Uzum Calls For Change Of Attitude To Societal Norms, Values.

By JOHNSON EBIGIDE

Delta State Director-General ( DG) of the Bureau of Orientation, Barrister Eugene Azuka Uzum, has emphazised the need to re-orientate the populace on attitude to societal norms and values.

Barrister Uzum stated this during a media chat at the Pointer Newspaper in Asaba.

He opined that lack of inner perception of the danger inherent in cultism and other social vices was responsible for some people taking cultism and other social vices as a way of life, adding that there was the urgent need to re-orientate the public towards a better synergy between Government and the governed in the country.

Barrister Uzum, who spoke extensively on various issues affecting the relationship between Government and the general public, urged citizens in the country to see themselves as part of Government by giving necessary support to government at all levels towards serving the public well.

While throwing more light on the state government readiness to mitigate the impacts of the impending flood in the state, the orientation boss disclosed that the envisaged displaced persons would be given necessary care and support throughout their stay in camp, adding that the Bureau of Orientation would  carryout major sensitization exercises in the camps.

Meanwhile, Barrister Uzum has enjoined the leadership of alumni associations of tertiary institutions to use their positions to preach against students involvement in cultism and other social vices in the country.

Barrister Uzum made the plead when the leadership of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Alumnus Association, Asaba Branch, paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Asaba.

Barrister Uzum, who went down the memory lane to recall his days as students at the institution, maintained that though the menace of cultism was dwindling in the institution, there was still the need to continue to re-orientate students on the inherent danger of getting involved in cultism, adding that so many bright students that could had contributed towards the development of the society had lost their lives to the menace.

While promising to assist the association towards the actualisation of its goals, Barrister Uzum urged for a rejig of the association, saying that the university had produced many notable alumni who are doing very well in different spheres of human endeavours.

Earlier, the Asaba branch of the association, Mr Okey Ifejokwu, congratulated Barrister Uzum on his appointment as the DG of the state Bureau of Orientation, noting that Barrister Uzum's wealth of experience would impact positively on his assignment.

He called on Barrister Uzum to support the association, saying that there was the need to strengthen the association with more members of graduates from the Ambrose Alli University  in Nigeria and diaspora.

Johnson Ebigide,
Public Relations Officer,
Bureau of Orientation,
Delta State.

Use Water From Public Water Supply, Okonta Urges Deltans

DELTA State Commissioner for Water Resources, Rt. Hon. Martins Okonta has urged the people to use water from public water supply for consumption.

According to him, safety of water from private bore holes cannot be guaranteed compared to water from public water supply.

“Most private boreholes does not have treatment plants; they don't have quality control, they just put the boreholes, get water and start using it without treatment; but, the government or public water sector has treatment plants and when treated you will see the difference - there will be no colour, no taste and no odour.

“Water from the public sector has a lot of advantages because, they go through quality control, data control and they have treatment, unlike private boreholes that are usually sunk near soakaways pits, which amount to taking contaminated water into your system.

“I will not subscribe to drinking water from private boreholes, because they are not treated and the siting of the borehole are very close to soakaway pits and even when your own is not very close to soakaway pit, your neighbour sites his soakaway pit close to the borehole; so, water from private bore holes is not healthy for human consumption; government is doing its best to provide for the people,” the Commissioner who spoke in Asaba said.

He continued,  “government has committed over N233 million into the Asaba Regional Water Scheme, while the Ughelli Regional Water Scheme has received N144 million.  

In a bid to get water distributed to homes, the government has also constructed 5km water pipelines each in ten  urban areas of Issele-Uku, Patani, Ogharefe, Ozoro, Kwale, Koko, Orerokpe, Burutu, Obiarukwu and Ogwashi-Uku.

“A lot of money have been committed in ensuring effective distribution of water in these urban areas; recall that the State House of Assembly passed the Delta State Water Bill into law on May 7, 2019 and apart from the fact that we have passed the Water Bill into law, we have also declared a state of emergency in the water sector in Delta State.”

2019 Tribunal Verdicts In Delta: PDP Supremacy And Enduring Songs Of Victory.

By Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe Esq.

The battle for  the soul of Delta State between PDP and APC ended in favour of PDP during the 2019 general elections. It was indeed a superb outing for the party and her governorship candidate, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa.

He was genuinely declared winner after results were sorted out and declared by INEC, the electoral umpire for the country. PDP won 23 out of the 25 local government areas losing Ethiope East and Ughelli North respectively.

Ethiope East is known to be the stronghold of the APC guber candidate, Chief Great Ogboru while Ughelli North left the grip of PDP due largely to the combined political influence of Ogboru and Senator Ovie Omo Agege. Agege hails from Orogun Town in Ughelli North.

PDP and APC are currently ensued in a fierce legal battle at the tribunal. The petitioner, APC, is pleading over voting while PDP is urging the tribunal to ignore the prayers of the petitioner on the grounds that the governorship election results as declared by INEC cannot be faulted by the petitioner.

In 2015, same scenario played out when the APC and its candidate, Olorogun Otega Emerhor on the one hand and Labour Party (LP), her governorship candidate, Chief Great Ogboru on the other hand; approached the 2015 governorship tribunal to quash the victory of PDP and its candidate, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, on the grounds that PDP won based on over voting and other irregularities.

At the end of the 2015 election legal tussle, PDP and its governorship candidate, Gov Okowa, were victorious, and Chief Great Ogboru and his political family immediately defected to APC with the hope that victory will not elude him in 2019 if he eventually emerged as the party's candidate.

He got the slot and behold the 2019 governorship elections in Delta State, turned out to be Ogboru's greatest political nightmare since 1999. He lost big time to PDP and Gov Okowa. It was a complete show of shame which the APC and Ogboru  are struggling to cope with and the beats goes on at the tribunal.

Political observers are quick to point out that Ogboru monumental failure in 2019 was as a result of his rather awkward political leadership style especially his consistent failure to keep the political temple immediately after general elections, only to reappear few months before party primaries. Things are not done that way, our people are now well informed politically.

Others are not comfortable with Ogboru's low academic background  and at the same time not happy with the crash of his fish business empire while majority of Deltans also frowned at the lorry load of bank debts for which Ogboru and his Fiogreat Limited sank billions of Naira of depositors money. The highly distasteful huge debt profile as put out by the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), described Ogboru as a chronic debtor and a bad manager of financial resources.

These facts are in public domain and certainly played against APC and Ogboru during 2019 governorship election as can be seen from their abysmal performance at the polls, losing 23 LGAs to PDP and Gov Okowa.

In the light of the above, it is clear that the tribunal verdict will not be a surprise to Deltans when it  eventually come to light. Even babies in their mothers womb during the 2019 general elections can testify that PDP and Gov Okowa worked very hard in terms of massive campaign, grassroots mobilization coupled with town hall meetings and execution of numerous people oriented projects, job and wealth creation that brought about substantial prosperity in the state.

Very soon, APC and Ogboru will realise that going to the tribunal is not just enough but doing the right things before and during elections. Deltans cannot forget in a hurry how Delta APC was engrossed in pitiable infighting and baseless witch hunting among its leaders before and during the 2019 governorship elections in the state.

Delta APC had two major factions namely; Light of APC Delta and Mainstream APC Delta plus other pockets of factions which produced multiple candidates during 2019 elections. Its obvious that election cannot be won on the basis of senseless internal fractionalization and petty squabbles among leaders.

PDP on the other hand was well organised, strategically coordinated and united before, during and after general elections. Her campaign strategies and massive mobilization of the people accounted for the well deserved landslide victory which saw the reelection of the ROAD MASTER, Gov Okowa.

The much expected 2019 governorship tribunal verdict shall justify this piece, Deltans and the entire PDP family in the State, shall in one loud voice sing the victory song once again.

APC and Ogboru should get ready for 2023 governorship election. Gov Okowa shall be in charge of Delta State, till May 29, 2023.

In God we trust!

Youth Matters: Very Important To Gov Okowa...Ogb. Nwanze Oduah

* As Asaba Elite Youth Awake Felicitate With Him Over His New Appointment

* Touching Lives, Community Development Initiatives Are My Highest Priorities Now...Ogb Nwanze Oduah

Okonta Emeka Okelum, Asaba

One of the recently appointed aides to the Delta state governor, recently shared his feelings about how the governor feels about youths affairs.

Ogbueshi Nwanze Oduah, executive assistant to the state governor on youth matters, said the state governor takes issues that concern youths of Delta State very seriously.

He said so, when the executive members of Asaba Elite Youth  Awake paid him an advocacy visit to felicitate with him over his recent appointment.

Ogbueshi Nmadu Onwufuju, leader of the delegation, shared why they came.

We are here to felicitate with you over your recent appointment.

To us, we know your appointment is a well deservered, your stood firm for the electoral victory of the governor, Ogbueshi Onwufuju pointed out.

We will always support and work closely with you and the governor, because your new appointment is a huge blessing to us and other young Deltans.

Your capacity to put smiles in the faces of our youth population is never in doubt, you had done it before and doing it again is in your nature, Ogbueshi Nmadu Onwufuju told the governor's aide.

The youth body urged him to always have them in mind whenever goodies will come from the government and also help them solve some of their organization's crippling challenges.

Responding, Ogbueshi Nwanze Oduah, pointed out that he is personally aware about the immense past contributions of the youth body at curbing violent and criminal tendencies of young cultists in Asaba and Oshimili South LGA in general.

I understand all your challenges, in my personal capacity, I will seek proactive means at solving some of the challenges.

On your behalf too, I will reach out to the governor and local government council chairman, hopefully, I am confident that all your needs and challenges will be attended to, Ogbueshi Oduah assured them.

Responding to the youth bodies plan to host a celebration gala night for his new appointment, the governor's aide, declined the offer but told them his current thematic area of focus.

Now, I am deeply concerned about touching lives, impacting the lives of more youths positively and saving as many as possible from the brinks of hopelessness, unemployment,  suscide, crimes, sickness, jail and  death.

When I look around Asaba and Oshimili South Local Government Area, I see alot of need for community development opportunities.

Mind you the governor can't everything, there are some few things I can do, there are also other small things you and your organization can do and together Asaba like you say will be great again, Ogbueshi Nwanze Oduah emphasized.

Other members of the delegation, who spoke stressed the need for the governor's aide to always advocate for their good at all fora and meetings he attends on youth matters

I assure you that I will take your matters and needs as well as that of other youth bodies who believe and support the Stronger Delta Mantran of the governor to him.

Like I said, earlier, we have a governor with listening ears, who has a wonderful youth development programs, Ogbueshi Oduah assured the youth body.

I will also work with all government agencies and functionaries to see that your organization is recognized and you enjoy the fruits of your labours.

It is my prayers that you maintain the peaceful dispositions and the orderliness that till date had defined who you are, keep it up and assure you, more greatness will become your lot, Ogbueshi Oduah encouraged them.

The youth body also expressed their committment to take active part in the forthcoming Eziugbo festival as well as other remaining parts of Asaba  festival's calendar and sought the governor's aide support, guidiance and directive.

Ogbueshi Nwanze Oduah assured them of his unalloyed support but urged them to go fix their budget for their participation in the festival.

SOURCE:ASABA POST NEWS WIRE (ONLINE

Partner With PTAs, CDUs, Ukah Tells Principals, School Heads

Principals and School Heads in public schools in the state have been charged to partner with the Parents Teachers Association (PTAs) and Community Development Unions (CDUs) to ensure that students settle down quickly for the new academic session.


The Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Chief Patrick Ukah, gave the charge during the continuation of his monitoring of resumption of schools in Ika South and Ika North East Local Government Areas yesterday.


Chief Ukah expressed surprise that on the second day of resumption, there was still low turnout of students in some schools even when it had been announced that there would be a welcome back test for the students on the first week of resumption.


He therefore charged the School Heads and Principals to make sure that the welcome back test is administered to the students which should form part of their continuous assessment and should not be doctored by them.


The commissioner asked the Chief Inspectors of Education (CIEs), Principals and School Heads to device a means they would use in communicating  with the parents of the students through the PTAs and Community Development Unions so that they can employ the services of town criers in their communities to bring to the awareness of the parents while their children should return quickly back to school.


Chief Ukah said his ministry had lined up a lot of programmes for the 2019/2020 academic session which he said would bring about the continuous development of the basic and secondary education sub sector of the state..


The schools visited by the commissioner are Omumu Mixed Secondary School, Omumu Primary School, Ime-Obi Secondary School, Igumbor Otiku Secondary School, Ogbemudien Model Secondary School, Alasi Primary School, Owa Model Secondary School and Owa Model Primary School all in Ika South and Ika North East Local Government Areas.

Sealed School: Parents, Teachers, Pupil Protest LGA Council Boss's Action

....Took An S.O.S Outcry/Protest To Asagba Of Asaba's Palace

Okonta Emeka Okelum, Asaba

Just as the Delta State commissioner for education and the state governor, decried the  low turn out of pupils and student upon school resumption and the need to build more schools in the state, the trend in Oshimili South LGA has nose dived in the opposite direction.

Teachers, parents and pupils of Oshimili South Local Government Nursery & Primary School had their desires to commence studies and academic activities dashed, since yesterday.

Without prior information, they met a sealed school premises.

According to a parent who does not want his name published, told our reporter that the sealed school premises was made possible by Hon Uche Osadebe, Council Chairman, Oshimilli South LGA.

Our source told us that the council boss sealed the premises and embark on an abroad trip to Europe with some councilors of the council.

Some parents our reporter encountered sadly recounted that they were told by some council staff that they had being told by the council boss to tell them to take their children to another school as the premises had being permanently sealed off.

Our sources shared what their responses became after the second day of continous sealed premises.

We have no other option than to take our greviances to the royal father of this land, the Asagba of Asaba.

Upon getting to the palace, we were told that the royal father is busy but our visit was rescheduled to hold later today with him by 1:30pm.

The palace's administrative secretary, Ogbueshi P.N. Ndili received the aggreived delegates, our sources told our reporter.

According to our sources, Ogbueshi Ndili dailed all telephone lines of the executive vice chairman of the council but were switched off.

Same was the case when our reporter called the council's executive vice chairman

When Ogbueshi Ndili dialed the council's secretary, our sources hinted us that the secretary attempted various antics at defending the council chairman's action as well as stressing that the school premises had being relocated.

This response, our sources told us gravely angered Ogbueshi Ndili, who asked, who did the council boss consulted and south his approval before taking such action.

He questioned why the teachers and head teacher were not carried along before the school was sealed off and why no alternative provision was made before school resumption.

Our reporters calls to the council secretary's phone number met a poor response as he turned down his calls with the excuse that he is busy and not ready to speak to our reporter.

Some aggrieved parents who appear to be somewhat conversant with happenings in the council stressed that the council boss's action could be a subtle ploy towards selling off the school premises or converting it to his personal estate.

This they vow to resist, should the palace, commissioner of education and state government did nothing to stop the council chairman's action.

We will keep you all posted with the turn of events at the palace today by 1.30pm, when some lesser delegation of the teachers and parents will reconverge at the palace.

Ukah Calls For Early Resumption As Schools Reopen In Delta

The Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Chief Patrick Ukah, has called on parents in the state to ensure that they allow their children resume immediately for the 2019/2020 academic session so that academic activities can kickstart fully.


The commissioner made the call when he monitored the resumption of schools for the 2019/2020 academic session in schools in Asaba yesterday (09/09/2019).


Chief Ukah, who decried the low turnout of students in the schools he visited, urged the students to resume as there would be a welcome back test on Thursday this week which would make up 10 Percent of their continuous assessment for the term.


At Government Model Secondary School, Asaba, the commissioner frowned at the untidy environment of the school and ordered  the Principal of the school to ensure that the school is kept tidy before the end of yesterday.


He warned against illegal collection of unauthorized levies from incoming students while stating that any Principal or School Head caught would be severely punished.


The commissioner also visited Osadenis Mixed Secondary School, Asaba, where he urged  the staff of the school to be committed to their duties at all times as the ministry would no longer tolerate any form of indiscipline among them.


He said as teachers, they should strive to impact positively on the lives of their students which he said would bring about fulfillment in their careers as teachers.


The commissioner charged the  Principal of the school to ensure that he devised means in which he could curb indiscipline in the school.


Other schools visited by the commissioner were Uziogwe Primary School, West End Mixed Secondary School, Zappa Basic Secondary School, Zappa Primary School, Isioma Onyeobi College, and Zappa Mixed Secondary School within the Asaba Capital Territory.


He equally visited two newly established secondary schools located in Oduke community and FSP, Asaba where he said that the schools would start up this week.