NO DTS 0339: GOV OKOWA SIGNS BILLS ESTABLISHING THREE UNIVERSITIES TO LAW
NO DTS 0340: DELTA STATE GOVT. THROWS MORE LIGHT ON AIRPORT CONCESSION, APPROVES CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS
NO DTS 0341: BE GOOD AMBASSADORS – ECONOMIC COMMISSIONER TELLS OUTGOING NYSC MEMBERS
NO DTS 0342: DELTA IPAC PASSES VOTE OF CONFIDENCE ON OKOWA, FUNKEKEME
NO DTS 0343: CAMPAIGN AGAINST DRUG ABUSE, CULTISM, OTHER SOCIAL VICES HITS THE HINTERLANDS
NO DTS 0344: PDP CHAIRMAN COMMENDS GOV OKOWA, PREDICTS UNPRECEDENTED VICTORY FOR PARTY IN LG ELECTION
NO DTS 0345: DELTA MARKS WORLD SCOUT DAY.
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NO DTS 0339: ASABA, NIGERIA FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021
GOV OKOWA SIGNS BILLS ESTABLISHING THREE UNIVERSITIES TO LAW
Delta Governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has signed three bills for the establishment of new universities in the state.
Speaking at the ceremony at the Government House in Asaba, the state capital, the governor commended the House of Assembly for the prompt passage of the bills.
The bills, which were presented to Okowa for assent by the Speaker of the Assembly, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, accompanied by his Deputy, Chief Christopher Ochor and other principal officers, were for the University of Delta, Agbor; Dennis Osadebay University, Anwai and the University of Science and Technology, Ozoro.
He recalled that the bills were sent to the House a few weeks ago and that in spite of prevailing challenges the lawmakers deliberated on the bills and organised a public hearing to have inputs of the general public on them.
He also thanked the Ministry of Higher Education for efforts in bringing the establishment of the universities to fruition.
The governor said, “I am glad that I have assented to the three bills today and I am thankful to the House for their usual cooperation.”
“We looked at a wide range of issues during our Education Summit and it became obvious that we needed to take certain actions as they affected the education of our people.”
“Our people are always in the quest for higher knowledge and every year, Deltans have one of the highest applications for university education across Nigerian universities,” he said.
He explained that the various higher institutions in the state were established because of the people’s quest for knowledge, adding that the new universities would help to consolidate the educational system in the state and create more spaces for others to gain higher education.
Gov Okowa explained further that out of the 25,000 Deltans that applied for university admission in 2020, over 20,000 qualified but only 4,000 were admitted.
“As the students of our technical education start to progress from the technical colleges to the polytechnics, they also have a chance of going further to the University of Science and Technology.”
“What we have done today is in the best interest of the state because it is a futuristic thing and people will come to appreciate it in the future. We believe that whatever actions we take, it is always in the best interest of the state,” he said.
On the concession of the Asaba Airport, the governor urged Deltans to keep faith with his administration as he was elected to govern the state in their best interest.
“We have been able to build the airport to the stage it is today and we thank the administration of former Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan for the vision of building the airport.
“Due to competing needs, it’s not possible for the state to continue with the development of the airport. We are beginning to spend more than we are able to get from the airport.”
“We went through a very rigorous process in getting a Transaction Advisor who led us through the bidding process before arriving at the consortium that won the bid.”
“Obviously it’s a lot of input that is expected from them and in the next three to five years, we will begin to reap the benefits of the decision.”
“Rather than making losses to the Concessionaire, beyond bringing the airport to our dreams, they are to pay the sum of N100 million yearly and 2.5 per cent of their annual turnover as royalty to the state.”
“Deltans should trust the government they have voted into power, even though we appreciate that people are entitled to their opinions.”
“We will continue to stand on the side of our people to do the right thing in their interest,” he stated.
Earlier, Oborevwori had said that the bills went through rigorous legislative processes to ensure that Deltans got the benefit of the enlarged and enhanced tertiary institutions in the state.
He said that the passage of the bills, especially for Dennis Osadebay University, would help to immortalize the late Premier of the defunct Midwest Region.
The speaker said that the House held a public hearing on the bills, where the views of stakeholders were aggregated into the passage of the bills.
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NO DTS 0340: ASABA, NIGERIA FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021
DELTA STATE GOVT. THROWS MORE LIGHT ON AIRPORT CONCESSION, APPROVES CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS
Delta State Government has said that the Asaba International Airport was not sold, but only given out on concession for a period of 30 years to make for its adequate upgrade into a world class airport by the concessionaire.
The Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, made this known while briefing journalists on the outcome of the meeting of the State’s Executive Council meeting, presided over by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in Asaba, the state capital.
Mr. Aniagwu said that under the concession agreement, the concessionaire would inject about N30 billion into the upgrade of facilities at the airport.
According to him, the concession became necessary as the daily operation of the airport would be effectively managed by private investors.
He disclosed that the process leading to the concession was transparently and objectively done in the overall interest of the state, saying that it would impact positively on the state economy.
The commissioner said the consortium that would manage the airport had the needed experience and expertise to effectively run the airport.
He also stated that the council approved the construction and rehabilitation of some roads across that state.
Some of the roads were Akeye Street and Ovedje Close both in Okumagba Layout, Warri South Local Government Area; Ajaji/Ofili/Nwaomu Road in Asaba, Oshimili South Local Government Area as well as the rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of Obi Ugbe Road in Asaba.
Aniagwu pointed out that the need for heads of agencies, commissioners and directors in the state to strictly enforce the COVID-19 protocols was emphasised at the council meeting, adding that the state government would be very strict in enforcing the protocols.
Giving more insight into the concession of the Asaba airport, Senior Policy Adviser to the Governor, Prof. Sylvester Monye, said that the decision, which took five years to achieve, was to turn Asaba into a commercial hub.
Prof. Monye said that under the concession agreement, the state government would get N43 billion as royalty, in addition to about N80 billion the government would also earn from the exercise as revenue.
He disclosed that the loss hitherto being incurred by the state government in running the airport had now translated into an asset through the concession.
While saying that no state in the country had the financial capacity to run an airport, the governor’s aide stated that the concessionaire “has all it takes to effectively and efficiently run an airport to international standard.”
On the bills for the upgrade of three tertiary institutions in the state to universities, the Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Patrick Muoboghare, said the signing of the bills by Governor Okowa was a boost for the takeoff of the institutions.
According to Muoboghare, with that, Delta State now ha four universities, two colleges of education, two polytechnics and a school of marine technology.
He explained that the schools were meant to create space for Deltans to acquire tertiary education, adding that the funding of the schools was captured in the 2021 budget of the state government, just as he said that the schools had the capacity to take off as universities.
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NO DTS 0341: ASABA, NIGERIA FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021
BE GOOD AMBASSADORS – ECONOMIC COMMISSIONER TELLS OUTGOING NYSC MEMBERS
By Shulamite Owhoekevbo
Delta State Commissioner for Economic Planning, Honourable Barry Gbe has, urged the outgoing National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in the ministry to be good ambassadors whenever they found themselves.
Honourable Gbe gave the advice during a sent forth party, organised by the ministry in honour of the outgoing Batch A Corps members, at the ministry in Asaba, the state capital.
in his speech, he admonished them to put all they had learnt in the ministry as well as skills they acquired during their one year service into meaningful use so as to lessen the burden of dependence on their parents because of the present economic realities in the country, adding that they should be assets for positive change.
Honourable Gbe who, was represented by the Director of Administration, Mr Sunday Omomefo, enjoined them to shun idleness and embrace high sense of productivity.
In their response, one of the outgoing corps member, Mr Muoghalu Francis, appreciated the commissioner and staff of the ministry for their hospitality and promised to put all the advice given them into judicious use.
The highpoint of the event was the presentation of award and gifts to the outgoing corps members who served tirelessly in the ministry.
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NO DTS 0342: ASABA, NIGERIA FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021
DELTA IPAC PASSES VOTE OF CONFIDENCE ON OKOWA, FUNKEKEME.
By Tebefia Ogbeni
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Delta State Chapter, has passed a vote of implicit confidence on His Excellency Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, The Governor of Delta State, for his managerial ability in bringing all political parties in the state together, irrespective of their different identities and political ideologies.
In a letter to the Governor in Asaba the state capital, dated February 18, 2021 and jointly signed by the State Chairman, Mr. Bidokwu Emeka, and the State Secretary, Mr Okorakpo Lucky, IPAC said: “We the entire Registered Political Parties in the State wish to express our profound appreciation to the Governor, His Excellency Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa for his magnanimous show of love and benevolence towards us as Partnering Political Parties.”
IPAC also passed a vote of confidence on the Senior Political Adviser to Governor Okowa, Rt. Hon Funkekeme Solomon, for his “administrative prowess in coordinating the eighteen registered existing political parties in the state.”
“We are pleased to inform you that the entire Political Parties in the State has absolute confidence on the person and office of Rt Hon Funkekeme Solomon as he has delivered beyond doubt in the partnering relationship which has been fruitful and has led to Synergy between the ruling political party and other political parties in the State,” IPAC said.
IPAC expressed hope for a better and improved working relationship in the years ahead.
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NO DTS 0343: ASABA, NIGERIA FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021
CAMPAIGN AGAINST DRUG ABUSE, CULTISM, OTHER SOCIAL VICES HITS THE HINTERLANDS
BY Duomo Owor
Delta State Government has again assured residents in the state of its strong resolve to stamp out drug abuse, cultism and other social vices in the state.
This assurance was given by the Director General (DG) of the State Orientation Bureau, Eugene Azuka Uzum Esq, when the sensitisation team of the bureau on Drug Abuse and Cultism visited some schools in Patani Local Government Area of the state.
The DG who spoke through Mrs Judith Wemembu, Assistant Director in the bureau, harped on the danger inherent in cultism, drug abuse and other social vices.
Uzum maintained that Drug Abuse was a killer of good dreams, robber of hopes and aspirations, and that it had thrown many potential leaders into prisons, early graves and asylum.
He urged students to desist from self medication and to always consult a specialist when sick, adding that they should stay away from friends who smoked or took hard drugs, like Marijuana, SK, Codine, Tramadol, Rexnor, Crack, Loud, Colorado, all of which, he said, were dangerous to human health.
The orientation boss, stated further the danger inherent in cultism in the society and institutions of learning, which he said was worrisome and enjoined students to reject membership of any cult group.
“Reject any invitation to join a cult group, don’t be intimidated, refuse peer group influence, be guided and focus on your studies to fulfill your dream in life,” he advised students.
He enjoined students to always report any person or group behaving contrary to the good conduct of their schools to the school authorities and be good ambassadors of their schools.
Schools visited were Bulou-Angiama Secondary School, Bulou-Angiama, Aven Secondary School, Aven, Government Model School, Patani, Agoloma Secondary School, Agoloma and Oporoza Grammar School, Patani, all in Patani Local Government Area of the state.
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NO DTS 0344: ASABA, NIGERIA FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021
PDP CHAIRMAN COMMENDS GOV OKOWA, PREDICTS UNPRECEDENTED VICTORY FOR PARTY IN LG ELECTION
By Magnus Emuji
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has been lauded for his unalloyed commitment towards giving Asaba the deserved face-lift towards making it a befitting and one of the best state capitals in Nigeria.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ward six Chairman in Oshimili South Local Government Area of the state, Comrade Uche Buggy Okocha gave the commendation in Okpanam while speaking on the forthcoming local government elections in the state.
He said that the Okowa Administration had impacted so much, not only on the state capital but all parts of the state, adding that Oshimili South Local Government was a PDP controlled council right from 1999 till date .
Comrade Okocha noted that his party, PDP would always win, not only in Oshimili South but in all other parts of the state following the strides the government had continued to sustain over the years, adding that the party had been redefined for effective service delivery under the watch of Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa.
He described the Oshimili South People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Ogbueshi Dada Okonji and the chairmanship candidate of the party for March 6 Local Government elections, Mr. Obi Kelvin Ezenyeli, as great leaders of the party.
The Chairman noted that the chairman and councillorship candidates of the party for the election were tested and trusted individuals that would drive the agenda of the party for the overall benefits of the people.
Comrade Okocha, who called on all residents in Asaba metropolis to vote overwhelmingly for the PDP, said that the party had continued to build on its strength over decades of its existence.
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NO DTS 0345: ASABA, NIGERIA FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2021
DELTA MARKS WORLD SCOUT DAY
By Chukwudi Asoya
Delta State has joined other parts of the world to commemorate the 2021 World Scout Day celebration.
The World Scout Day is marked yearly every February 22 worldwide by i members who are also called and Scouters.
The choice for the day came into existence as a result of the founder’s birthday (Robert Baden-Powell), born on February 22, 1857.
In an interview with the Delta North Scout Zonal Co-ordinator, Scouter Aniemeke Christophe, he said their aim and ambition for this years World Scout Day was to introduce and reintegrate all the basic and important activities of the Scout movement in Delta state and also to introduce Scout organisation in schools in the state.
He said they were in the state capital to enlighten Deltans on the importance of the movement and educate public on the importance of the Nigerian flag, adding that the national flag was supposed to fly from 8am, marking the beginning, till 4pm, marking the close of official work on a daily basis.
The Co-ordinator Delta North , Scouter Aniemeke, however, said in the period of emergencies, the national flag would fly at half mast.
He called on youths to shun all acts of criminality and cultism and urged parents to always support their children and wards financially in their education.
High point of the event was the presentation of posters with messages like “keep Delta state clean”, “say no to improper dumping of refuse”, “I love Scout”, “great Delta students, be prepared and say no to cultism and say yes to scout”, “keep Nigeria flag clean and uphold it’s rules”, etc.
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