FocalPoint Reports

OPEN LETTER TO MR. PRESIDENT ON THE FACELESS AROGBO IBE SOLIDARITY FORUM'S NONSENSICAL AND BASELESS PUBLICATION SPONSORED BY BIBOPERE AJUBE   It's pitiable how some adults can constitute themselves to dance a dance of shame in public glare without recourse to respect for self and sanctity of the kingdom they hail from. Blatant lies are told by them with reckless abandon and a campaign of calumny has become their stock in trade in exchange for crumbs. In our clime, it's pertinent these crop of barefaced liars are addressed with some venom and their lies debunked to always keep the records straight thereby avoiding a misinformation of the general public. First, there's no arguing the stellar personality of the GOC, the High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupulo. His giant strides in the Niger Delta nay Nigeria has made him a household name and which has further earned him recognition from the seat of power in Nigeria and beyond. I shouldn't bore you with hi...

Ijaw Traditional Rulers to Grace  Publishers Inauguration Feb 29 Prominent Ijaw traditional rulers have commended the Ijaw Publishers Forum (IPF) for coming up with the laudable initiative to unite and speak with one voice under the elected body of the forum. The traditional rulers, Pere of Akugbene-Mein Kingdom and 1st Vice Chairman of Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM Stanley Perediegha Luke-Kalanama VIII (JP), and the Pere of Ogbolubiri Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Johnbull Polokowei, Apiarogun, Ongolo 1 made the commendation on Saturday, February 24th, 2024, during a courtesy visit led by the chairman of the forum, Comrade Ozobo Austin. Speaking during the visit, the chairman of the forum, Ozobo who briefed the Akugbene Monarch, pere Luke-Kalanama during the visit hinted that, "We have resolved to speak in one voice under one umbrella of Ijaw Publishers forum. "We have conducted an election and I emerged as the chairman. We deem it fit to ...

Naira Strengthens by 7.43%, Trades at N1750 per Dollar in the Black Market The Naira reached a high of N1750 per dollar in the parallel market on Thursday. This surge in the black market represents a significant 7.43% increase, with the currency strengthening by N130.00 compared to a closing rate of N1,880 on Wednesday. This is coming following the Federal government’s intensified efforts to mitigate the ongoing depreciation of the Naira. Nigeria ramped up measures to stabilise the Naira’s value in response to the currency’s decline. Among other things, the government clamped down on street traders of foreign currency and deployed measures against a popular  cryptocurrency trading platform. Earlier, the naira experienced a momentous decline in value, going as low as N1,880 to the dollar on Thursday.  This depreciation has been worsened by the disparity between the unofficial market rate and the official rate of the naira. This presented challenges to the government’s goal of u...

United Support Groups, Delta LP Guber Candidate disowns 'Obidient Youths for PDP'  The Delta State Chapter of the United Support Groups (USG) apex body of all Obidients groups in the state, has disowned a group parading themselves as 'Obidients Youths for PDP' which is believed to have perfected plans for a rally slated for 25th February, 2024.  Delta state Chairman of the United Support Groups, Comrade Favour Emerure, in a press conference held in Udu along side with the Delta State Governorship Candidate of the Labour Party, Deacon Kennedy Pela, described the news as fake; and urged all members and supporters of Obidient groups to disregard such news circulating in the media.  According to USG; "We are here today for a press conference refuting the 'Obidient Youths for PDP' being circulated all over the state that they are proposing a rally in Agbor on the 25th of February 2024." "We wish to state categorically that the United Suppor...

Tantita Doing well in Ondo, Ezekiel Daniel Berates Arogbo Ijaw Ibe Youths over Statements An Ijaw activist and former spokesman of Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative, (IPDI), Comrade Ezekiel Daniel berated Youths operating under Arogbo Ijaw Ibe Youth Council (AIIYC) for discrediting the existence/operation of Tantita Security Services in Ondo State. This was contained in a statement by a group that styled themselves as Progressive Youth of Arogbo Kingdom, signed by Towei Peretei President, Ezekiel Ugowonni General Secretary, electronic copy was  made available to FocalPoint Reports on Wednesday by Ezekiel Daniel. The statement Reads, "The attention of the Progressive Youth of Arogbo Kingdom has been drawn to a purported statement/press release issued by a faceless youth body, Arogbo Ijaw Ibe Youth Council (AIIYC), claiming to be the only surviving youth body in our Kingdom. "The inexistent youth body of the kingdom also went ahead in her press release to di...

Gbagi Grief Over Death Of Asagba, Sends Condolence Governorship flag bearer under the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi FNIM OON, has expressed grief at the passing of the Asagba of Asaba, Obi (Prof) Chike Endozien. In his reaction, the former Minister of State for Education, said he received with sadness and an immense feeling of great national loss, news of the passing away of the highly revered traditional ruler of Asaba kingdom. “I learnt with profound grief, the news of the passage to eternal glory of the Asagba of Asaba, after a glorious 33 years on the throne". A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kenneth Orusi, Tuesday February 13th 2024, Gbagi, extended special commiseration to the members of the late Asagba's immediate family. The statement reads: “On behalf of my family, political associates and the entire SDP family whom the late Asagba believed in, I extend sincere condolences to the people of Asaba and De...

Keyness Oromoni Declares Support For  IPF, to Attend Inauguration The Senior Special Adviser to the Delta State Governor, RT Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori on Oil and Gas, Keyness Oromoni has declared total support for the Ijaw Publishers Forum, IPF.  He made the declaration before members of IPF who paid him a courtesy visit at his home in Warri, on Tuesday, February 13th, 2023. The delegation was led by the group's President, Comrade Austin Ozobo who congratulated him on his appointment, expressing confidence that the new appointee will live up to expectations.  Ozobo noted that the intellectual body of media executives was ready to collaborate with Oromoni's office towards attaining maximum results. The body also officially invited Oromoni to grace its maiden inauguration ceremony billed for Thursday, February 29, 2024. Responding, Oromoni lauded the IPF for taking the initiative to synchronize media executives from across the Ijaw nation toward building a formida...

Farmers, Traders Decry High Cashew Prices  Worried by rising prices of cashew, stakeholders in in Kogi State under Farmers’ Forum of Nigeria have raised the alarm over alleged plot to increase the price of the produce from N30,000 to N90,000. The forum appealed to Governor Usman Ododo to intervene by halting multiple taxations. In a statement by its spokesperson, Ibrahim Adam, the forum pleaded with the government to consider the plight of farmers and traders who cannot bear multiple taxations. The forum called on President Bola Tinubu to direct the Ministry of Agriculture to address multiple taxation. Adam said: “The Produce Inspection Department (PID) in Kogi State charges N30,000 per truck, the highest in the country. Kano, Gombe, Katsina, Yobe and others charge lower fees. “The Kano PID N5,000, Gombe N5,000, Katsina N3,000, Yobe N2,000, Nasarawa N20,000, Benue N25,000, Oyo N20,000, Niger N10,000, Bauchi N5,000, Jigawa N3,000, Yola N4,000, Kaduna N7,000 and Osun N10,000. “Beside...

Access Holdings Appoints Bolaji Agbede as Acting CEO Access Holdings has appointed Bolaji Agbede as interim CEO, days after its former boss Herbert Wigwe died in a.    Helicopter crash in California, United States. Agbede was responsible for managing the Bank’s portfolio of chemical trading companies. She joined Access Bank in 2003 as an assistant general manager. Agbede emerged as the head of human resources for the Access Bank Group in 2010, overseeing the human capital development of the Group. She held the position until June 2022 when she was appointed the executive director of Access Holdings after the bank transitioned to a holding company. Herbert Wigwe Before joining Access Holdings, she worked with Guaranty Trust Bank ( GTB), where she moved from executive trainee position in 1992 to a managerial position in 2001. She was former GTB’s relationship manager. Ms. Agbede later served as the Chief Executive Officer of JKG Limited, a business consulting outfit, in 200...

Herbert Wigwe (1966 – 2024): Abiodun, Wike, Dangote, Peterside, others visit parents Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike and  Dangote Group President Aliko Dangote yesterday paid a condolence visit to the parents of Herbert Wigwe, Access Holdings Plc group chief executive officer. The Access Holdings GCEO died in a helicopter crash in the United States on Friday alongside his wife, Doreen Chizoba; son, Chizzy and Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Abimbola Ogunbanjo. Abiodun, in a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, said Wike, Dangote and himself were accompanied on  the visit to Pastor  Shyngle and Mrs Stella  Wigwe in Lagos by the late Access Holdings boss’ close friends and associates.  The governor wrote: “In the company of Dr. Aliko Dangote and a group of close friends and associates, we gathered to express our heartfelt condolences to Pastor Shyngle Wigwe and his wife, Mrs. Stella W...

The painful death of Herbert Wigwe, his wife, and others is a bitter news for the entire Nation.  Wigwe is one of few Nigerians who didn't believe in stealing public treasuries to get rich. Wigwe and his friend Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, cousin of my great friend, Ernest Awojuola co-founded Access Holdings. Nigeria has lost a great role model to the youths, not like these politicians who live on public treasuries and taking politics as business of survival. It is painful that a great Nigerian technocrat has died. He worked so hard to become who is. In Nigeria, POLITICS is the only means to wealth. Wealth without evidence of hard work.  Wigwe was a great Nigerian and believed in hard work and honest ideas to grow business.  Wigwe is one who was creative and believed in creating businesses and creating jobs rather than living on government at all levels to feed fat and feast on public treasuries like many Nigerian elites. May his soul rest in peace. Zik Gbemre_ Feb...

Tantita's GM Godfrey Pondi to attend Ijaw Publishers inauguration Feb 29 The General Manager of Tantita Security Service Nigeria Limited, Sir Godfrey Tare Pondi will be gracing the historic event of the Ijaw Publishers Forum, IPF. The event which was slated for February 29, 2024 will host legion of Ijaw prominent leaders, Government functionaries and youth personalities across Niger Delta region. Pondi, popularly known as king of the youth, gave the assurance when he received a nomination letter as Guest of Honour from the body on Tuesday. It was gathered that the dynamic youth leader who is a renowned philanthropist would give a flesh to the inaugural ceremony as more Ijaw leaders and stakeholders had thrown weight behind the event. The media professionals commended him for being in the frontline for the emancipation of Niger Delta and self-sacrifices towards building Ijaw-based media. According to the group, Pondi had left many jobless youths from the street, creating...

Mulade Recommend Ways to End Insecurity, Economic Challenges  in Nigeria The National coordinator, Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), Chief (Comrade) Sheriff Mulade has advocated the integration of traditional institutions in Nigeria’s security framework as part of his recommendation to combat the escalating insecurity in the country. The national coordinator of CEPEJ, Comrade Mulade Sheriff, at a press conference yesterday in Abuja, said  traditional rulers can play pivotal roles in addressing security challenges across Nigeria. Sheriff, who noted the unique position of traditional leaders as custodians of culture and traditions within their domains, said their intimate knowledge of local environments makes them well-suited to spearhead security initiatives in collaboration with law enforcement agencies. “The engagement of traditional rulers in securing their respective territories is crucial to effectively curbing insecurity,” Sheriff stated. He ...

Delta police command gets new commissioner,  new Commissioner of Police, Abaniwonda Surajudeen Olufemi, has assumed duty as the 22nd Commissioner of Police, Delta State Police Command. The new police boss succeeds AIG Wale Abass who was transferred to Police Force Headquarters, Abuja. A statement by Delta Police Command spokesperson, Bright Edafe, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the new police boss was born on the 22nd of February 1966. According to the statement, Abaniwanda who hails from Epe LGA of Lagos state holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History in 1987, and a Master of Arts in Economics History, both from University of Lagos in 1990. He was enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force as a member of Cadet ASP Course 17 on the 18th of March 1992.  He attended the elite Police Academy Kaduna, and upon completion of training in the academy, was posted to Kogi State Police Command as a young Assistant Superintendent of Police in November 1...

Tantita Security apprehends another vessel for oil theft In collaboration with other security personnel, operatives of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd (TSSNL), owned by Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo, have intercepted another vessel for alleged crude oil theft in Bayelsa State. The vessel, MT Harbour Spirit with IMO No: 8226272, is said to be currently anchored at Tantita facility at Oporoza, headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State. Amid sketchy details, recall that TSSNL, in collaboration with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in January, arrested a vessel engaged in stealing crude oil in the Niger Delta. The vessel, MT Kali with number 8782800, was intercepted while allegedly transporting a voluminous tonnage of illegal crude oil from offshore Sokebolou Field base in Bayelsa State. The feat attracted ovations from President Bola Tinubu and other patriots across the country with TSSNL b...

21 Years Later: Remembering Jefia, The Political Giant and Traditional Leader By Sunday Apah It has been more than 21 years since the passing of Chief (Sir) Harrison Jefia, a distinguished financial tycoon, esteemed politician, and exceptional community leader.  His absence continues to be deeply felt, as he was renowned for his unwavering determination in addressing political and business matters during his lifetime. Chief Harrison Jefia, a prominent figure in Nigerian banking, politics, and community affairs, was born on June 30, 1928, in Ughevwughe and Ekakpamre, within the Uhurie Kingdom of the Ughievwen clan, situated in the Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.  His educational journey led him to Agbasa Catholic School in Warri from 1939 to 1945, followed by the United College of Commerce in Warri from 1946 to 1948. In pursuit of further knowledge, Jefia undertook banking and management courses in London from 1962 to 1966. His professional caree...

Warri South-West Vice Chairman, Akpodubakaye Celebrates Delta Governor’s Wife, Tobore Oborevwori At 54 The Vice Chairman of Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, High Chief Arthur Akpodubakaye has felicitated with the State First Lady, Her Excellency, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, on her 54th birthday anniversary. Akpodubakaye in a goodwill message on Monday, February 5th 2024, extolled the First Lady’s contributions towards uplifting the less privileged and compassion for children who are in need.    “Your Excellency, I and my family,  the good people of Warri South-West join your lovely husband, Governor of our dear state, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori to celebrate you on this occasion of your 54th Birthday.  "Your dedication and support for the actualization of the MORE Agenda of Governor Oborevwori's administration is remarkable and highly appreciated. "May God grant you wisdom, Good health, and more g...