Delta State And The 2023 Governorship Question: Demebide Kicks

MattyDemesblog

There is intensified clamour travelling the length and breadth of the social media on who to take the governorship slot of Delta state in 2023 as many bidders across all ethnic groups in the state are sprouting, whatever nobody's interest should be relegated or subverted as a bad postulation.

Statistics available reveals that the Ijaw ethnicity is most oppressed, and the Delta Ijaws are not exception, known to have suffered political malignancy and  injustice in the genre of governorship in the state, and other perceptions. The  clamour is high against the zoning arrangement of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP which has been in the front burner of governance since the creation of the state from the defunct Bendel in 1991.

Delta state is made up of several ethnicities; Igbo, Urhobo, Ijaw, Isoko, and Itsekiri. Indisputably, Igbo, Urhobo, and Itsekiri have produced governors of the state while Ijaw and Isoko have been at the back wheels propellant to their aspirations. I do not understand the rationale behind the governorship zoning of the PDP which hasn't favoured the other cultural groups.

This is a clarion call on the Ijaws of Delta state to stand on their foot against all forms cajoling, other political jargons and arrangements that undermind the people's interest. But there are many questions that begging for answers, bearing our sincere preparedness for the race that lies ahead.

Comrade Jerome Demebide, a Niger Delta youth leader, and former Vice President, IYC Worldwide has expressed worries on how prepared and united the Ijaws are to dig it out in 2023. He further emphasised that Ijaw must have a united front and a consensus to project its bid to produce the next governor of the state.

It will be nice if other political parties are considered because we have many Ijaws as members of other parties. They should not be underestimated, bringing the leaderships on roundtable to chart a harmonious resolve for 2023, not excluding the business moguls, the traditional rulers and council of chiefs. They are also integral to this all-round-important decision for the entire Ijaw Nation, most especially Delta Ijaw. If this is done without the colouration of superiority over one another, then the question of who to be our consensus aspirant is answered behind the camera, then the Ijaw political ship will be sailing smoothly.

Birthday: To see Niger Delta prosper is a more fitting Celebration of my life-- Ojougboh

MATTYDEMESBLOG

The Acting Executive Director, Projects, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, has called on friends and well-wishers who are planning to celebrate his birthday, to rather pay a visit to the nearest motherless babies’ home or any similar charity centre, with a view to sharing whatever goodwill with the less privileged.

Dr. Ojougboh, whose birthday is on September 8, said it was more important to him that the less privileged in the society are uplifted and celebrated on such occasions, rather than the ostentation and media glitz which usually marked them.

The Acting Executive Director, Projects, who spoke at the new headquarters complex of the NDDC in Port Harcourt on Monday, said: “Many of my friends and associates are planning to celebrate me tomorrow. I understand that many of them are planning to take out congratulatory adverts in the media, to celebrate me on my birthday. While I appreciate the thoughts, I will prefer they use this opportunity to remember those who are in dire straits.

“There are many Nigerians, particularly in the Niger Delta region, who are facing various forms of difficulties. It has been my life’s calling, as a Christian and human being, to look out for the less privileged in our society. I always take time on my birthday to celebrate them. However, on this particular birthday of mine, I would rather want  everyone to join me in praying for their well-being, and in offering our widow’s mite in helping to improve their living conditions.”

Dr. Ojougboh noted that his work in the NDDC has further opened his eyes to the poverty and socio-economic hardship in the region and he will use the occasion of his birthday to rededicate himself to the service of the people.

“My work in NDDC must be geared to helping improve the living conditions of our people. After so many years of under-development and neglect, we are, as members of the Interim Management Committee, IMC, bestowed with the rare privilege to change the region’s narrative. We are determined to ensure that NDDC rises to the challenge and moral obligation of its mandate, to facilitate regional sustainable development.

“The Niger Delta deserves no less. Our people deserve no less. And tomorrow I want my birthday to be an occasion for deep reflections, for rededication to service of the region, the less privileged and humanity. To see the Niger Delta prosper will be a fitting celebration of my life.”

NDDC_UPDATES : OJOUGBOH TO CRITICS: "WE ‘ll NOT SUCCUMB TO BLACKMAIL"

MattyDemesblog

Dr Cairo Ojougboh has said that the Members of the Interim Management Committee, Niger Delta Developement Commission will not succumb to blackmail in its quest to ensure that the Niger Delta Developement

Commission is repositioned to actualise its needed mandate.

Dr Ojougboh who stated this through his Special Adviser (SA) on Media & Communication, Sir, Gabriel Choba, said the INTERIM MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE shares the same VISION of President Muhammadu Buhari to RESCUE the commission. He therefore, cautioned critics to be mindful of hate Speeches and be constructive in their criticism.

Dr Ojougboh in his words; “As an indigene of one of the Niger Delta states, a region that has been deprived of SIGNIFTICANT DEVELOPMENT over the years partly because NDDC which should have been the driver of DEVELOPMENTS in the region has been given to petty Politics. “I dare say the TIME has COME for us to embrace CHANGE for the sake of the people in the region who are subjected to untold Hardship.

Going further he said: “We are on the same page with Mr President that, the NDDC deserves to be RESCUED and REPOSITIONED; I am on the good side of history to partake in this worthy course, it is a responsibility and this exactly I will do.” he noted.

70th Birthday: Uloho sues for Urhobo unity, lauds Omo-Agege, others

MattyDemesBlog

Correspondent:

Ebifunlayefa Seriala

Ughelli -  Olorogun Austin Oghenevwogaga Uloho, yesterday, at his Ughelli country home, Ughelli North local government area of Delta state,  called on Urhobo nation to embrace unity of purpose as one undivided entity in order to take her rightful place as the most populated ethnic nationality in Delta State.

Uloho who made this call while speaking to newsmen during his 70th birthday ceremony, said it was high time the Urhobos' wake up and take her pride of place in the scheme of things instead of this syndrome of disunity that has eaten Urhobo so deep like a canker warm.

Uloho who was at a time executive member of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), umbrella body of Urhobo nation as 2nd Vice President General, lamented how Urhobo got into this, saying that until "Urhobo retraced her steps, it will continue to play a second fiddle because of the disunity that has destroyed them as a people".

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He pointed out that lack of trust and pull-him-down syndrome are the major challenges that had caused hatred, division and disunity in Urhobo nation and appealed to all leaders of class to consider Urhobo interest first before personal one as a family.

Speaking further, Uloho said, "We need to go back to the drawing board and see where we get it wrong, correct it and take our rightful position and this is why l want to appeal to our well respected leaders to keep politics aside and come to a round table and start discussing how we can reposition Urhobo for progress, growth and development.

While thanking God for his 70th birthday, Uloho used the medium to commend His Excellency, Deputy President of the Senate, Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege, Engr. Mathew Edevbie, the Chief of Staff to Delta State Government House, Chief David Edevbie, Ughelli North Council Chairman, Hon. Godwin Adode, St. Michael and Holy Spirit Reverend fathers who celebrated the thanksgiving mass and a host of others for celebrating with him.

"I was shocked when I saw the whole compound filled to capacity with people from within and outside Delta state and it gives me real joy seeing my people by me while celebrating my 70th birthday, it was a divine grace and thank God for his mercies upon me and my family."

My dream is to make FUPRE a world class University - Prof. Rim-Rukeh(Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun).

MattyDemesBlog

Prof. Engr. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh (FNES), is the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, FUPRE, Delta State   

In this interview with our correspondent, Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh, spoke on his 100 days in office and his dream to make FUPRE a World-Class University.

Ques: Prof, today marks your 100 days since you assumed office as the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, what would you count as some of your achievements?

Ans: My first 100 days in office have become the traditional yardstick of a leader's early achievements in office in the recent times.  

I believe that the first 3 months in any new leadership role is vital to listen and learn, and to start setting the stage for future successes.

On the 4th of May, 2020 I took over the mantle of leadership as the 4th substantive Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun and today marks the first hundred days in office.

And by the special Grace of God we have recorded some measurable achievements and thes wouldn't have been possible without our collective efforts.

In achieving this dream, we have to prepare a Blue-Print for Accelerated Growth and Development of the University. This document would form the major road map of the administration over the next five years.

   

Within our 100 days in Office, we signed two research related memoranda of understanding (MOUs). The first memorandum of understanding (MOU) is with WELTEK Research Ltd with the intent to carry out research that leads to innovation in petroleum refining and petrochemical industry 

The second memorandum of understanding (MOU) is with Onose Deep Oil and Gas Limited to promote technology transfer in technical areas in the Oil and Gas Sector. The MOUs formalized a long relationship between the two Companies and will result in several interdisciplinary projects over the next five years.

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Ques: We could remember vividly that while handing over to you, your predecessor did complained about poor funding of the institution, having resumed office, what is your take on it?

Ans: In Achieving increased funding driving, we have strategised on ways to increase funding to University by increase income from commercial activities by venturing into businesses such as; FUPRE Microfinance Bank, FUPRE Water, Animal Production Venture, Fisheries and Aquaculture, FUPRE Publishing House, and FUPRE Bookshop. 

Ques: So how do you intend to enhance the growth of the institution in Achieving the scope of the world class University?

Ans: We will achieving this by Attracting Regional/International Faculty and Students: And to this end, we have established “A Directorate of International Development” charged with the responsibilities of (i) Developing a comprehensive policy aimed at recruiting, retaining and supporting international staff and students.

Also, we developing strategic security plan critical for the smooth running of the University with plans to developing an international standard accommodation facilties for student and academic staff to promote engagement, promoting student exchange and teaching partnerships to joint research on global issues. 

In Achieving our set goals, we working towards Increasing University and Industry Relationship and today FUPRE have been admitted into the Education and Training Sectorial Working Group of the Nigerian Content Consultative Forum (NCCF) of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board. 

Ques: What are your plans in maintaining a cordial relationship with staff?

Ans; On Staff Matters and as part of our effort to hunt for academic talent by utilising a robust and transparent recruitment and selection process that would ensure that we recruit the right people into the right job at the right time, the recruitment process is on-going. 2020 promotion exercise is ongoing and we are presently concluding on the reward system for staff for the purpose of encouragement. 

Ques: There have been some shortcomings on the availability of space for staff, classrooms and others, so what will you do to addressing the chortag?

Ans: On Physical and Infrastructural Facilities, we have introduced the Policy of Naming University Facilities: The Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun do not have any tradition of naming University properties, academic and non-academic programs, and facilities in honor of persons or entities that have made important financial contributions to enable the teaching, research and public service mission of the University.   

However, today the policy for the Naming of University Facilities duly approved by the University Governing Council and the Finder’s Fee Policy: Available in the University is the policy for Finder’s Fee duly approved by the University Governing Council. 

Ques: As one and only Petroleum institution in Nigeria and Africa countries, how do you intend to secure synergy and a good working relationship that is cut across the board?

Ans: In order to increase partnership in our public private partnership (PPP) Built-Operate and Transfer (BOT) Model “A Directorate for Public Private Partnership” have been created.  Also available in the University is the policy for PPP based on Built-Operate-Transfer (BOT) duly approved by the University Governing Council. 

Examples of PPP projects available are; Construction of Cafeteria services for students, Construction of a building to serve as Senior Staff Club, Construction of a building to serve as Junior Staff Club, Construction of Post Graduate Students Hostel, Construction of Hostel for International Students, Construction of two Female Students Hostel (1000 Capacity Bed Space each).

Construction of three Male Students Hostels (1000 capacity Bed space each), Construction of ICT Building/Centre, Construction of Building to serve as University Printing Press, Construction of University Guest House, Construction of University Shopping Mall, Design and Construction of FUPRE Demonstration Primary School, Design and Construction of FUPRE Demonstration Secondary School, Construction of Building for FUPRE Business School and Construction of University Liaison at Abuja. 

Ques: What would you say on infrastructural development as you mark your 100 days in office?

Ans: There are a lot of on-going Infrastructural Development of the University by Federal Ministry of Education (NEEDS ASSESSMENT).

The on-going projects funded by the NEEDS Assessment fund are; construction of 1000 capacity University convocation arena, construction of 500 capacity University Auditorium, 750 capacity students hostel, sporting facilities and a number of classrooms and another on-going Infrastructural Development of the University by (TETFund)

is the Phase II College of Science and Phase II Entrepreneurship Building.

Also there is a vhange of Name of College of Technology and this is in line with the growing trend in the Engineering & Technology world, we have also received approval from the NUC for the change of our College of Technology to College of Engineering & Engineering Technology.  This will enable us expand our academic horizon into Engineering and Technology programmes.

Ques: Can you tell us some of your school academic programmes, both the new ones introduction?

Ans: We have prepared of the curriculum for the following academic programmes which includes Department of Petrochemical Engineering; Department of Natural Gas Engineering; Department of Computer Engineering; Department of Statistics, Department of Science, Laboratory and Technology and Department of Health, Environment, Safety and Security.  

Commencement of the College of Petroleum Management and Policy Studies and Department of Civil Engineering is awaiting regulatory approval. 

We have taken steps to prepare curriculum that will lead to the award of professional Master’s Degree in Engineering Management, Oil & Gas Management, m Environmental Policy and Regulation and Fuel & Energy.  

We have also taken steps to pursue programmes leading to the award of professional certificates in Supply Chain Management, Environmental Modelling Energy Finance, Pipeline Engineering, Environmental Corrosion, Environmental Risk Management, Process Safety Management, Environmental Scarcity and National Security, Carbon Capture Market and Climate Change Dynamics anGas Reservoir Improvement Techniques 

Also, Approved Research Policy

Within this period under review, we put final touches to the comprehensive policy that will guide the University researches and obtained approval from the University Council.

Ques: You have highlighted your vision but to achieve all these, what are your likely plans and challenges?

Ans: No doubt that as you make plans, there are likely challenges and the most and obstacle is from your house as many people around you will not want you to succeed but in this case, my staff and colleagues are all supportive.

When you make a plan and there are people who will be ready to fight you, it will be difficult for you to achieve it but in this University, I don't think there is anybody like that because they have keyed into my visions as they are very supportive to me 

In the area of finance, that is how are we going to source for funds is the only area we might likely have challenge but there are some good organizations that have confidence in us which we are going to approach and they will likely help us.

Ques: Sir you have talked about some new courses to commence in the University, what are  the process in place for accreditation of the new courses?

Ans: Like as I said earlier, introduction of new courses take process, the first thing is to prepare curriculum for the new courses to be taking to National University Commission (NUC) for approval. Before approval, there is what we call resources verification and that is what we are preparing for now.As I have said, we have prepared the curriculum for the new courses and programmes which we have sent to NUC.

In all the new courses, they were carved out from existing programmes and there are qualified lecturers for them. For example, Computer Engineering is from Electrical/Electronics Engineering which has Professors and Doctorates in the department and also Petrochemical Engineering is from Chemical Engineering where we have Professors of Chemistry and Doctorates in the department.

Again, we are now recruiting academic staff which are mostly competent persons in the field. From our advertisement, we have received 19,000 applications which are mostly Professors and Doctorates in the areas needed. I believe,by the time NUC will come for accreditation, there would be no problem.

PLANS TO RELEASE PROPAGANDA AGAINST NDDC FOILED: Deputy Senate President, House Of Reps Member, Tunji-Ojo, Others Fingered

Source:

Opera News Hub.

MATTY DEMES

The Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC yesterday raised alarm over alleged plans by the Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, House of Representatives Committee Chairman of NDDC Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and others to release a welter of propaganda and lies against the Commission and its Interim Management Committee, designed to derail efforts to strengthen the NDDC in order to meet its Mandate of the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region.

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In a Press release by the Commission through it's Director of Cooperate Affairs, Charles Odili, said over the past few months, the Niger Delta Development Commission has come under all forms of orchestrated and savage media and political propaganda, lies and attacks, designed to derail the investigations ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari into its activities in the past 20 years. 

He said; "These destructive attacks, spearheaded by powerful politicians from the Niger Delta who have being named as complicit in the wanton corruption and carnage in the NDDC, are intended to undermine, sabotage and ultimately scuttle the ongoing forensic audit".

"And these attacks, against the Commission and the Interim Management Committee, IMC, established by President Buhari to manage and administer the Commission during this investigation and audit, have continued unabated."

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The statement reads; "The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has received intelligence reports that the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on NDDC, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, have concluded plans to release a welter of propaganda and lies against the Commission and its Interim Management Committee, designed to derail efforts to strengthen the NDDC in order to meet its Mandate of the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region".

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"The Nigerian public should kindly disregard whatever this group intends to, and will, bring out today. The intention is clear and has remained so over the past few months: to raise questions about the integrity and intentions of the IMC in order to undermine the outcome of the forensic audit, as well as aspects of its result already made public which show a sustained and unconscionable looting of the Commission. We wish to reiterate that these attacks are dubious and full of lies."

It further read; "They are indeed part of efforts to legitimise the wanton depletion of the capacity of the NDDC to meet its Mandate to the Niger Delta region, and serve her long-suffering people. For instance, there are ongoing efforts by Hon. Tunji-Ojo to rationalise the 10 questionable contracts in Ondo State issued to him in recent past and backdated. Those efforts cannot cover the illegality of those awards."

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The efforts of co-conspirators and co-travellers in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs have failed in the past. This will fail as well. The Niger Delta Development Commission urges well-meaning and discerning Nigerians and the entire public to wait for the results of the forensic audit. The revelations in that audit, based on what is being unearthed already, will shake the Niger Delta region, and indeed, all of Nigeria, to its foundations. That is what they are fighting tooth and nail to undermine, sabotage and scuttle.

And this behaviour is at the bottom of the perennial under-performance of the Commission, which necessitated the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari that a forensic audit be instituted to clean the augean stable and restore the integrity of the Commission and its capacity to address the poverty in, and underdevelopment of, the Niger Delta region.

For instance, between Hon. Tunji-Ojo, the Chairman, Senate Committee on the Niger Delta, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi and the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the money allocated for the Anchor Borrowers Programme of the Federal Government to grow agriculture in the region was reduced from N10 billion to N200m in the 2019 budget. This has effectively undermined that programme, and considering the importance of building regional agriculture, creating jobs and wealth for the people, this cannot be excused.

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Also, the money allocated for the partnership between the Commission and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) was reduced from N5bn to N100m, while the money allocated for the three major hospitals in the region was reduced from N5bn to N50m.They were instead transferred to procuring plastic chairs and desks and phony training programmes which they have implemented in the past. The budget is there for all to see, study and investigate.

Since the establishing of the IMC by President Buhari, over 50 cases have been instituted against the Commission, to derail it and its activities, in this very important moment of strengthening and redirection. All the propaganda and lies unleashed in the past have failed and these will fail as well.

Be that as it may, the IMC has decided to ignore them, and their distractions, and move on, with the important task of overseeing the NDDC during its forensic audit, completing and commissioning the headquarters complex on Eastern Bye-Pass, Port Harcourt, as well as completing all regional projects of the Commission. The task of rebuilding the NDDC so that it can meet its obligation and mandate of developing the Niger Delta and improving the living conditions of the people is far too important to be ignored. The people of the Niger Delta region deserve no less.

NDDC: "The IMC is indeed a stroke that has broken the Carmel's back"~Comrade Mudiaga.

MATTY DEMES

Warri -  Human rights activist and member of  the  Warri Masses Conscious Group (WMG) in the person of  Comrade Mudiaga,  has advised the  good people of Niger Delta to be sensitive and beware of the tactics being used by corrupt politicians  to dent the image of members of the Interim Management Committee and other well meaning citizens that are working earnestly for the betterment of the region.

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Expressing himself  via a release to officials of MattyDemesblog dated Sunday 23rd August, 2020, Activist Mudiaga has stated that "despite the alledged eagerness of the some members National Assembly to thwart efforts made by the forensic audit team to investigate operations in the NDDC under the auspice of the Interim Management Committee (IMC), the IMC is  a God sent to NDDC as it as has helped to reveal several fund missappropriations , under the disguise of executing projects in the Niger Delta region.

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Further highlighted in his release, "it is evident with several revelations that several crooky individuals  has been using the Niger Delta Development Commission as  their  personal investment to loot away funds set aside to run the commission. But good a thing, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh(Executive Director of Projects,NDDC) who was appointed alongside others by Chief Godswill Akpabio (Minister of Niger Delta Affairs), is doing a tremendous work in order to checkmate how funds allocated for projects were being used  in the commission in tandem with projects executed". Hence, "i Comrade Mudiaga is advising the  people of the Niger Delta  region  not to pay attention to  dubious Politicians  bent on distracting the good works of the IMC by instigating the mind of the masses against the  Audit team(IMC)" he added.

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I would not fail to emphasize on the  medium used by some  politicians  to sabotage the Forensic Audits  activities, precisely by denting the mind of the populace in order to frustrate the efforts of the Honorable Minister Chief Akpabio, Dr. Cairo and the other members of the Interim Management Committee. For example, these individuals often penetrate innocent  minds via social media platforms like Facebook, Tweeter, Instagram and many others by posting fake allegations about the honorable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and the IMC.

But it's fortunate that the good people of the Niger Delta Region are beginning to discover these tactics most expecially with results achieved by the IMC despite the stones".He added.

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Further highlighted, "it is indeed disgusting to see  how some  members of the NASS have positioned themselves as  saints whose garments  are as white as snow, despite the unapproved state of the NDDC's 2020 budget, which can also be obviously streamlined to same people  trying to stop the smooth running of NDDC simply because they are the ones to approve it".

"Come to think of it, why was there a  sudden uprise in the issue of  misappropriation of fund against the IMC just as the Forensic Audits was  about to perk despite the commission's operation since the year 1999?. Or  would the National Assembly most expecially the bad eggs in the whole tell the good people of the Niger Deltans that they never suspect anything earlier rather pointing accusatorily fingers against the IMC because of the possible implicating task they were carrying out". 

"Ok, let me assume they are trying to play the balance and check by accusing the IMC; still, they never  mentioned anything about abandoned projects  all over the region prior the inception of the IMC. Is it not a clear indication of fowl play and  that the IMC has blocked most of their looting holes? Indeed.

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It is on this regard,  I encourage the people of the Niger Delta to keep on supporting the interim Management Committee(IMC) so as to enable them carryout the good work that has been assigned to them by President Muhammedu Buhari because the IMC is indeed a stroke that has broken the Camel’s back”.

"Meanwhile, i would not hesitate to use this opportunity to thank our able President, for not paying attention to their Fallacious deceptive tongues; rather giving the IMC the full support to keep on the good work", he concluded.