NO DTS 2205: #ENDSARS: OKOWA RELAXES 48-HOUR CURFEW, EXTENDS TO 6P.M-8A.M DAILY
NO DTS 2206: WE WON’T ALLOW HOODLUMS DESTROY OUR STATE – OKOWA
NO DTS 2207: SOLDIERS SUBJECT CURFEW VIOLATORS TO PACK REFUSE IN WARRI
NO DTS 2208: PFN DECLARES BLACK SUNDAY FOR SLAIN LEKKI ENDSARS PROTESTERS
NO DTS 2209: CURFEW: PEACE RETURNS TO UWVIE
NO DTS 2210: MACAULAY CANCELS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS IN HONOUR OF COVID-19, #ENDSARS VICTIMS
NO DTS 2211: FLOOD VICTIMS: AFE SOLICITS NEMA’S ASSISTANCE FOR FISH FARMERS
NO DTS 2212: NDOKWA EAST FLOOD INCREASES FISHING, RIVER TRANSPORT ACTIVITIES
NO DTS 2213: WARRI ELDERS COMMEND OKORODUDU FOR EVEN DISTRIBUTION OF CACOVID PALLIATIVES
Editor: Churchill Oyowe
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NO DTS 2205: ASABA, NIGERIA, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2020
ENDSARS: OKOWA RELAXES 48-HOUR CURFEW, EXTENDS TO 6P.M-8A.M DAILY
The Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has announced a relaxation of the 48-hour curfew which began in the state on Thursday, saying from Saturday, it would be from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m.
The curfew was imposed in the state following wanton destruction of public buildings and other property, including High Court Complex, Asaba and attack on Nigerian Correctional Service, Warri, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Office, Asaba, by hoodlums, who hijacked the peaceful #ENDSARS protest in the state.
The governor made this known while speaking to newsmen after inspecting the touched buildings and vandalized areas in Asaba.
He was accompanied on the inspection by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Hafiz Muhammad and Commander, 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Asaba, Brig.-Gen. Ibrahim Jallo.
“This morning, I received a comprehensive briefing on the security situation across Delta State from the three Service Commanders.
“Having analyzed the situation critically, I wish to thank all Deltans, particularly our youth, for complying with the curfew that was imposed two days ago.
“The current 48-hour curfew will expire by 6pm today Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020.
“However, from this evening (Saturday), the curfew will be in effect from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. until further notice. From Sunday, Oct. 25, people are free to move around and go about their regular activities during the day.
“I urge all the citizens and residents of our great state, Delta, to please remain calm, vigilant and law-abiding at all times,” he said.
The governor dispelled the rumour on social media that the state government was warehousing CA-COVID food palliatives at the Events Centre, Asaba, and said that all the food palliatives had long been distributed.
According to him, the state got accolades from CA-COVID for complying with the template prescribed for the distribution.
He said, “I came here this morning because of the information we are receiving on social media.
“I am aware that the food items have long been distributed in line with the suggested guidelines and they were given to 197 households in every ward in the 270 Wards in the state.
“Delta State, in keeping with our agreement with CACOVID, had long distributed our own and I am surprised that people were still spreading false information on social media displaying pictures of the CA-COVID items at the time when I personally launched the distribution.
“At that time, I allowed the press to take photographs of what was there.
“For my dear Deltans, the palliatives have long been distributed and Delta State has received accolades from CA-COVID for doing the right thing – the food stuffs were sent to every ward, and the most indigent people in every ward.
“So I came here to the Event Centre to let people know, as you can see, that there is nothing here and the Event Centre has already been prepared for a programme as it was meant to be used for.
“To all Deltans, there are no food items at the Event Centre and anybody who comes here for any reason, the security agencies should please treat that person as a criminal because there is no foodstuff here.”
Okowa announced that he would meet with youth groups in Asaba and Warri in a few days, to discuss further on ways to achieve the reforms being canvassed by #ENDSARS protesters.
He appealed to Deltans to protect public property from being destroyed, explaining that it would be a setback to the state to start rebuilding what was destroyed.
Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Chiedu Ebie, said that a total of 48,500 households were given the CA-COVID food palliatives in the state.
He said that a lot of youths had assembled at the Events Centre seeking to collect food palliatives, which they claimed were kept at the centre.
“They nominated three persons to come in with us to come and see for themselves that the Event Centre which had served as the warehouse for the CA-COVID palliatives that was sent to the state is now empty, cleared and now set up for use as an Event Centre.
“We received palliatives from CACOVID and we flagged off the distribution. We worked strictly with the guideline given to us by CA-COVID to ensure that the palliatives were distributed to the vulnerable persons in Delta State, and a total of 48,500 households benefited from the exercise,” Ebie added.
NO DTS 2206: ASABA, NIGERIA, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2020
WE WON’T ALLOW HOODLUMS DESTROY OUR STATE – OKOWA
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, today, Saturday warned that hoodlums hiding under the guise of #ENDSARS protest to perpetuate arson and destruction of public and private assets in the state would contend with the law.
He gave the warning while inspecting buildings and other structures torched Wednesday night in Asaba by hoodlums pretending to be members of #ENDSARS protesters.
Places visited by the governor were Koka Modern Leisure Park, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) office, both on Asaba-Benin Expressway and the High Court Complex on Ibusa Road, Asaba.
He said that he was in support of the reforms in the country being championed by the #ENDSARS peaceful protesters, and condemned the act of the hoodlums who hijacked the peaceful protest to loot, maim, kill and cause unrest in the state.
The governor called on residents of the state to be vigilant and also synergize with security operatives and the government in fashioning out ways to arrest and prosecute those behind the dastardly act.
“Unfortunately, it appears some people are not quite happy with the beautification we have done here and they decided to vent their anger and criminality on the gardens; they destroyed everything, cut down trees just to deface the city.
“It’s very unfortunate and you can see that a lot of damage has been done to the High Court that was set on fire.
“We also visited the FRSC Office and you saw the level of destruction there as well as the beautiful garden we put up at the Ibusa junction that was also destroyed.
“It appears that some people are not quite happy with the beatification and the level of development in Asaba, but it’s very unfortunate.
“I know that is not the intention of those who started the protest but the criminal elements among us have come in and tried to perpetrate this level of arson and violence.
“It’s obviously unacceptable, and our people must generally condemn it and I believe that even our youths, themselves, are quite unhappy with this.
“I urge our youths to stay vigilant because we cannot allow miscreants and criminals to destroy our collective will to develop this place,’’ he said.
The governor disclosed that he had made calls to those helping to supervise the Warri area, and said that everything was going on smoothly in the axis.
Commending the security agencies for being dutiful and professional, he said, “I will continue to appreciate the security agencies and our various community youth leaders who have risen up to the occasion.
“I also urge all our traditional rulers and opinion leaders to please call our communities up and ask them to defend our collective will and purpose to develop this state because we cannot allow people to conduct themselves in such a manner that will commit this level of arson that we have seen.
“We will continue to dialogue with our youths, those who meant well by asking for reforms, but for the criminal elements, the law will have to take its course.”
He urged the security agencies to ensure that the new curfew regime, dusk-to-dawn, in the state was enforced across the state till further notice.
NO DTS 2207: ASABA, NIGERIA, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2020
SOLDIERS SUBJECT CURFEW VIOLATORS TO PACK REFUSE IN WARRI
By Ambrose Ologide
As parts of punitive measures for not obeying the 48 hours curfew in Delta State, soldiers have subjected those caught violating the order in Warri to clearing of refuse.
Defaulting pedestrians were compelled to pack refuse with their bare hands while defaulting commercial tricycle (keke) riders were forced to load their keke with the refuse.
The area where such incident was recorded by our correspondent was Hausa Quarters by Warri-Sapele Road. Such incident was also recorded at Warri-Sapele Road by Cemetery Road Junction on the first day of the curfew.
Inspite of all these, some stubborn commercial bus (kpelebe) drivers and tricycle (keke) riders had their ways as they avoided the routes of the soldiers.
Most residents were compelled to do long distance trekking as there was an increase in transportation fares by the commercial vehicle operators.
Banks, markets, shops and stores were closed for business in all the places monitored by our correspondent.
Those who spoke to our correspondent in Warri on Day 2 of the curfew, prayed and hoped that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa should not extend the curfew.
NO DTS 2208: ASABA, NIGERIA, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2020
PFN DECLARES BLACK SUNDAY FOR SLAIN LEKKI ENDSARS PROTESTERS
By Balogun Mabamije
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Delta State, has declared tomorrow Sunday, 25th October, 2020, as “Black Sunday” in solidarity with the slain youths during the peaceful protest at the Lekki Toll Gate and all others that died in the course of the struggle to liberate our nation from the shackles of oppression, police brutality and corruption.
The Delta State PFN, in a release signed by the State Chairman, Bishop Kingsley Enakirerhi of the Heroes of Faith Ministry, Ughelli, and the secretary Bishop Willie Abos, and made known to our correspondent states, “The State Chairman of PFN Bishop Kingsley Enakirerhi has declared Sunday 25th October, 2020 to be Black Sunday in solidarity and sympathy with the families of those that lost their lives during the ENDSARS Protest.”
The statement directed, saying, “All leaders and members of pentecostal churches in the state are to wear black to church tomorrow, Sunday 25th, October, 2020, while church services are to close by 10:30 am.
It stated further that, members of each church should meet from 11-12 pm for prayers, drawn from 1st Thessalonians 5:18 and Rom.8:28.
According to the statement, the churches are to pray, thanking God for the protest and all that happened, thank God for the youths of this nation and thank God for the families of those that lost their lives during the ENDSARS protest.
The statement also directed prayers for a new Nigeria free from social vices and oppression, for a new and better constitution for the country, and for revival that will affect the nation and the world globally.
It equally called for prayers for the end and burial of nepotism, wickedness, bad leadership and killing by Boko Haram and usher in the celebration of a new Nigeria.
NO DTS 2209: ASABA, NIGERIA, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2020
CURFEW: PEACE RETURNS TO UWVIE
By Henry Aghoghovbia
Peace returns to Uwvie 24 hours after the curfew was imposed by the Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, as a measure to control the activities of the #END SARS protesters and the looting by hoodlums.
Our correspondent went to some parts of Uvwie and gathered that the curfew had brought peace to the local government as the Nigerian Army personnel were spotted in various junctions and roundabouts.
It was also observed that DSC Roundabout and the Effurun Roundabout where the protesters had camped for days had been taken over by officers of the Nigerian Army.
Other areas covered by the army included Jakpa Junction, Effurun Market, PTI Junction and Airport Junction.
It was also gathered that people were trekking to their destination as there were no vehicular movement, while those trekking were asked by the army officers to lift up their two hands as they pass by.
In some streets where the army were not stationed, there were vehicular movement and some shops were opened for business even as customers patronize them.
NO DTS 2210: ASABA, NIGERIA, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2020
MACAULAY CANCELS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS IN HONOUR OF COVID-19, #ENDSARS VICTIMS
By Stella Odika
The Director General, Warri, Uvwie and Environs Special Area Development Agency, Comrade Ovuozourie Macaulay, has canceled merriments and celebrations meant to mark his 60th birthday anniversary. He turns 60 tomorrow. Sunday, 25th October, 2020.
The cancellation of the celebrations is in deference to the present happenings in the country arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, Oleh nine killings in Isoko and #ENDSARS protests.
In a statement issued yesterday, Friday, Macaulay, a former Secretary to the Delta State Government (SSG) said: “Though my 60th birthday is worth celebrating, I am dedicating the day to the souls of my friends and all those who lost their lives to COVID-19, Oleh nine deaths and the Nigerian youths who are presently giving their lives in the struggle to give us a better country.”
As a result, he disclosed that there would be no formal celebrations on his birthday, and thanked everyone who had wished to be with him on that day especially outside Asaba.
He regretted the development, but stressed: “This time calls for sober reflection and prayers for our dear country, instead of celebrations.”
NO DTS 2211: ASABA, NIGERIA, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2020
FLOOD VICTIMS: AFE SOLICITS NEMA’S ASSISTANCE FOR FISH FARMERS
By Ambrose Ologide
The member representing Okpe, Sapele and Uvwie Federal Consistency, at the House of Representatives, Abuja, Hon Efe Afe has appealed to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to come to the aid of Ekpan Fish Farmers whose fish farms were destroyed by flood recently.
The federal law maker who made the appeal during his visit to the flood victims in Ekpan, Uvwie Local Government Area, assured that the NEMA would soon come to their aid as he assessed the extent of damage of the flood on their fish farms.
While sympathizing with the affected fish farmers, Afe who is an Okpe chief, disclosed that he received a distress call from the leadership of Ufuoma Fish Farm that the Ekpan River had overflowed into their ponds leading to the escape and death of their fishes.
Afe, a former member of Delta State House of Assembly, assured that he would as a matter of urgency, inform the National Emergency Management Agency, and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), with a view of providing funds to the farmers to enable them rebuild their damaged ponds.
He noted that most of the farmers took loans from banks to invest in the fish business and also called on good spirited Nigerians to assist them to prevent their business from collapsing.
Earlier, the fish farmers, led by Chief Joshua Ughere, lamented that they had over ten thousand fish ponds that were ravaged by the flood.
He commended Hon Afe for the visit and urged him to assist in attracting assistance from both the state and federal governments.
NO DTS 2212: ASABA, NIGERIA, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2020
NDOKWA EAST FLOOD INCREASES FISHING, RIVER TRANSPORT ACTIVITIES
By Edafe Ejohwemu
As road transport grinds to halt because of flooded roads forcing taxi drivers to park their vehicles, people are now left with the option of traveling by boats in Ndokwa East Local Government Area.
This has turned the boat garage into a beehive of activities as stranded goods and people are still being evacuated from flood ravaged communities in the local government area to Kwale waterside.
The major complain is that the cost of traveling by boat was about three times as high as the normal cost of traveling by road.
When asked why the transport fare by boat was high, the chairman of the boat drivers association in the local government, Comrade Lucky Onyia, said that the boats consumed more fuel to get to the various destinations than cars.
He said that they had to calculate the overhead expenses to fix price so that they would not run at a loss.
Fishing activities has also increased as the water level has brought with its multitudes of fish.
It was gathered that as the flood start receding the fish were caught in baskets, and nets along shallow valleys where the flood drains through.
This, our correspondent gathered, had caused the prices of fresh fish to reduced and created part time business for young ladies who got the fish from the fishermen at the waterside and return the money after sale and keep the gain.
NO DTS 2213: ASABA, NIGERIA, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2020
WARRI ELDERS COMMEND OKORODUDU FOR EVEN DISTRIBUTION OF CACOVID PALLIATIVES
By Temi Boyo
The Chairman of Warri North Local Government Council, Hon Aduge Okorodudu, has been commended by the elders of the various wards in the local government area for the effective distribution of CACOVID palliatives to all communities in the area.
The elders in Koko, headquarters of the local government, on behalf of other elders in the area, also lauded the step by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for the even distribution of the food items to the vulnerable in the state.
The CACOVID palliative foods items were made to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the vulnerable population of Nigerians.
The Koko elders said that the commendation became necessary as the move by the council chairman to ensure the even distribution of the palliatives, showed the passion and love he had for the people of the area.
They called on the good people of Warri North Local Government Area to support the administration of Governor Okowa