Innocent Ojefia Blog

In human relationships, anger and speech can act as both constructive and deconstructive forces that change the way we feel or interact with others. Constructive forces are those that build, enhance or enlighten. They are positive forces in nature and human relationships that are responsible for creating change. On the other hand, a destructive force is one that demolishes, breaks apart or lowers. Destructive forces are particularly damaging when it comes to human relationships and interactions. Speech acts as a constructive and deconstructive force in human relations. Speech is used to build someone up and inflate his/her confidence, or in a way that is harmful or damaging to a person's self-image. Words are powerful tools that can build someone up or knock them down. Constructive speech is any kind of speech that works toward positive change or maintaining good relations with others. Deconstructive speech is any kind of speech that is negative, hateful or derog...

This is the pure truth but you need an open mind to accept it. Contrary to what the bible says that a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh, the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye condemned marriage in his new book titled “Journey to Marriage”. Prior to the new book, Pastor Adeboye have joined several pastors in Nigeria who have been making explosive statement both on the social media and in the Christendom. Journey to Marriage is said to be a book with all humility which tells you all you need to know on whether to get married or not and also serve as a spiritual guidance and preparations for your wedding. In the book, the man of God started by saying that not everybody will marry.  “Please let this point be clear from the beginning. Marriage is a very beautiful thing, but when you think seriously about the matter the one who does not marry is bett...

The Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) had on Saturday October 25, 2014 conducted the local government elections in the 25 local government areas of the State. It  can be reported that despite some hitches, delays and security situation which were promptly dealt with, Deltans and other residents in the state turned out in large number to exercise their franchise. Despite some unregistered protests by opposition parties, 23 chairmanship candidates of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have been declared winners by the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC). The elected council chairmen would be sworn-in by noon today by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan at the Cenotaph, Asaba. It could be recalled that the Chairman of Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DESIEC), Mr. Moses Ogbe had assured Deltans of free, fair and credible polls that will meet acceptable standards. According to DSIEC, 65 candidates from various political parties entered...

SOUTH African Ambassador to Nigeria, Lulu Louis Mnguni, said on Friday that Nigeria has received the $15 million seized by the South African authorities in connection with two arms deals. According to an online news medium, The Cable, Mnguni also reacted to the building collapse at the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) in Lagos and its effect on the relationship between the two countries, saying they had come a long way and the collapse could only make them closer and stronger. “South Africa’s relations with Nigeria comes a long way, so, now, this will actually make us much closer, to see how we can close some of these gaps that result in such accidents,” Mnguni said. The ambassador added that the seizure of the funds by the South African government was in no way related to the Synagogue incident. “South Africa’s relations with Nigeria is priceless, it cannot be sold for $15 million. These are two separate incidents and, of course, the issue of the money has already b...

In the days of the nationalist, Chief Obafemi Awolowo of blessed memory, ethnicity was a major ideology that propelled his actions and conducts. This is why some argue that truly he was not a nationalist in advocacies, because he was sectional in his political direction. Chief Awolowo had a tendency to be inclined towards ethnicity, relegating himself from a national hero status to become a sectional leader of the Oduduwa Kingdom.  Chief Awolowo’s failure was as a result of politics through ethnicity dogma. The rest of Nigeria felt threatened and voted against his candidacy in protection of the plight of their people and the unity of Nigeria as one indivisible entity. However, Awo as he was fondly called by his admirers was a leader with high virtues, his prudent policies in the west made the region outstanding in educational attainment.  Many leaders till this very day have tried to use this tool of beating the drums of ethnicity, in a bid to win political battle...

President Goodluck Jonathan officially made the long-awaited declaration to run for re-election in 2015. The President made the announcement today, October 23, in Abuja by telling the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders at the Presidential Villa, that he would procure nomination form of the party before the deadline. It would be recalled that the PDP leadership claimed yesterday that Jonathan, who had been earlier elected as a sole party candidate, must buy the expression of interest and nomination forms by October 30 if the president planned to participate in the elections. Other PDP aspirants heading for the office in the February of the next year were ordered the same, and it was stated categorically that the deadline would not be extended. Jonathan, who has been expected to declare for months, now ordered the set-up of presidential declaration committee saddled with the responsibility of coming up with a formal programme for his declaration. The body is led by ex Defe...

There  has been a bomb blast at Azare motor park, Bauchi State. We are yet to confirm the number of causalities.  Unconfirmed report from Bauchi  says , ”no fewer than five people died’. The bomb reportedly went off at about 10pm by the exit gate of the park, killing five persons and injuring many others”. NO group claimed responsibility for the attack as at the time of filling this report. We are tracking this news, we shall give you more information, shortly.

The Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, on Wednesday said his persistent gratitude to God through a series of thanksgiving services was prompted by the fact that God had lifted him from grass to grace. At a special thanksgiving service at the Baptist Church Warri to mark his 60th birthday celebration, Uduaghan said although it was practically impossible for him to summarise the long journey through life in the last 60 years, his remained a litany of testimonies. Uduaghan, who danced away at the service with his wife, Roli, said he could only sum up his life-story of testimonies so far with the phrase, “God lifted me, He gave me a song!” Describing himself as “a living testimony of thanksgiving” he recalled that he literally rose from rags to immense influence and wealth, as a family man with a mere Volkswagen Beetle car to the position of the governor of one of Nigeria’s most powerful states today. The governor said: “My testimony is very long; 60 years is not a...

On behalf of my family, I extend warm felicitations to Your Excellency, on the landmark occasion of your 60th birthday anniversary. Over the years, you have remained steadfastly committed to the pursuit of the ideals of excellence and selfless service in your personal life, your chosen medical profession and in your political exertions on behalf of the masses of our dear State. We solemnly identify with your programmes and policies, your commitment to the pursuit of peaceful co-existence, equity and better living conditions for all Deltans and especially the DELTA BEYOND OIL POLICY which Your Excellency have been crusading all over the nation. As you deservedly celebrate this glorious day with your family, friends, protégés, and numerous well-wishers, it is our prayer that Almighty God grants you many more happy years of fulfillment and distinguished service. Congratulations and wishing Your Excellency a very happy 60th birthday celebrations.

The Governor of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan has called for inter-state cooperation among security agencies as one best strategy of checking criminal activities in the country. Uduaghan made the call on Monday when the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 5, Mr Musa Daura paid him a courtesy visit in Asaba. Governor Uduaghan said that inter-state cooperation should be propagated among security agencies stating because kidnappers and some other criminals have no boundary of operations. “Please look at inter-state cooperation in policing because at times, these criminals don’t have boundaries,” the Governor said while appealing to the AIG to help discourage the practice where complainants take matters to the zonal headquarters without recourse to the state command. He observed that such advise was necessary as some persons use their influence at the zonal headquarters to affect the administration of Law and order in the state. Dr Uduaghan emphasized, “we...

Nigeria’s oil and gas wealthy Delta State is now set to access the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) N220 billion naira micro, small and medium enterprises funds for the benefit of the people of the State. The state is also partnering with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in the areas of fish processing and packing for export overseas. This development followed the signing into law of the Delta State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency Bill by the Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan on Monday, October 20, 2014. The initial Bill was to consolidate the state’s micro credit activities targeted at less privilege persons in the state. Governor Uduaghan who signed the Bill into law in the presence of Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Peter Onwusanya announced the appointment of the State Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Anthonia Ashiedu as the agency’s executive secretary. He explained that the law became necess...

Delta State is on an ambitious journey of having a global impact for a safe and sustainable future, growing a viable, self sustaining State, and developing new and viable markets. It is a journey that requires excellent leadership, flawless management and the hard work of every stakeholder in the New Delta Project. It requires above all a Governor with the right disposition and capacity to lead the State. The best pick from the pool of aspirants jostling to take over from Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan is Tony Chucks Obuh. Being the governor of Delta State is beyond just having talent. It is beyond street popularity. It is beyond beauty and personal accolades. The quality of leadership, more than any other single factor, determines the success or failure of an organisation. To lead is to inspire, to influence and to initiate productive change within people and processes as we move toward our vision. Tony Obuh's life and achievements have laid down the blue print or the found...

Delta State sits on a delicate balance; to either further launch itself into the orbit of sustainable development or relapse into the abyss of arrested development. It would be most unfortunate if the gains made by the Dr. Uduaghan’s administration are sacrificed on the altar of expedient politics that pander to superficial concerns that cannot consolidate on development, prosperity, mutual co-existence and harmony. Delta people must see beyond the fog of acrimony, mischief, blackmail, propaganda and focus on the realities that would serve our development needs. We must make concessions where there are overriding needs to advance the cause of the State for our collective good. Tony Chucks Obuh, I have often stated, is a product of time that is accommodated in justice. The events in Delta State these last few years have strong providential inclinations. There is the obvious hand of God in our affairs. Whether it is a reward for the partnership which this administration has ente...

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has commended the administration of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan on the giant developmental strides it has achieved in Delta State. Dr. Jonathan bared his mind on the visible achievements of the administration of Governor Uduaghan while commissioning the Utor Bridge on the Asaba-Ebu-Uromi Road which will ease movement from the eastern part of the country to Abuja by more than two hours. Represented by his Vice, Arch. Nemadi Sambo and accompanied by the Governor of Delta State, the President observed that Dr. Uduaghan has delivered on several critical sectors in the State. “You (Uduaghan) have created the enabling environment for development to take place, you have the transport sector, you have transformed so many areas and it is highly commendable and we will continue to partner with you in this direction,” he said. President Jonathan explained ‎that “the commissioning of this bridge is a re-affirmation of this administration’s commitm...

The PDP governorship front runner in Delta State, Tony Chucks Obuh today collected expression of interest and nomination forms at Wadata House, PDP Headquarters in Abuja, setting the tone for the race. The people of Delta State must now be awake to their ebullient responsibility of ensuring the next leadership of the State is not given to a man who will ruin their common heritage but to a prudent leader who will advance the spectrum of their economic and social development. The people know that when choosing a leader, they must look for a leader that can galvanize the masses, lead the government, guarantee security of lives and property and interact with fellow leaders without inferiority complex.  Tony Chucks Obuh is a perfect choice. Tony Obuh has a brilliant mind, a compassionate heart, a strong sense of honesty and is a man with good moral standards. Leaders who don’t adhere to moral standards are unfit to lead. The moral value of a leader is what motivates the youn...

The Governor  Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has charged members of the Women and Youth Development Committees in the State to be committed in sensitizing the people at the grassroots about government policies and programmes. Addressing members of the Committees from the 25 local government areas of the state in Asaba, Uduaghan said that it was important for the committee members to champion the course of government and let the people at the grassroots to be aware as well as benefit from the programmes of government.  “Being in the Women and Youth Development Committee is not for you to be receiving money without working for either your community or the party,” the Governor said, adding, “sensitize the people about government programmes, especially, issues of immunization.  “The youths should try and be involved in intelligence gathering in your communities, give information about kidnappers and thieves, let us do things that will make our communities, our...

FROM RIGHT, GOVERNOR EMMANUEL UDUAGHAN OF DELTA STATE; ALHAJI ADAMU MU'AZU, NATIONAL CHAIRMAN PDP; CHIEF. PETER NWAOBOSHI DELTA STATE CHAIRMAN PDP AND MR. OLISE METUH PDP NATIONAL PUBLICITY SECRETARY DURING THE COMMISSIONING. The Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has reaffirmed the commitment of Delta State towards re-electing President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term in office come 2015.  Governor Uduaghan made the declaration in Asaba on Wednesday when the National Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu commissioned an ultra-modern party Secretariat in Asaba and also presented flags to PDP chairmanship candidates for the October 25 local government election in the State. Dr. Uduaghan assured the PDP national chairman that Delta was strongly behind President Jonathan's administration and was in full support of the National Executive Council's (NEC) decision to adopt him as the party's sole candidate.  “Delta is b...