical class structure that can only be changed through class struggle. On the other hand, neo-liberal (neo-classical) trickle down theories suggests that the problem of poverty and unequal distribution can be resolved without recourse to special policy interventions by simply accelerating the rate of growth of production.

Neo-liberalism is a model and ideology of economic development that promotes the rolling back of the role of the state and the dominance of market forces.

In our view, the utilisation of the Marxist and neo-liberal theories of poverty can help us to understand the programmes that have been put in place all over the world to address poverty. Our position is that capitalism generates and promotes poverty, hunger and injustice. The global political and economic structures are organised in such a way as to continue to perpetuate poverty, hunger and injustice through policies and actions that continue to widen the disparity between the rich and the poor. 

Marx and Engels propounded the laws of historical materialism and stated that the inherent contradictions in capitalism will lead to ruin of the capitalist system with the enthronement of socialism. Some scholars arguing for a non-communist approach to societal development encouraged conspicous consumption in the developed capitalist economies leading to the present economic melt down and credit crunch. 

With the recent crisis, Northern governments have resorted to policies and actions that progressive and socialist scholars have advocated for years including state intervention in the economy, massive subsidies and nationalisation of banks. This is a somewhat confirmation of the correctness of the progressive approach and hence the kind of intervention required including state intervention and social protection measures. Unfortunately, public funds are now being used to bail out the failure of the bourgeosie and the capitalist system.

In some way, Bradshaw’s first and second theories correspond to neo-liberal propositions while the third, fourth and fifth theories correspond to the progressive positioning. Similarly, Albrecht’s cultural theory approximates neo-liberal theory of poverty while the structural theory corresponds to the Marxist theory of poverty or progressive approach. We posit that the focus on individual is misplaced and misdirected. In this regard, we agree with Bradshaw who points out that this will amount to “blaming the victim.” For us, the cause of poverty can be located in the structural failings of the economic, political and social system.

BREAKING THE SILENCE: Why I Held Back My Support For IPOB May 30th Cause

* Three Reasons Why The Struggle May Not Succeed Legally and Politically

Okonta Emeka Okelum, Asaba

Many of my friends on Social media responded with mixed feelings over my out-burst of zero support, some later expressed their surprise both in support and in disbelieve about my position.

Yes, that post was and only addressed the issues that concerned that day's activity and the reasons I presented concerned issues of the protest.

But today, my main reasons will address more germane democratic, political and governance related issues, these reasons before early this year gave yours truly the conviction that the Biafra Issue might not scale through, if we are going to be true to ourselves, most shocking too, are recent actions at the national assembly further confirms my position.

My convictions are very simple and they are thus:

First, is the position that in the Nigerian Constitution, those who drafted and ratified it never had in mind the least possibility of any internal national schism nor possible future agitation for regional break out.

So the fact that the nation's constitution does not have provision for referendum weakens my desire to throw in my support, as a well-trained activist, of all the advocacies and struggles I had embarked upon, my leaders took great pains to unveil to us constitutional appropriateness of the engagement, drawing it's legality from both national and international legal instruments, conventions, treaties and other vital legal documentation.

I just can't easily allow myself go blind with the crowd after what does not have the right constitutional backing.

Secondly, so far, so good, the IPOB led struggle has not openly earned sufficient political will it deserves to attract my support.

Over the recent years, with wide alert attentions, I sought to catch sense strong waves of support from top ranking political and public office holders of the five major south eastern states, none came my way.

On this May 30th sit at home campaign, I was steadily tuned to all the south eastern radio stations with strong reception at Asaba, with keen attention I listened to their hourly news broadcast, to hear what their various state governors will say in support to the on-going sit at home campaign, surprisingly, till end of the day's exercise, none of the region's governors expressed support for the day long struggle.

The fact that the south eastern states has well informed political representatives as both retired and serving senators, NASS representatives, governors, ministers, federal & state level board members, ambassadors, Local government chairmen and councillors, yet none of these class of big weight had called themselves together throw their weight behind this engagement, gave me the early red signal that there is no head way towards the IPOB campaign.

One social media photo shopped image got me thinking last year, it was a photo of a global football super star celebrating a scored goal, who raised his jersey, unveiling an inscription begging "UN GIVE US BIAFRA" it was days later I ruminated over the social media image again and my conviction got clearer.

Another reason why the UN will possibly do just nothing is this, who and who currently represent Nigeria at the UN, are those folks from the Igbo extraction?

Who during general assembly or other special meetings of the world body will echo the agitation of the south eastern states for international support at the global level.

I just do not see the possibilities of an Hausa and Yoruba dominated UN representatives, leaving what their party instructed them to say at the U.N and dance towards globalizing the Biafran struggles.

Thirdly, is the near grave time testament of the founder and funder of the original conquest for the attainment of the Biafran struggle, even, Chief Dim Odimegwu Ojukwu on the fact that all about Biafra is gone with the wind, as well as his avowed pronouncement that no other pro Biafra agitation will succeed.

Before May 30th, especially, last year, the video was seen on few occasions, but since the month of May pronouncement of the IPOB to stage a sit at home protest, the video got more often and frequently repeated posting on the social media, attracting required responses from both supporters and non-supporters alike.

With this work of mine, I know some blind Biafran Supporters will not address the three issues raised here, but will resort to name calling and needless insults, all this work requires is but an honest examination of the points presented and intellectually engaged.