Innocent Ojefia Blog

The Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has sworn in three additional special advisers to assist in the performance of government functions geared towards uplifting the standard of living of the people and enabling prosperity for all Deltans. The Governor noted that “we are making progress and for this we must give thanks to God. I am happy to announce to you that our S.M.A.R.T agenda is on course. Early last month, we flagged off our wealth creation programme with the creation of six entrepreneurship schemes”. The three new special advisers were given their respective portfolios immediately. Professor Sylvester Monye , MFR – Policy/Programme Monitoring and senior policy adviser Hon. Joseph Otirhue – Local Government matters, and Hon. Kelly Penawou – Niger Delta and Brace Commission

WASHINGTON, DC -  U.S. officials have vehemently denied  ever telling a Nigerian Governor who accompanied President Buhari to Washington, DC, for a meeting with President Obama from the 19th-22nd of July, that a  minister in the former Goodluck Jonathan administration stole $6 billion .   The allegation was made by Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State.  A call to high officials of the U.S. Department of State said no U.S. official ever made that kind of a statement.  It would be recalled that since President Buhari took office, Mr. Oshiomhole has been on a crusade to implicate some former ministers in the former Goodluck Jonathan of stealing money. Mr. Oshiomhole has been on a running battle with the former Minister of Finance and Supervising Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who he accused of withdrawing $2 billion from government accounts for Jonathan’s reelection campaign.   Dr. Okonjo-Iweala who had served in the Obasanjo adm...

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday applauded the fiery Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, for the patriotism he exhibited in the build-up to the 2015 general elections, stressing that the cleric will be remembered for courageously speaking truth to power, even at great risks. The President stated this in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, to felicitate with the leader of the Adoration Ministries Enugu, Nigeria, on the occasion of his 20th priestly ordination. The statement noted that Mbaka chose the path of honesty, despite knowing that it could attract hostility from those it described as “leaders detached from reality”. The President said the priest’s courageous action while the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was still in power was a clear testimony that religious leaders are the custodian of truth and morals in society. While stressing that the decision of Mbaka to identify with the masses, and uphold the strugg...

Erstwhile Niger-Delta war lord, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has described President Muhammadu Buhari as a listening leader who is desirous of developing the oil-rich region. He stated this yesterday while commending Buhari for appointing Brigadier-General Paul Boroh (rtd) as the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme. According to Tompolo, “This action shows that the President is a listening leader, and also demonstrates his desire to contribute to the development of the Niger Delta. “It could be recalled that I called a meeting of ex-agitators’ leaders and other stakeholders in the Niger Delta last week, as a result of the pressure on me to intervene in the seemingly troubled Amnesty Programme due to the non-payment of the stipend and allowances to beneficiaries for months now. “And so, it gives me joy for the President to appoint a high ranking retired military gentleman to coordinate the programme rather than any of the political ...

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki has shocked Nigerians, by naming four Committees at Wednesday plenary. The committees include: 1. Selection Committee to be headed by the Senate President. 2. Rules and Business Committee with Senator Babatunde Omoworare representing Oshodi East Senatorial District as Chairman 3. Ethics and Privileges Committee with Senator Samuel Anyanwu representing Imo East Senatorial District as Chairman 4. Ad-Committee on Publicity is to be headed by Senator Dino Melaye from Kogi West Senatorial District. It would be recalled that the Senate President on Tuesday commenced the constitution of the Standing Committees to enable it carry out its functions effectively. He disclosed at plenary on Tuesday that forms would be distributed to senators to indicate interest in committees they would serve. Saraki further affirmed that each lawmaker was at liberty to belong to more than one committee, adding that they were free to also make suggestions after st...

The administration of His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, the Governor of Delta State is set to embark on massive road construction and rehabilitation to speed up the delivery of prosperity to all Deltans. “Without good roads, it will be impossible for prosperity to be delivered,” the Chief James Augoye, the Commissioner of Works, Sir Fidelis Tilije, Water Resources Development, Hon. Chiedu Ebie, Basic Education and Mr. Ehiedu Aniagwu, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor, disclosed this in a joint press briefing on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting held at the new Government House, Asaba. During the press briefing the Commissioners stated that the Executive Council approved the construction of a modern market at Orerokpe. Chief Augoye specifically said, “the Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa during his campaign made promises and he is in a haste to see that the campaign promises are actualized within the shortest possible time within th...

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday said while it agrees with the federal government in the fight against corruption, however, due process must be followed and rights of suspects respected. PDP also said the All Progressives Congress (APC) was not filled with saints as many of its leaders were the “worst corrupt set of Nigerians”. The PDP in a statement issued by Olisa Metuh, its spokesman, on Tuesday said the clarification had become necessary to remove any misconception that it was against the decision of the present administration to probe some past officials of government because they are members of the party. “The PDP supports the decision of the federal government to fight corruption in our country. However, we make bold to state that it should not be used as a guise to victimize innocent citizens. Democracy has come to stay in Nigeria and no citizen, irrespective of political, religious or ethnic affiliation should be denied access to due process and the rule...

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday appointed Brigadier-General P.T. Boroh (rtd.) as the Coordinator of the Amnesty Programme for former Niger Delta mil itants.   A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said that Brig. Boroh’s appointment takes immediate effect.  Boroh is taking over the responsibilities of the former Special Adviser to President Jonathan on Niger Delta who also doubled as Coordinator of the Amnesty Programme.  The appointment of a new Coordinator for the Amnesty Programme, the statement said, is to lead to the speedy resolution of recent hitches in its implementation such as the non-payment of outstanding allowances to ex-militants.

The Pastor Rev. R.E Igbigbidje and the entire members of the Devine Way Baptist Church, Okpanam Road, Asaba, specially invite the general public to A-4Day Life Changing Revival with the Living Christ.   THEME: The Immeasurable Love of Christ Date: Sun. 2nd - 5th Wed, August, 2015. Venue: Divine-Way Baptist Church, Asaba, Delta State. Ministering: Evang. Job Alabi God Bless You As You Make It A Date!

The Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has said that his administration is targeting a minimum of fifty thousand direct jobs through empowerment programmes. The Governor made the disclosure today when the National Working Committee of the PDP in the South South zone led by its zonal Chairman, Dr Cairo Ojougboh paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Asaba. According to him, his administration was committed to delivering prosperity to Deltans, disclosing that apart from ensuring infrastructure development of the state, within the next four years, more than 50, 000 direct jobs would be achieved through the empowerment programmes of his administration. He said, “as a State, we have sent out forms for various empowerment programmes, it is our hope that in the first phase of the empowerment programme, we will be able to impact directly on 6, 000 persons by providing gainful employment as we intend to roll out these empowerment programmes every six months throu...

The Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has warned against rumour mongering as the nation experiences another phase of democratic government. Speaking at an inter-denominational thanksgiving service to mark the 90th birthday of the Asagba of Asaba, Obi (Prof.) Chike Edozien in Asaba, Governor Okowa said rumour mongering among the people is retrogressive. According to the Governor, “this is not the time to carry rumours, this is not the time for lies on the pages of newspapers about government that is less than two months old, it is a time to work with government, our palms are open, we are ready to partner with anybody who has positive things to offer, yes, we welcome criticism, constructive criticisms but I believe that it must be based on what you think is right and not just because you want to destroy the administration, you gain nothing from trying to destroy Delta State.” He emphasised, “let us work together as brothers and sisters to develop our State for t...

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has announced Senator Godswill Akpabio as the Minority Leader of the Senate.  It was reported last week that based on emerging facts that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the Senate may announce the former Governor as minority leader. Details later.

When a toad groans in the day time, Africans say it smacks of an evil omen. The continuous groaning of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Delta State through Fred Oghenesivbe Latimore aka Otegability Change is quite similar. One of the greatest movies in life is politics. It’s a thriller anytime. Its pre and post-production is mixed with intrigues, suspense, tears, laughter, maligning, celebration and action. Since inauguration, the making of Governor Okowa’s first term has been characterized by APC posture of rumour mongering to malign the government. The despaired remaining APC apologists who are still reeling from their woeful failure at the last gubernatorial election naively think that to achieve national relevance they have to capitalize on peddling of falsehood.   Hunting for throne with lies is elusive when the people you hope to govern stand against your vision to lead them. A man who engages kings in war for selfish reasons remains a servant to t...

The Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa grace Obi Prof. Joseph Chike Edozien, the Asagba of Asaba CFR, JP interdenominational Chur ch service at the Oshimili south Acade Asaba to mark the 90th Birthday of the monarch. The Delta State Governor took the first lesson at the occasion from 1kings 3:16.  

By Dale Sobowale “You can fool some of the people all the time; you can fool all the people some of the time; but, you can’t fool all the people all the time.” Abraham Lincoln, 1809-1865. (VANGUARD BOOK p 62). “Jonathan’s Ministers behind oil theft.”- Buhari. Front page of a national daily last week. The story continued on the next page with the following disclosure. “Buhari said the documents at his disposal indicted some former Ministers and other top government officials of massive fraud including oil theft.”..“Some former Ministers were selling about one million barrels per day..” I was not surprised because the revelation only confirmed what I had written as far back as July 2013 on these pages titled WHO STEALS NIGERIA’S CRUDE OIL? Below is the 2013 article; and when you finish, if you are honest, you should send me a bottle of GULDER for pin-point accuracy on deduction and prediction. Now we are beginning to understand why the problem of crude theft was not s...

The Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has said the prosperity agenda of his administration will succeed as it was promised in the name of God. The Governor gave the assurance at the Church of God Mission International Incorporated, Warri, during the thanksgiving service by Rt. Hon. Julius Pondi, member representing Burutu federal constituency in the House of Representatives. According to the Governor, "the Lord is able to change things, there is nothing He cannot do, He will change the lives of our people, even in the midst of scarcity, He will make us deliver prosperity for Deltans which we pronounced in His name." Governor Okowa used the occasion to call for prayers for his administration, asserting, "we need to continuously pray for our State, we need to pray for ourselves, then we will succeed." "The real substance is about your soul, the best you can offer the Lord is your true self, your soul rejoices when you live in ri...

President Muhammadu Buhari is presently perfecting plans to split the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) into   two entities in one of his  anti-corruption stratagems. The disclosure was made by the presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina on Saturday in a State house press release. Buhari, elected in March on promises to combat corruption, has made clear he wants to overhaul the oil sector in Africa's biggest economy, which provides the government with around 70 percent of its revenue. He has said his government will trace and recover what he called "mind-boggling" sums of money stolen from the oil sector. "Mr President will soon split the NNPC into two entities. One will be an independent regulator and the other one an investor vehicle," said the spokesman, who did not a provide a timeframe for the restructuring. The NNPC currently represents national interests in oil and gas exploration, manages the energy sector and is the in...

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has announced the appointment of Mr. Haruna Baba Jauro as the new Acting Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the Agency. The appointment was communicated through a letter issued by the Federal Ministry of Transport. Isichei Osamgbi, NIMASA Deputy Director/Head Public Relations, in a statement issued in Lagos at the weekend said Jauro takes over from Barrister Calistus Obi, who was appointed only four days ago. It said until his appointment, Jauro was the Executive Director, Finance and Administration in the Agency and brings over two decades experience in the public sector and the maritime industry to his new responsibility. An accountant by profession, Jauro, who hails from Yobe State, holds Higher National Diploma in Accounting from the Kaduna Polytechnic as well as a Post Graduate Diploma and an MBA both from the University of Maiduguri. The Acting DG, a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Managemen...