Delta Governor and Vice Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Tuesday, said his administration has accessed N30 billion out of the N150 billion that it applied for from a financial institution under the ‘Bridging Finance’ facility.

Okowa disclosed this while answering questions from journalists shortly after inspecting the Koka flyover and Interchange, Stephen Keshi Stadium, the Leisure Park and Film Village as well as the Dennis Osadebey University, all in Asaba.

He said N25 billion out of the N30 billion ‘Bridging Finance’ loan already accessed by the state government had been deployed into some ongoing projects while the remaining N5 billion was channelled into the payment of pensioners in the Bureau for State Pensions and the Local Government Pensions Bureau.

According to him, local government pensioners were not under the state’s purview, adding that the money (N2.5 billion) was given to them as grant from the state government.

“On the Bridging Finance, as at today, we have only been able to access N30 billion of it and we have deployed it into various projects.

“We also have directed that N2.5 billion from that N30 billion be given to Bureau for State Pension and a grant of N2.5 billion to the Local Government Pension Bureau to help off set pensioners debt.

“Local Government Pensioners are not under us but it is an assistance in grants to help soften the monies being owed local government pensioners,” Okowa said.

On the level of work at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, the governor said he was impressed with the pace of work and called on the contracting firm to redouble efforts so as to complete the various projects before November 24, this year.

He said Delta was set to host the National Sports Festival without any hitch, stressing that the upgrade of sporting facilities in the stadium was to meet international standards and advised those peddling fake news on the collapsed structure to base their reports on facts and not hearsay.

“We were also at the stadium and a lot of work is going on there. They have reassured me that they would be out of that place by the 24th of November.

“And I pray that they are able to do that because the games would start on the 30th of November. We are able to see the main bowl and the tracks that are being replaced.

“You also noticed that the swimming pools, the main one and the warm up one have gone very far. There is also additional spectators stand which I am told will be ready in another week from today.

“The two indoor sports halls is where I have my fears but I have been reassured that by the 24th of November, they would both be ready for the games,” the governor said.

At the Dennis Osadebey University, the governor commended the contracting firms handling various projects in the institution for maintaining standard, pointing out that the vision of his administration was to ensure that the state owned tertiary institutions surpassed other universities in the country in terms of infrastructure and quality manpower.

‘We have also seen the Faculty of Agriculture building and the auditoriums, 500 seater and the two 250 seaters. They have informed me that by the end of the year, they should be through with the project.

“By the end of December, Dennis Osadebey University will be wearing a new look. You recall that when it was approved as a university, it looked more like a secondary school.

“But the difference is gradually being seen today. As we walked passed, we could see that the Vice Chancellor and his team have moved into the administrative building which was just completed,” he added.

On the Koka flyover and interchange and the Asaba Leisure Park and Film Village, Okowa said the projects would be ready for use before the end of the year.

He said the Koka flyover and interchange would, on completion, address the perennial human and vehicular traffic at the Koka Junction while the Leisure Park and Film Village would stimulate sustainable tourism development in the state capital.

Deflating the opinion of those who said nothing has been done in the riverine communities, the PDP Vice Presidential Candidate reeled out major projects executed by his administration to include construction of roads, bridges and other infrastructure that had brought a new dawn to oil bearing communities.

“The opposition will always look for something to say. I have heard them say that nothing has been done in Asaba and even Delta State as a whole.

“And I begin to wonder if they are blind or they have not gone round Delta State. Some of these things could be very annoying and most times, I do not respond to them.

“But occasionally, one needs to. I have just been briefed that the oppositions are trying to go to the riverine areas to see if some of the projects I have mentioned are true.

“And you all know that these projects are true because you travel with me. The Vice President of this country has also come several times, to inaugurate projects deep down in the rivers,” the governor said.

He, therefore, advised critics to uphold integrity and truth in their campaigns, affirming that nothing would derail him from attracting equal development to all parts of the state.

The Governor was conducted round the various projects by the representatives of the contracting firms as well as some members of the State Executive Council.

Delta to empower 5,000 artisans in 2023 – Okowa

As part of deliberate measure aimed at extricating Deltans from poverty, Delta State Government, on Tuesday, said it would scale up the number of Artisans in its empowerment programme from 2,500 to 5,000 from the 2023 fiscal year.

Delta State Governor and the Vice Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ifeanyi Okowa made the pledge while speaking at the 2022 Empowerment Day for Delta State Chapter of the Artisans Association of Nigeria.

Okowa said the only way to grow the economy was for government at all levels, donor agencies and well meaning individuals to invest in the growth of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMSEs).

He said he was glad with the input of Artisans in the economic emancipation of the nation and pledged to rally round them in turning the fortunes of their businesses into viable enterprises.

“I am truly very glad that today, we are witnessing another day for the Artisans in Delta State.

“When I did come for the programme last year, I was truly very excited that the Artisans in Delta have been able to form themselves into a great association.

“I thank the Chairman and the various leaders of the artisan groups in Delta for accepting to come together. Because in coming together, you are able to build yourselves together.

“And in coming together, you have strength. Today, you are gathered here yet again and it is still another exciting moment.

“This country can only grow when we are able to lift our people from poverty, to a place where they can find a space and say of a truth, we are standing and are able to take care of our families,” he said.

According to him, 2,500 Artisans have so far been empowered for year 2022, emphasising that the number was doubled for next year because of the determined effort of his administration to kick poverty and unemployment out of the state.

Governor Okowa, therefore, reminded youths and artisans on the need to be committed in their businesses and career so as to get to the zenith of their desired goals.

He said more Deltans would be lifted out of poverty in the remaining days of his administration, even as he sued for the sustained support of all Deltans in building a stronger Delta.

“We must learn to lift our people from the very micro level and cause them to grow gradually but steadily to a state where they can say they have defeated poverty and it is a gradual process.

“I am sure that we understand that we have to work hard to commit ourselves to that gradual process of building ourselves and families so that with time, all of us will collectively defeat poverty.

“We are going to double the Artisans that are being empowered by the state government from 2,500 to 5,000 Artisans for year 2023.

“I thank all of you who are involved in one legitimate business or the other. As a government, we will continue to encourage our people and be a responsible government to them.

In his remarks, the Chief Economic Adviser to the governor, Dr Kingsley Emu said investing in artisans was a very viable project, pointing out that the Okowa led administration had created thousands of direct and indirect jobs in its empowerment programmes.

Dr. Emu disclosed that so many urban and rural communities have been connected with good network of roads and bridges which, he said, had culminated in the growth of businesses, just as he challenged artisans to maximise government’s empowerment programmes to grow their businesses.

Earlier, the State Chairman and National President of Artisans Association of Nigeria, Comrade Ifeanyi Abanum said the event was to thank the governor for the empowerment of its members and assured him of their unalloyed support in his political aspiration in 2023 and beyond.

In another development, the Presidents General of various communities in Delta State had earlier met with the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief Patrick Ukah where they endorsed the Atiku/Okowa joint presidential ticket

Highlight of the event was the presentation of award of excellence in good governance to Governor Okowa by the association and other groups.

Atiku’s economic policy will bridge poverty gap in Nigeria – Aniagwu

Spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council, Mr Charles Aniagwu says the party’s Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar’s economic policy document would bridge the widening gap between the rich and the poor in the country.

He said the economic blueprint captured in his manifesto titled “My Covenant With Nigerians” was carefully crafted as an antidote for the nation’s socio-economic and political challenges.

Aniagwu who stated this on Arise News said the All Progressives Congress APC-led government at the centre had so poorly mismanaged the economy with food inflation soaring to 23.72% in October 2022.

He said Atiku has the ability to head hunt for talents that could solve the nations multi-faceted challenges.

“Atiku’s economic policy is primarily to bridge the disparity between the have and have not in our country and to attempt to pull many Nigerians out of the poverty bracket.

“Atiku intends to do this by investing massively in the power sector which will help in reactivating the economy, reducing the size of government particularly at the federal level which is over bloated.

“He intends to channel such savings from the recurrent expenditure to capital expenditure to finance more infrastructural projects which will have more effect on the populace.

“Atiku is very concerned about the multiple forex regime and the non development of ports in eastern part of the country.”

He said another prominent feature in the Atiku’s economic policy document was to galvanise private sector participation in revamping a number of key industries that would create employment for our teeming youths.

Aniagwu who is also Delta State Commissioner for Information, said the Atiku-Okowa administration would implement the Oronsaye report to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in governance.

He further allayed fears on the disagreement between the party and the G5 leaders, adding that the PDP will win the 2023 election because Nigerians cannot afford a return of the APC that had mismanaged the nation’s economy and security architecture.

“Atiku understands the need to realign the party’s structure and offices but the timing is the issue. The presidential candidate is on the verge of resolving the lingering and critical issues with the G5 governors.

“The differences are being sorted out and you can see everyone is on the same page. We have made a lot of progress because the G5 are more determined for the party to win the next presidential election apart from the fact that most of them are still contesting in the party,” he added.

Widening poverty fuels insecurity in Nigeria – Okowa

Delta Governor and Vice-Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has identified alarming poverty rate, inequitable distribution of wealth as root causes of protracting insecurity in Nigeria.

Okowa stated this in his remarks as Chairman of the occasion at the 11th Zik Lecture Series with theme “Nigeria in the Throes of Insecurity Towards 2023: Any Panacea?” held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, on Wednesday.

He listed other contributory factors to the current state of insecurity in the country as absence of modern security architecture, easy access to weapons by citizens, lopsidedness in power sharing and corruption.

Other factors, according to him, are lack of accountability and unproductivity, weak criminal justice system, religious bigotry and intolerance and lack of respect for the fundamental human rights of the citizens by the government.

He commended the organizers of the yearly event for their steadfastness and drive to see a better Nigeria where every Nigerian was free to pursue his dream of success and happiness.

Okowa said that the Zik Lecture Series had become a renowned platform for rich discourses on the Nigerian project, in addition to proffering pragmatic solutions to the many obstacles on our path to peaceful coexistence, unity and sustainable development.

According to him, the security situation in Nigeria is a hydra-headed monster that has undermined public safety and is threatening the continued existence of Nigeria as one united and indivisible country.

“The surge in mass kidnappings, insurgency, banditry, herder-farmer conflicts, ritual killings and other acts of terrorism is, to say the least, frightening.

“The Global Terrorism Index for 2022 lists Nigeria as the sixth most terrorized country in the world. The Nigeria Security Tracker (NST), a project of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) of the United States, reported that 5,222 lives were lost to activities of violent non-state actors between January and June, 2022.

“Although we have dropped out of the top 20, Nigeria still ranks high – number 21 – on the list of the most dangerous countries in the world, according to the Global Peace Index 2022,” he said.

The governor remarked that it was obvious that widespread poverty in the country had fueled the fire of the protracted security crisis.

He said:”Experts agree that there is a strong correlation between increased terrorism and inequality and inequitable distribution of wealth.

“The widening gulf between the rich and the poor in our country is alarming. Equally alarming is the poverty rate, which stood at 40 per cent in 2021 and is believed to be around 45 per cent in 2022, which translates to 90 million citizens living below the poverty line.

“This has led to disenchantment and feeling of alienation among our teeming youth population, leading to rise in cybercrimes, kidnappings, ritual killings, and other violent acts that undermine public safety.”

He urged the Federal Government to take proactive actions to tackle the problem of herdsmen/farmers’ conflicts and banditry, which were fast becoming the greatest threats to national security and economic well-being.

Okowa called on politicians to play by the rules as the 2023 General Elections beckoned, adding that a credible electoral system was imperative for peace and security.

On his part, Anambra Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, represented by his Deputy, Dr Onyeka Ibezim, said that the state government would continue to identify with efforts to immortalise the late Nnamdi Azikiwe, a great icon of the state.

He called on politicians to embrace the political ideology of the late Zik of Africa aimed at putting the interest of the people above self.

Keynote Speaker at the occasion, Chief Mike Ozekhome, said Nigeria could only remain united when the government “respects the rights and privileges of component parts of the country”.

Ozekhome called on President Muhammadu Buhari to order the release of Nnamdi Kanu without further delay, saying that the continued detention of the IPOB leader would worsen the insecurity in the South-East ahead of the 2023 elections.

He said that the marginalization of certain ethnic groups in the country contributed to rising insecurity in the country,
cautioned Nigerians to stop selling their votes to the highest bidder.

Welcoming guests earlier, Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Professor Charles Esimone, commended the benefactor of the Zik Lecture Series for his endowment and for establishing the Institute of Legislative Studies in the university.

Benefactor of the Zik Lecture Series, Sen. Ben Ndi-Obi called on the Federal Government to pay lecturers their full salaries without further delay.

He urged the government to properly immortalise the late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe by declaring November 16 as “Nnamdi Azikiwe Day”.

The 11th Zik Lecture Series was attended by former Chief of General Staff, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (retd); Chairman of United Airlines, Professor Obiora Okonkwo; Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe and Obi Gibson Nwosu, Ezeuzu II of Awka.

2023: Delta PDP embarks on roadshow in Illah

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Illah Ward 3, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta, on Thursday, inaugurated the Ward Campaign Council and the Campaign Management Committee with a charge on members to deliver all party candidates in the 2023 General Elections.

The party also embarked on a unit-to-unit roadshow to sensitise members of the community on the need to support candidates of the party in the coming elections.

The Campaign Council has Dr Andrew Ilabor as Chairman while, Nelson Okonma, Frank Esenwah, Olisa Ifeajika are members and Victor Nsolo is Director-General of the Campaign ManagementCommittee.

Inaugurating the campaign council, Chairman of the Ward, Nelson Okonma, said the team was carefully selected for the arduous task of delivering the party’s candidates in the general elections.

He said that PDP was on a mission to rescue Nigeria from the downward slide caused by the inept All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government.

Responding, Ilabor said he was pleased to accept the task, which he described as a “call to duty”, and urged members to brace up for work which started immediately.

According to him, Illah has always been a PDP ward but going forward in 2023, we want to do better than we used to do before now.

“In achieving that target, we realise that everybody is important in this journey, so, after today’s road show we are going to embark on a house-to-house campaign at the cell level and at the unit level.

“We are going to track it until election day to ensure that we deliver 100 per cent and 5/5 for all PDP candidates in this ward,” he stated.

Also speaking, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, said God had made it possible for Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to emerge as the party’s Vice-Presidential Candidate and an illustrious son of Illah, Frank Esenwah as House of Assembly Candidate of the party.

He urged the people to support them and other candidates of the party to rescue, reset and rebuild Nigeria.

In his remarks, the Assembly Candidate, Esenwah, said he was delighted with the support from his home base and expressed optimism that PDP would win convincingly in the ward.