The governors observed that the country was not at peace with itself and not working as it should, particularly, for the people of the South-South region.

Chairman of the South-South Governors Forum and Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, stated this as the position of the zone during the regional stakeholders meeting with presidential delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Ambassador Ibrahim Gambari at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

Governor Okowa, explained the people of the South-South were committed to restructuring of Nigeria in a way that would guarantee true federalism and devolution of powers to the states to create and manage their own police and security architecture under a federal structure.

“True federalism guided by the principle of derivation, revenue sharing and control of resources by each state of the federation as it was the case in the first republic,” he explained.

He said the kind of federation the South-South geo-political zone desired was one where federating units were constitutionally empowered to create their own structures like local government areas, manage their elections and control their judiciary.

“We are all aware of the huge endowment of this country. As such, it is imperative to stress that with a little bit of efforts, imagination, hard work, sacrifice and leadership, every state of the federation as of today, has the ability and capability to contribute to the national purse. This should be encouraged rather than the whole country depending substantially on a region of the country.

“What is worse and even more painful in this ugly situation is the deliberate lack of understanding, empathy and the uncompromising attitudes of some Nigerians, who have refused to understand the challenges of the South-South region of the country especially, the degradation of the environment and our waters. As a result, most of the demands of the region have remained unattended to while the resources of the region have been used continually to develop other parts of the country.”

The governors reiterated the call for the relocation of the headquarters of major oil companies, NNPC subsidiaries from Lagos and Abuja  to the South-South region.

Governor Okowa requested immediate implementation of the consent judgment entered in the Supreme Court Suit No: SC/964/2016 to enable the South-South region get its share of $55 billion shortfall of collection on deep offshore and inland basin production sharing contracts.

The governors further called for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the region’s major seaports in Port Harcourt, Calabar, Warri in order to enhance the economic development of the South-South region.

In addition, they demanded that the two refineries in Port Harcourt and one in Warri that had continued to bleed the country’s resources in the name of turn around maintenance, should be privatised.

According to him: “Enough is enough. Let us now privatise them and in doing so however, allow the states and the region among others, considerable equity in the name of fairness and justice.”

Concerned about the rot in the NDDC, the governors observed that one of the major failures of the intervention agency was its refusal to forge and foster synergy, consultation and cooperation with the state governments especially, on project location, development and execution.

“We have resolved and we, as the state governments will no longer allow NDDC to execute any project(s) in any state of the region without it consulting state governments. Frankly, enough is enough and we have a court judgment to back our position.”

In his remark, the Chief of Staff to the President, Ambassador Ibrahim Gambari, said the stakeholders meeting was at the instance of President Muhammadu Buhari, to the presidential delegation comprising of all the ministers from the region to visit and consult with representatives  of the people  regarding the recent EndSARS protest.

Gambari, noted that reports indicated that there were instances, where breakdown of law and order was reported across various locations in the South-South states.

He lauded the governors of the South-South states for their quick response and actions in addressing the EndSARS crisis.

Beyond the EndSARS issue, he said, the President acknowledges that the citizens in the region had also been dealing with other concerns that were particular to the region such as the degradation of environment due to decades of mishandling and adherence to environmental standards.

The chief of staff said he would convey the demands of the region to the president.

The Deputy  President of the Senate,  Ovie Omo-Agege, urged the leaders of the region to avail themselves of the on going review of the 1999 Constitution by the National Assembly since most of the issues contained in their demands were constitutional matters.

The Director General of Department of State Services, DSS, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, lauded Governor Nyeson Ezenwo Wike, for his stance against the outlawed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, which hijacked the EndSARS protest and killed 10 security operatives, torched stations and court buildings in Oyigbo.

The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, said fake news gave impetus to the nationwide EndSARS protest that culminated in the death of civilians, police personnel and their assets.

Adamu alleged that intelligence had confirmed that the EndSARS protest was funded from within and outside the country.

He further added that one of the primary objectives of the protest was to effect a regime change.

Present at the meeting were: Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State;  Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River; Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akw Ibom; Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State; and Godwin Obaseki of Edo State.

Others are: Godswill Akpabio, Minister of Niger Delta; Timipre Sylva,  Minister of State for Petroleum; Goddy Jedy Agba ,Minister of State, Power;  Festus Keyamo, Minister of State for Niger Delta; Osagie Ehanire,  Minister of Health;  the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammad.

The Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, was however, absent.

Other eminent persons present included: the National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga, rtd; former President, Nigerian Bar Association, Onueze Okocha (SAN).

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In a broadcast in Asaba, Okowa said the relaxation of the lockdown would become effective on Thursday, and explained that it was to encourage economic activities expected to be carried out from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m.

He also announced the continuation of the dusk-to-dawn (7 p.m. to 6 a.m.) curfew imposed on April 15, adding that ban on conferences, sporting activities, gathering of people at event centres and other public engagements remained in force until May 31, 2020.

For burials and weddings, the governor directed that the number of guests must not exceed 50, and that social distancing rule of six feet apart must be observed at such events.

He thanked residents of the state for their understanding in the measures being adopted by the government to stem spread of the virus and hunger while the pandemic was lasting, and observed that the lockdown had to a large extent helped to limit the spread of the virus in the state.

“As we gradually relax the restriction of movement, I must caution that it is not yet uhuru; life as we have known it is still a long way off; we must therefore brace ourselves up to adjust to the new normal in all our personal, official and business dealings going forward.

“As an administration, we remain irrevocably committed to doing everything necessary to protect the lives and property of citizens in the State, in addition to providing a safe and secure environment for them to pursue their dreams of success and happiness.

“In view of the foregoing, it has become necessary to partially lift the ban on movements within the state effective Thursday, April 30, 2020; this is to enable our people engage in economic/business activities between the hours of 6 a.m. and 7 p.m; security agencies will be on hand to ensure strict compliance with the time frame.

“Our schools (public and private) remain closed until Sunday, May 31, 2020; entertainment centres, including cinemas, bars and night clubs remain closed until Sunday, May 31, 2020.

“Restaurants/canteens/beer parlours are to operate on take-away basis while hotels will be allowed to open (with in-room dining) but their restaurants, bars and night clubs remain closed till further notice.

“While transport services (keke, taxis, buses) are allowed to operate, number of passengers shall be as follows: two persons at the back for keke; one person at the front seat, and two persons at the back for a taxi; 10 to 12 persons for a 16-seater/18-seater bus.

“Our airports remain closed to passenger traffic till further notice and, I shall be meeting with our religious leaders on Thursday to chart the way forward for our places of worship. However, all crusades/conventions remain banned till further notice,’’ Okowa said.

He directed that public service workers on Grade Level 12 and above should resume work on Thursday, April 30, 2020, adding that the order did not apply to junior staff on essential/emergency duties.

He insisted that workplace protocols should be in place for disease surveillance/prevention, including screening, use of face masks and social distancing.

The governor reminded residents that security agencies had been advised to ensure strict compliance with the above directives, and warned that violators would be prosecuted, without fear or favour.

He announced that the state government had produced one million face masks and that the distribution would commence immediately.

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The state’s Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, in a statement on Tuesday in Asaba, said the state government was desirous of completing the project, assuring that work on the bridge would commence in the early part of the year.

The Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative, IPDI, in conjunction with Ayakoromo youths had threatened showdown with the state government over the project.

But Aniagwu urged IPDI and Ayakoromo youths to sheathe their sword and shun their planned protest as government had already made provisions for the completion of the bridge in the 2020 budget.

“As a Government we are committed to the construction of the Ayakoromo Bridge to link communities in Ughelli South and Burutu Local Government Areas.

“The Okowa administration is concerned about the slow pace of work on the bridge and had already taken steps to fast track its completion by making enough provisions for the project in the 2020 budget.

“The State Government remains committed to the development of riverine communities in Ijawland as well as other parts of the state and will stop at nothing until we give a new lease of life to rural and coastal communities in Delta State.

“I therefore appeal to IPDI and Ayakoromo youths to tow the path of peace even as Government is doing everything possible to make life more meaningful for them,” Aniagwu stated.

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The governor met representatives of Shell and the community at Government House Annex, Warri, on Friday and appealed to them to embrace peace in the interest of development.

He commended both parties for agreeing to resolve the impasse that temporarily halted the company’s operations in the area.

Represented by the Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Mr Emmanuel Angbaduba, he assured them that another meeting would hold among the stakeholders in January, 2020, for a Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMOU) on the issue.

He also directed that while the process for the community inter-dependence electrification project was on, a generating plant to cater for the electricity needs of the community should be made available in the interim.

The governor said, “my administration is committed to providing enabling environment for companies to operate.

“We are, however, not comfortable with the rising cases of disagreement between oil firms and their host communities.

“As a result, I am appealing that whenever there is a problem, stakeholders should come together, put the issues on the table and find a proper solution to them.

“This administration is strongly concerned about the interest of all Deltans, so is the production of oil and gas that generates revenue for the government to deliver on our manifesto to Deltans.”

He announced that SPDC had agreed to grant the demands of the community that ranged from building a workshop for training the youths in skills, electrification of Ojobo (Gas Turbine), sense of belonging, to release of GMoU funds, rejuvenation of abandoned projects and issues of social inclusion.

According to him, work is expected to resume on Friday at the Beniseide flow station operated by SPDC, which was shut down eight days ago following the host community’s disagreement on a number of issues with their tenant.

Earlier, Chairman of Ojobo community, Prince Doubra Baro, pleaded with the governor to prevail on SPDC to urgently settle issues that led to the face-off, adding that the community had not benefited from the company’s operations in the area.

“Ojobo community has agreed to give peace a chance because of the respect we have for our Governor, Seantor Ifeanyi Okowa, whom God has used to bring joy to the people of Burutu and Delta Ijaw,”

SPDC’s Community Interface Coordinator, Jerry Udjor, while appreciating the state government’s intervention, appealed to the community to sheathe its sword, assuring that both parties would work together to ensure peace and development of the area.

The meeting was attended by the member representing Burutu constituency II and Chairman, House of Assembly Committee on Oil and Gas, Mr Pullah Ekpotuayerin; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Oil and Gas, Mrs Gladys Puegeren, other government officials and representatives of Ojobo community.

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The governor gave the charge on Wednesday at a thanksgiving service by Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, Delta chapter, at Heroes of Faith Ministries, Ughelli, to appreciate God for his (the governor) re-election.

According to him, in Nigeria today things are difficult and so as leaders, we must ensure that we show love to the people, particularly those that appear to be vulnerable; we must identify with them.

He expressed gratitude to the church for praying for the government in the last elections.

“I wouldn’t say that they took a risk because they heeded the voice of God and believed it and prayed; there are many who also may have heard God but did not follow.

“My choice is not because I am righteous or the most qualified, but because it’s God’s choice at this time.

“So the church must continue to engage in prayers so that God will always be involved in our affairs as a people and in who emerges as a leader.

“No matter how strong a governor may be or a leader may be, when the church prays in line with God’s will, he will subject himself to the plans of God for the people.

“I want to thank everyone who took time out to pray for us during the elections. It was as if we were afraid but I was confident that God was with us because the church was praying,” the governor said.

“I realised when I became governor that nothing is stronger than prayers, and concerning the elections, the church believed and trusted the Lord for our victory and it reflected in the results.

“As for our nation, Nigeria, we have been praying and it is as if God has not been answering, but we must pray more and believe that God will do something,” he added.

Earlier, Chairman of PFN in the state, Bishop Kingsley Enakirehri, thanked God for the victory of Okowa at the polls and described it as the will of God for the people of Delta.

He said that the result could not have been otherwise and urged the people to continue to hold on to God.

In his message, former chairman of PFN in the state, Archbishop, GodDowell Awomakpa, who was the guest speaker, charged the congregation to give thanks to God at all times, saying “we may never know the value of victory until we lose”.

He noted that God used the church to intercede for a peaceful election as well as the victory of Okowa in the general elections, adding that everyone needed to thank God for the favour.

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Isah had been acting as president of NGE since former president, Mrs Funke Egbemode, became a commissioner in Osun.

He was ratified as substantive president at the 15th All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC 2019) in Sokoto on Friday.

Egbemode resigned as the President of NGE following her appointment as Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, on Saturday in Asaba, Okowa felicitated with Isiah, a veteran journalist, saying he emerged at a time hate speech and fake news were becoming a topical issues in the media.

He urged him to work and change the narratives.

The governor commended Mrs. Egbemode for her leadership qualities and wished her well in her stay in office as commissioner in Osun.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I congratulate Mr Mustapha Isah on his election as President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, first by the Standing Committee and subsequent ratification at the ANEC 2019 in Sokoto.

“You are coming in at a time when the media space is awash with discussions on hate speech and fake news.

“It is my wish that you use your good office to promote ethical journalism and ensure that the media remain undaunted in playing the critical role putting governments at all levels in check through your editorials, news reports, features and other platforms.”

Isah, who is currently Head of News, Silverbird TV and Rhythm 93.7FM, Lagos, was born in Ubuneke Ivbiaro in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo.

He started his journalism carrier with the defunct Tempo Magazine and joined Ray Power FM as a reporter in 1995 and later moved to Rythm 93.7FM as an Assistant News Editor.

Before his election as President, Isah had held several positions in the NGE.

He was a Standing Committee member,  Assistant General Secretary and Vice President, West.

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He made the call on Friday at the funeral of late Chief James Edevbie, father of the Chief David Edevbie, Chief of Staff to Okowa, in Afiesere, Ughelli.

Okowa stated that Nigeria would be a better place when citizens engaged in positive activities.

“We have come to identify with a friend, Olorogun Edevbie, as he bid his father farewell.

“When a man has lived for 93 years, we have to rejoice, bearing in mind that he also lived a good life and we can see that he has been given a befitting rite of passage.

“As a people, we should continue to contribute positively to the development of our society, be committed to creating a better society by engaging in good activities.

“As I wish all of us old age, we should continue to impact on the lives of people through good deeds,” he said.

Earlier at a funeral service held at All Saints Cathedral,  Anglican Communion,  Ughelli, the Bishop, Rt. Rev. C.O. Odutemu, stated that the Church was after winning souls for Christ and not for money-making, adding that everyone would account for his actions on the day of judgment.

“Office or positions will not excuse us from giving account on the last day when we will appear before God; we will all give account for our actions.

“You live in affluence, yet, your next door neighbour cannot feed, you will give account; you should remember your God; the position that you are holding is an opportunity to serve and God will judge us according to our deeds.

“Those that we are condemning may even make heaven when they repent; have the fear of God in all your actions; let us accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and saviour,” he said.

Governor of Edo, Mr Godwin Obaseki;  former Governor James Ibori;  Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege; former President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki; Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu; Delta Deputy Governor, Mr Kingsley Otuaro, and renowned banker, Mr Tony Elumelu, were among dignitaries who attended the burial.

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They made their positions known in Asaba at the 25th edition of MSMEs Clinic organised by the Delta State Government in collaboration with Office of the Vice President.

Osinbajo commended Okowa’s administration for its commitment to growing MSMEs, noting that effort of the state government were in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s resolve to make businesses work in Nigeria.

“The Federal Government is determined to create a Nigeria where small businesses are nurtured and encouraged to thrive and prosper.

“Nigeria is an economy driven largely by small businesses and it is clear that there can be no real national growth and development if we do not ensure that our small businesses are developed.

“If every small business in Nigeria adds just one more employee, the gap that single action will fill in our unemployment figures will be much larger than if one single conglomerate were to employ 10,000 people.

“So, we really believe that the MSMEs are the engine of growth in our country and we are therefore, fully committed to ensure that as a government, we will remove all the obstacles that are standing in the way of the MSMEs so that they can have the opportunity to thrive and grow,” he said.

Osinbajo added that efforts were on to ensure a single-digit interest rates for MSMEs, emphasising that the clinic afforded the MSME operators the opportunity to present their challenges to relevant government agencies.

Okowa had in an address, said “MSMEs have been globally recognised as engines of rapid economic growth, wealth creation, employment generation and social inclusion.

“They are also known as incubators of innovation while providing opportunities for increased participation of women in the economy.

“Defined as enterprises with less than 10 employed persons and annual turnover of less than N20 million,  MSMEs are more feasible and attractive to the mass of people seeking entrepreneurship, self-employment, livelihood incomes and economic participation.”

He commended the vice president for supporting things that had to do with Delta, adding that his administration would always identify with any programme or concept that focused on nurturing, supporting and promoting the growth of MSMEs.

The governor said that across the state, there were testimonies of successful small businesses and life-changing testimonies by those who were trained, established and mentored under STEP, YAGEP schemes of the government and from its vocational training centres.

High point of the event was the inspection of YAGEP Cluster farms at Ibusa by the vice president, who had earlier on arrival at the Event Centre, Asaba, venue of the clinic, inspected products of different entrepreneurial programmes of the state government.

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Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, made this known while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the state’s Executive Council meeting in Asaba.

Aniagwu, who was accompanied by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, said that the approval for the drainage in the area was part of the state government’s efforts at addressing flooding in the state.

He explained that the project would cover first and second phases and that work on it would commence in the emerging dry season “to ensure that results are yielded quickly and efficiently without fear of interruption by rain.’’

The commissioner also disclosed that the government approved the construction of roads, including the ones linking Ote-Okpu and Owanta, and Aliesimie to Abavo.

He added that the council gave approval for the construction of Mother and Child Advanced Medical Diagnostics Centre in Ika North East Local Government Area.

According to him, the purpose is to reduce the level of mother and child morbidity and promote the wellness of mother and child in the state.

Aniagwu further stated that the government had approved the construction of a Film Village and Entertainment Park in Ugbolu, near Asaba to boost the entertainment industry in the state as well as create employment for the people of Delta.

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Ekevwo, a Deltan, ran his all-time personal best of 9.96 seconds to win the men’s 100m event at the Games on Tuesday.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, on Wednesday in Asaba, Okowa commended 20-year-old Ekevwo who hails from Agadama community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state, for making Delta and Nigeria proud.

He noted that the athlete was a product of the state government’s constant and huge investment in sports development.

According to the governor, over years, the state government had done well in positioning its youths to excel in sports, with the provision of sporting facilities across the state.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I congratulate an illustrious son of the state, Raymond Ekevwo, on his supersonic victory as winner of the 100m gold at the All African Games in Rabat, Morocco.

“As the state celebrates 28th anniversary of its creation, it is a thing of joy that a Deltan has once again, brought great honour to us by becoming Africa’s fastest man.

“His victory didn’t come as a fluke because, over the years, we have made concerted efforts at promoting sports development in our state by building sports facilities across the state.

“It has always been our firm belief that when you engage the youths in sporting activities, it keeps them away from social vices and we will continue to use sports as a tool to develop our Stronger Delta vision,” he said.

Ekevwo and another Deltan, Utseoritse Itsekiri, came first and third at the event.

Ekevwo had earlier in the year led Florida Central University to break the NCAA 4×100m record and ran the second fastest time of 10.02secs behind Divine Oduduru, another pride of Delta.

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