NO DTS 2337: DAY OF AFRICAN CHILD: OKOWA CHARGES CHILDREN ON RESPONSIBILITY TO PARENTS
NO DTS 2338: IKA NORTH EAST RESIDENTS TROOP OUT FOR YELLOW FEVER VACCINATION
NO DTS 2339: MICRO FINANCE BANKS URGED TO REPOSITION FOR IMPROVED PERFORMANCE
NO DTS 23340 MRAKPOR MAKES LIST OF 62 SUCCESSFUL SAN DESIGNATES
NO DTS 2341: YOUTH LEADER ADVOCATES PROPER MONITORING OF GOVT EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMMES
NO DTS 2342: AFIESERE RESIDENT MURDER IN COLD BLOOD
NO DTS 2343: SCAMMERS PRAWL CHURCHES IN UGHELLI, ENVIRONS
NO DTS 2344: MEKWUNYE: AN UNPARALLELED PATROIT
Editor: Churchill Oyowe
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NO DTS 2337: ASABA, NIGERIA, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2020
DAY OF AFRICAN CHILD: OKOWA CHARGES CHILDREN ON RESPONSIBILITY TO PARENTS
The Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has charged children in the state to be alive to their roles and responsibilities to their parents, family, community peers and the society at large.
The governor gave the charge at the occasion of the commemoration of the Day of the African Child, held at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba,
Okowa, who was represented urged by his deputy, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro, urged children in the state to report all cases of violence against them to the appropriate authorities closer to them.
The governor explained that the 16th of June annually was set aside in memory of the 1976 pupils’ uprising in Soweto, South Africa to remember the children, especially those killed in cold blood; to celebrate children in Africa.
According to him, the day was to inspire a sober reflection and action towards addressing the huge challenges that children in African face on daily basis., adding that the day was to ventilate on issues concerning the welfare and general wellbeing of the African child.
He added that the commemoration provides opportunity for government bodies, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders to give increase support to campaign and raise the awareness level of all stakeholders about the consequences and positive effects of ending conflicts and crises that affect children in Africa.
Governor Okowa while noting that the theme for the celebration, “African Child is Humanitarian Action in Africa: Children’s Right First”, said that it was most appropriate because of myriad conflicts and crises across the African continent.
He pointed out that humanitarian crises result from various factors or events, including natural disaster, man-made bloodletting resulting from armed conflicts, tension or human actions often lead to violations of children’s rights as a result of conditions, which made them vulnerable.
“These violations include non-provision of education, health or an adequate standard of living for children to enjoy their rights. The effect of these violation may affect boys and girls differently. Children in vulnerable situations suffer most from these crises,” he stated.
He emphasised that the day’s event was part of global efforts to elevate child protection agenda in conflict situations, including the guarantee of the protection and preservation of the lives and wellbeing of the child, arguing that the children were our hope, insurance and every country’s most valuable assets.
He called on all parents, guardians and concerned authorities to take note and show love, care, attention, protection and support to all children, explaining that they were the future.
The governor revealed that the state government had enacted a law on the Rights and Welfare of the Child to ensure that all children were protected at all times and that the state government was also committed to the protection and welfare of the children.
Earlier in an address delivered by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Mrs G. A Puegeren, commended Governor Okowa for his efforts at creating an enabling environment for the ministry to perform her role for the overall benefit of children in the state.
While appealing to humanitarian workers and the entire public to respect children’s right in all circumstances, she reiterated the resolve of the ministry, to continually champion policies and programmes aimed at promoting children’s rights and that of other vulnerable persons in our society.
The President of the Area Customary Court, Asaba and the Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, Mrs Lauretta Oki-Omezi, who delivered the only lecture of the day on the theme, called on schools to programme to report any case of violence against children to the appropriate agencies of government.
High points of the event include drama presentation by some of the invited schools, while students from the Infant Jesus Academy thrilled the audience to classical music.
Present, were the Senor Political Adviser to the State Governor on Political, Rt Hon. Solomon Funkekeme, permanent secretaries, and top government functionaries.
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NO DTS 2338: ASABA, NIGERIA, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2020
IKA NORTH EAST RESIDENTS TROOP OUT FOR YELLOW FEVER VACCINATION
By Ewomazino Egbo
Residents of Ika North East Local Government Area of the state has embraced the Yellow Fever Outbreak Response vaccination campaign organized by the state government through the Delta state primary healthcare development agency.
During an the spot visit to some Primary Health centres in Idumesah, Owa Oyibu and Akumazi wards in Ika North East LGA,the correspondent witness large turnout of eligible clients being vaccinated.
Speaking to one of clients who is also the Ward Development Committee Chairman of Owa Oyibu,Mr. Amos Agbodo said he is happy for government quick diagnosis of the ailment responsible for the deaths.
He added that he will mobilize and bring other community members to the vaccination post to be vaccinated.
On her part, Matron Eunice Odiase the focal person of Akumazi ward revealed that the community took ownership of the vaccination campaign.
She said in order to met the large turnout which exceeded their daily target coverage, the health teams had to extend vaccinating till night to ensure everyone is reached.
The Local Health Educator Mrs. Hope Nkechi attributed the high turnout to the mobilization and health promotion carried out.
The social mobilizer said town announcers, community mobilizers, rallies to market, letters to schools, mosques and churches and the use of influential persons are the strategies employed.
The vaccination exercise which commenced on Tuesday 10th November, 2020 experienced low turnout arising from a little scuffle when the youths of Ute-Okpu rejected the vaccination insisting that the deaths was occasioned by atrocity committed against the deity not a medical issue.
The situation was, howver, arrested with the intervention of influential persons of the community
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NO DTS 2339: ASABA, NIGERIA, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2020
MICRO FINANCE BANKS URGED TO REPOSITION FOR IMPROVED PERFORMANCE
By Agnes Eferusuoa
Micro finance banks in the state have been called to reposition their activities towards improved performance as they provide financial services to the economically active operation of the base of the income pyramid.
The call was made by the Executive Secretary, Delta State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency, Hon. Orezi Esievo today in her office when she played host to the Managing Directors of Micro Finance Banks in the state.
Hon. Orezi Esievo enjoined the Micro Finance Bank to see themselves as strategic partners with the Agency, saying that they should strive to drive the economy by adopting their due diligence process before disbursing funds.
She however expressed her displeasure with those banks who are yet to recover funds given to them adding that only banks who had recovered their loans would be used subsequently for disbursement of funds.
The chairman of the National Association of Micro Finance Banks, (NAMB) Delta state Chapter, who is also the Managing Director of Okpe Micro Finance Bank, Sir Couple Igbojie thanked the Executive Secretary for the meeting on the way forward.
Sir Igbojie emphasized that they would do their best possible to recover whatever money that was given to them in order for them to still be amongst those the agency would partner with to reach out to MSMEs in the state.
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NO DTS 2340: ASABA, NIGERIA, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2020
MRAKPOR MAKES LIST OF 62 SUCCESSFUL SAN DESIGNATES
By Onoriode Etatsemi
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Delta State, Mr Peter Mrakpor, has been selected as one of the recipients for the 2020 Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) tittle.
In a press statement made available to news men by the Public Relations Officer in the Ministry of Justice, Mr Onoriode Etatsemi, said a date will be announced for the swearing-in of the new sets of senior advocate designates.
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NO DTS 2341: ASABA, NIGERIA, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2020
YOUTH LEADER ADVOCATES PROPER MONITORING OF GOVT EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMMES
By Christian Ogoh
The Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Ika South chapter, Comrade Christian Izegede has called on the State Government to device measures of monitoring beneficiaries of various skill acquisition programmes to avoid unwholesome expenditure.
Comrade Christian Izegede made the assertion during an interview with newsmen in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area.
While commending Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for the many youth engagement and empowerment programmes such as YAGEP, STEP and others, he said “We have observed to our dismay that many the beneficiaries of such programmes either resort to sell their Starter Packs or refuse to continue with the job for which they were trained all because of poor or lack of monitoring.”
He was of the opinion that stiffer measures be put in place to check beneficiaries from defeating purpose of the empowerment programmes.
“Some level of sanctions should be metted on difualters in order avoid the wasting of tax payers fund,” he added.
Speaking further, the youth leader pointed out that there should proper documentation and follow of the beneficiaries among things to avoid double enlistment.
Comrade Izegede urged the appropriate authority to make public names of beneficiaries to enable recognized groups such as youth council to voluntarily monitor them in order to limit abuse of the privileges.
He however enjoined the over 5,000 beneficiaries of the various empowerment programmes to take advantage of the training to better their lives and those around them.
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NO DTS 2342: ASABA, NIGERIA, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2020
AFIESERE RESIDENT MURDER IN COLD BLOOD
By Balogun Mabamije
An Indigene of Agbarha Otor, one Mr Nyerhovwo, popularly known as CO, resident in Afiesere community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state, was at the wee hours of yesterday 12/11/2020 murdered in cold blood by three suspected armed robbers.
According to a close source who narrated the incident to our correspondent said that the robbers, forced their way into CO apartment through the back-burglary proof at about 2am and attacked him with guns and other dangerous weapons.
It was reported that the armed robbers, who were masked and had the wife of late Nyerhovwo tied hands and feet before going for the kill, were said to have a serious struggle with late Nyerhovwo for a long time, as the bullet fired at him could not penetrate his body.
It was gathered that while the struggle was on, one of the robbers used an axe to hit Nyerhovwo on the head, which bust open his brain with blood gushing out profusely.
To ensure that he was dead, the suspected robbers were said to have bundled Nyerhovwo’s lifeless body into the kitchen cabinet and locked it before escaping through the back door.
It was further gathered that before fleeing the scene of the incident, one of the robbers unsuccessfully tried to force the wife of late Nyerhovwo to transfer money from her husband account to them, because the wife had no knowledge of the husband’s account number.
However, while they were fleeing, luck ran out of them as the gun carried by the leader, Mr Godstime exploded, wounding him on both legs and when the other two saw that attempting to rescue him could be disastrous to them decided to abandoned him to die in the pool of his blood.
God’stime who was later discovered to be a close friend to the slain Nyerhovwo could not survive due to the degree of Injuries sustained from the gun wound.
The corpse of the assassin which was lying at the front of a popular Pentecostal church attracted mammoth crowd.
Neighbors who were in pathetic mood over the gruesome murder of Nyerhovwo, disclosed that late Nyerhovwo, whose wife was said to be pregnant only did his traditional marriage two weeks ago and was preparing to bury his late father-in-law before meeting with untimely death.
They apportioned blame to lack of supply of electricity to the area, saying that noise from power generating sets inhibited Nyerhovwo’s call for help, giving the armed robbers full room to operate unhindered.
Others who spoke to our correspondent described late Nyerhovwo, as kind-hearted person who fell through the hand of a jealous friend.
Commenting on the incident, the Vice President-General of Afiesere Community, Chief Okiemute Chikaleke, described the situation as pathetic and unfortunate.
Chief Chikaleke warned criminal elements such as cultists and ‘Yahoo Yahoo Boys’ residents in the community to shun criminality or pack out, saying that their time would soon be over.
Chief Chikaleke, who spoke through telephone with our correspondent, disclosed that the police had come into the scene of the incident.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeyan, said that it was a robbery incident and it was unfortunate that the person they went to rob was murdered but while they were fleeing the scene, angry mob descended on the armed robbers.
She said that they were able to get one of them whom they killed and recovered two cut-to-size guns and three expended cartridges.
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NO DTS 2343: ASABA, NIGERIA, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2020
SCAMMERS PRAWL CHURCHES IN UGHELLI, ENVIRONS
By Balogun Mabamije
As this year Yuletide season draws closer, while the economic crunch that hits the country in recent times continued to bite harder, activities of scammers have begun to increase in Ughelli and environs.
The church being easily swayed by such false hope have become a fertile ground for scammers to carry out their nefarious activities, as most of them, in their ignorance, are not able to separate facts from fiction thus become easy prey to the scammers.
Investigation carried out by our correspondent revealed that members of Anglican Church, Afiesere, in Ughelli North Local Government Area were already at the verge of being scammed.
According to one the members who spoke to our correspondent without mentioning her name, disclosed that one of the scammers who claimed to be a member of a Pentecostal church (name withheld), had been going from church to church in Ughelli and environs to scam unsuspecting congregations.
She disclosed that the woman scammer visited the Afiesere Anglican Church on Wednesday, 11/11/2020, during the weekly fasting prayer meeting to canvas for people to register with the sum 2,500 (two thousand five hundred naira) after which they would be given grant to the tune of N5, million naira and above.
The member said due to support gotten from some members of the congregation, many began to show interest and collected the form as they were told with assurance that the money would be paid before Christmas.
According to her, the scammer told them that the money was released by foreign governments to Nigerian government as grant to fight poverty but the federal government had sat on the money with a view to embezzle it, but as it were, the foreign governments had to force the Nigerian government to release the money.
The member who warned the general public to be watchful of “Greek gift” said some people who were not satisfied with the explanation of the scammer left in anger while others with the urge to get rich at all cost continued to jostle for forms.
Commenting on the incidence, Mrs Dora Oru, described the situation as wicked and evil for a Christian to defraud a fellow Christian.
Mrs Oru swore that people who took advantage of others for the benefit of their urge to get rich would one day face the judgement of God and advised Christians to shun greed and anything that could make them fall into the hands of fraudsters.
Another member, known in the area as Mama Esther, confirmed the story, saying that she was among those who picked the form but added that she was yet to fill it.
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NO DTS 2344: ASABA, NIGERIA, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2020
MEKWUNYE: AN UNPARALLELED PATROIT
By Julie Otoikhine
The management of the Delta State Liaison office Lagos, has organized a Service of Songs recently in Lagos to commemorate the life and times of late Mrs Helen Onuwa Mekwunye (nee Isibor), who until her death on October 26, 2020 was an Assistant Director Information (ADI) and head of the Press Unit, in the Liaison office.
The Director and Liaison Officer, Dr Anthony Nwokolobia giving his address at the solemn gathering said that Mrs Mekwunye was a woman of impeccable integrity and matchless modesty whose genial presence never failed to keep anybody that came close to her in cheers.
The director, quoting a popular saying, “If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead, either write a book worth reading or do a thing worth writing,” acknowledged that Helen did the later; saying she was humble, honest, diligent, composed in thoughts and actions.
“As a public servant, she was a patriot of unparalleled proportions” Nwokolobia said, adding: “She employed the power of the pen and sharp scholarship aptitude to galvanize support for innumerable state government policies and programmes. Helen was simply good and devoid of all ethnic sentimentalism.”
The liaison officer speaking further said Helen celebrated her birthday in grand style and choose to join her creator the same month.
Quoting some scriptural passages, he however encouraged staff to be comforted that Helen had fought a good fight, praying that her soul through God’s mercy would rest in peace.
Earlier at the event, Pastor Mrs Princess Okotie, exhorted the staff quoting from 1 Thessalonian 4:13 that they should not be ignorant concerning those who have fallen asleep nor sorrow as others who do not have hope.
She said that Helen was a dedicated child of God who was very committed to God’s work and impacted a lot of people positively.
Okotie challenged the staff to be strong and also live a dedicated life to God so that they all would meet again at the resurrection.
Special presentations were made by Council Club members led by Mr Felix Okade (Assistant Director Admin) and the Press Unit led by Pastor Julie Otoikhine (Assistant Director Information), who in her address titled “The Bond we shared” recalled how closely they had both worked together in the office and also encouraged others to be happy, as Helen would always desire of everyone.
The service of songs featured hymns, scriptural readings and tributes from different staff amid sorrow and tears; who turned up en-masse to honour their colleague and friend. It was indeed a solemn sight.
Helen Mekwunye would be finally laid to rest on the 27th November, 2020 at her home town, Boji Boji Owa, near Agbor, in Ika North East Local Government Area.
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