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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has advised the public to desist from promotion of breast milk substitutes as food for infants under six months.
The NAFDAC Coordinator in Zamfara, Alhaji Suleman Dabo, said on Sunday that it was part of the agency's efforts to support enforcement of Breast Milk Substitutes International Code and Promote Exclusive Breastfeeding.
Dabo, while receiving officials of the Save the Children International, an NGO, during a courtesy visit in his office, said that the agency would partner with all stakeholders to promote exclusive breastfeeding culture.
He decried poor adherence to Breast Milk International Code due to low awareness among the public, especially caregivers on significance of exclusive breastfeeding.
Dabo said that NAFDAC had been using the media campaign against the aggressive marketing of breast milk substitutes in the state.
"We will continue to sensitise the public on the dangers and implications of such act.
"We are calling on the public to report to the agency any company, organisation or individual promoting Infant Formula Food,'' he said.
The NAFDAC coordinator said that the general public has important role to play in reporting any form of production of illegal foods and drugs to the agency.
"Though, we have not receive any report on the aggressive marketing and promotion of the infant formula food from the public, we are expecting such reports from them.
"General public are major stakeholders that can contribute toward achieving our major responsibilities.
"We are, therefore, ready to partner with all stakeholders for the success of NAFDAC activities in the state," he said.
Earlier, Mr Ibrahim Isah, the Communication Coordinator, Save the Children Advocacy, said that they were at the NAFDAC coordinator's office to remind him on the International Breast Milk Substitutes Code.
"We are here to notify NAFDAC about the continue supply and patronage of Infant Formula Food, which we consider is a big threat to promoting exclusive breastfeeding in the state," he said.
Ibrahim said that NAFDAC was the responsible agency for the enforcement of the code at all levels.
''The overall aim of the code is to ensure safe and adequate nutrition to infant children and stop the patronage of breast milk substitutes foods, which undermines the efforts to improve breastfeeding rates," he added.
Zamfara state recorded only 11 per cent adherence to exclusive breastfeeding based on the National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) Data 2013
The Delta State Chairman of the Young Democratic Party (YDP), Barr. Festus Ofume has described the present PDP led government in state as a failure stating that for the past 18 years since the return of democratic rule in the country, the state has known no meaningful development.
Ofume who stated this in an interview with newsmen in Asaba,weekend said that Deltans across the state and in diaspora are unhappy with the crop of public officers who have continuously mortgaged the development and bright future of the state in their pockets to the detriment of the people.
While commenting on the 26th anniversary of the creation of Delta State, the party chairman said, "Well if we have to give a mark of Failure and Pass to the present level of development in the state, you would agree with me that you will not record a pass mark for a state like Delta that is 26years old. We have not seen what is expected of the developmental growth of a 26 years old state. Deltans can attest to the fact that Delta has not lived up to the developmental recognition of a 26 years old state."
Festus Ofume
"If we look at what is going on currently in Delta State, you would agree with me, if compared with other states like Lagos, where we have seen how development comes in both areas of infrastructure and human capital development, you would agree with me that Delta has not done anything and we will attribute this to no other person but to what we call bad and poor leadership of the PDP administration that has been holding power in Delta State since 1999," the Chairman added.
Ofume further submitted that the factor that has hindered the development of Delta State,is lack of proper administration and lack of proper governance, averring that continuity of government policy is a key factor to developmental projects in any state because the time that is allocated for governance or tenureship of an elected position may not always be enough for one to complete what he or she has started be it project or policies.
"For instance, if you look at what is happening in Asaba, when it rains we see what happens. A state that is 26 years, should be able to boast of at least a city that should be reckoned with. Asaba has been the capital of Delta State from inception for the past 26 years and if you go around the city of Asaba, you will weep because there is nothing to show that this place is actually a state capital.
"Look at the roads how erosion drives people away from their houses, what is causing that? It is because the current administration and the previous administration do not understand what governance is about. Governance is all about continuity. A situation whereby you will see a governor that enters into an office and will not continue with the policies and work of the past administration (who are of same political party) is absurd. We have situations whereby roads like, Infant Jesus, DLA road, Mariam Babaginda, Okpanam road and others have been abandoned and if you ask questions, you will be told that these contracts have been awarded by the past administration. It is ok, we understand that it has been awarded and the money has been embezzled but there is continuity in government, you review and if the needs arises that the roads should be constructed, you re-award them."
"YDP is about bringing governance to the people, people will see the effect of governance. If YDP has been in Government for the past 18 years, with the ideas we have, there would have been a tremendous change in Delta State. I give kudos to former Lagos state governor, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the vision that he has for Lagos State. He took Lagos state as his pet project and you can see that his successors Fashola and Ambode have improved of the developmental projects of the State as instituted by the leader of the ruling party in the State since 1999.
"That is what we expect in Delta State, continuity is the watchword of YDP. If we had being in power, the government of the day that is succeeding the previous government will do well to understand that project that has not been completed by the previous government, is a project of the people and not a project for one individual or one clan or a project that was set up for victimization.
"Non continuity of government projects where each administration feels that it is better for them to start a new project and complete it so that at that point the glory will be given to them. The glory should be given to the party not individual. If the idea of continuity is understood, that in itself will solve all the problems and that is what YDP Stands for and will institutionalize in Delta State."
”So when you look at these things you begin to see that the past and present administrations in Delta State do not actually understand what governance truly means and it has been the PDP led government up to this very moment” he added.
By Dirisu Yakubu ABUJA – Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe has advised the federal government against the use of force in resolving the various agitations in some parts of the country but rather that the President should initiate a process of addressing those grievances in a peaceful manner.
Doyin Okupe and President elect, General Mohammed Buhari
Okupe stated this via an open letter addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari and made available to newsmen in Abuja.
The former Presidential aide said history has shown that when agitations are genuine, same could be resolved amicably if the right model is adopted.
According to him, the Biafra struggle, restructuring and resource control are offshoots of genuine fears made more so by clinically evident actions and inactions of government that need to be addressed.
While picking holes in the recent broadcast of the President upon his return from medical vacation, the former Presidential spokesperson said if President Buhari must leave an enduring legacy for himself and his administration, he must widen the net of consultations, while urging him to adopt globally acceptable mode of running government business.
On the fight against insurgency in the North East, Okupe called for a deployment of additional 20,000 troops within the next 90 days as well as leasing of fighter jets from friendly nations as a way of boosting the fighting power of the military and ensuring that the war does not last beyond the tenure of the Buhari administration.
“This administration has a maximum of 16-18 months of rain free period for active construction. Government must carefully select 1 or 2 major road projects that can be completed within the next 18 months in each zone.
“In the South West, Lagos-Ibadan expressway is the star project and it can be completed within 18 months. In terms of funding, government may either borrow or revert urgently to the financial model of Public Private Partnerships that existed prior to your administration's takeover. Similar projects in the 3 zones in the North can also be identified and executed within this same period,” he advised.
There may be fresh trouble for the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra state as candidates have indicated interest to boycott the primary election of the party or step down over candidate imposition.
Recall that head of the 2015 general election, the PDP suffered many defections which led to its poor outing in the election: many of those left then alleged candidate imposition and lack of fairness.
The Anambra PDP primary election is scheduled to hold on Monday August 28 with growing concerns over the conduct of the delegates' conference and an alleged imposition of candidate by the PDP governors' forum.
A source who spoke to our correspondent said that he and many other aspirants in the election already plan to boycott the election over the imposition of a candidate Oseloka Obaze blessed by former governor Peter Obi.
Obaze served as the Secretary to the State government under Peter Obi on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance and only moved to the PDP barely three months ago.
This is even as another aspirant Akolisa Ufodike has indicated that he was stepping down from the race.
Although he said that his decision to step down was not due to concerns from the delegates' conference, he admitted that indeed there were issues adding that no process can be without issues.
Speaking in an interview on Sunday, the source disclosed that the party held a very rancorous meeting on Saturday in a bid to resolve concerns from the delegates conference.
Throwing more light on what transpired at the delegates' conference, the source said that all but one aspirant were disenfranchises by Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike who was the Chief Returning Officer.
The source alleged that Wike left the conference with the original result sheets and only left behind a photocopy.
"The process was defective, the process was wrong because, the chief returning Officer Wike left the delegates conference at 2PM with the originals of the result sheets and left only photocopies behind.
"With the photocopies they conducted the election, after the election, the Secretary submitted the photocopies, three days later, Wike brought the originals to submit after he had given it to his choice candidate to complete, thereby disenfranchised everybody.
"Ifeanyi Uba raised concerns over the delegates' conference and he was supported by all the aspirants including myself except for Oseloka Obaze who is Peter Obi's candidate.
"It is not acceptable and we had all protested and the protest had gone to the appeal panel, so why are they not looking at the appeal panel's process, why are they coming to contest election in spite of all that complaint?
"The meeting ended up in chaos and anger where all candidates and stakeholders stressed that the imposition will amount to the death of PDP in Anambra," the source said.
The Source who appeared unhappy stressed that former Governor, Peter Obi joined the Party after falling out with incumbent Governor Obiano whom he allegedly imposed.
The source said that former Gov. Obi then came into the party alone and therefore questioned why he suddenly wants to impose a candidate who only joined the party barely two months ago.
The source added that the anger in the party was growing and going ahead to conduct the primary election would spell doom for the party.
"It should be recalled that Peter Obi came into PDP without anybody from APGA and suddenly when he was not getting along with Gov, Obiano whom he imposed, he now brought his SSG.
"Just three months into PDP, the SSG is asking for waiver to contest the governorship election. The younger people in the party are asking where their hope is because they cannot grow since new people can always be brought in from above and imposed on them.
"That anger is growing by the day: the older people are also asking why is it that the PDP is frustrating those who have remained loyal to the party.
"I am asking why are we not following the process whereby after the congress you publish the names so that candidates can have the opportunity to campaign to the delegates.
"They hoard it until the last minute because they already have a destination, so they have been working from answer to question.
"Monday's outing will be full of fighting because many of the candidates have vowed not to continue with that process.
"All aspirants have vowed not to boycott, the only aspirant that might likely come for the primary election is Obaze whom Peter and some incumbent PDP governors have imposed.
"This means that PDP will end up in series of crisis including anti-party activities and people leaving the party. Once that happens, PDP should start saying goodbye to Anambra because it will no longer be a PDP state.
"Stakeholders like Linus Ukachukwu are vehement on not allowing the governors' imposition.
"They insisted that they had just left the enslavement camp of Chris Uba and would not tolerate any imposition or slavery by the National Working Committee or the Governors' Forum, the source said.
Recall that on Friday, Mr Ukachukwu while addressing newsmen stressed that he may be forced to withdraw support for the PDP in the election if the current shoddy process and imposition was allowed to thrive.
Ukachukwu however said that he would not leave the party but would only wait for the schemes of the governors' forum to fail and then PDP can continue.
Speaking further, our source said that he would be boycotting the primary election but not withdrawing from the race, in hope that the right thing would be done.
Also speaking, Akolisa Ufodike another aspirant said that he was stepping down from the race.
He sid that the party held a lengthy meeting on Saturday and that there were rancour during the meeting.
"We were at a very lengthy stakeholders meeting that went late on Saturday. There was some rancour.
"I am actually going to be stepping away from the primary. I am not going to be contesting tomorrow.
"I am just stepping down, I am not stepping down for anyone, I am not making any endorsement or anything of that nature.
"I am here in Awka. I am going to be part of the process but I will be stepping down from the process.
"But I am not doing it because I was dissatisfied with the process. The Congress is not different from what we have seen in the past.
"It is never going to be possible to have perfect congress. But in this case, party unity is more important than my personal conviction.
I do not necessarily believe it's a do-or-die affair, maybe that's why it's a little easier for me to say in the interest of unity, we just need to keep forging ahead," he said.
Last week, Senator Stella Oduah while addressing a press conference also expressed dissatisfaction with the delegate's conference adding that she may be withdrawing from the race.
Attempts to reach other candidates for their remarks proved abortive as at the time of filing this report.
Senator Gbenga Ashafa has advocated a community based approach as the best way to tackle the menace of drug abuse, particularly, among the youths in the country. Ashafa, representing Lagos East Senatorial District, who made the remark weekend, at the Magodo Residents Association, Valley View Zone's, sensitization 'walk against drug abuse" in the community, expressed concern over the increased rate of drug abuse among youths.
The event which took place at the secretariat of the zone had in attendance the residents and advocacy groups united in the fight against the scourge. Other contributors at the event included: Chairman of the Valley View Zone residents association, Mr. Olatunji Solarin and the guest speaker Dr. Dokun Adedeji, the National coordinator of CADAM-Christ Against Drug Abuse Ministry, who also spoke extensively on the prevalence of drug abuse and ways to prevent it in the society. According to Ashafa "The scope of drug abuse has now transcended beyond popular narcotics and alcohol, youngsters have also found refuge in the abuse of over the counter and prescription pills/medications at an alarming rate."
The Senator stated, "This nagging concern inspired me to sponsor a motion on the floor of the senate on "Nigerians involvement in illicit Global Drug Trade and increase in Domestic Abuse by Nigerian Youths" and a "Bill for the amendment of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act. These legislative interventions seek to ensure that we overcome the menace of drug abuse in Nigeria.
"I am even more optimistic in the fact that Charity begins at home. I therefore call on all parents, guardians and caregivers to educate our children on the ills of drug abuse. We must also pay closer attention to the habits being picked up by our children and wards not only as a family but also as a community. "We must be ready to inform our neighbours of whatever strange mannerisms we notice in each-others children because community effort is a more effective means of preventing the spread and continuity of Drug Abuse."
He concluded by stating that, "My advice therefore is to remind us that in Africa, it takes a whole community to train a child."
The Management, Managing Director of Heritage Bank Plc, Ifie Sekibo, have denied involvement in the alleged diversion of N13 billion belonging to the Oyo State Government.
Reports have it that Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, was after the bank’s MD Ifie Sekibo, for ignoring invitations by the commission.
N13bn belonging to the Oyo State Government was said to have been lodged in some secret accounts in the bank through some government officials.
EFCC source said: "We recently got information about some suspicious accounts in Heritage Bank. We believe the funds in the accounts are part of the proceeds of crime, particularly money laundering and outright diversion of public funds.
"We received intelligence reports from some concerned citizens that the money, which is about N13bn was diverted from Oyo State between 2014 and 2015 and the money found its way into some secret accounts fraudulently manipulated by top management of Heritage Bank on behalf of some prominent government officials of Oyo State.
"The money was deposited in a secret fixed account with an agreement to share the accrued interest among them."
But the bank in a statement said categorically and unequivocally that neither the MD, Mr. Ifie Sekibo nor any member of the management staff of the bank was being investigated by the EFCC on a N13 billion fraud.
The statement read thus: Our attention has been drawn to Sunday Punch Newspaper and other online news (Sunday 27th August) report of an alleged N13billion fraud involving the Managing Director and other staff members of the bank of funds belonging to the Oyo State government.
The Management will want to categorically and unequivocally state that neither the MD – Mr. Ifie Sekibo nor any member of the management staff of the bank is being investigated by the EFCC on a N13billion fraud.
Contrary to the false report by some news platforms,the EFCC had informed the bank of an account (not related to OYO state government as likewise verified by the Punch Newspaper via the State's Finance Commissioner) being investigated by the agency. Over the last week, the bank has fully cooperated with EFCC by providing various documentation and also presented its staff in this regard.
Management finds it distasteful, unethical and unprofessional of these media houses to tarnish the image of Mr Ifie Sekibo – MD/CEO and the bank.
We urge the general public to disregard the article in its entirety.
Floyd Mayweather Jr always had a knack for fighting opponents at the most advantageous time.
In recent years, he faced a past-his-prime Manny Pacquiao and defeated an inexperienced, 23-year-old Canelo Alvarez.
It preserved Mayweather's perfect record and built an allure of greatness, making him the biggest pay-per-view seller in boxing history.
Meanwhile, Mayweather gained a justified reputation for boring fights and well-calculated career moves.
McGregor & Mayweather
After a two-year hiatus at 49-0, Mayweather, now 40, sought his 50th fight against mixed martial arts champion Conor McGregor, who had never before boxed professionally. The bout announcement was widely panned as a money grab and easy victory to cap Mayweather's career.
A counter fighter and defensive genius, Mayweather uncharacteristically marched down McGregor starting late in the third round, building exhausting pressure that eventually took its toll.
Unlike most of Mayweather's fights in the last decade, the match proved to be full of action and swings in momentum before McGregor finally succumbed to a technical knockout in the 10th round.
"I feel like I owed my fans a last hurrah," Mayweather said in the post-fight press conference.
"I wanted to go out with a bang. I told you guys it'd be blood, sweat and tears."
He even described the fight as an attempt to make amends for the 2015 Pacquiao bout, which drew a record 4.6 million pay-per-view sales but a storm of criticism for Mayweather's tedious, unanimous decision victory.
In comparison, the loud, fast-talking McGregor voiced no regret after suffering the first stoppage due to strikes of his career, which has seen him capture two titles in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), MMA's biggest organization.
Appearing at the press conference in a paisley suit and sunglasses, whiskey glass in hand, McGregor was vague about his next career move, except to promise something big.
Saturday's fight was already the most lucrative ever, Mayweather claimed afterwards, implying revenues from tickets and pay-per-view topping 500 million dollars.
Mayweather insisted he was now retired for good.
"After 21 years in the sport of boxing, I have some great fights, I have some boring fights, but at the end of the day I will be always remembered as a winner," he said.
McGregor said that his own share of the receipts would likely be 100 million dollars.
Asked to compare MMA with boxing, he laughed maniacally and declared: "The check is not bad."
The Irishman declared his intention to resume MMA-oriented training in jiu-jitsu, wrestling and kick-boxing: "And we'll see what happens."
He described himself as a "free agent," though he remains under contract to the UFC, which will therefore collected a piece of McGregor's share.
"I love competing," he said. "I love a good fight, and tonight was a damn good fight."
Just five years ago, while still fighting on the European MMA circuit, McGregor made ends meet for full-time fight training in Dublin only by going on the dole.
He burst into the UFC in April 2013, and through sheer will and bombast – and a rabid following of travelling Irish – quickly became the highest-paid fighter in MMA.
UFC President Dana White said in the post-fight press conference that McGregor had gone "10 rounds tonight with arguably the greatest to ever do it."
He called McGregor "a rare, special individual. … He's willing to put everything on the line. The greats always risk, and Conor McGregor is that guy."
On Saturday night, McGregor gleefully rehashed the story of the making of the Mayweather fight, which sceptics first said was impossible.
"Then it was: We're not gonna lay a glove [on Mayweather]. I'm just relishing it," he said. "I have many options."
Arsenal’s early-season problems mounted at Anfield on Sunday after they were condemned to a miserable 4-0 defeat by Jurgen Klopp’s rampant Liverpool.Liverpool players celebrate a goal
Not even the return of Alexis Sanchez could inspire Arsene Wenger’s side as they fell to goals from Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Daniel Sturridge.
Salah’s third goal, after 57 minutes, summed up Liverpool’s mastery of the opposition as Arsenal managed to concede from an attacking corner.
After the ball was headed clear, Hector Bellerin misjudged the bounce and Salah sprang past him before sprinting over half the length of the field and converting clinically.
Substitute Sturridge got in on the act with just his third league goal of 2017, completing the rout with a far-post header from Salah’s cross after yet another unstoppable counter-attack 20 minutes later.
The opening goal had come in the 17th minute after wave after wave of Liverpool attacks.
Finally, on a rapid break, young full-back Joe Gomez delivered a superb, hanging right-wing cross and Firmino sprinted in at full speed to head past Petr Cech from six yards.
The warning signs had been there for Wenger, even before Firmino’s opener.
On 10 minutes, Emre Can and Firmino had combined effectively for the former to cross to the far post, where Salah looked certain to score until Cech scurried across his goal to make a brilliant block.
Moments after taking the lead, Liverpool should have doubled it as Firmino freed captain Jordan Henderson, whose poor touch preceded a shot that flew well off-target.
Klopp’s decision to axe regular first-choice goalkeeper Simon Mignolet from his squad had raised eyebrows, although Arsenal made an equally significant move in dropping club-record signing Alexandre Lacazette to the bench.
– Wretched –
Despite recalling Sanchez for his first Arsenal start since the FA Cup final in May, the Gunners looked close to complete disarray at times.
Still, they might have taken the lead after just seven minutes when Sanchez surged through and played in Danny Welbeck, who could only hook his shot over under pressure from Gomez.
But once in front, Liverpool played with increasing confidence, while Arsenal’s visibly drained.
When Henderson’s 31st-minute cross was headed out of the area, Mane volleyed it, first-time, narrowly wide of the right-hand post.
Liverpool’s control was complete in the 40th minute when Mane claimed a second goal that had been a long time coming.
To sum up Arsenal’s wretched half, it came from one of their own attacks, which was broken up in the Liverpool area by Gomez.
Liverpool broke upfield at electrifying pace, Can to Firmino to Mane, and the forward calmly cut inside Rob Holding before curling an unstoppable finish past the diving Cech.
Wenger brought on Francis Coquelin for Aaron Ramsey at the interval and the visitors at least started to threaten, with Mesut Ozil shooting wide and Sanchez seeing his shot blocked on the edge of the area.
The relief was short-lived, however, with Can soon heading a Salah free-kick just wide and Salah’s pacy run clean through on goal drawing another good save from Cech.
The third and fourth goals were fully deserved for the hosts and only another good stop by the beleaguered Cech denied Mane a second goal in between them.
By Chris Ochayi ABUJA – The last week’s meeting of President Muhammadu Buhari with the leadership of opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has opened a new vista in Nigeria’s democracy, Deputy national chairman, All Progressives Congress, APC, (North) Senator Lawal Shuaibu has said. President Muhammadu Buhari (r) exchanging banters with the APC National Chairman, John Oyegun and the Chairman PDP Caretaker Committee, Ahmed Mekarfi (l) during the meeting between the Presidency and National Leaders of the APC and the PDP at the State House, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida 25/08/2017 Senator Shuaibu, who made this observation while speaking with newsmen in Abuja over the weekend, said such meeting demonstrated that political parties irrespective of their ideology and status could give necessary support to government.
According to him: "The meeting couldn’t have come at a better time in the development of democracy in our country. Such interaction helped todeepen our sense of togetherness and understanding; and I think that it helped to open a new era in our search for democratic experience.
"I also see the new leadership of the PDP as showing patriotism by admitting that the President as the leader of the country deserves the respect and well-meaning prayers for him, both of which are critical to party harmony we desperately need in this country. This is clearly as against the impression we deduced from what we see and read about comments made by some of their members in the media."
Shuaibu stressed further that the meeting also gave the president an opportunity to renew his call for national unity as well as charge the parties on the need to help build a peaceful and economically viable Nigeria.
He noted that though the opposition has great role to play in any democracy, it is important that it engages maturely with the government rather than "creating an atmosphere of hostility and hatred."
Insisting that the ruling party is giving a new approach to governance in the country, Shuaibu said the Nigerian people would always form the focus of its policies.
The Senator. however, called on Nigerians to show better understanding with APC as no "party can offer as much as we have in the face of the challenges heaped upon us by the previous government."
The APC chieftain added that the party was determined not squander the goodwill shown to it by Nigerians, and to prove that there is no alternative to its government.
The Coalition Against Terrorism has said the renewed hostility Boko Haram insurgents is being fuelled by economic motivations of crude oil in the Lake Chad Basin and not religious philosophy.
The group said the religious philosophy of the terrorists had been dumped for economic motivations, even as it alleged that the terrorists were suspected to be sponsored by forces opposed to Nigeria's exploration of crude oil within her territorial boundaries in the Lake Chad Basin.
“The intermittent suicide bomb attacks particularly around the Chad Basin region, as evident in the recent terrorists' ambush of oil geologists on research mission in the area are prompted by economic considerations,” NCAT National Co-ordinator, Comrade Gabriel Onoja said while addressing journalists in Jos, the Plateau state capital, on Sunday
Onoja who insisted that the Boko haram terrorists led by Abubakar Shekau has been defeated by the military however advised that
Nigerians should not lose track of this dynamism in the focus of Boko Haram terrorists confrontation of Nigeria
While commending the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai and other Service Chiefs who have complied with the relocation order by the President to the Northeast with every zeal to terminate the journey of terrorism finally, the NCAT coordinator expressed confidence in the ability of the military to relentlessly continue to monitor to keep outsmarting terrorists in their changed strategies.
He said, “this would ensure they defeat every form of new ideology or strategies that the remnants of terrorists and veiled agents may wish to adopt in the nearest future to create an impression of resurgence again.”
Onoja who insisted that the Boko haram terrorists led by Abubakar Shekau has been defeated by the military specifically said that the Nigerian military's ambitious, determined and courageous tackling of the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria, especially, in the Northeast has conferred on a once troubled and restless nation, respite, normalcy and peace envied by the rest of the world.
He said this respite is not only felt in the Northeast region, but it has berthed in other states/cities in the country previously tormented and terrorized by the Islamic extremist sect, Boko Haram terrorists.
History tells a story in time past, but first, shapes the story in time present. But it never lies. It truthfully romances men and women of exceptional endowments and preserves them to inspire today's generation. It provides today's stamina for the anointed to excel and exceed the accomplishments of yesterday's historical heroes.
Nigeria's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai is certainly an iconic African Army General of Nigerian descent. When President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him the COAS and consecrated him to lead the counter-insurgency campaigns in Nigeria, the clarity of his irresistible choice never dawned on many country men and women until now.
Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai
But Gen. Buratai unmistakably knew of the dauntingly sacred and delicate task entrusted in his hands. His briefs were clear and understood, as defeating and terminating the reign of terrorism in Nigeria and in specific terms, the Northeast region, where it ferociously raged uncontrollably.
A lot has happened positively in this direction. And this day in history, at the City of Westminster in London, The Nigerian, an online news portal, compellingly toed the path of scores of other revered institutions and governments around the world in celebrating Gen. Buratai with a unique award as the "2017 The Nigerian Man of the Year."
Nigerians and the world converged on the famous City of Westminster, housing the Buckingham Palace to again celebrate Gen. Buratai. He is one Nigerian Army General who has proved his mettle as conqueror of terrorists, beyond conjecture in tandem with the famous words of famed English playwright, William Shakespeare in Julius Caesar; as he came, he saw and he conquered terrorists en masse in Nigeria.
He was anointed on a rescue mission of Nigeria manacled by terrifying and soulless, bloodsucking terrorists. Boko Haram terrorists had gone berserk for years and defied all efforts of the then military to repress it for succor and peace to berth in Nigerian communities and cities.
Tales of sorrows and pains; torrents of tears and wailings from fathers, mothers, wives, husbands, men, women, school boys and girls, parents, relations, friends, aunties, uncles, Nigerians of all persuasions, the international community gazed into the skies artificially darkened each time Boko Haram terrorists detonated mass bombs at targets. The agonies and anxiety of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) intensified and confusion replaced reason, as insurgents freely and boastfully multiplied heinous atrocities against Nigerians.
But the ombudsman cap on the head of Gen. Buratai perceived it as a difficult task, no doubt; but not beyond his professional competence in leading Nigerian troops to wipe away the sorrows and pains at break of dawn. He has fulfilled every word of promise to Nigerians in the counter-terrorism campaigns to the amazement cum excitement of all Nigerians and the international community.
He has proven himself a soldier of the strong breed who does not issue empty promises; Nigerians know his credentials as a warmonger with bags of unbeatable tactics and strategies. They know him as a soldier who perceived his designation as leading the rescue of Nigeria as a patriotic, sacred vow and therefore, inexcusable to fail.
Gen. Buratai reminds us of the war exploits of the legendary French war hero and later, Leader of the French Government, Gen. Charles de Gaulle (1890-1970). Memories of his liberation of France in circumstances similar to Gen. Buratai's emancipation of Nigeria from terrorists have refused to fade in the peoples psyche nearly a century after his demise.
The French Resistance Army was subdued by Adolf Hitler's Nazi forces in World War II, and Germany captured and took over Paris. Native French soldiers were hesitant to enlist into the crucial battle to regain the freedom of French Government.
Gen. de Gaulle patriotically picked up the gauntlet by reaching out to French colonial territories in Africa and recruited thousands of fighters of African descent into the French Army. Thus, fortified, Gen. de Gaulle launched an epic battle against Hitler's forces that chased away the German forces that conquered the French Empire and reclaimed Paris from the invaders.
In this historically brave act of Gen. de Gaulle, one sights the portrait, shadows, patriotism and commitment of Gen. Buratai in courageously leading Nigerian troops to decimate and defeat Boko Haram terrorists. Gen. Buratai and his men are being appreciated because they made a lot of sacrifices to come this far in breaking the chains of terrorism servitude on Nigerians.
So, it is rare to find any conscionable Nigerian, who has restrained an applause for Gen. Buratai or any reasonable platform in Nigeria that has not celebrated or intend to uniquely celebrate his remarkable feat on Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria. Nigerians and the international community are not just elated with Buratai's milestones in extinguishing the venom of the Islamic extremists; Boko Haram sect, but the Army Chief's splendid eradication of other evolving internal acts of terrorism in Nigeria.
Gen. Buratai led troops to also quench terrorism in the guise of dreary armed bandits and cattle rustlers in parts of Nigeria's Northwest and North central regions; he rescued Nigeria from criminally violent separatism campaigners in the Southeast and eclipsed the lethal militancy in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta region.
Many today stand on the podium to loudly bash Gen. Buratai with edifying sobriquets like "Hero of Heroes", "Boko Haram nemesis", and "The Peoples General”, among others. As the Army Chief regales in the celebration of his success; millions of men of conscience have also conscripted into the celebration with him and they do it with elations.
And with this reality Gen. Buratai feels an aura of a fulfilled man. Mr. Howard Schultz, the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Starbucks, a multi-billion dollar company, one of the largest and successful coffee companies on earth said; “Success is empty if you arrive at the finish line alone. The best reward is to get there surrounded by winners”. Therefore the victories and successes of Gen. Buratai in the counter-terrorism war are celebrated with him by hundreds of millions around the world as exemplified with the latest in Westminster.
And like most heroic figures of his ilk, Gen. Buratai has been able to etch his memory on the psyche of the world for his discipline, hard work and dedication to all duties. His uncommon transparency, accountability, humility, knack for excellence and purposeful leadership of the Nigerian Army, laced in the constant overriding concern of patriotism for Nigeria were the pillars that sauntered him on the ladder of successes and victories over terrorism.
These are no doubt a wide range of qualities and virtues, quite difficult to find in sufficient measures in a single leader. But Gen. Buratai exhilaratingly epitomizes all of them, which unconsciously stands him out tall among equals.
But briefly, Gen. Buratai's timeline as leader of the counter-insurgency campaigns in Nigeria exposes that he promised to substantially decimate Boko Haram insurgents by December 2015, after he assumed office in July of the same year. He wasted no time in setting the machinery in motion.
The Army Chief met troops whose morale in the battlefield was dampened by poor or lack of arms and ammunitions to battle insurgency; a condition further worsened by poor welfare packages of troops in the battlefront; arrears of unpaid salaries and allowances of army personnel and zero initiative on incentives to fighting troops. He toured Army formations and heard from the horses mouth and instantly corrected the wrongs to stabilize the psyche of troops.
A man of his words, as Gen. Buratai promised, by December 2015, Nigerian troops had decimated Boko Haram terrorists and by early 2016, Buratai's troops had reclaimed the 16 local government areas in the Northeast annexed by terrorists and returned them to Nigeria. By mid-2016, insurgents had been pushed back incredibly and confined to few areas of sporadic bomb attacks in the Northeast, a feat acknowledged by former US President Barack Obama and later, the United Nations (UN) former Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon.
The victory streaks against insurgents intensified as in December 2016, Gen. Buratai pleasantly astounded Nigerians with an unexpected New Year gift; the Nigerian troops demystification and invasion of the dreaded Sambisa forest to Camp Zero.
Sambisa forest is reputed as terrorists' most secured fortress of recuperation and plotting venue for atrocities on Nigeria. The feat marked the defeat of Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria, as IDPs returned to deserted homes and life in the Northeast advertised incredible normalcy. And with restoration of respite and peace, the rebuilding process in the Northeast is also progressing steadily.
Beyond it, the Nigerian troops led by Gen. Buratai have being instrumental to the voluntary surrender of Boko Haram top commanders and thousands of adherents who have renounced terrorism, de-radicalised and re-integrated into the society as sane beings. Actions of troops in the last two years served as springboard for the rescue of over 20, 000 persons abducted by Boko Haram insurgents, including the released Chibok schoolgirls.
Gen. Buratal is in the last phase, by leading the battle for the final termination of Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria, as he has issued a directive for the capture of Boko Haram sect's factional leader Abubakar Shekau "dead or live; Himself and other colleagues have relocated to Maiduguri in compliance with Presidential directive to end the recurrent suicide bomb attacks on soft targets in the region; a mission that has started yielding fruitful results.
His transparent and accountable leadership of the Nigerian Army has earned him uncontested loyalty from Army officers and personnel, which has fostered unity of purpose, mutual interactions with the civil populace, respect for human rights, patriotism and the passion of love for their country, Nigeria, as evident in the sacrifices to free Nigeria from terrorism.
Suffice it to say, President Buhari is a blessed leader and father of modern Nigeria, privileged to see the crop of decent and disciplined officers and soldiers that God gave him the foresight to nurture with the appointment of Gen. Buratai as Nigerian Army's helmsman. Congratulations, Gen. Buartai, "The Peoples General" for adding another feather to your cap with this well-deserved award.
Ayodeji, a columnist at THE NIGERIAN writes from 199 Watford Way, London, United Kingdom.
By Michael Eboh The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Sunday, disclosed that its crude oil allocation programme follows strict procedures, processes and standards, while it warned unsuspecting members of the public against the activities of scammers. Oil pipeline
The NNPC, in a statement in Abuja, said it does not sell crude oil from hotel rooms as is currently done by scammers.
Shedding light on the modus operandi of the scammers, Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division (COMD), Mr. Mele Kyari, said the fraudsters usually lured their unsuspecting victims with higher discount offers on cargoes, offers of non-OPEC crude specification, crude allocation, presentation of crude oil sale letters as well as conducting business from hotels.
He said, "Some of them even go to the extent of luring their victims to hotels to transact these fraudulent crude oil contracts. The entire public should know that NNPC does not do business of crude oil marketing from hotel rooms.”
According to him, there was only one way of buying crude oil from the NNPC which was through advertisement for the selection of customers who were screened for compliance with the Corporation's expectations and standards.
"There are very high standards we have set and if you do not meet them, you cannot be our customer. And once you become our customer, we sign a single annual contract with you", Kyari added.
He explained that the crude contracts were typically 30,000 to 32,000 barrels per day (bpd) which accumulated into a standard cargo size of 950,000bpd monthly and not two to three million bpd contracts as peddled by the scammers.
Kyari observed that for the crude oil sale processes to be completed, the customer had to show that he had the capability to sell the cargo to the market and that the Corporation could get its money back.
According to him, today, the entire process of crude oil marketing had become seamless and real-time with electronic platforms such as Platts and Argus acting as reporting agencies for global crude trading programmes.
He said, “The beauty of selling crude oil is that the moment we sell the crude oil cargo to you, the entire world knows that cargo X is with Mr. Y. So you see, you don't have to scavenge for who buys your crude."
He informed would-be buyers not to be gullible as the scammers always cashed in on would-be buyers gullibility to swindle them, adding that those who fall for the scammers were either not in the business or were themselves fraudulent.
While explaining that the good thing in all these unwholesome development was the fact that NNPC documents had not leaked, Kyari stressed that nearly 98 per cent of all the documents involved were fake documents produced by the scammers.
He said in line with the Federal Government's anti-corruption crusade and NNPC Management's commitment towards promoting transparency and accountability, COMD of NNPC had been collaborating with relevant security agencies such as the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to checkmate these fraudsters.
"Already, this massive collaboration with security agencies is paying up. Some arrests have been made while on our part, we assist the security agencies by providing evidence in the course of their prosecution," he noted.
He called on the general public to always alert the Corporation on suspected crude oil scammers by reporting them via the e-mail: comdenquiry@nnpcgroup.com.
He later reiterated the success of the Corporation's flagship crude oil for product exchange scheme also known as Direct Sale Direct Purchase Programme (DSDP) which not only ensured transparency, but has also led to the stability of products supply across the country.
The Nigerian Navy has intercepted 1.1 million litres of diesel allegedly stolen from pipelines belonging to multinational oil companies in Rivers.
No fewer than 13 suspects have also been arrested on account of their alleged role in illegal shipment of petroleum products to undisclosed locations in the state.
Capt. Victor Choji, the Executive Officer of the Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder (NNS), Port Harcourt, disclosed this to journalist on Sunday in Port Harcourt.
Choji said the seizure and arrest was sequel to the intensified mop-up operation in the Niger Delta ordered by naval authorities to stamp out oil theft and illegal refining in the region.
He said that a vessel, a tug boat, a barge and five large wooden boats were also seized at different locations during the operation.
The seized items and suspects were handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further action.
"In line with strategic directives to rid Rivers State of oil theft and illegal bunkering, troops of NNS Pathfinder under Operation Delta Safe, made some arrests and seizures at different locations.
"On May 6, troops intercepted and seized a vessel, MT Preye I and five very large wooden boats with about 409,399 litres of suspected refined diesel at Eagle Island.
"Eleven crew members on board the vessel were subsequently arrested and had been in our custody undergoing investigation," he said.
Choji said the suspects were caught while loading the petroleum product from five wooden boats in the late hours of the night.
"Similarly, on June 19, troops impounded a tug boat, PK II, and a barge, Naomi 03, laden with about 700,000 litres of suspected illegally refined diesel.
"Two suspects were arrested over their involvement in the illegal shipment of the petroleum product," he added.
He said that a large number of troops had been deployed in the region in line with a harmonised standard operating procedure aimed at enforcing law and order in the area.
The executive officer of the NNS assured that the navy would not rest in its bid to stop all forms of illegalities in the maritime environment.
Receiving the items and the suspects, Mr Micheal Adukwu, a senior official of the EFCC, commended the navy and said that there was a synergy in the operations of the two security outfits.
Adukwu assured that EFCC would carry out further investigations and prosecute the suspects.
Sometimes, one wonders if there are scientific or medical explanations to certain bizarre occurrences in life. Women are generally known to complete an incubational cycle of nine months in pregnancy.
Obviously, there have been times when some pregnancies produced babies before nine months and others well past nine months with say one, two or three months.
But how does one explain a pregnancy that has lasted years and still counting, without attributing it to mystery?
As he takes his Miracle crusades around the world, Dr. Chris Okafor, fiery and outspoken General Overseer of Liberation City church has come across numerous ailments begging for divine intervention. But none has shaken him half as much as that of women carrying the pains of pregnancy for years.
At his recently concluded crusade in Umuahia, Abia State, a woman who had been pregnant for so many years finally heaved a sigh of relief.
Her pregnancy was alleged to have lingered for well over three years and counting. She had done all she could and nothing seemed to work.
It took just an authoritative charge from the man of God for that disgraceful and mysterious issue to be solved.
Only a few hours after her encounter with the man of God, she was miraculously delivered of a bouncing baby boy who looked quiet mature and visibly worn out from the satanically imposed detention in her mother's womb.
Many years ago, Dr Okafor also prayed for a woman with similar issue, whose pregnancy lasted years until an encounter with the man of God. Her baby was eventually born but it had already grown teeth!
From Umuahia, to Congo, to Zambia, the testimonies of unbelievably miraculous healing are pouring in: as men & women who were born lame are walking for the first time in their lives!; The deaf and dumb are hearing and speaking with so much clarity; Blind eyes are opening in record numbers!
Someone once said, "if this Dr. Chris man is using something for all these indisputable miracles, that thing must be real"
However, according to the cleric "I'm actually using someone, not something. His name is Jesus!".
The man of God insisted that no sickness or disease brought to anyone of his crusade grounds in this year will go unattended!
Hear him "I'm throwing the challenge out there: let them bring all their sick, possessed and oppressed to our crusades and see if my God will let them down. It's a challenge.
Next month, I’ll storm the Ambrose Alli Hall Ground, Ekpoma, Edo State, then Nsima Ekere Open Field, Opposite Uma Ukpai Victory Cathedral, Uyo -Akwa Ibom State. I won’t be stopping there, my team and i will also be live at Ifite Awka in Anambra State and Imgbi Road- Yenagoa, Bayelsa State
A member of the House of Representatives, Dr Tony Nwoye, has emerged the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Nov.18 governorship election in Anambra.
Nwoye, who represents Anambra East and Anambra West Constituency, polled 2146 votes to defeat his closest rival, Sen. Andy Uba, who scored 931 votes in the party's primary election conducted on Saturday.
The result of the contest was announced by Chairman of the APC Governorship Primary Election for Anambra, Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno, on Sunday, at Prof. Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre, Awka.
The election started on Saturday and extended to about 4.10 p.m. on Sunday when the result was announced by Shettima after a long period of collation of ballots.
Breakdown of the result of the exercise as announced by Shettime showed that Chief George Muoghalu scored 525 votes to place third, while Ms Adaobi Uchegbu, the only female aspirant, scored one vote.
He said that total votes cast were 4,332, out of which 4,302 votes were valid and 31votes were invalid, adding that the total figure tallied with the number of ballot papers brought by the committee for the election.
Shettima described the election, which was contested by 12 aspirants as "very tedious", but the "easiest" he had ever taken part in.
"It was an easy one for us as an umpire because none of the members of the committee has personal interest and that was why we did our best to make the election free, fair and credible," he said.
Shettima said that the committee did everything possible to resist overtures from aspirants which would have adversely affected the outcome of the primary.
He commended the security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for their roles in ensuring that the exercise was successful.
"I must thank the security agencies, especially the Commissioner of Police and state's Director of Department of State Service (DSS,'' he said.
While presenting a copy of the election result to Nwoye, Shettima urged him to do everything to ensure that APC won the Nov.18 governorship poll.
In his acceptance speech, Nwoye described the process that led to his emergence as "thorough" and promised to led the party to victory.
Nwoye, a medical doctor and former President of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), was born on Sept. 13, 1974.
He studied medicine at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and at the Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki.
The APC candidate hails from Nsugbe in Anambra East Local Government Area, the same area with incumbent governor of the state, Chief Willie Obiano.
He is a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra and its governorship candidate in the 2013 election.
Nwoye won the election to the National Assembly in 2015 on the platform of PDP.
Liverpool forwards Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah tore Arsenal to shreds as Arsene Wenger’s team crashed to a humiliating 4-0 defeat at Anfield on Sunday.
The trio all found the net to condemn Arsenal to a second successive defeat after their 1-0 loss at Stoke City, which left them six points below early pace-setters Manchester United in 16th place.Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger
Liverpool rose to second place, two points below United and one above champions Chelsea, who recorded a straightforward 2-0 win over Everton.
Tottenham Hotspur are two points further back in ninth place after their Wembley hoodoo resurfaced in a 1-1 draw at home to Burnley.
Arsenal’s defeat, and the toothless manner of their surrender, will once again raise questions about Wenger’s position, less than three months after the Frenchman signed a new two-year contract.
It was Arsenal’s heaviest league defeat since a 4-0 loss at Southampton in December 2015.
Wenger was able to hand Alexis Sanchez his first start of the season after an abdominal strain, but saw his side fall behind in the 17th minute when Joe Gomez crossed from the right for Firmino to head home.
Firmino turned provider in the 40th minute with a pass down the left to Mane, who cut inside Rob Holding before drilling a shot into the bottom-right corner.
It was 3-0 before the hour as Liverpool cleared a corner and Salah beat Hector Bellerin to a bouncing ball midway inside his own half before sprinting clear to tuck a shot past Petr Cech.
Sanchez, who has been strongly linked with a move away, was taken off just after the hour and looked a picture of misery as he took his seat on the bench, sinking his head between his legs.
Substitute Daniel Sturridge completed the scoring by heading in a cross from Salah in the 77th minute.
– Wood rocks Spurs –
Alvaro Morata scored one goal and made another as Chelsea returned to winning ways at Stamford Bridge with a routine win over previously undefeated Everton.
Stunned 3-2 by Burnley in their opening home game, Chelsea took a 27th-minute lead when Cesc Fabregas steered a shot into the bottom corner from Morata’s knock-down.
Morata scored his second Chelsea goal five minutes before half-time, emphatically converting Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross with his head.
“We must be pleased with the performance,” Chelsea manager Antonio Conte told the BBC.
“We played a really good game. We dominated and had plenty of chances.
“The only negative thing is we should be more clinical. But there were a lot of positive things.”
Tottenham have now won just once in 11 games at the new Wembley after following up last weekend’s 2-1 loss to Chelsea with a frustrating draw against Burnley.
Dele Alli put Spurs ahead in the 49th minute after Burnley failed to clear a corner, but new striker Chris Wood earned Sean Dyche’s men a share of the spoils in stoppage time by applying a cool finish to Robbie Brady’s fine pass.
West Bromwich Albion’s 100 percent record came to an end as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Stoke City at The Hawthorns.
Jay Rodriguez’s diving header put West Brom in front just beyond the hour, but Stoke levelled 13 minutes from time when a miscued clearance by Ahmed Hegazi enabled substitute Peter Crouch to head into an empty net.
Germany striker Timo Werner netted twice as RB Leipzig came from behind to floor Freiburg 4-1 on Sunday and get their Bundesliga season on track.
All four Leipzig goals came after the break as they roared back after a poor first half on the back of losing their opening match of the season 2-0 at Schalke last weekend.
Werner’s goals were a timely reminder for Germany head coach Joachim Loew, who included the fleet-footed forward for World Cup qualifiers against the Czech Republic on Friday in Prague and against Norway in Stuttgart four days later.
Werner and his forward partner Jean-Kevin Augustin were instrumental in turning the game around.
Freiburg took a deserved lead at the Red Bull Arena when left winger Marco Terrazzino escaped his marker and Florian Niederlechner slotted home his cross on 24 minutes.
But Leipzig flew out of the blocks for the second half and were level within three minutes as a corner by Emil Forsberg was headed home by Werner.
Leipzig then took the lead when captain Willi Orban tapped home on 55 minutes after some good work by new signing Augustin, recruited from Paris Saint-Germain.
The Frenchman raced down the right wing before firing in a cross which centre-back Orban simply had to tap home.
Augustin then provided the killer pass which put Werner into space to slot home his second on 69 minutes and make it 3-1.
Augustin made way for Portuguese midfielder Bruma on 76 minutes and just two minutes later the new signing from Galatasaray netted with a stunning shot from the edge of the area.
To compound Freiburg’s misery, midfielder Nicolas Hoefler was sent off inside the final 10 minutes after his foul on Forsberg saw him earn a second yellow.
A fortnight before they make their Champions League debut at home to Monaco, the victory was a timely confidence booster for Leipzig.
On Saturday, two goals from Robert Lewandowski sealed a 2-0 win for defending champions Bayern Munich at Werder Bremen.
Borussia Dortmund are top of the fledgling table on goal difference from Bayern after a 2-0 win at home to Hertha Berlin, with goals by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nuri Sahin.
Tony Nwoye, on Sunday, has been declared the winner of the Anambra State governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The 42-year-old politician scored 2,146 votes to beat his closest rival, businessman Andy Uba, who scored 931 votes.
The Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, announced the result in Awka on Sunday after the keenly contested primary by 11 candidates for the November 18 governorship election.
AS Delta State celebrates 26 years of its creation, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has said the people have a lot of reasons to celebrate.
According to the Governor, “as a people, as a state and as a government, we have every reason to celebrate because, if not for any other reason, from August last year when we marked our silver jubilee to this year, there is reasonable restoration of peace, especially in our creeks where there is no longer destruction of pipelines.”
Governor Okowa who spoke on Sunday at an interdenominational thanksgiving service at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Delta Province 3 Headquarters, Asaba stated, “though the impact of the peace that has returned to the creeks may not have been felt in our economy, because, the state did not only suffer from the effect of consistent low price of oil for more than 38 months; we were not just affected by the price going down and the quantum produced but, there is hope that it will be better.”
From Left: Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Sheriff Oboriewore; the Chief Judge, Justice Marshall Umukoro and former acting Governor, Rt Hon Sam Obi
“We are grateful to the church for the prayers, we are thankful to the youths for sheathing their swords, we thank our traditional rulers for their interventions, and to all those who worked for peace to return to our state, we say, thank you,” he said, adding, ‘this is a time for us to think, we should submit ourselves to the fact that each and everyone of us has a role to play and we must be ready to offer leadership in one way or the other; we must continue to provide leadership in our homes and communities; each and every one of us is important in building a new Nigeria.”
The Governor used the occasion to kick against any action that could lead to disaffection in the country, asserting, “we must be cautious of the statement we make because, the unity of this country is what all of us must work to sustain; we must learn to partner with ourselves and engage in actions that will deepen our love for one another.”
“We thank God for the return of Mr President to the country, death is not a thing that one can wish any one and the return of President Buhari deserves to be celebrated, Nigerians have come to realize that it is better for us to remain united as a people,” he emphasized.
Delivering a sermon at the occasion, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Ihwighwu called for support for Governor Okowa’s administration and urged parents to concentrate on instilling the right morals on their children for a better society to be achieved.
He also, challenged those in position of authority to use such to glorify the name of God by engaging in the right actions.
Senator James Manager, Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborovweri and his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Friday Osanebi, Chief Judge of Delta State, Justice Marshal Umukoro, former Deputy Governor Benjamin Elue, traditional rulers, political office holders, among others, attended the event.
Prayers were offered for the country, the state, the Governor, political leaders, among others at the ceremony which also, featured special gospel renditions.
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