Innocent Ojefia Blog

The Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has called for thorough screening of intending pilgrims to Jerusalem to stem recurring cases of absconding of some pilgrims in the Holy Land. Okowa made the call on Tuesday while swearing-in Apostle Sylvannus Okorote as his Special Adviser on Religious Matters and the inauguration of members of Boards of seven parastatals in Asaba. He said that there was a need for a screening process devoid of sentiment in order to prevent re-occurrence of pilgrims absconding after arriving at the holy land. “The issue of people absconding in Jerusalem rather than going for the purpose for which they were sent there is becoming very worrisome and a lot of work is to be done to check this trend. ``There have been information showing that three persons absconded in the current pilgrimage; there will be an investigation to look into the sources where the recommendations for these individuals came from. This is because such an incident is...

The Government of Delta State has announced that the Federal Judiciary has approved the establishment of a Court of Appeal in the state.   The Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, announced this on Tuesday while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the state’s Executive Council meeting in Asaba. He said that the state government had approved residential apartments for judges that would serve in the court, explaining that it was one of the conditions for approving the court to be in the state.   Aniagwu said "we are fortunate to be one of the states that have been approved to have a Court of Appeal division because before now we usually go to Court of Appeal, Benin division. ``And, for the Court to take off we have to ensure that we assist them by providing residential accommodation for the judges.   ``The centre located at Mariam Babangida Way will serve as the court's official quarters; so, for that purpose, the centre is being restructured". ...

The Champions League round of 16 draw has been concluded, with Manchester City facing Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid hosting current European champions Liverpool. See the other fixtures below:

The Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has congratulated his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike, on his birthday. Okowa, who joined National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, wife of former Vice President, Mrs. Titi Abubakar and other dignitaries at Rivers Government House to felicitate with Wike said the Rivers Governor was a committed party man, who did everything to expand the frontiers and the influence of the party. Governor Okowa speaking at the ceremony said: “My brother governor is a man of many parts. Many people may not understand him, but I thank God that I know his heart. If you want someone who has a heart for the party, he is such a person. “There are so many things he does for the party and he does not want people to know. But we know he is a pillar; truly, our governor is a good man.   “I am truly glad that he is being recognised. May God give you many more fruitful years and a happy family. ...

The Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Maj. Gen. Felix Mujakperuo (rtd), Orhue the 1st has called for the strengthening of vigilante groups in the state to complement community policing strategy of the Inspector General of Police. The Orodje stated this in his palace at Orerokpe, Okpe Local Government Area of Delta on Sunday when he received Governor Ifeanyi Okowa at the palace on a condolence visit. The Monarch thanked the Governor Okowa for coming to identify with him and his people at this time and described the Governor as "prince of Okpe kingdom ". He noted that Okpe people were happy with his administration hence their total support for him. He called for proper coordination and communication between the vigilante groups in the State and security agencies in the fight against insecurity in the State. "Your Excellency, it is important that we strengthen our vigilante groups by ensuring proper coordination and communication between vigilante gr...

Nigeria’s foreign trade in the third quarter of 2019 recorded an impressive growth with exports outpacing imports, a sign the current policies of the present administration may be going in the right direction. According to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics Friday, total trade grew by 6.8% in Q3, 2019 compared to Q2, 2019 and 1.33% relative to Q3, 2018. The value of total imports decreased by 2.70% in Q3 2019 compared to Q2, 2019, and 7.47% relative to the corresponding quarter of 2018. In Q3, 2019, the value of imported agricultural products was 4.01% lower than in Q2, 2019, but 7.21% higher than Q3, 2018. The value of raw material imports decreased by 4.64% in Q3, 2019 relative to Q2, 2019 but increased 16.81% when compared to Q3 2018. The value of solid minerals imports was 31.73% lower than the value of in Q2, 2019 but 7.05% higher than the value recorded in Q3 2018. The value of energy goods imports increased by 243.92% in Q3, 2019 and 286.91% re...

  The Governor of Delta State, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has charged pilgrims to the Holy Land to distinguish themselves with high spirituality and attitudinal changes to justify the pilgrimage. The governor gave the charge on Sunday in Jerusalem while presenting certificates and investiture of Jerusalem Pilgrim to the pilgrims. Represented by the Commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties, Mr. Omamofe Pirah, he pointed out that the pilgrims had the experience of visiting specially chosen religious sites in the Holy Land. "We must take the message home that we were in Israel for spiritual purposes by our actions; we should show that we are changed people by our actions. "Let what we have learnt here, what we have gained spiritually impact on our people positively in Nigeria. "We must take home a system where the rule of law works; our leaders must obey the rule of law. "There must be rule of law in our nation, because once there is rule of law, our n...