Osuoza
Delta State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, has charged Information Officers to be diligent in the discharge of their duties, stressing that he would not tolerate indiscipline and laxity from staff of the ministry.
Dr. Osuoza gave the charge today while playing host to the executive committee of the State Information Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, led by its chairman, Comrade Kenneth Obieh.
While responding to issues raised by Comrade Obieh, the Commissioner enjoined the chapel chairman to encourage staff members of the union to take their jobs as government information managers seriously and project the image of the state government in a positive light.
The Commissioner further frowned at Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the state government who failed to utilize the services of Public Relations Officers sent by the ministry, saying that he would liaise with his colleagues to put a stop to the trend.
Dr. Osuoza promised to ensure that the relationship between the ministry of information and other MDAs of the state government was improved significantly in order to ensure the achievement of the MORE agenda of the Oborevwori administration.
Earlier, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, State Information Chapel, Comrade Kenneth Obieh assured the Commissioner of the willingness of members of the chapel to support the government of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori in achieving the MORE agenda.
Comrade Obieh however pleaded with the commissioner to intervene in the recurring issue of Chief Executive Officers of MDAs engaging their personal media aides form outside the Civil Service, when they had Qualified information officers assigned to their MDAs.
According to Obieh, “the ministry of information has some of the most qualified journalists in Delta State,” adding that lack of constant training and provision of basic work tools most times hampered their performance.
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The drive to eradicate polio in Delta State received a boost, Thursday, when the Commissioner of Information, Dr. ifeanyi Osuoza, pledged the Ministry’s readiness to deploy its information dissemination apparatus to sensitise Deltans and residents about the importance of polio vaccination and other immunisation programmes.
The Commissioner made the pledge to underscore the state government’s support for the polio vaccination activities of the Delta State Primary Health Development Agency.
Dr. Osuoza spoke when he received in audience the management staff of the Agency, led by Dr. Paul Yinkore in the conference room of the Ministry.
Pledging the Ministry of Information’s readiness to join forces with Delta State Primary Health Development Agency to bolster the ongoing Advocacy and sensitization campaigns targeting the total eradication of poliomyelitis in the state, Dr. Osuoza affirmed the Ministry’s dedication to supporting the agency’s efforts in health care delivery in line with the MORE Agenda of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
Addressing the delegation on the Ministry’s readiness to help propel the sensitisation drive, particularly at the grassroots, the Commissioner said: “If we do not get it right at the primary healthcare level, then we have not gotten it right. This is why I must appreciate the efforts you are already making. As the information Ministry, what we can freely offer is the sensitisation and awareness campaign.
“We will cooperate with you 100 per cent in this drive. We will sensitise Deltans and tell them the importance of polio vaccination and other immunisation levels. We will enlighten our people to counter misconceptions.
“Above all, we are doing this to actualise the MORE Agenda to benefit all Deltans.”
Osuoza pledged a holistic approach to the awareness campaign using both the new and conventional media (print and electronic).
Earlier, the Executive Director of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Paul Yinkore, commended the Information Ministry for partnering with the healthcare agency to realize comprehensive healthcare for Deltans through robust publicity.
He stressed the need to combat polio in Nigeria by immunizing the vulnerable population —children who are yet to celebrate their first birthday, adding that over 1.2m children have been targeted for the exercise.
‘’We have come to seek your support with media activities to reach the target. We do not want people to refuse our officials with the vaccines because the resources invested in this exercise are huge. Therefore, people should not allow this money to go down the drain.
‘’When we come out to vaccinate, the people should readily come out to accept the vaccine because it is good for our people. The sad thing about polio is that it is very destructive,’’ he said.
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N0. DTS 0325: DTSG SEEKS MORE PARTNERSHIP WITH MWAN TO IMPROVE HEALTH INDICES IN THE STATE
By Donald Ojebo
The Delta State Government has reiterated its commitment to continue to promote gender equity and inclusion and support policies that encourage women to achieve their full potential.
The Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, made this known, Wednesday, in Asaba, during a courtesy visit by the Executive of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Delta State Chapter.
He said the Ministry had watched with keen interest the activities of MWAN Delta State Chapter, especially as it pertained to women and children health and wellness.
“The Delta State Ministry of Health will involve MWAN, Delta State Chapter in our planned free medical outreach activities for year 2024 because we believe they have experienced and dedicated medical professionals that would be instrumental in addressing critical health issues affecting women and children in the State.”
Earlier, the President, Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Delta State Chapter, Dr. Olive Ogelle said the purpose of their visit was to formally introduce the newly elected and inaugurated executive committee, intimate the Commissioner with their activities, and to explore more areas of future collaboration with the State Government.
“The Medical Women Association is a not-for-profit organization that has been at the forefront of advocating for women’s and children’s health and wellness. With a network of experienced and dedicated medical professionals, the Association has been very instrumental in addressing some critical healthcare issues affecting women and children,” Dr. Ogelle disclosed.
According to Dr. Ogelle, several studies in the United Kingdom and the United States of America had shown that cervical cancer is largely preventable with timely administration of HPV vaccines to young girls before sexual debut, which the Federal government has keyed into and Delta State is also participating in the second phase exercise of the vaccine roll out scheduled to commence in May, 2024.
“Our Association is very willing to collaborate with the Ministry of Health by making available our resources in ensuring that together with the Ministry, there will be massive community mobilizations and awareness campaign with a view to ensuring a maximum vaccine uptake,” the MWAN president assured.
She used the medium to solicit the support of the State Commissioner for Health to facilitate an audience with Her Excellency, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, Wife of the Governor, for her installation as State Patron, which is in line with constitutional provision, just as the MWAN National President (2023 – 2025) a Deltan by birth, has expressed intention to be a part of the activity.
Photo: Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, Delta State Commissioner for Health (4th right), Dr. Olive Ogelle, President, Medical Woman Association of Nigeria, Delta State Chapter (4th left) in a group photograph during the courtesy visit by the Association on the Commissioner in Asaba recently.
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N0. DTS 0326: DEIN CALLS ON NDDC TO EQUIP CANCER TREATMENT CENTER, AGBOR
BY Okwudili Akaeze
The Dein of Agbor kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Dr. Benjamin Kiagborekuzi, has called on the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to help in equipping the Cancer treatment Center located at the Central Hospital, Agbor, as well as the entire Hospital.
The Dein, who was represented by the President-General of Agbor Development Union, Chief Larry Onyeche, at a one-day Sensitization Campaign on Cancer, organised by NDDC in collaboration with Gilbert Hills Commission, held at the Cancer treatment Center, Central Hospital, Agbor, called on the Management Board of NDDC to help in equipping the Center.
He said that the Center was built by Oak Lady Club in collaboration with Ebeano Super Market and donated to the Delta State Government and that the building has no equipment for the treatment of Cancer.
The Traditional Ruler also called on government at all levels, donor agencies as well as well-meaning individuals to help in equipping the Center as well as the entire Central Hospital, which lacked medical equipment, while also adding that the Hospital was also in dire need of manpower in both professional and non-professionals areas.
He encouraged the organisers of the Campaign to see how they could take the message of the campaign to the nook and cranny of Ika land where people lack awareness of the killer disease.
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N0. DTS 0327: PROPOSED ELECTRICITY SUBSIDY REMOVAL: NIGERIANS CAUTION FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGAINST MOVE
By Temi Boyo
Following the plan by the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to remove electricity subsidy, some citizens have called on the Federal Government not to go ahead with the move, stating that such move was ill-timed and could deepen the severe economic situation in the country.
The call was made during a random interview carried out by our public enlightenment officer to get the reaction of the populace as regards the issue.
Mr. Okofu Ubaka, a legal luminary from Koko community in Warri North Local Government Area, advised the present administration not to contemplate such move, stating it would be suicidal because of the country’s abysmal economic indices.
“One of the problems of the leaders of this country, present and previous, is the mindset of the International Monetary Fund, IMF, as an overlord, instead of just a financial institution to which the country is only but a member.”
“Our economic woes started when our leaders began to swallow the advice of that global financial body hook, line and sinker.”
“A plant does differently on different soil. Subsidy removal is at it optimal where all the economics indexes are above average.”
“For a country that is waist-deep in poverty, removal of subsidy of any form or kind is suicidal,” he said.
“Apparently, removal of subsidy is a loan conditionality. It makes economic sense to first improve on electricity generation and distribution before increase in tariff”
“Removal of subsidy on electricity when the sector is such a mess would amount to a faux pas,” he emphasized.
Also speaking, Mr. Tosan Otoritse, a business man urged the federal government to evaluate the prevailing circumstances in the power sector first.
“The policy will not meet its intended purpose because the country’s electricity sector has not experienced any significant improvement”
“Electricity distribution is epileptic in the country, basically non-existent in recent times, and now government is saying it wants to remove subsidy?”
“Such move will trigger severity in the present economic crisis in the country ” he maintained.
Another interviewee, a public affairs analyst in the area, Mr. Brown Mene, tackled the government on providing easy access to pre-paid metres for prospective electricity consumers before implementing the removal of electricity subsidy.
“Implementing the move without addressing the metering challenges is ill-timed and will be a case of defrauding the people without any regulation”
“It will automatically be a bad policy, which is definitely not appropriate in this period of harsh economic realities ” he added.
It would be recalled that the present minister of power, Adebayo Adelabu, had disclosed the planned removal of electricity subsidy in a press conference in Abuja, yesterday.
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N0. DTS 0328: ANIOMA NATION MOURNS PASSAGE OF ASAGBA OF ASABA, OBI CHIKE EDOZIEN
The Organisation for the Advancement of Anioma Culture (OFAAC), the umbrella body of Anioma Culture, mourns the passage of a Monarch par excellence, His Royal Majesty, Obi (Prof.) Chike Edozien, expressing grief that the Anioma Nation may never have a resounding, famous and brilliant Traditional Ruler like the Asagba of Asaba again.
In a press statement issued by Arc. Kester Ifeadi, President of OFAAC, he itemised a number of qualities that distinguished Asagba Prof. Chike Edozien as a rare gem among the personalities that occupied various thrones within the traditional Institution in Nigeria and beyond.
Prof. Chike Edozien was a foremost Professor of Medicine with a renowned and viable career in the academia before ascending the throne of his forebears in 1990.
Since that eventful ascension, he had remained committed to the ideals that bound the people of Asaba and Anioma Nation, nay Delta State and Nigeria together.
Part of that dedicated agenda for communal cohesion was the undiluted crave for a people rooted in and identified by their culture, and of course, his struggles and pursuits for an Anioma State, which as at today, remains a realisable dream.
Asagba Prof. Chike Edozien was a frontline member of the Board of Trustees that stood for the Organisation for the Advancement of Anioma Culture since inception, and he continued to contribute in no small measure, his ideas, suggestions and experiences towards its sustainability for the advancement of Anioma Culture and traditions. He had the inclination that Anioma Culture is foremost and should occupy a centre-stage in the world’s cultural landscape.
Arc. Kester Ifeadi, on behalf of OFAAC, stated that “We will indeed miss the royal steam and traditional vibes in terms of advice by the Asagba who truly acted as a father, a guide and a protector to us. He was roundly supportive of all our efforts and never allowed anything untoward come near us.
“He was one in a billion – a resounding world class academic and traditional cynosure whose footprints would remain on the sands of time for generations to reckon with. He was a legend whose life and times can never end by his transition.
“We in OFAAC will miss him dearly. Anioma Nation will miss his fatherly and protective role as a Traditional Ruler. Delta State, Nigeria and Africa will miss his unquantifiable experiences, anchored on peace, unity and development of his people,” OFAAC’s statement read in part.
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N0. DTS 0329: SPECIAL FEATURES: EU FUNDED SEARCH FOR COMMON GROUND PROJECT: OBOREVWORI POSITIONS DELTA FOR MORE PEACE
By Chukwudi Abiandu
It is an eternal truth that the needs and aspirations of the people of Delta State are many. But of utmost importance among them is infrastructure development, growth in human capital and improved social harmony. And these form the core of the mission of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori in Delta State for Deltans and residents in the state.
The importance of working for social harmony in any society cannot be over emphasized; it speaks about the enthronement of the valued atmosphere of peace among the populace.
This is the context in which the recent Delta State launch in Asaba of “A community–Centred Approach to Transforming Criminality and violence in the Niger Delta,” must be appreciated. At the Delta State launch of the project, the body language of the Governor showed clearly that he took a profound and rational decision in giving the State government’s support for the project to position the State for peace. And this aligned with his campaign promise in his meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms and Enhanced Peace and Security campaign promises to the people.
Informed opinions agree that peace simply means living in an environment devoid of hatred, where every corner is filled with love, care and respect; where conflicts are not left to fester but handled decisively and dissolved. In other words, it speaks to the point that peace is a way to achieve a better, happier and safer life for the human persons; it is a quest buoyed by a desire to live and live better.
It is therefore no wonder that Matthew McLaughlin opines that peace is a key component of sustainable development. He said: “A healthy business environment is important for development, and in conflict-ridden communities, business operations are disrupted due to the unreliable social services and the prevalence of social problems such as poverty, hunger and inequality.”
At the Delta State launch, the Country Director, Search for Common Ground, Mrs. Fatima Abubakar Madaki expressed gratitude to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and other state authorities for their exceptional support for the launch of the European Union funded project and commended the governor and his administration. The support, according to her, marked a noteworthy milestone in the collaborative endeavours to promote inclusive community security approaches and address the root causes of violence and criminality in the Niger Delta.
She said: “The project we gather to launch today seeks to foster inter-community collaboration around issues of social inclusiveness, lack of economic opportunities, and environmental degradation; to build trust and collaboration between communities and government and security actors for more participatory, community-centred security operations; to leverage arts and culture-based approaches to foster social cohesion between divided communities both online and offline; and to facilitate policy change to institutionalize community-centred security approaches at the local, state, regional, national and international levels.
“As we embark on this new project, it is crucial to recognize the profound impact of collaborative peace building efforts between partners, communities, governments, security agencies and the private sector, as well as the international community. Today’s launch therefore signified a renewed commitment to the vision of a peaceful Niger Delta, drawing inspiration from past successes and the resilient spirit of the communities we serve.
“Moreover, this transformative approach of Search and Partners aligns with the Delta State Government’s MORE Agenda, which prioritises the employment of young people through agro-businesses, and promoting MSMEs, multinational businesses and rural development with care for the physically challenged.
“The government’s commitment to curbing criminality in communities, as demonstrated in the government’s support to security agencies, assisting community services, recognizing traditional institutions and establishing a stakeholder forum for peace and security further highlights the important alignment between the efforts of the government and the project objectives, and also a crucial collaborative step towards building sustainable peace in our communities.”
Pointing out that the interventions and seeming alignments represent a bottom-up, inclusive and community-centred approach as well as recognizing the significance of community-led initiatives, Mrs. Madaki said Search for Common Ground therefore sought to empower and engage diverse stakeholders to contribute to the socio-economic development of Delta State, fostering a safer and more secure environment for all.
Seeing value in the European Union funded programme, especially as it is in line with his administrations MORE agenda of Enhanced Peace and Security, Governor Oborevwori expressed support for the European Union funded initiative, saying that the Delta state Government will continue to collaborate with various initiatives geared towards sustainable peace building and development in the Niger Delta for community-based peace architecture, youth employment and conflict resolution platforms.
Represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, Governor Oborevwori noted that the European Union funded projects were designed to impart knowledge, skills and attitudes in a systematic manner to achieve a renewed sense of civic responsibility in the target communities through the building of strong and enduring intra and inter-community relationships.
The Governor said: “This is obviously in tandem with our goal of enhanced peace and security through youth engagement and empowerment, creation of job opportunities through infrastructural renewal, and a new policy thrust in our education system that prioritises skills acquisition.
“One of the triggers of unrest and instability in any society is financial exclusion, lack of social cohesion and the absence of shared values.” For Governor Oborevwori, despair and discontent in the general populace bred trouble and should be tamed.
He commended the European Union and other partners for the programme, expressing confidence that the atmosphere of peace prevailing in Delta State will be greatly enhanced through these projects.
He said: “The European Union deserves applause for making their resources available to us in this regard. I must thank them for their interest and willingness to invest in 24 communities in Delta State, spread across 12 local government areas. This is a huge human capital development effort, and it is my expectation that those who will be entrusted with managing the different aspects of the programme will do their job with utmost zeal, dedication and integrity.
“I am persuaded that the ‘bottom-up, inclusive and community-centred approach’ of this project will inspire hope in our people, foster behavioural changes and give them a sense of belonging. It is therefore incumbent on the project managers to display the highest levels of fairness, transparency and accountability in the discharge of their duties.”
Also buying into the initiative of the EU funded project, the Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, who was represented by Hon. Bridget Anyafulu (Oshimili South) said the official launch of the project represented an important milestone in the quest for peace and socio-economic and political development of the Niger Delta.
Rt. Hon. Guwor, while commending Search for Common Ground and its partners and the European Union and Delta state Government for undertaking the project, also applauded the bottom-up approach to fighting crime, violence and building peace places great emphasis on the empowerment of youths within their respective communities.
The Speaker noted that in terms of development, the possibilities of the Niger Delta region are vast, if not limitless. The oil and gas producing region of Nigeria – Niger Delta – is the mainstay of the national economy, thus accounting for over 60 per cent of Nigerians’ revenue and foreign exchange earnings.
“The region is also rich in arable land for farming, water bodies for fishing, well-endowed with solid minerals, and a growing and well-educated and skillful populace capable of servicing a modern economy,” Guwor said, pointing out that with a wide array of bio-diversities, historical and cultural sites, cuisines and hotels, and a decent network of transportation by land, water and air linking the region, Niger Delta has enormous potential for development of tourism and to be a major hub for foreign investment. He also recalled that in the past, in terms of actual development of the region that the narrative was different plagued by widespread unemployment, poverty, youth restiveness, and herdsmen/farmers clashes, amid crimes of rape and killings of farmers by herdsmen.
Guwor continued: “All of us have now realised that if we do not want to lose this paradise, we must do something. The recent past governments, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) past governments of Delta State have been committed to eradicating crime, instability, and violence in the state, and have done remarkably well in addressing these issues. The same concern and commitment are reflected and represented in the Development Agenda of the Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Francis Oborevwori – the MORE Agenda, which has ‘Enhanced Peace and Security’ as one of its main pillars.
“The community and youth-centred approach to ‘addressing the systemic drivers of violence and criminality in Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers State’ is consistent with the vision of the state government and the yearnings and aspirations of the people of Delta State,” the Speaker said.
For him, this will complement the efforts of Delta State Government and facilitate the realization of the cherished goals of the government and people of Delta State for a crime-free, peaceful, inclusive, fair and sustainable development of Delta State.
What is left is for the people of Delta State to appreciate the support that the administration of Governor Oborevwori is giving to the European Union funded community centred approach to transforming criminality and violence in the Niger Delta States by cooperating to see the project succeed in Delta State for peace and progress of the state.
Chukwudi Abiandu is Media Adviser to the Honourable Commissioner for Information, Delta State.
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