Innocent Ojefia Blog

There is a consternation of "pretender Economic analyst," and arm-chair Economists, some obviously with ulterior motives, sell the false viewpoint that the Naira has to be devalued further, to avert Arbitrage- as if Arbitrage is a new disease in Nigeria currency management system over the years. No Arbitrage will be an issue, forever no matter how you decree a devaluation. These guys like obfuscation! They will never tell you that in 1988 and twice in 1992, Nigeria official currency- the Naira rate was devalued from N14 to a dollar, to N18 and then to N22 to a dollar because of same Arbitrage window gap between the official rate and the "Black market rate" to stop the sins of the arbitrage operators, but did the gap not always expand after each such devaluations? All these opportunists rent-seekers, claiming to be experts with their foreign collaborators should be ignored- they are not smart enough. The solution to firming up the Naira and stopping arbitrag...

Unidentified armed men on Friday kidnapped King Josiah Umukoro, the Odion-Ologbo of Olomoro Kingdom, Isoko South council area of Delta state, from his palace.  Although facts surrounding the kidnap his kidnap were sketchy as at press time, it was gathered that he was apprehended by his kidnappers about 7:30am on Friday and was whisked away to an unknown destination. Sources alleged that the monarch was whisked away in a RAV 4 Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), painted in dark green colour, The Nation reports. It will be recalled that barely a week ago, a similar incident reportedly happened where the late king of Ubulu-Uku in Aniocha North council area of the state, Obi Akaeze Edward Ofulue III, was kidnapped. Obi Ofulue, who was allegedly kidnapped by suspected Fulani herders, was found dead about a week ago. The Police Public Relations Officer, Celestina Kalu, DSP, confirming the incident, said there was no lead yet on the kidnap of the monarch, but said the command had c...

  A middle-aged man suspected to be a member of the Boko Haram sect has been apprehended in Sapele, Delta, by officers of the 19 Battalion of Nigerian Army. The suspect, Bukar Abacha, was arrested shortly after he arrived the popular Hausa quarters in Sapele. A senior army officer who did not want his name mentioned, said on Thursday that a member of the Arewa community gave the information to“Operation Pulo Shield.’’ The Borno-state born suspect was, thereafter, handed over to the Army Headquarters in Abuja for further interrogation, the senior officer said. The officer said that the suspect was on the wanted list of the army. He said that a sensitisation exercise tagged “show of force confidence building patrol’’ had been inaugurated. “The exercise is aimed at disarming all acts of criminalities such as, kidnapping, pipeline vandalism, illegal oil bunkering and killing of innocent citizens in the area. “Before the arrest, community leaders informed us that the suspect ...

    The Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial district of Delta State, Obaisi Ovie Omo-Agege today formally took his seat in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the Distinguished Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District of Delta State.   The Oath of Office was administered at exactly 11.17 a.m. this morning.   Details later......

The Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Senator, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has approved the reconstitution of the following Agencies: Scholarship Board, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Agency, Technical and Vocational Board Delta Tourism Board, Delta Arts Council, Delta Broadcasting Service, Warri and the Rural Development Agency.. This was made public by the secretary to the State Government, Hon. Barrister Festus Ovie Agas. The  Chairmen and Members of the Boards of the Agencies are as follows: SCHOLARSHIP BOARD Mr. Sam Igumbor                       Chairman Comrade Uche Osadebe              Member Mr. Tunde Fregene Evang. S.I. Obuseh Dr. Tony Dibashi Hon. Jonathan Eghware Hon. Okiemute Dukuye Mr. Jackson Kudozo1 Mrs. Ajah Abel MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES AGENCY Mr. Sure ...

The Supreme Court has upheld the election of Nyesom Wike as the Governor of Rivers State. The reason for the judgement is to be listed on February 12. Giving the ruling on Wednesday, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, set aside the judgement of the Appeal Court which nullified the election of Governor Wike.  It is a unanimous judgement by a seven-man panel of the apex court.The Court of Appeal had on December 16, 2015, struck out the appeal of Mr Wike, seeking a dismissal of the judgment of the Rivers State Election Petition Tribunal which sacked him as governor of the state. The five-man panel of the appellate court held that Mr Wike was not validly elected as governor, having failed to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act and the electoral guidelines laid down by the Independent National Electoral. Meanwhile Wike in a tweet said “We give God the glory. Weeping may endure for a night. But joy comes in the morning”.

  Distinguished Senator Bukola Saraki, President of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senate Chambers, Abuja. Honourable Yakubu Dogara, Speaker, House of Representatives, National Assembly Complex, Abuja.   It is appropriate to begin this letter, which I am sending to all members of the Senate and the House of Representatives through both of you at this auspicious and critical time, with wishes of Happy New Year to you all. On a few occasions in the past, both in and out of office as the President of Nigeria, I have agonised on certain issues within the arms of government at the national level and among the tiers of government as well. Not least, I have reflected and expressed, outspokenly at times, my views on the practice in the National Assembly which detracts from distinguishness and honourability because it is shrouded in opaqueness and absolute lack of transparency and could not be regarded as normal, good and decent practice in a democracy...

The Governor of  Delta State Ifeanyi Okowa, has flagged off the first Delta State Education Summit with a call for student-centered and transformative educational system that is responsive to the constantly expanding socio-political milieu.  "I believe that all children deserve a chance to achieve their full potential in life which can only happen when they are given the right kind of education that is not only based on universal access but also anchored on innovation, rigorous standards, teaching excellence, digital learning and continuous improvement”, Governor Okowa, told a gathering of intellectuals and other stakeholders who attended the Summit, chaired by the renowned legal Icon, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN). The two-day summit is aimed at repositioning Education in Delta state with emphasis on improved teaching methods, innovation, better learning outcomes, community involvement and social transformation. According to Governor Okowa, funding gaps, out-dated curricu...

  The Governor of Delta State, Senator, Dr.   Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, Wife, Dame Edith Okowa, political office holders, Royal fathers, Civil Servants, Students came together today at the Delta State Education Summit, Tagged Leap Frogging Education in the 21st Century, the summit is being chaired by Chief Afe Babalola, an erudite lawyer and President of Afe Babalola University. Delta State as an education loving State has more tertiary institutions than most other States in the country. Primary and secondary schools in the State have continued to attract interest and patronage from neighbouring States. The present education system no longer meets the challenges of modern reality, as its products still look to the government and the few private enterprises for available gainful employment instead of becoming self-employed and job providers The Summit is therefore, aimed at finding solution to the challenges facing education in the State, vis a vis modern day rea...

Senator Shehu Sani (APC, Kaduna Central Zone) has said that over $200 billion was being stashed away in the United Arab Emirates, UAE, specifically, its global financial hub, Dubai, by corrupt Nigerians. Senator Sani is the chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign and Domestic Debts, as well as Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs. Sani, who was fielding questions from journalists after women supporters from his political ward paid him a solidarity visit at one of his campaign offices in Kaduna, told reporters that any corrupt person running to President Muhammadu Buhari for cover would be exposed, investigated and prosecuted. He said: “Corrupt Nigerians have stashed unbelievable amount of monies in Dubai alone in the name of estates acquisition, purchase of exotic houses and business partnership in the last 16 years. Some have stashed raw cash. This is why the US, and Europe are making conditions for laundering of money into their countries very difficult. “...

  Human rights lawyer, and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has petitioned the International Criminal Court (ICC), over the $2.1b arms purchase fraud. Reports have it that Falana, in his petition urged the court to investigate the alleged diversion of funds meant for the prosecution of the war against Boko Haram.   An excerpt of his petition to the ICC Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, dated January 19, 2016, reads “On account of the deliberate refusal of the former military authorities to equip and motivate the members of the armed forces involved in combat operations, the insurgents have killed about 25,000 soldiers and civilians including children and displaced over 2,000,000 people.   “The ICC needs to urgently commence an investigation proprio motu on the allegations of the criminal diversion of the security funds of $2.1bn and N643bn earmarked by suspected perpetrators, with a view to determining whether these amount to crimes against humani...

The Governor of Delta State, Senator, Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, today paid a condolence visit to Ubulu-Uku Kingdom to commiserate with the families of the late Monarch, HRM Obi Edward Ofulue III and the entire people of Kingdom of, Delta State over the untimely death of the late Monarch. Read more at: Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was accompanied by Hon Angela Nwaka , member representing Aniocha South constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, the State Commissioner of Police, Baba Ali Musa, Chief of Staff, Government House, Hon Tam Brisibe, Hon. Tony Elekeokwuri, representing Ika North East in the State House of Assembly and members of the State Executive Council. May the Soul Of HRM Obi Edward Ofulue III R.R.I.P

The pendulum of justice is gradually tilting in favour of former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, and his associate, Bhadresh Gohil, as calls for an independent investigation is  mounting on a daily basis. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on Sunday, January 24 2016 reported that the latest call for a fresh investigation is coming from Simon Natas, a defence solicitor, who has thrown his weight behind those calling for a fresh and independent investigation on the bribery and corruption allegation levelled against the Metropolitan (Met) Police by Gohil. Read more at: Similarly, the influential Sunday Times of London, writing under the headline “Police bribery hushed up billionaire trial” said, “THE Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is facing serious questions over an alleged cover-up that could jeopardise the high-profile conviction of a billionaire Nigerian politician. “The crisis follows the dramatic collapse of a case involving Bhadresh Gohil, a lawyer who ...

The Presidency yesterday assured the Ijaw that it has nothing against them and therefore has no intention whatsoever harass or persecute them. But it warned that whoever violates the law should be ready to face the consequences. The Presidency was responding to suggestion by Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, that the Buhari administration is harassing his people. He cited the trial of ex-militant leader Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo for theft and money laundering and the cancellation of the proposed Maritime University in Delta State. The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) expressed similar sentiments yesterday. Speaking to The Nation on the phone last night, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said it was untrue to say the administration is out to punish any ethnic group in the country. He said: “Anybody who is a follower of events in the country knows that this administration persecutes nobody. “The administration is just asking a...

A BUJA-  FORMER Federal Commissioner for Information for Information and Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in the alleged castigation and harassment of the people of the Niger Delta and for the maintenance of peace and stability in the region. In the letter dated January 22, 2016, Chief Clark specifically asked President Buhari to investigate  the humiliation of Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), the proposed scrapping of  the Maritime University in Okerenkoko, Warri South West Local Government, Delta State established by former President Goodluck Jonathan  and refund of the money already released for the project as disclosed by the Minister of Transportation, Chiibuike Rotimi Amaechi when he appeared before Senate Committee on Marine Transport, headed by Senator Ahmed Sani. -  The elder statesman advised President Buhari to be wary of some persons around him who may be misinforming him and creating pr...

A certain pastor Stephen Maduabuchi was allegedly caught on Wednesday, January 20, at Umuika Okwu Olokoro, Umuahia, Abia State. He was caught trying to bury charm ahead of his church’s crusade in the area. When questioned, he claimed that a popular pastor known as Chibuike John sent him. There was no clear indication as to why he was burying the charm but maybe he was trying to ‘enhance’ his business? What do you think?

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has sealed no fewer than 20 petrol filling stations in Asaba, and some neigbouring communities in a two-day major clampdown on petrol stations involved in sharp practices. The DPR Taskforce team, led by Mr. Victor Ohwodiasa, Technical Assistant, Operations, DPR Zonal Office, Warri, also sealed several other petrol stations for under-dispensing. The two-day exercise, which took the DPR taskforce team to Asaba, Issele-Uku, Umunede, Igbodo, Agbor communities, all in Delta North, witnessed a major clampdown on petrol stations found to be selling above N86.5 pump price. Some of the petrol stations sealed for either selling above the approved pump price or under-dispensing fuel, through adjusted pumps, include, Odims Global Petrol, Dwell Petrol, J. O. Emenighe Petrol, NNPC filling station and Echemas Petrol. Others include, Nero Petrol, Oando Petrol, Chyz Petrochemical, Churacx Oil Nigeria, EDGA Petrol and Alpha By Keez Petrol.At Alpha By ...

  It is a general understanding that any democratic government without credible opposition is open to dictatorship and abuse of power. Recently, there was an array of hope for Nigeria.  Nigerians witnessed a formidable opposition activity pre-2015 elections through the All Progressive Congress - APC. But that is no longer the case. The current main opposition party, the Peoples’ Democratic Party - PDP is being decapitated gradually. So far, President Muhammadu Buhari seem to be doing a commendable job hounding down the corrupt PDP henchmen one after the other, while others are jumping ship. This has resulted in the gradual decimation of the party, making it challenging to perform the role of a viable opposition party. Although some party faithful believe that the party will be able to usher in some credible leadership in the forthcoming party congresses and convention, because the party still boasts of a good number of fairly untainted figures, but whether they a...