FocalPoint Reports

  Apartheid in Warri North: Egbema Angry With Okowa, Demands Appointment The Ijaws in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, under the auspices of Egbema Leaders of Thought has expressed total displeasure over the alleged marginalisation of Egbema people in the current appointment of members into the State executive council.  Speaking during a press briefing held recently in Warri, Members of Egbema Leaders of Thought described the marginalisation as apartheid against them in the State. They apealed to the Delta State governor, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, to correct the lopsided appointments in his present cabinet by a giving fair  consideration to the people of Egbema kingdom, the Ijaws in Warri North Local Government Area of the state. Making their position known in an Open letter addressed to the governor, they said. “We are also not considered for employment into the civil service because we do not have political godfathers. We had thought that as a person who had also

    Apartheid in Warri North: Egbema Angry With Okowa, Demands Appointment The Ijaws in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, under the auspices of Egbema Leaders of Thought has expressed total displeasure over the alleged marginalisation of Egbema people in the current appointment of members into the  State executive council.  Speaking during a press briefing held recently in Warri, Members of  Egbema Leaders of Thought described the marginalisation as apartheid against them in the State. They apealed to the Delta State governor, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, to correct the lopsided appointments in his present cabinet by a giving fair  consideration to the people of Egbema kingdom, the Ijaws in Warri North Local Government Area of the state. Making their position known in an Open letter addressed to the governor, they said. “We are also not considered for employment into the civil service because we do not have political godfathers. We had thought that as a person who had als

Orubebe Attacks Okowa Again, Says Give Account For ‘N1.15tn Allocation’ To Delta By Bigpen The former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Peter Orubebe has challenged the governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa to give full account and details of how he spent N1.15 trillion the state received from the federal government as well as from its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in the last 50 months. The People’s Democratic Party ( PDP) stalwart who demanded that Okowa should prove his accountability and judicious application of the said fund with particular reference to each ethnic community in the state said, he has engaged the services of some consultants to value the works Okowa has done in the state within the period under review. Recall that Elder Orubebe recently slammed his Party, the main opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as being filled with ungrateful and sadistic people. The former minister, who accused many of them of engaging in

Ijaw youths begin shutting down of MTN, Glo, Airtel masts in Bayelsa Ijaw youths have made good their threat to shut down masts belonging to MTN, Glo, Airtel and other telecommunication companies in Bayelsa State. The picketing was following issues bordering on complaints by the youths that the companies excluded indigenes from quick-win contracts especially the supply of diesel to their facilities. Details shortly…

ACTIVIST MAKES CASE FOR UNEMPLOYED NIGERIANS   CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO CREATE ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR INVESTORS  A Niger Delta Human and Environmental rights activist, Comrade Mulade Sheriff has appealed   to the Federal, States and Local governments to create an enabling environment for unemployed    Nigerians    to be gainfully employed. Speaking with news men in Abuja yesterday, the  Human  Rights activist noted that Nigeria’s unemployment poses a threat to development, security and peaceful co-existence in the country.  He noted that the rapid increase in the growth of labor forces along with inadequate supply of jobs and rapid population growth have contributed to increased level of joblessness.  Comrade Mulade Sheriff who is the current Chairman, Applicant Association of Nigeria (AAN),  while  hosting the 2019 Applicant week in Abuja appealed to Federal and State governments to reduce high level of unemployment in the country. He urged the government at all levels to provi

Asaba  To Get More  Development   to –Okowa Assures   The Governor, Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has assured Deltans of his administration’s commitment to developing Asaba as a state capital. Okowa gave the assurance yesterday at the 28th coronation anniversary cum 95th birthday celebration of the Asagba of Asaba, Obi, Prof. Chike Edozien in Asaba. The governor, who noted that state capital had seen a lot of development during the time of Edozien, said, “Asaba is the fastest growing town in the nation and you have worked with your people to give us a peaceful environment for growth because, without peace, there will be no development,” “You have also given us room for partnership between the people of the town and government since the state was created and I must publicly thank the people of Asaba for keeping the peace. “We have done a lot but, there is still much for us to do in Asaba; as a government; we will work with you to ensure that we grow Asaba better than it is t

Edo Assembly crisis: Reps extend ultimatum to Obaseki •Gov gets three weeks three more weeks to publish, date, time, venue of inauguration •Benin Elders back him on proclamation letter     The House of Representatives is forging ahead with its plan to take over the Edo State House of Assembly should Governor Godwin Obaseki fail to issue a fresh proclamation for the convening of the legislature. The Green chamber of the National Assembly said yesterday that the governor now has three more weeks to do the needful. It first gave the governor a one-week ultimatum, which Obaseki dismissed as a mere threat. He dared the Reps to come to Benin and make good their intention. Speaking to reporters in Abuja yesterday, a member of the House of Representatives ad hoc committee on Media and Publicity, Hon. Yusuf Gaji, said the House needed to harmonise the reports of the two chambers of the National Assembly on the Edo and Bauchi Houses of Assembly first before taking the next step. Gaji

Ministerial list: No single pesin below di age of 35 dey Buhari ministerial list Ministerial list: No single pesin below di age of 35 dey Buhari ministerial list FocalPoint Reports------------------------- NEWS IN Pidgin All in one, Image copyrightMUHAMMADU BUHARI Di last time perhaps wey any young Nigerian fit boast say dia padi-padi collect appointment as a federal minister na during di fourth republic for 2003 wen di likes of Chukwuemeka Chikelu and Frank Nweke Jr (37 years old dat time) bin serve as federal ministers. 16 years later, many dey tink say tins go change wen Nigerian Senate begin di ministerial screening for President Muhammadu Buhari latest list of ministerial nominees on Wednesday July 24, 2019. "No single pesin below di age of 35 dey for di Ministerial nominees President Muhammadu Buhari announce on Tuesday for floor of di National Assembly wey go follow serve second term in office." Na wetin Samson Itodo, di Executive Director, YIAGA AFRICA tell BBC

Ministerial list: No single pesin below di age of 35 dey Buhari ministerial list Ministerial list: No single pesin below di age of 35 dey Buhari ministerial list FocalPoint Reports------------------------- NEWS IN Pidgin All in one, Image copyrightMUHAMMADU BUHARI Di last time perhaps wey any young Nigerian fit boast say dia padi-padi collect appointment as a federal minister na during di fourth republic for 2003 wen di likes of Chukwuemeka Chikelu and Frank Nweke Jr (37 years old dat time) bin serve as federal ministers. 16 years later, many dey tink say tins go change wen Nigerian Senate begin di ministerial screening for President Muhammadu Buhari latest list of ministerial nominees on Wednesday July 24, 2019. "No single pesin below di age of 35 dey for di Ministerial nominees President Muhammadu Buhari announce on Tuesday for floor of di National Assembly wey go follow serve second term in office." Na wetin Samson Itodo, di Executive Director, YIAGA AFRICA tell BBC

Rotarian Sheriff Mulade leads Hepatitis Zero Free Medicals orgamised by Rotary Club of Warri. L...... Comrrade Amb. Rotarian Shrriff Mulade, Chairman of Hepatitis zero Campaign for Ritary Club of Warri and president of Rotary Club of Warri, Rotarian Bridget Ideji  The Rotary International on Friday said some of the human collapses or deaths is as a result of lack of medical checks on their health status by Nigerians especially as it has to do with their livers. The Chairman of Hepatitis for Ritary Club of Warri, Rotarian Sheriff Mulade made the assertion shortly after flagging of the "Hepatitis Zero" Awareness Campaign (World Education Project) at the Warri Central Hospital, Warri South Local government area, Delta State. Rotarian Mulade said it is important for Nigerians to check their health status monthly so as to know how their system works. Rotarian Mulade said alot of people are ignorant of the hepatitis which according to him is very dangerous disease. "A

Ministerial list: No single pesin below di age of 35 dey Buhari ministerial list FocalPoint Reports------------------------- NEWS IN Pidgin All in one, Image copyright MUHAMMADU BUHARI Di last time perhaps wey any young Nigerian fit boast say dia padi-padi collect appointment as a federal minister na during di fourth republic for 2003 wen di likes of Chukwuemeka Chikelu and Frank Nweke Jr (37 years old dat time) bin serve as federal ministers. 16 years later, many dey tink say tins go change wen Nigerian Senate begin di ministerial screening for President Muhammadu Buhari latest list of ministerial nominees on Wednesday July 24, 2019. "No single pesin below di age of 35 dey for di Ministerial nominees President Muhammadu Buhari announce on Tuesday for floor of di National Assembly wey go follow serve second term in office." Na wetin Samson Itodo, di Executive Director, YIAGA AFRICA tell BBC News Pidgin. Meet former Ministers wey no make Buhari new l

Tears as Delta Monarh t he Orosuen of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom Paul Oghenero Okumagba Dies    The Orosuen of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, Prof. Paul Oghenero Okumagba, Idama II, is dead. Our FocalPoint Reports  gathered that the royal father, who received his staff of office about a year ago, joined his ancestors on Monday after a protracted illness. Although the Okere-Urhobo palace has not released any official statement on the monarch’s death, palace sources said chiefs and leaders of the kingdom would meet in the palace today to discuss the development. The Prime Minister (Otota) of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom, Chief Wilson Eboh, seemed not to be in a mood to break the news to the media as he shouted on our correspondent who called to speak with him. The deceased was a Professor of Sociology at the Delta State University, Abraka, before becoming king. He ascended the throne in October 2017, and was presented with a Staff of Office in Novembe

EGBEMA YOUTHS DEMAND URGENT CREATION OF COASTAL AREA DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CADA) Coastal communities in Delta State have renewed demands to the Delta State Government to urgently create the “Coastal Area Development Agency” (CADA) for a peaceful and sustainable development of the communities in the coastal area in Delta State. The youths of Egbema Kingdom under the aegis of Egbema Youth Council led by its’ president general *Comrade Bright Maya* has added their voice to the call for the urgent creation of the much needed Coastal Area Development Agency (CADA) as earlier called by the renowned Environmentalist and Human Rights Activist, Comrade Sheriff Mulade.  Comrade Bright Maya emphasized and reiterated the importance of the Agency as it will be better positioned to directly play the interventionist role to meet the much needed infrastructural and housing developments needed by the coastal communities in the state. The youth president advised the Executive Governor of Delta State

ACTIVIST EXPRESSES WORRY OVER FREQUENT CLASHES BETWEEN POLICE, SHI'ITES MOVEMENT IN NIGERIA... ...Appeals to President Buhari to Adopt Non-violence Approach to End Insecurity  Worried about the rising tension between security operatives and the Shi'ites Islamic Movement, a Niger Delta born human and environmental rights activist, Comrade Sheriff Mulade has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to adopt a dialogue process and pragramatic nonviolence approach to get out of the woods. Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Comrade Mulade, who is also the National Coordinator of the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, expressed concern over the tension caused by the recent clashes between the Shi'ites Islamic Movement and the Nigeria Police Force during the invasion of the National Assembly and recent deaths recorded by the former. According to him, the increasing tension in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, has become worrisome, stressing that it has sent a

Ministerial List: Uduaghan Thanks Buhari For Appointing Keyamo, Others Former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan A former governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari for transmitting his ministerial list to the National Assembly in record time. Uduaghan, in a statement signed by his media assistant, Mr Monoyo Edon, also congratulated the ministerial nominees for making the cut from a pool of eminent party men and women who could serve in President Buhari Next Level government. Dr Uduaghan said, “for us in Delta State, Festus Keyamo‘s appointment did not come as a surprise to us. Festus has distinguished himself and has shown capacity in his previous post as spokesperson of our Presidential Campaign Council. His appointment is very welcomed to the APC family in Delta State.” “Some of my brother former Governors and other nominees that made the cut have something tangible to contribute to t

US imposes visa restrictions on Nigerian politicians The United States Government Tuesday said it has imposed visa restrictions on some Nigerian politicians, which it said undermined Nigerian democracy. It, however, did not name who the politicians were, their parties and specific offences. “The Secretary of State is imposing visa restrictions on Nigerians believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Nigeria,” the US State Department spokesman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement on Tuesday. “These individuals have operated with impunity at the expense of the Nigerian people and undermined democratic principles and human rights.” Nigeria’s last general elections were one of the bloodiest Africa has seen in 2019 and was marred by voter apathy. The election handed President Muhammadu Buhari another four-year term in office. His opponent and former ally Atiku Abubakar said the president and his ruling All Progressives Congress rigged the election in thei

Airforce Officer Returns €37,000 Found in Kano Market . An Aircraftman of the Nigerian Air Force, Bashir Umar, has returned the sum of €37,000 found in a parcel at the Hajj Camp Market in Kano State to the owner. Umar, who is a member of the NAF Mobile Air Defence Team deployed for airport security duties, found the parcel on Tuesday during a routine patrol with some of his colleagues, according to the air force in a statement on Sunday. The Aircraftman, however, returned the money, which was said to belong to one Alhaji Ahmad, after calling a phone number he found on the parcel. The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, had directed the NAF Chief of Administration to “immediately come up with modalities to reward the airman.” Daramola said, “The air force is set to reward one of its personnel, Aircraftman Bashir Umar, who found and returned the sum of €37,000 to Alhaji A

FocalPoint Editorial   Comrade Ezekiel Kagbala The Publisher, CEO FocalPoint Reports Save Delta From Recycling of Politcians,  Reckless Appointment..... FocalPoint Reports Tells Okowa The Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has recently sent the names of those nominated for appointment as Commissioners, DESOPADEC, Board, Warri/Uvwie and its environs Development Agency, Delta State Capital Development Agency, Local Government Service Commission names to Delta State House of Assembly for approval. The Governor also constituted Members of the State Executive Council to put his administration on the pedestrian of service to Deltans. Indeed a commendable venture with possible good intention but executed with injustice. Only persons afflicted by some egregious naïveté could insist that governor Okowa's second tenure where party favouritism is a strong norm is peopled by competence and merit. That is why the recent recycling of former political office holders and politcians w

N2trn Spent On Constituency Projects Since 2000 Without Results – ICPC By   Agency Report The Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, said the nation had spent about N2 trillion on constituency projects without commensurate development at the grassroots. The Commission’s spokesperson, Mrs Rasheedat Okoduwa, in a statement in Abuja on Sunday quoted the chairman as saying it at the induction of newly-qualified members  of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors in Abuja. Owasanoye, while making emphasis on the ongoing tracking of constituency projects by the Commission in 12 states, said that the exercise was not to witch-hunt anyone. He said that tracking the projects was an important assignment for ICPC as the nation had spent about N2 trillion on the funding since 2000 without commensurate impact at the grassroots. Owasanoye, however, said that ICPC would not hesitate to prosecute any contractor that ha

SHERIFF MULADE CONGRATULATES DESOPADEC NEW BOARD SHERIFF MULADE CONGRATULATES DESOPADEC NEW BOARD MEMBERS ***CHARGES THEM TO REPOSITION THE COMMISSION AND GIVE HOPE TO HOST COMMUNITIES A Delta State born renowned peace and environmental rights advocate, Comrade Sheriff Mulade has   congratulated the newly appointed members of DESOPADEC, charging them to reposition the Commission and give hope to the host communities in the state. Comrade Mulade  who is also the national coordinator of Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) while addressing journalists in Warri lauded Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for selecting competent hands to reposition the lost glory and hope of oil and gas bearing host communities of Delta State. The  Activist therefore  implored those recently appointed to pilot the affairs of the Commission not to disappoint the confidence reposed on them, adding that they cannot afford to fail the people. He said that; "I want to sincerely congratulate all of

SHERIFF MULADE CONGRATULATES DESOPADEC NEW BOARD MEMBERS ***CHARGES THEM TO REPOSITION THE COMMISSION AND GIVE HOPE TO HOST COMMUNITIES A Delta State born renowned peace and environmental rights advocate, Comrade Sheriff Mulade has   congratulated the newly appointed members of DESOPADEC, charging them to reposition the Commission and give hope to the host communities in the state. Comrade Mulade  who is also the national coordinator of Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) while addressing journalists in Warri lauded Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for selecting competent hands to reposition the lost glory and hope of oil and gas bearing host communities of Delta State. The  Activist therefore  implored those recently appointed to pilot the affairs of the Commission not to disappoint the confidence reposed on them, adding that they cannot afford to fail the people. He said that; "I want to sincerely congratulate all of you for your well deserved appointm