Innocent Ojefia Blog

Hon. Festus Ovie Agas was appointed Secretary to the Delta State Government on Sunday, May 31, 2015 by His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa at a reception organised in honour of His Excellency, after a thanksgiving service held at St. Philip’s Anglican Church, Asaba. His appointment was well received with applauds and wild jubilation by Deltans. Hon. Agas apart from being a former Chairman of the DLA, was also, a Deputy Speaker and even an acting Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly. He was the Director General of the Okowa Campaign Organization. The turnout of Deltans and well-wishers of the Festus Agas at his swearing in ceremony was unprecedented. In his speech, Governor Okowa noted that exactly three days ago, I announced the appointment of Hon. Barrister Festus Ovie Agas as Secretary to the State Government. It was an announcement that many were not expecting at the time it was made. But that element of surprise only served to excite the audience who broke...

Second Republic lawmaker, Dr. Junaid Mohammed has faulted the comment credited to the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, that Nigeria’s economy under President Muhammadu Buhari is on the right track. Speaking yesterday, Junaid said both the President and his Minister should stop deceiving Nigerians, stressing that the current administration has no economic policy. Vanguard reports him as saying, “As far as I am concerned, President Buhari and Lai Mohammed are paying lip service to the economy by telling Nigerians they have a policy. Today, I cannot see anything and several Nigerians cannot see any policy in place. “So, why should Nigerians support this so called policy that they do not know and why should they believe Buhari and Lai Mohammed? “They talk about diversifying the economy but I can tell you that the same fertilizer I bought for N4,000 last year is now N9,000 this year. If this is what they call diversification, then they are talking nons...

The Governor of Delta State, Senator, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa was represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Hon. Tam Brisbe during the Evening of Tributes in honour of Late Olorogun Sen. Felix Ovuodoroye Ibru, CON held on 27th July,2016 at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. Governor Okowa eulogized the former Governor of Delta State, Senator Felix Ibru as a genuine gentleman with striking humility who worked hard as Governor and President General of UPU to stabilize Delta State by promoting harmonious relationship and peaceful co-existence amongst various ethnic groups in the State.  Furthermore, Governor Okowa described late Felix Ibru as a man of noble character and passionate believer in the philosophy of equity and justice. Sen. Dr Ifeanyi Okowa,while commiserating with the Ibru family, pray Almighty God to grant Sen. Felix Ibru's soul eternal repose. Also in attendance were Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, immediat...

Nigerians drawn from various civil society groups on Wednesday protested alleged illegal recruitment and nepotism in some government agencies, questioning the anti-corruption effort of President Muhammadu Buhari.  The protesters – including popular activists, Aisha Yesufu; author, Chido Onumah; and members of Citizens of Impact, Enough is Enough, Youthup Africa – marched to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, where they submitted their protest letter for onward transfer to Mr. Buhari. “All Nigerians must be given equal opportunity in employment,” one of their placards read. In his address, Daniel Olatunde, convener of Citizens of Impact, said the Central Bank of Nigeria, Federal Inland Revenue Service and Nigeria Prisons Service, embarked on illegal recruitment exercises and that some of the recruits paid huge amounts to get the jobs. He recalled that one of the 909 persons recruited by the CBN “through backdoor” was a nephew of Mr. Buhari. ...

... Urge Intelligence Sharing The Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa say the best way to tackle security issues in the Niger Delta is through the sharing of intelligence and combination of personnel to achieve desired results.  The Governor made the observation in Asaba today, when he received the Commander of Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Joseph Okojie who led top officers of the multi-service task force to pay him a courtesy call. According to the Governor, the activities of militants in the creeks of the Niger Delta region had not only affected the revenue accruing to the federation accounts but Delta State in particular, disclosing, “we are worst hit by the present activities in the creeks; we pray that these activities of militants will stop so that we can maintain oil production without breaches as our revenue has dropped drastically.” The Governor who noted that sea piracy has reduced, stressed that the state still has some issues with kidnapp...

The Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has disclosed that the Delta State Investment Development Agency would soon be established to harness investment potentials in the State.  The Governor who stated this when he received on courtesy visit the Swiss Consular General, His Excellency Yves Nicolet today [26-07-16] in Asaba said that the state Investment Development Agency amendment Bill was before t he House Of Assembly and would be approved in the next few weeks. He explained that the agency would liaise with the organised private sector, embassies and investors the world over to utilise the investment opportunities and grow the state economy. “we will soon establish the Delta state Investment Development Agency whose Amendment Bill is before the House of Assembly and will be passed within the next few weeks. The agency will liaise with the organised private sector, embassies, investors from around the world to improve bi-lateral and investment relationship...

….Brought down the house After a chaotic first day of the Democratic National Convention which underlined the divisions among the party’s voters, First Lady Michelle Obama gave Hillary Clinton a better than any endorsement the candidate could have hoped for. Portraying herself and her husband as the parents of the nation, she was emphatic that the only person who could take on the same mission was the former secretary of State. “Hillary understands that being a president is about one thing and one thing only: about leaving something better for our kids,” Mrs. Obama said in her rousing, moving, and likely historical speech. Her remarks echoed a narrative the Clinton campaign recently rolled out in a TV ad: Donald Trump, with his incendiary language, is no role model for children. Mrs. Obama’s speech was deeply personal, as she spoke both about her daughters and her heritage. She said her own story was that of America, a resilient, striving nation. “The story of generations of...

A popular prophet based in Asaba, Delta State capital named Prophet Obi O. Obi was caught this morning sleeping with a married woman and was beaten black and blue. It was gathered that  Prophet Obi  was in Agbor before relocating to Asaba where he opened his church, Anchor of Restoration International Ministry located opposite Infant Jesus School Gate, Anwai Road, Asaba. 

The problem of current pipeline vandalism may be a mixture of ethno-political angst, but I will contend it is mainly driven by a sense of economic alienation.  Most Niger Delta communities from where oil is produced have nothing positive to show for decades of oil production from their lands. If some elements want to blow up the installations why would they care? Pollution? The lands are already polluted.  Most folks are rational economic beings. When they have a vested interest in an economic activity they are highly unlikely to sabotage it.  This has been tested in communities in the Niger Delta. In an operation that was prone to sabotage, the gas was used to provide 24-hour electricity to the impact communities. Once the community got used to regular power supply (unlike the rest of the country), and understood that it was only possible as long as the field was in production, they became custodians of the field's uptime. In fact, whenever there was downtime...

Senator Ndoma Egba - Chairman Obong Nsima Ekere - MD/CEO Adjogbe Ajenakevwe Executive Director in charge of projects | Delta state. Mene Ienyie Derek, Executive Director/Head Finance and Administration | Rivers State. Donatus Enyinnah (Abia state) Frank Samuel George (Akwa Ibom state) Brambaifa Nelson (Bayelsa state) Sylvester Effefiom Nsa (Cross River state) Ogaga Ifowodo (Delta state) Uwuilekhue Saturday (Edo state) and Osita Bonaventure Izunaso (Imo state) Olatokunbo Ayotunde Ajasin (Ondo state) Harry Iboroma Dabibi (Rivers state) Bernard Banfa (North-central zone) Yahaya Mohammed (North-east zone) Mustapha Dankadai (North-west zone); Igo Weli (Niger Delta region) Mahmoud Isa-Dutse (Federal Ministry of Finance) Abdul-Kazeem Kasumi Bayero (Federal Ministry of Environment)

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of a former Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, as the new Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). This is just as he removed Mrs Ibim Semenitari as acting Managing Director of the Commission and then appointed a former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Nsima Ekere, to take over. Semenitari has been the acting Managing Director of the NDDC since December 21, 2015. The Senate President is expected to read the president’s letter on the appointments tomorrow. Meanwhile, Ndoma-Egba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who hails from Cross River State, takes over from Bassey Ewa-Henshaw, also from the State. He was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party until September last year when he resigned from the party following his inability to secure its governorship ticket of the former. He joined the ruling All Progressives Congress in November. Mr. Ewa-Henshaw-led Board was sacked by the federal government o...

The interment rites for Dr. Benson Ojameruaye begins tomorrow, Friday 22 July, 2016 as announced by his family. According to the statement, there will be an Evening of Service of Songs in his memory at his residence, Plot 20 Mosheshe Estate, off Airport Road, Warri from 4.30p.m. There will be a funeral service at the Ufuoma Baptist Church, off PTI Road, Effurun, on Saturday, 23 July, 2016. Interment and refreshment will follow immediately at his country home in Ovu Inland, Ethiope East local government area. The outing/thanksgiving service will take place on Sunday, 24 July, 2016 at the Ufuoma Baptist Church, off PTI Road, Effurun. Until his passing on, Dr. Benson Ojameruaye was the Medical Director, Elohor Clinic, Agbarho. He was the former DG Delta State Action Committee on HIV/AIDS and Member, Delta State Hospital Management Board. He is survived by his wife and seven children and grandchildren. The departed renowned medical doctor was also survived by two bro...

The funeral rites for the late first governor of Delta State, Olorogun Felix Ibru, has been announced by his family. According to a statement by Goodie Ibru, there will be an Evening of Tributes in memory of the late governor on July 27 at the Federal Palace Hotel and Casino, on Ahmadu Bello Way, Lagos from 4.00p.m. There will be a service of songs on July 28 at Bishop Vining Memorial Cathedral, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos from 5p.m. to 7p.m. while on July 29 at 10a.m. a commendation service will hold Archbishop Vining Memorial Cathedral, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos. On Tuesday, August On Tuesday, August 2, 2016, the funeral train will move to Asaba, Delta State, where a lying-in-state will hold at Government House, at 11a.m. Later same day there will be a ceremony, which include service of songs/lying-in-state and Christian wake keep at his Ughelli, Delta State, home, from 4p.m. On Wednesday August 3, 2016, the funeral service will take place at the All Saints Cathedral, Ughelli Anglic...

The table was shared by Channels TV. A table showing the security chief appointments after the cut..   

The Delta State Government has refuted the contents of a front page publication in one of the national newspapers on June 13, 2016, which supposedly gave details of grand total of Federation Account Allocation to States and Local Government Councils (LGCs) from May 2015 to June 2016. A press release signed by the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, described the publication as untrue.  The report wrongly stated that Delta State got N144, 706, 571, 893.61 from May 2015 to June 2016 instead of N88, 271, 852, 589.55 that the state actually received.  According to the press release, the period covered gave the impression that FAAC receipts for June 2016 had been received by June, 13, 2016. This is incorrect because the FAAC meeting for June 2016 which approves release of fund for the month was held on June 21, 2016 and funds for that month were received on June 27, 2016 by Delta State Government. The press release revealed that the report failed to dis...

Yesterday, I hung our with my buddy from our BUK days, Aliyu Ma'aji. Our discussion inevitably touched on Buhari and the current wave of disappointment with his stewardship. We talked about how awful it must be for the president's Southeast and South-South supporters to be taunted by their kinsmen under the current climate of near-total economic collapse, hunger, unprecedented inflation, and general hardship. In explaining Buhari's confused improvizations on the economy, we floated several hypotheses, but Aliyu introduced an angle that is not often included in the menu of explanations for our souring love affair with Buhari. He piggy-backed on a point made by Max Soilum about Murtala Mohammed. Soilum had noted that Murtala's death is responsible for elevating the former military head of state to a near-mythical status in Nigeria's political discourse, which is riddled with nostalgia for Murtala's tough, anti-corruption regime.  Murtala, Soilum, arg...

The Acting Governor of Delta State, Barrister Kingsley Otuaro has said that no part of the State will be denied infrastructural development.  Barrister Otuaro stated this yesterday at Delta south PDP Stakeholders Meeting held at Oleh, Isoko South Council. He commended the people of Delta south senatorial district for their massive support at the 2015 General Elections for the PDP, trust in the Okowa administration and assured them that the present economic recession will not derail the prosperity for all Deltans. The acting governor advised those aggrieved over the outcome of the congresses to sink their differences and join hands in building the Party. He affirmed that Delta State is a stronghold of PDP, emphasising that there is no opposition in Delta State. The Delta South Senatorial district Chairman of the PDP, Prince Emmanuel Agbamduba said the meeting was to rub minds together on the challenges bedevilling the party and the ways to move forward. Prince Agbamdu...

A cheating man who was double dating two women received the beating of his life when the two women ganged up on him. A young man who thought he was being smart by   dating two women   in the same vicinity bit more than he could chew when the ladies got together and gave him the beating of his life.   The incident which happened at Alagbaka area in Akure, the capital of Ondo State, on Sunday, July 10, 2016, according to eyewitnesses, saw the young man getting the humiliation of his life as the ladies   pummelled him   seriously and he ended up inside a gutter, to the admiration of onlookers who urged the ladies on.

Saying   domestic violence   is not done by men alone is risky in this era of 'online feminists' or '' Feminazis " as they are often called. A man now has to watch what he says or risk having his timeline taken over by the ' Occupy Manhood ' gang, who just love to batter men. Women have successfully taken the fine art of nagging online. Publicly, they put up a  facade  of being feeble, God fearing, peaceful, patient and persevering. Hence somehow women are still perceived as the weaker sex and have to be protected from wicked men. “ Do not hit a woman, no matter what she does, ” that's what society says, that's what pastors say, that's what women say, that's what some men say, and they are all right. No man should hit a woman. But domestic violence is not always committed by men. What this law means is, being a woman gives you the right to ‘go up and down’ running your mouth, dishing out demeaning and repulsive garbage like sm...

No one is advocating for more funds to the Niger Delta, in the same vein no one advocating for less than they were taking before PMB came into power. But at the beginning of this administration, we heard of moves to stop the "Amnesty" payments, we heard "Amnesty" was not included in the 2016 budget, etc. "?  In the pursuit of political grandstanding and subservient loyalty, people like Amaechi who understand the terrain and the mindset of the populace, supported with ease the roll back of whatever benefit some Niger Delta indigenes had under the past administration. Now, have we not lost more through this militancy and the cost of trying to fight it than the cost of "Amnesty I think we shouldn't treat the Niger Delta as a conquered territory and, even while saying we're not paying them more money, we should try to be less arrogant in our language and attitude ‎to their demands for a more equitable treatment. What the oil money has done f...

  When people talk about winning souls these days, I feel absolutely concerned for the so-called souls. It looks to me like a lion on a breakfast mission, in search for his hunt; he hides behind the grass for an unwise lamb that would wander away from the herd in search of fresh grass. This will be an easy catch and good feast for the lion’s plate. When I hear these people talk about winning souls, I feel sorry for the souls who have no idea of what they are getting into. It sometimes sounds to me like blood-thirsty people desperate to count the number of innocent, ignorant people who will give their blood to be sucked. These souls are classified, as the needy, can undoubtedly be gullible in their search for solutions and wanting to identify or belong to a community.  These souls are caught when they are most vulnerable maybe they have lost a loved one, in a bad relationship with their parents or family, in need of healing or desperate for a change. At this point they...