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2023: Omo-Agege Addresses Urhobos In London

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Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate and Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) in Delta State, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has said his 2023 aspiration is about the future, to transform Delta into a modern, well-governed and economically stable State that puts ‘People First’.
Omo-Agege who stated this while addressing Urhobos in London, United Kingdom during the 2022 Urhobo day celebration, said: “Our EDGE agenda to Build A New Delta (BAND) is built on four solid pillars of Employment and Empowerment; Development; Good Governance, and Enduring Peace and Security. The vision is a vibrant, equitable and prosperous Delta State.
“While I will continue to work for the progress of Urhobo, the time has come for me to work in concert with all progressive Urhobo sons and daughters, as well as those of other ethnic nationalities in Delta State to build on this solid foundation and extend our success story in Delta Central to Delta North and Delta South Senatorial Districts.
“As you are no doubt aware, Delta State is a land of opportunities. We are blessed with both natural and human capital, but we have lacked visionary leadership that should have harnessed and converted our natural and human resources to commensurate prosperity for the citizens of our dear State. The situation continues to degenerate through the years, as those who brought us to this current state of despondency have remained intransigent and unwilling to change.
“Deltans are yearning for change in leadership of our dear state to inject fresh blood to bring about good governance. We need new political leadership with new ideas to rapidly advance our infrastructure development and transform the State into an industrialised entity that is capable of creating the jobs required by our people.
“So, if given the privilege of the leadership of our dear State, I will be governor for all Deltans. Every part of the State will be developed and together, Delta State will soar to unprecedented heights. Peace and progress shall be our experience because everyone’s needs shall be met in a good and sustainable way”.
“Having served as Secretary to the Delta State government, as Senator, and now as Deputy President of the Senate, I am privileged to have a good all-encompassing view of the issues of governance. It is these experiences that I am bringing to bear on my plans for the development of the State. I am motivated by a desire to re-awaken the legendry Delta Spirit and the hope among Deltans to build a new Delta, where the people’s future is brighter than their past.
“Our priority is to face headlong the challenge of unemployment. Human capital development, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, housing, and other labour-intensive interventions are at the core of our agenda. We shall establish a Delta State Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Empowerment Programme (DEEP). We shall also facilitate the establishment of cluster industries in each of the 25 LGAs of our State.
“We will deliberately create an enabling environment for industries and manufacturing, establish technology hubs, set up small business loan guarantee schemes, promote skills acquisition, and set up a Career Development Centre.
“We will guarantee the rights of women and capitalise on their unique energy to drive social and economic development. We will also initiate a youth development program that will move the youth away from the hopelessness of today, connect them to creative endeavours and generate energies for honourable work.
“One area we will seriously focus on is the cost of governance. This has been too high and continues to rise in the State. We will take measures to reduce the cost of governance in order to conserve funds for infrastructure development that would impact positively on the lives of the citizens.
“Our mission to build a new Delta is a collective patriotic duty for Deltans at home and in the Diaspora. You all have a role to play in our determined effort to bring a change to our dear State.
“Our people at home deeply respect and count on you in many ways. This is one time your objective and informed thoughts on good governance are required to guide our people in this very important election. Important in the sense that it will determine the future of our state after 24 years of abuse by a ruling party that is more concerned about perpetuating itself in power than rendering service to the people. We need your support and help. I therefore appeal to you all here and our brothers and sisters who are in the Diaspora to join us to shape a better future for all our people”.
Continuing, he said: “The unity of Urhobo people is the pathway to the meaningful and sustainable development of our communities. We need to engage and network with one another to achieve unity and progress for our ethnic nationality.
“We are better and stronger together. Therefore; it behoves every Urhobo son and daughter to embark on a critical, holistic review of our social, political, and economic standing in Delta State and the larger Nigeria, to articulate smart and well-thought-out positions on national issues that will impact positively on our collective and individual interests.
“The destiny of the Urhobo people is in our hands. You and I. We must engage and bond as one, at least substantially, to achieve our collective dream of progress. Urhobo people should deviate from in-fighting, because it has brought us down economically, politically, and culturally.
“I therefore appeal to every Urhobo son and daughter to always eschew disunity and divisive politics, and promote unity and the values of the Urhobo wherever they find themselves. Urhobo sons and daughters, including interest groups must close ranks and come together to move our communities, state and country forward.
“My dear brothers and sisters, let me use this opportunity to once again thank our people for standing by me in my political journey. It has been a great honour and privilege to represent you at the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Over these seven years, Urhobo Nation was lifted up to its pride of place in Nigeria when your son and brother, my very self became the Deputy President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the fifth highest political office in Nigeria and gave Urhobo a strong voice in the Senate.
“We sponsored the law establishing the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), to give legal backing to this very important university in the heart of Urhoboland. There is also that, establishing a federal polytechnic. We have also facilitated a campus of the Nigerian Law School, and an elite Defence Space School.
“We also enabled massive renovations in schools and hospitals, including modern teaching and learning infrastructure, as well as a wide network of road infrastructure across the entire Delta Central, and some other parts of the State. The same goes for electricity infrastructure of both conventional energy sources and renewable energy to light up towns and villages in Delta Central Senatorial District. These are what we did. I am proud of our achievements.”

 

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PDP Crisis: Wike Accuses Makinde Of Betrayal, Instigating Party Members Against Him

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Amid the seemingly intractable crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, has accused Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, of betrayal, accusing the governor of instigating party members against him.
In a statement at the week-end, Chief Wike said the party had been enmeshed in a protracted crisis due to dishonesty and lack of trust amongst key stakeholders, with efforts to address issues and “enthrone fidelity to agreements” for the party’s progress.
“To this end, a meeting of the G5 was held in Lagos. In that meeting, I made it clear to the governor of Oyo State, HE Seyi Makinde, that he was the architect of our problems, pointing out to him that non-adherence to agreements reached was the bane of the party and that he was the chief culprit of this anomaly. At the end of the meeting, we resolved to bury the hatchet and make progress,” Chief Wike said.
The minister referenced an expanded meeting attended by the party’s key stakeholders, where he alleged that Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State was serially reneging on agreements.
“At the end of the meeting, we came to some resolutions, including (a) That Senator Samuel Anyanwu remains the national secretary of the PDP in tandem with the Supreme Court judgment; (b) All legal matters relating to Rivers State must be withdrawn by the national legal adviser; (c) The suit on the state of emergency be withdrawn forthwith; and (d) Nobody should deviate from the agreements so reached,” he said.
Chief Wike claimed he was begged to attend the stakeholders’ meeting at the Bauchi Government Lodge, which led to the formation of the reconciliation committee headed by former Senate President Bukola Saraki.
Alleging the violation of agreements reached before the Saraki-headed committee was constituted, the minister accused Mr Makinde of conniving with Peter Mbah of Enugu State to orchestrate the meeting of South-East leaders to recommend that if Ude Okoye was not adopted as secretary, they would pull out of the PDP.
The former Rivers State governor said, “Again, Seyi Makinde organised some people in the national secretariat to insist that the deputy national secretary should act as national secretary, in violation of the agreement earlier reached. To attempt to give credence to this farce, a letter was written by the deputy national secretary, calling for a meeting of the NEC of the party.
“Furthermore, the letter confirming the candidacy of the governorship candidate of the party in the forthcoming governorship elections in Anambra State, duly signed by the national secretary, Senator Anyanwu and the acting national chairman, was portrayed as rejected by the party through a rebuttal letter signed by the national publicity secretary, acting on the orders of Seyi Makinde and Peter Mbah.”
Chief Wike said a well-publicised and properly attended zonal elective congress of the PDP slated to be held on May 24, 2025, was aborted because the party’s deputy national secretary signed the letter inviting INEC to the congress.
He added, “INEC refused to attend because the proper signatory recognised by law, that is, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, was not a signatory to the invitation notice.”
The minister described the development as provocative and annoying, stating the actions completely violated agreements.
Meanwhile, Chief Wike announced his withdrawal from all the agreements reached earlier and insisted on fighting until justice was served.

 

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He Is God’s Gift To Nigeria, Arthur Eze Says Ahead Tinubu’s Second Year In Office

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The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Atlas Oranto Petroleum, Chief Arthur Eze, has described President Bola Tinubu as “God’s gift to Nigeria,” commending his leadership style, reform-driven governance, and dedication to national unity.
In a statement over the weekend, the Special Adviser to the President, Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, said Chief Eze praised Tinubu in an upcoming State House documentary commemorating President Tinubu’s second anniversary in office.
Chief Eze noted that President Tinubu represents the bold, God-ordained leadership Nigeria requires at this critical juncture in its history.
“God doesn’t make mistakes. That man, Tinubu, was created for a purpose. God gave him the power to change lives.
“Tinubu has no enemies. He is a unifier. He speaks with humility and honesty; that’s why we admire him”, he said.
Drawing from his experiences during the Nigerian civil war and his strong ties to the south-east, Chief Eze said President Tinubu has shown unparalleled dedication to inclusivity and development in the region.
“What Tinubu has done for the Southeast, nobody else has. He gave us the Minister of Works, the Minister of Science and Technology, and the Southeast Development Commission. This is an opportunity for the Igbo to unite with the rest of Nigeria,” he said.
Commenting on the Renewed Hope Agenda, the business leader expressed confidence that President Tinubu has honoured his commitments.
He emphasised that the president assumed office during a period of economic fragility and political uncertainty but has displayed the wisdom and determination needed to guide the nation toward progress.
“God has given him the wisdom to change Nigeria for the good of the present and future generations,” Chief Eze said.
The Atlas Oranto CEO called on Nigerians to support the president in fostering stability, growth, and future prosperity.
“He’s not a man of division — whether Christian or Muslim, he respects all. All he asks is that we pray to God and work together,” he said.
Additionally, Eze prayed that “may God guide Nigeria and President Tinubu,” adding that “he gave him this power and will help him complete the job”.

 

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Electoral Reforms: Group Seeks Partnership, Collaboration With NUJ

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A civil society organisation, Kimpact Developmental Initiative (KDI), has briefed the national leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on various initiatives it (KDI) has undertaken to engage critical stakeholders such as the National Assembly members with regard to the implementation of the much needed electoral reforms for the advancement of the democratisation process in the country.
The Programme Director of KDI, Sannom Sarki, accompanied by the Senior Programme Officer, Gbemisola Adebowale, said this when the National Democratic Institute of the United States and the KDI paid a courtesy visit to the National Secretariat of the NUJ in Abuja, recently.
Lady Sannom explained that KDI has been collating feedbacks from its engagements across the six geopolitical zones, part of which included a national survey of over 4,000 youths across the country that focused on the youths evaluation and assessments of key aspects of the country’s electoral processes which has the ultimate goal of promoting electoral reform and effective governance.
She solicited the support and collaboration of the NUJ in achieving these objectives, emphasising the importance of enhanced relationship between the two organisations.
According to the leaders of the NDI Nigeria and the KDI, Mr Bem Aga and Sannom Sarki, the visit was aimed at strengthening the existing collaborative relationship between their organisations and the NUJ, and to explore ways of discovering new frontiers, especially in the area of electoral reforms.
Mr Aga, Programmes Director of the NDI Nigeria, who led the delegation, expressed his organisation’s readiness to work closely with the Alhassan- led administration of the NUJ to achieve shared collective goals.
He also emphasised the importance of the mutual relationship between the NDI and the NUJ and stressed the need to further strengthen the partnership to achieve greater shared objectives.
Mr Aga also underscored the significance of the developmental initiatives being undertaken through its partnership with KDI which is aimed at orientating Nigerian youths towards participating actively in the democratic governance of the country.
In his response, the NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, who warmly welcomed the KDI and DNI delegations, pledged to work closely with the two organisations.
Comrade Yahya gave the assurance that NUJ would do all it could to fully collaborate with the NDI and the KDI, leveraging on the Union’s structures across the 36 States of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
Comrade Yahya also extended an invitation to the NDI and KDI to the upcoming National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Union for the purpose of making a presentation.
It is hoped that this successful visit will mark the beginning of a renewed partnership between the NUJ, NDI, and KDI. It is expected that the renewed collaboration will yield positive outcomes, particularly in the areas of governance, youth development, and robust media engagements.
The highpoints of the occasion included presentation of mobilisation materials and group photographs.

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