PRESS RELEASE

SANWO-OLU CELEBRATES FASHOLA AT 59

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), on the occasion of his 59th birthday.

Fashola, a former Lagos State Governor, will clock 59 on Tuesday (tomorrow).

Sanwo-Olu, who was Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions during Babatunde Fashola administration in Lagos State, described the former Governor as a seasoned administrator, legal icon and technocrat who has used his skills and positions in different capacities for the growth of Lagos State and Nigeria.

Governor Sanwo-Olu’s congratulatory message was contained in a statement issued in Lagos on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile.

The statement read, “On behalf of my adorable wife Ibijoke, the good people of Lagos State as well as leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), I heartily congratulate my brother and one of my predecessors, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) on the occasion of his 59th birthday.

“Mr. Babatunde Fashola is a true ambassador of our dear Lagos State. He was a major pillar of support as Chief of Staff when our National Leader and Presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was Governor of Lagos State. His commitment, loyalty and track records made him a worthy successor to Asiwaju and he built on the solid foundation and master plan laid down by our leader.

“Lagos State witnessed growth and development during Fashola’s tenure as two-term governor. As our class captain, he set a high standard and raised the bar of corporate and good governance in Lagos. He served our dear state passionately, leaving behind a legacy of outstanding achievements and laudable projects, which are visible in different parts of the State to date.

“Mr. Fashola’s contribution to the success of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC government is commendable. He was trusted with three portfolios as Minister of Power, Works and Housing by President Buhari between 2015 and 2019. His stellar performance is evidently addressing infrastructure and housing challenges in different parts of the country.

“On this special day, I wish our own BRF (Babatunde Raji Fashola), the very best that life can offer. I wish him more years of joy and good health for continued service to the State, Nigeria and humanity as a whole.”

SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
27 JUNE 2022

OKOWA IS AN ASSET TO YOU AND I – ATIKU ABUBAKAR

The first most important decision that any candidate for an executive position in a democracy must make is the choice of a running mate.
The office of the president in particular requires that the holder of that office must have clarity of the mind on decision-making.

That is why that in countries that have acquired more experiences in democratic acculturation, the choice that a presidential candidate makes about their running mates, and how they make the decision, provides a window of assessing their preparedness for the job that potentially waits ahead of them.

In meeting up with this expectation, and more importantly to ensure that I make a pick of a running mate that you shall be proud of, it became necessary for me to be introspective about my choice.

The Governor of Delta State, His Excellency Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, and I share a lot of personality attributes in common. He is a fine gentleman, but tenacious. His experience as a Senator will come in handy in some of the legislative reforms that are urgently needed to reformat our governmental processes.

Ifeanyi and I are incurable optimists in the future of Nigeria and the promises it holds as one united, peaceful and prosperous country.

Having him on the ticket brings a lot of assets to our campaign. In the months ahead of the general election, together with other great leaders of our party, the Peoples Democratic Party, and, with your esteemed support, we shall work very hard to ensure a convincing victory for our party. A victory for the PDP in the general election is a victory for Nigeria. When we win, Nigeria wins. The stakes in the election are very high, and it gives me tremendous joy that I can count on your support to win the election and get to work in earnest.

Thank you and do have a pleasant weekend.

___

His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

PRESS RELEASE
LAGOS EMBODIES EMPATHY, PROTECTS RIGHTS OF REFUGEES – SANWO-OLU

• Inter-Governmental Agencies certify Lagos a refugee-friendly city, as Governor Signs Instrument

Lagos State will remain open and continue to provide non-discriminatory assistance to all displaced persons seeking safety of their lives from violent conflicts and disasters, the Governor of the State reiterated the pledge on Monday.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu vowed that the State will remain a refugee-friendly city and provide economic opportunities to displaced persons legitimately seeking to rebuild their lives.

The Governor made the pledge during a commemorative event organised in Lagos to mark the World Refugees Day. Sanwo-Olu, at the event, also signed an instrument confirming Lagos as a city with refugees.

There are estimated 84,000 refugees settled in Nigeria from other African countries. Lagos is hosting 1,656 registered refugees and 611 asylum seekers from 34 countries; most of these persons have been integrated into communities to start a new life.

Sanwo-Olu said Lagos took the responsibility to offer protection to refugees as a sacred duty of human rights, rather than privilege. He said the State had maintained a non-discriminatory policy to enforce the rights of persons seeking safety, regardless of their gender, age, ethnicity, religion and their origin.

He said: “It gladdens our heart as a Government to receive the validation that Lagos is a city with refugees. I make further pledge that we will continue to make the State a refugee-friendly city and a land of opportunity for refugees legitimately seeking to rebuild their lives here. As a Government leader, my administration will continue to offer protection and provide the ambience for displaced persons to improve their well-being.

“No matter what the political belief, religion, tribe or gender of anyone seeking safety in our communities from violent conflicts, we will not do anything that will make them uncomfortable living in the State. Once we give the refugees social protection, we believe they can use their talents and energy to flourish, thereby contributing their own quota to the development of their host communities and the State’s economic growth.”

Sanwo-Olu, however, spoke to the root cause of the refugees’ proliferation, appealing to political actors to fashion out ways to amicably resolve disagreements that have the potential to result in violent conflicts.

This, the Governor said, is necessary to stem the growing number of persons running away from their communities due to violent conflicts. He said the global refugee figures remained an “embarrassing number” to humanity, calling for restraint among warring global leaders.

Sanwo-Olu hailed the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and IDPs (NCFRMI), United States Government and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for responding to the challenges of displaced persons.

“I’m also using this platform to enjoin Lagosians to exhibit the true spirit of the State, by welcoming all asylum seekers who have genuine interest to be part of their communities. The refugees must not be forced to return to where their lives and well-being would be threatened again,” the Governor said.

Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq, called for more action to address discrimination against refugees in non-conflict zones, pointing out that the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian War had aggravated the crisis of refugee.

Represented by Dr. Abubakar Suleiman, the minister said Nigeria would continue to respect the provisions of the 1951 Convention on Refugee, stressing that international best practice would be employed in handling the IDPs across the country.

NCFRMI Federal Commissioner, Hajia Imaan Ibrahim-Sulaiman, said the signing of the Declaration of Lagos as a ‘City With Refugees’ signified “a defining moment” with global significance.

The signing, she said, underscored the place of refugees, asylum seekers, stateless persons and other Persons of Concern (PoCs) in the heart of Lagos.

“Under the current leadership, Lagos has created inclusiveness and promoted hope for refugees and other PoCs through favourable policies in the areas of education, health and social services. With the signing, Lagos is going to join other league of towns and cities in the world that have signed the Declaration”, Ibrahim-Sulaiman said.

UNHCR Representative to Nigeria, Ms. Chansa Kapaya, said the commemoration was created as a day to build empathy, celebrate the strength and courage of refugees, while also recognising their resilience and taking action to solve their plight.

She urged global leaders to step up and work together to solve the global refugee challenges.

A Cameroonian refugee, Zemkwe Nekuna, a lawyer, who spoke on behalf of international refugees in Nigeria, delivered the appreciation note of IDPs to the Government for offering them the platform to grow beyond their predicament.

SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
27 JUNE 2022

PRESS STATEMENT

23rd June, 2023

DELTA PDP HAILS UNPRECEDENTED RECEPTION, AS NIGERIANS ROLL OUT DRUMS TO CELEBRATE OKOWA’S HEROIC HOMECOMING; SAYS VICE PRESIDENTIAL POSITION HAS LIFTED HOPES, EXPECTATIONS IN SOUTHERN NIGERIA FOR GREATER EXPLOITS IN 2023

The Delta State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has saluted Deltans and indeed all Nigerian citizens and nationalities residing in Delta State, for the unprecedented heroic welcome they gave to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, as he returned home to Delta State, from Abuja, after emerging as the PDP Vice Presidential Candidate to His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and running mate on the joint ticket, as PDP Flag-Bearers in the 2023 Presidential election.

A statement signed by Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, State Publicity Secretary of the party, said it was overwhelmed by the tremendous outpouring of love, pomp, and celebration, which greeted Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on his return, adding that the hopes and expectations of Southern Nigeria for greater achievements come 2023, have been lifted with Senator Okowa fully endorsed as the PDP Vice Presidential Candidate and running mate on the joint ticket as party flagbearers.

The statement reads: “Delta PDP is completely awed and overwhelmed by the massive outpouring of love and celebration by Nigerians, which greeted our dear Governor and Leader, Senator, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, on his return to Delta State, after emerging as Vice Presidential candidate and running mate to our Presidential candidate, His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, on the joint ticket as our Party’s flag-bearers for the 2023 Presidential election.

“This unparalleled reception is not only a massive testimony of endorsement and acceptance for Governor Okowa’s elevation on the political ladder, by Deltans and Nigerians, but also a huge reflection of the fact that the Vice Presidential position has positively lifted the hopes and expectations of the people’s of Southern Nigeria to anticipate that their desires and aspirations will be on the front burner and of paramount attention in the scheme of things, when the PDP takes over in 2023.

“We want to especially extend our deep and profound gratitude to all Deltans; our youths, women, traders, artisans, professionals, captains of industry, traditional rulers, the clergy, our leaders, chieftains, elders, statesmen, and indeed all residents in Delta State including the Oha n’eze Ndi-Igbo, the Arewa Community, Egbe Omo Odua and our other numerous brothers and sisters, who turned out in their massive numbers to give “Ekwueme” our leader and Governor, a befitting and heroic homecoming reception.

“Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s emergence as the Vice Presidential Candidate and running mate to pair with our Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, on the PDP joint ticket is, without doubt, one of the best political decisions in favour of Southern Nigeria and acceptance to the rest of the country as it has achieved a satisfactory balance, instead of the lopsided arrangement which some of the major parties will produce.

“Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa combine a tried, tested, experienced, trusted, and results-driven leadership team that boasts a fantastic track record of astute administrative excellence, sterling innovative brilliance, and an admirable nationalistic and detribalised political philosophy, which embraces and accommodates all Nigerians and will work for all Nigerians, irrespective of creed, gender, demographics, ethnicity, religious inclination, and social stratification, while ensuring that prominent and adequate considerations are given to all, when they take over the reins of power in 2023.

“The massive reception and heroic welcome which hallmarked Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s homecoming, is not only a demonstration of the faith and confidence reposed in him and the PDP Presidential joint ticket to deliver on the people’s mandate, it is most importantly a clarion call and an unequivocal S.O.S by Deltans and Nigerians that they are earnestly waiting and are fully prepared to embrace and participate in the Rescue Mission of the PDP, which has now become a collective national crusade to sweep the nightmare of APC leadership away.

“Atiku Abubakar is a GOAL. Ifeanyi Okowa is a GOAL. PDP is a GOAL. 2023 is a sure GOAL”.

God Bless Nigeria.

PDP! Power to the People!!

Dr. Ifeanyi M. Osuoza,
State Publicity Secretary,
PDP, Delta State.

PRESS STATEMENT

23rd June, 2022

DELTA PDP HAILS UNPRECEDENTED RECEPTION, AS NIGERIANS ROLL OUT DRUMS TO CELEBRATE OKOWA’S HEROIC HOMECOMING; SAYS VICE PRESIDENTIAL POSITION HAS LIFTED HOPES, EXPECTATIONS IN SOUTHERN NIGERIA FOR GREATER EXPLOITS IN 2023

The Delta State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has saluted Deltans and indeed all Nigerian citizens and nationalities residing in Delta State, for the unprecedented heroic welcome they gave to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, as he returned home to Delta State, from Abuja, after emerging as the PDP Vice Presidential Candidate to His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and running mate on the joint ticket, as PDP Flag-Bearers in the 2023 Presidential election.

A statement signed by Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, State Publicity Secretary of the party, said it was overwhelmed by the tremendous outpouring of love, pomp, and celebration, which greeted Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on his return, adding that the hopes and expectations of Southern Nigeria for greater achievements come 2023, have been lifted with Senator Okowa fully endorsed as the PDP Vice Presidential Candidate and running mate on the joint ticket as party flagbearers.

The statement reads: “Delta PDP is completely awed and overwhelmed by the massive outpouring of love and celebration by Nigerians, which greeted our dear Governor and Leader, Senator, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, on his return to Delta State, after emerging as Vice Presidential candidate and running mate to our Presidential candidate, His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, on the joint ticket as our Party’s flag-bearers for the 2023 Presidential election.

“This unparalleled reception is not only a massive testimony of endorsement and acceptance for Governor Okowa’s elevation on the political ladder, by Deltans and Nigerians, but also a huge reflection of the fact that the Vice Presidential position has positively lifted the hopes and expectations of the people’s of Southern Nigeria to anticipate that their desires and aspirations will be on the front burner and of paramount attention in the scheme of things, when the PDP takes over in 2023.

“We want to especially extend our deep and profound gratitude to all Deltans; our youths, women, traders, artisans, professionals, captains of industry, traditional rulers, the clergy, our leaders, chieftains, elders, statesmen, and indeed all residents in Delta State including the Oha n’eze Ndi-Igbo, the Arewa Community, Egbe Omo Odua and our other numerous brothers and sisters, who turned out in their massive numbers to give “Ekwueme” our leader and Governor, a befitting and heroic homecoming reception.

“Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s emergence as the Vice Presidential Candidate and running mate to pair with our Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, on the PDP joint ticket is, without doubt, one of the best political decisions in favour of Southern Nigeria and acceptance to the rest of the country as it has achieved a satisfactory balance, instead of the lopsided arrangement which some of the major parties will produce.

“Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa combine a tried, tested, experienced, trusted, and results-driven leadership team that boasts a fantastic track record of astute administrative excellence, sterling innovative brilliance, and an admirable nationalistic and detribalised political philosophy, which embraces and accommodates all Nigerians and will work for all Nigerians, irrespective of creed, gender, demographics, ethnicity, religious inclination, and social stratification, while ensuring that prominent and adequate considerations are given to all, when they take over the reins of power in 2023.

“The massive reception and heroic welcome which hallmarked Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s homecoming, is not only a demonstration of the faith and confidence reposed in him and the PDP Presidential joint ticket to deliver on the people’s mandate, it is most importantly a clarion call and an unequivocal S.O.S by Deltans and Nigerians that they are earnestly waiting and are fully prepared to embrace and participate in the Rescue Mission of the PDP, which has now become a collective national crusade to sweep the nightmare of APC leadership away.

“Atiku Abubakar is a GOAL. Ifeanyi Okowa is a GOAL. PDP is a GOAL. 2023 is a sure GOAL”.

God Bless Nigeria.

PDP! Power to the People!!

Dr. Ifeanyi M. Osuoza,
State Publicity Secretary,
PDP, Delta State.

June 24th, 2022

MSD DENOUNCES PRINCE KPOKPOGRI’S PETTY, FRIVOLOUS CRASSNESS

The Movement for Stronger Delta (MSD) states that the “Open Letter to PDP Stakeholders Atiku/Okowa Ticket: Dead on Arrival” missed the point. Of course, the so-called letter reeks of malice. To the contrary, MSD acknowledges it as a terrific hit on the target of moving forward for the progress and changing the change in Nigeria.

The point to ruminate on is, if the ticket is “dead on arrival”, why is the author and his sponsors het-up and full of anxiety? If they strongly believe that the Atiku/Okowa PDP Presidential ticket is a non-event, why are they getting agitated and hollering everywhere and being pugnacious?

This is why the full-page advertorial by one Comrade Prince Kpokpogri, source of the headline published in Vanguard of Tuesday, June 21, 2023 is nothing but a disgraceful outpouring of despicable emotions that exposed the cynical state of the author’s mind. Clearly in the write-up, is an attitude that exuded disparaging sarcasm and contemptuous scoffing of the person of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State.

Let it be said that those in the know about the source of the worthless, empty, and vain arguments pushed in that piece, understand the style of the author and that of his cohorts, one of which was unashamedly mentioned. These are birds of the same feather, which are smart at deploying the weapon of blackmail to extort lily-livered victims.

But never Senator, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, a man that has proven to them to be too hard a nut for them to crack by his disposition and determination not to get entangled in frivolities bandied about by coercers with a penchant for filthy lucre. So, when persons like Prince Comrade Kpokpogri came out the way he did in the Vanguard advertorial signed by him, the understanding of an underhand engagement will sink deep and clear.

For starters, Kpokpogri, who is not a PDP member, wants people to believe his infantile argument, when he claimed that the description of Okowa by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as “President in waiting“ is a big slap to PDP stakeholders and, the people of South-South Geo-political zone and Southern Nigeria.” But his argument has been deflated by the series of felicitations and goodwill messages that have flooded the information space both in the print and social media. It has been an avalanche of commendations and congratulations for Governor Okowa.

Maybe he should be told that even the apex socio-cultural organisation of the Ijaw nation, worldwide, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has felicitated the Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, for emerging Vice-Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

A Daily Independent newspaper report of this reads: “The organisation, in a message issued by its Publicity Secretary, Engr. Oyakemeagbegha Ezonebi said the INC was highly elated by the emergence of Okowa, describing him as a humble, listening, and visionary leader, whose experience is needed at this critical time in the history of the country.

“INC commended the Presidential candidate of PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and the National leadership of the party for seeing and appreciating the sterling leadership qualities of the Governor, assuring them that he would not betray the confidence reposed in him.

“The foremost Ijaw group called on the South-South region to accept Okowa’s emergence in good faith and work with him to restore the lost glory of the Niger Delta region.” Ironically, it must be noted that Kpokpogri, as we have been informed, is an Isoko man from Delta State in the Niger Delta.

And in his delusion, Kpokpogri, Chairman of the ignoble ‘Anti-Corruption And Integrity Forum’, claims that the Delta State Governor has lost credibility. How? Of course, it’s now clear that it is he and his base organization that has integrity challenges, not Okowa. No one is buying into the emotional instability caused by a self-imposed trauma that he is displaying.

Indeed, no one is begrudging Kpokpogri of having his fancy of the APC Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, it is his cup of tea, and he is free to eulogize him as much as he wants. But he should not infuriate the sensibilities of knowledgeable Nigerians by addressing Tinubu in borrowed robes of “a unifier.” In Nigeria?

How much did he try to unify the people when Nigerians across the country continue to be assailed by the evil assaults of herdsmen who unleash terrorism on the people, killing, raping, maiming, and kidnapping of people? He should show Nigerians a record of even mere verbal interventions made by Tinubu to the clueless Federal Government of his ruling APC, and of which he is the National leader? How much concern has Tinubu shown to the plight of callers and the clamour for the practice of true federalism, and restructuring of the country?

When communities come under barrage of attacks by land grabbing herdsmen and people are displaced from their ancestral lands and homes and made refugees in their own country and made to live in IDP camps, where is Tinubu? Kpokpogri did not see the integrity question here because Tinubu is in the good books of his anti-corruption and integrity crusading forum.

Besides, it was expected that Kpokpogri’s ‘Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum’ should have been at the forefront in taking up Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu when on the eve of an election he brought bullion vans to his home to distribute money to voters to compromise them. Where was the anti-corruption crusader then? It is this type of selective anti-corruption and integrity forum work that has called to question Kpokpogri’s work.

It is therefore clear why many people understand his eccentric behaviour especially, his persistent and unprovoked attacks on the person of Governor Okowa. The Governor clearly read the issue very well; shunned his antics and treated such with ignominy. He should not delude himself that people don’t understand the undercurrent behind his gaudy spat against Okowa.

The people know and understand his silly pranks and luckily for him, one of them has fallen for his underhand social crusading antics to dole out a fee for his well-known puerile advertorial 419. Of course, some discerning Deltans will still remember how his attempt to blackmail a sitting Senator backfired, when the Senator, another wily character himself, reportedly refused bluntly, to succumb to a certain nefarious out-of-court arrangement, proposed by Kpokpogri and his accomplices.

One of the grounds on which the judge, in the subsequent EFCC prosecuted litigation against the Senator, dismissed the case, was reported by the Guardian Newspaper thus: “The court held that the evidence led by PW1 (Prince Kpokpogri) was based on a call from an anonymous caller, adding that he did not tender the documents supplied to him by the said caller, who was also never called as a witness to testify.”. This just goes to show how phony and mischievous these characters are.

Hear Kpokpogri again! “I make bold to say that PDP cannot win more than six States in the coming elections.” Oh, yea. Let him prove first that he has a voters card, and that his one vote will fetch the party he is canvassing support for, about 20 million votes. Then, maybe people will take him seriously.

The phony social crusader and anti-corruption activist talks about “humongous borrowings” and exhibited his lack of respect for facts. With all the real borrowings being made by the Muhammadu Buhari-led APC Federal Government, the bogus social crusader did not see the implications of that on the future of Nigeria and her citizens. It is convenient to throw his eyes elsewhere and pretend that the Federal borrowings don’t matter. What a social crusader.

No, Okowa is his headache and must be hacked down. And that a social crusader and an anti-corruption and integrity forum leader can talk about putting up a =N=20 million bet to any person who can challenge him that PDP would win more than six States, speaks volumes about the integrity of an integrity forum man.

Infact, why would an Integrity crusader be boasting of putting down =N=20 million on a ‘bet’ (gambling)? Where did he even get =N=20million to so confidently fritter away with on gamble in the first place? This just goes to reinforce the suspected sponsorship of ‘bullion van’ connections to this so-called crusader and the sad, warped and unfortunate mindset which now rules the integrity community and defines its crusaders.

If he thinks that PDP, because of the emergence of Okowa on the party’s joint Presidential ticket with Atiku Abubakar, cannot rescue Nigeria from the shipwreck that APC and its self-styled ‘National Leader’ has put the country in, then Kpokpogri should leave that for the electorates to decide. He should keep his rants and delusions to himself.

Truth is, Kpokpogri is not God. It is only God that blesses. And Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has been blessed by God to be on the joint Presidential ticket with the PDP Presidential Flag Bearer, Atiku Abubakar. it has happened, and this blessing, a thousand bellyaching Kpokpogris cannot change it.

This anointing cannot be broken, but is an anointing that will break the strangulating yoke of APC on Nigerians, because the scripture says: “No man can get anything except it be given him by the Lord.” This one has been given to Okowa; it is a blessing from God, and “He who the Lord has blessed let no man curse.”

This, as we always say in MSD, is the Simple Agenda.

MOVEMENT FOR STRONGER DELTA (MSD)