The Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson has urged his Kogi State counterpart, Capt Idris Wada to see the recent accident that claimed the life of his Aid d’ Camp as the wish of God and remain focused in his commitment to the development of the State.

Governor Dickson stated this when he paid a condolence visit to Capt. Wada at his Abuja residence.

While expressing his heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Kogi State as well as the immediate family of the late Adc, the Bayelsa State Governor was full of Grace to God Almighty for his magnanimity in sparing the life of his Kogi State counterpart, who was also injured in the accident.

According to him, the visit was an expression of brotherly love and the bond of friendship between Kogi and Bayelsa States, adding that he was deeply touched by the incident knowing how precious life is, especially in the case of the Adc, who is the closest aid to the Governor.

Governor Dickson commiserated with the Government and people of Kogi State on behalf of the Government and people of Bayelsa State and prayed God to give the Governor, Government and people of Kogi the strength and fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

He also prayed for the quick recovery of Governor Wada and subsequent return to duty to render quality service to the people of Kogi State. Dickson further noted that, the cordial relationship between the two Governors transcends beyond politics, stating that they have strong ties that could better be described as brotherly.

Captain Idris Wada said he is humbled by the good gestures; he then assured the Bayelsa state government and people of  his continuous In his response, Kogi State Governor, Captain Idris Wada remarked that the visit of Governor Dickson and the kind words of encouragem have greatly boosted his morale, assuring that he will recuperate faster than expected.

Governor Wada, who received the Bayelsa State delegation in the company of his wife, Hajiya Faridah Ijeoma Wada  thanked Governor Dickson for the visit and expressed the hope that it will further strengthen the cordial relationship between the two states.

The Bayelsa State Governor was accompanied on the visit by PDP National Vice Chairman South South, Hon Godfrey Oru, National Vice Chairman North East, Hon Mohammed Wakil, Bayelsa State Commissioner for Finance, Hon Duate Iyabi, the Governor ‘s Special representative in Abuja, Barrister Tamarakare Yekwe, Special Adviser to the Governor on Budget and Finance, Hon Ifiemi Ikpaikpai, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on IGR, Mr Amaduobogha Owei and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Electronic Media,  Mr Ono K. Akpe.

The highlight of the visit was the presentation of gifts to the Kogi state Governor and his wife.

The Senator representing Abia South senatorial zone in the National Assembly, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, was on Thursday humiliated by some journalists at the venue of the Ngwa Day Festival 2012, organized by Ngwa Patriotic Forum at Ngwa High School, Aba, Abia state.

Abaribe who was being interviewed by an NTA staff expressed surprise that journalists from other media organizations declined to join their counterpart to get his views about the event and other issues.

A source who was at the event hinted that Abaribe who serves as the chairman , senate committee on Information and Media; was embarrassed few minutes after; as all the waiting journalists immediately swooped on his Abia Central counterpart, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu and began interviewing her. Some of them were seen chatting with her as she addressed them by their names.

The senator was said to have sat moody throughout the event. One of the journalists who spoke to 247ureports.com on the condition of anonymity said they refused to join their colleague to have a chat with Abaribe because he has always declined to grant interviews or approve appointments to the state based journalists; even when officials request are made.

“In December 2011, we called him on phone to book an interview appointment with some of my colleagues form Umuahia; but he declined and said that he can only talk with journalists in Abuja. Others have made efforts to have a chat with him whenever he is around, but to no avail. Since then, we decided to ignore him, no matter the occasion. Even his Media Assistant has not been able to do improve his relationship with journalists practicing in the state,” the journalist said.

247ureports.com gathered that during the presentation of certificate of return to successful candidates after the 2011 general elections by INEC in Umuahia; Abaribe who now serves as the spokesman of the senate, almost engaged in fisticuffs with journalists who had gathered at Empire Hotels in the state capital; to interview him on his plans for his Abia south constituency in his second tenure at the senate.

On that occasion, the senator asked the journalists, “I hope you people are not trying to interview me”; to which the newshounds replied in the affirmative. But Abaribe insisted that he couldn’t remember having an interview appointment with any journalists. Even the appeals by the journalists that interviews are not always formally done as there are still opportunities for impromptu interviews; could not sway the senator as he ordered his driver to zoom off to surprise of the newsmen.

Senator representing Abia central zone in the senate, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu says the state governor, Chief Theodore Orji has taken many laudable steps to improve the quality of life of all Abians.

Speaking at an occasion to take account of stewardship in Aba, Nwaogu said,”There have been relative and security in the state. This is a big plus for the governor considering the increasing security challenges in the country. We recognize the fact that there are many needs in the state competing for limited resources. The governor is trying but he cannot do it alone.”

She expressed gratitude to the governor, the executives and members of the Peoples Democratic Party as well as her 2011 campaign team for their prayers and support.

The senator called on the public and well meaning individuals to support Gov. Orji in his bid to develop the state, adding what she has been doing is geared towards supporting the governor in ensuring quality life for the people.

Nwaogu who chairs the Senate Committee on Gas resources further used occasion to list her achievements in the first year in the 7^th senate which includes employment facilitation, rural electrification, educational  and water projects; amongst others.

The highlight of the event was the distribution of saloon cars to the PDP party chairmen in the six local councils that make up the senatorial zone; a fulfillment of the promise which the senator said she made during the campaigns. She also gave five other cars and jeep to some constituents as well as cheques of various amounts to beneficiaries of her skill acquisition and scholarship programmes.

In a chat with newsmen at the event, the Chairman of the PDP in Osisioma Ngwa council, Mr. Innocent Alozie thanked the senator for fulfilling the promise she made to his colleagues, describing her as one who came into politics to make a difference.

Dignitaries who graced the event includes the Speaker of the state Assembly, Chief Ude Oko Chukwu, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senator Chris Adighije, Rep. Eziuche Ubani, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry who represented the state governor, traditional rulers; as well as party supporters from the six councils of Abia Central senatorial –Osisioma Ngwa, Isiala Ngwa South, Isiala Ngwa North, Ikwuano, Umuahia North and Umuahia South.

Candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance for Obingwa/Osisioma Ngwa/ Ugwunagbor federal constituency in the 2011 polls, Chief Charles Nwangwa says APGA has no structures capable of winning elections in Abia state.

In an interview with  journalists at his country home in Obingwa local council of the state, Nwangwa who is now a member of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP); said the latter maintains a better structure that would help any candidate actualize his political dreams.

“PDP here in Abia State is well organized and well structured. In PDP, they helped their candidates to do things. While I was in APGA, I did everything for myself. I had to hire people to paste my posters.  I did everything by myself. So, the party (APGA) does not have a proper structure in the state.  “They (APGA) are not organized. The leadership is in quandary, it is in shambles. But PDP is organized and they are at every nook and cranny,” he said. He further decried what he described as the lack of government presence in his area.

“Other parts of Obingwa were all in the town and developed. My ward is on the part of the Akwa Ibom state. The other time it was people of Akwa Ibom state that graded our roads. Our people go to school in Akwa Ibom state; straight from here. None of those who represents us; whether in the senate, House of Representatives, state House of Assembly or Council chairman; has cared to visit my people.

“Nobody has even been a councilor from this ward. Everything eludes this ward and that is why I am around this time, to bring out my people into lime light.  So, this is the time we need someone to speak in the interest of my people.”

When one is entrusted with the people’s confidence, resources and fortune, one would need the Amazing grace of God to discharge one’s responsibilities with utmost care, prudence, transparency and equity.

In 1990, orji Uzo Kalu was either by hook or crook, elected Governor of Abia state. His mandate was to impact positively on the people of the state, using the common wealth of the people. But contrary to this expectation, Kalu, for eight years, only proved himself to be incomparably unscrupulous, greedy, and unintelligent and extremely fetish. The combination of extremity of Kalu’s vice amounted to, not only total disappointment to the people of  God’s own state but  Abians taking a very strong decision never again to repose their confidence in a charlatan and in one whose pedigree is suspect. KALU’S atrocities in Abia and against Abians were so devastating that the people of God’s own state both individually and collectively wept and placed a cures on him, his mother and siblings.

When a people, with sorrow and tears, marginalization, injustice and overwhelming depression place a curse on a greedy opportunist, the consequence is always unimaginably enormous. It is the curse that Abians , and, indeed, many other Nigerians placed  on Kalu that has porously bred errand boys; Odimegwu Onwurmere, who is incapable of differentiating an adverb from a verb, to write a piece that is full of incoherence and only amounts to a trash on page 21 of This Day of Monday 31 December, 2012. I n the said write-up, Kalu, through his untutored sycophant; Odimegwu Onwumere, fruitlessly and unethically expressed his grouse over the claim by one of Governor T.A  Orji’s aids that the Governor has restored the digity of the Abia person Kalu, being conciouse of the havoc he wrecked on Abians, would not want to hear of theof   the restoration of the diginity of Abia people , Hence he has continued to cry wolf where none exists.

For purpose of educating Kalu and equally call him to order, let me talk on dignity and its restoration in Abia state. Because of this crude and uninformed background, Kalu does not know that dignity is that intrinsic qualities in that earns or makes one deserve respect. Dignity does not necessarily flow wealth. Rather, it is an inalienable associate of character. Having taught Kalu this elementary lesson, hoping he would learn though he may lack the mental capacity to absorb and retain simple but decent knowledge, I would now say a few things to justify the claims by the Governor’s aids on restoration of dignity.

When a person’s dignity is restored the person enjoys enhanced positive image. By virtue of constitutional democracy, every Abian is entitled to certain fundamental human right such as; Freedom to hold an independent opinion, that is freedom of thought; Freedom of association; Freedom of worship.

Any time that fundamental right of an Abian or any other individual is violated or denied, it goes a long way to cause psycho-social depression. This, certain, effects the individual and, therefore, impacts very negatively on his or her character and, by clinical extortion, his or her dignity.

I am saying it for the umpteenth time that during the tenure of Kalu as Governor in Abia state, the fundamental rights of many Abians were deliberately and consistently trampled upon by Kalu and his unprecedentedly avaricious mother, Eunice. People were compelled to go to some Juju shrines to swear to oaths of unjustifiable allegiance to Kalu and his mother. I, personally, was cunningly taken to Umuhuezechi in Bende Local Government Area of Abia state for this purpose. Today Governor T.A Orji has given appointments, contracts and other life-support incentives to many Abians without subjecting any of them to any form of oath-taking. This is restoration of dignity.

For the eight years that Kalu presides over the affairs of Abia state, he never gave any quantifiable consideration to the health of Abians, hence he did not think it necessary to erect even a one clinic.

The Governor T. A. Orji, a quintessential administrator and an accomplished alumnus of Nigeria’s premier University of Ibadan, has been able to build and equip two hundred and fifty health centers spread across the state and two functional diagnostic medical centers in Umuahia and Aba, has definitely tormented Orji Kalu who now perceives the Governor’s performance as a deliberate design to dump him in the dust bin meant for non-performers.

Abia is an oil producing state, courtesy of Ukwa west Local Government Area. Throughout Kalu’s tenure every plea made by the people of Ukwa west for his administration to set up an oil producing Area Development Commission naturally fell on a deaf ear. He did not grant the request because, true to his nature, Kalu hates the progress and comfort of his fellow beings. But no sooner did Chief T. A Orji become Governor then he set up the Abia state oil producing Area Development Commission. That commission has helped immensely in the development of Abia state, particularly the Oil producing areas of the state. Traditional Rulers from Ukwa west had no vehicles but today are proud owners of Jeeps that have, for sure, enhanced their status. Kalu has always been a victim of ignorance and so, will not realize that an elevation of this magnitude for Traditional Rulers in Ukwa west would go a long way to give impetus to their dignity. Does this not justify the Governor’s aide’s claim?

Kalu’s eight-year government of Abia state did not witness any quantifiable empowerment of the Abia youth. His administration only recorded donation of Tokumbo motor-cyles and wheel –barrows to Abia youths. On the contrary, the Government of Ochendo has motivated Abia youths with more than five hundred cars and more than two thousand tricycles, otherwise known as Keke- Napepe. The beneficiaries of this unparalleled benevolence of the Governor have subsequently become self-employed and are living very responsible life and discharging their social cum community obligations. For youths that’s could only dream of motor-cycles and wheel-barrows during the administration of Kalu to have their taste redirected and their status radically upgraded, Kalu, being a sadist, would not perceive any meaningful restoration of dignity in this context. What a pity!

In other to address the problem of youth empowerment and its attendant youth restiveness; a twin problem that was responsively unattended to during the era of darkness which Kalu’s Government represented, the T.A Orji Government has offered   employment to four thousand and five hundred Abia youths and is encouraging them to acquire useful skills with money they are being paid in order to guarantee a stable future for themselves. Because Kalu would not wish or see anything good in Ochendo’s Government, he would not agree that youths that were hopelessly abandoned by his administration but are now being rehabilited by Governor T.A Orji have had their dignity restored.

While the Federal Government of Nigeria legislative eighteen thousand Naira as minimum wage for the least Nigerian worker, the Abia state Government, under Ochendo, pays twenty thousand and one hundred Naira to her lowest public servant. It is only the devil that will not see restoration of dignity in this vivid expression of humanity.

In this piece, I do not intend to mention the numerious legacy projects intiated and being excuted by the administration of Governor T.A Orji in the state. Should I talk of the civil servants secretariat complex that is eight percent completed or the five thousand seat capacity international conference center, also eighty percent completed ? If Kalu should claim he has not seen the new functional Industrial market before the University of Agriculture Umudike, would he be justified to say he has not seen the Umuahia modern market at Ubani Ibeku, which is just conspicuously along his Ohafia Umuahia road? There are too many projects to be mentioned that space and time may not permit here. I, however, challenge Orji Kalu for an open contest on the issue of restoration of dignity for Abians by Governor T.A. Orji.

To ascertain  how myopic kalu and his uninformed Odimegwu Onwumere are, one has to compare and contrast between their preposterous claim that there is no restoration of dignity in Abia and their contradictory questioning of the sauce of money with which the wife of the governor, who through her Non- Government organization; Hunnah-May Foundation, has been touching the lives of the less privileged by building a three-bed- room bungalow, with provision of water and furniture for such people in the state. It is for the reading public to assess and evaluate if indigence of a state that, hitherto, had no shelter of their own but through the milk of kindness of the Governor’s wife now owns a house should be said to have been impacted positively on or otherwise.

As I had earlier state I many of my write-ups, former Governor Kalu Orji Uzor murdered sleep in God’s own State, he would, therefore, know no sleep.

Delta State government has cancelled automatic promotion of teachers in the state unified teaching service.

The state governor Dr  Emmanuel Uduaghan who announced this during the First Sunday of the year Service at the Pasture of life Church in Asaba said the era of mass promotion of teachers in the State Teaching Service was over.

The governor said that henceforth all promotions would be based on job performance stressing that the idea was to encourage hard-work and development in the educational sector.He said that about 1400 teachers on salary grade level 16 do not teach because of their seniority grade level adding that this was not good enough.

“We do not like the situation because it is not just only unhealthy but counter-productive as it will not promote good academic performance by students,” he said.

Governor Uduaghan called on persons in positions of authority to strive to influence the society positively and excel in assigned duties so that they will be role models to others.

Speaking further, he said appropriate measures have been taken to address the flood challenge to check future occurrence in the state even as he explained that the strategies adopted will effectively prevent flooding.

The governor commended the Founder and Presiding Pastor of the Pasture of Life Christian Church, Reverend Jude Akhere and other church leaders for believing in the state government and for standing by him in all his governorship elections.

He recalled that Reverend Akhere mobilized other church leaders to pray for the success of his re-run elections and expressed gratitude for the support.

Governor Uduaghan pledged support for the expansion effort of the church adding that the road construction leading to the church earlier abandoned would be re-awarded to a more competent contractor.

In a brief response, the Pastor of the Pasture of Life Church, Rev. Akhere preached on the sermon “2013 year of influence”

He reminded Christians that they were uniquely created by God to influence the society positively and should increase their level of commitment in serving God this year.Rev. Akhere pledged support for the Uduaghan administration.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, yesterday said despite the challenges confronting the country at this time, Nigeria will emerge a stronger nation.

Speaking in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state at the 16^th Auchi Day celebration, Oshiomhole said the challenges facing Nigeria are not limited to the nation as other nations of the world are facing one challenge or the other.

He said: All nations have their problems, I however have the confidence that Nigeria will fulfill her mission on this planet. We may have some challenges, but we won’t fix I t by lamenting our fate.

“I plead that the leaders resist all temptations to say anything that will give the young ones the wrong impression that all hope is lost. Our task as religious leaders and royal fathers is to continue to enlighten our people.

“The challenge of building a great country is not easy, but we all must do a soul searching and plead to God to guide our hearts and thoughts and channel our energies to making the country work.”

The Governor said the inter-city Auchi-Aviele road constructed by the state government has been completed and that it would decongest traffic at the Auchi Polytechnic on the Okene-Benin Federal Highway.

He thanked the Otaru of Auchi for the support extended to him during his second term re-election bid promising that the state government will continue to consult, interact and ensure that the resources of the state are continually managed to positively touch the lives of people of the state.

He assured that the state government will continue to work closely with the traditional rulers, saying “the least obligation I have to the people of Edo State is to leave the state more united than I met it.”

The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has commended the management of Pipeline and Products Marketing Company, a subsidiary of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), for its efficient distribution of petroleum products across the country during the yuletide.

In a statement credited to the union’s Chairman in Kafanchan, a town in southern Kaduna State, Mallam Ibrahim Iro, he said the country witnessed fair and equitable allocation of petroleum products to marketers during the season, a situation he said assisted motorists to avert undue hike in transport fares across the nation usually experienced during the period.

He said despite the fact the PPMC  has become the major importer of petrol into the country, with most major and independent marketers suspending imports until further notice, still the agency ensured products availability across the country.“We should commend the handwork and commitment of the leadership of PPMC for its effort in ensuring that petroleum products were available across the country during the season. Everyone appreciates the critical role fuel availability play in conveying commuters to their various destinations. Had it been that fuel was scare as many predicted, it would have affected the transport fares upwards. But that was not the case and families were able to reunite with loved ones during the season,” he said.

Iro maintained that it was amazing how PPMC achieved the feat, adding that it was forced to shut down its pipeline at Ije-ododo community in Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State, to avert further loss of lives and to allow efforts to extinguish the fire caused by vandals on the oil facility following a recent vandalisation in the area.

“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to all Nigerians to shun any act capable of jeopardising the economic growth of the country, especially pipeline cannibalisation. The unending incidents of pipeline hacking and product theft in the country currently pose great danger to the efficient distribution and supply of petroleum products in some parts of the country and we in the north are more vulnerable in scarcity situations. Therefore, the nefarious activities of pipeline marauders, if left on checked, cripple the  economy and indeed the downstream sector of the petroleum industry,” he said.

He said that according to the records, about 774 break points were recorded from August to December, 2012 from Atlas Cove to Ilorin depot only. While 181 break points were recorded between Atlas Cove and Mosimi depot, and from Mosimi to Ibadan, there were 421 ruptured points and from Mosimi to Ore, 50 were vandalised points recorded. Also between Ibadan and Ilorin it was said that a total of 122 break points were recorded.

“The record is alarming and we cannot afford to continue like this. The economy is bleeding and all the resources, man hour wasted on repairing pipelines could be channelled to other productive means in the country. We certainly have to condemn this dastardly act,” he said.

Iro further stated that despite all the challenges, PPMC was still able to ensure effective distribution of petroleum products across the country through increased trucking during and after the season.