Asagba of Asaba, Obi Prof. Joseph Chike Edozien takes a bow at 100

The Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Obi Prof. Joseph Chike Edozien has reportedly passed away at the age of 100. Edozien, who served as the 13th Asagba of Asaba, joined his ancestors on Wednesday, according to sources. The news of his demise spread throughout the streets of Asaba, with residents mourning the loss of their revered monarch. Edozien had recently commenced activities marking his 100th birthday anniversary, making his passing even more shocking for the community. While the palace has yet to officially announce the monarch’s passing, multiple sources have confirmed the sad news. Efforts to obtain an official response from the Palace Secretary, Chief Patrick Ndili, were reportedly unsuccessful at the time of filing this report. The death of His Royal Majesty, Obi (Prof.) Joseph Chike Edozien, marks the end of an era for the Asaba kingdom, leaving behind a legacy of leadership and service that will be remembered for generations to come.

Delta governor suspends commissioner, others

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori has ordered the immediate suspension of the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Omoun Perez. Also, the governor ordered the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Bennett Agamah; Assistant Director, Agricultural Engineering, Oki Yintareke; and the Chief Accountant, Gabriel Idiatacheko, “to proceed on compulsory leave until further notice in line with civil service extant rules.” The decision was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri on Wednesday. The statement explained that the measures became imperative, “following the outcome of the review of the implementation of the Greenhouse project by the state Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources.” The statement added that the decision was taken “consequent upon the interim report of the committee and in order to have an unimpeded access to information during the period of the investigations.” The statement read, “Oborevwori has constituted a seven-man committee chaired by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, to investigate the claims and perceived infractions related to the management of the scheme by the ministry. “The government’s action is in no way a presumption of guilt but rather a necessary measure to uphold the sanctity of the investigative processes already instituted which is to ensure that the investigation is conducted without any potential for undue influence or bias.” Oborevwori had assured the people of the state of his administration’s commitment to ensuring the completion of all ongoing projects across the state. He also pledged to initiate new projects for the sustainable development of the state, according to a statement by his spokesman, Festus Ahon.

Delta Government Unveils Telephone Reporting System for Project Accountability

The Delta state Government has recently introduced a proactive approach to ensure transparency in the utilization of funds allocated for the 2024 budget.  In a recent announcement made by Mr. Sonny Ekedayen, the State Commissioner for Economic Planning, the government has launched dedicated telephone numbers for Delta residents to report on the progress of ongoing projects within their communities. The essence of these telephone lines, as disclosed by Mr. Ekedayen in Asaba, is to supplement the efforts of the Ministry’s monitoring and performance evaluation team.  This initiative aims to ensure that all projects adhere to specified quality standards.   The provided telephone number, 09011862842, encourages residents to monitor contractors executing projects in their localities and submit WhatsApp messages with accompanying images or videos as evidence, without directly engaging or disrupting any ongoing work. Moreover, Mr. Ekedayen highlighted the upcoming year’s plans, distinguishing them from the distractions faced during the previous year due to election campaigns.  He emphasized the commitment of the Commissioners in driving the MORE agenda of the Oborevwori administration, stating that they had signed performance bonds with the Governor to ensure effective governance. Regarding the 2024 budget, Mr. Ekedayen emphasized the state’s determination to spend within the confines of the generated revenue without resorting to loans.  He stressed that the budget was organic and comparatively smaller due to its alignment with the state’s economic capacity. Explaining the funding sources, he mentioned that approximately eighty percent of the budget would come from the federation account, while the remaining twenty percent would be from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).  He projected a monthly revenue of N12bn, intending to boost the IGR to about N150bn, consequently increasing the budget appropriation figure for the fiscal year. The Commissioner sought the support and collaboration of the people of Delta, especially in monitoring projects and assessing their performance.  He assured that any reports received would be acknowledged, and the actions taken would be communicated to the respective reporters.

Delta State Government Assures On Improved Services in 2024 Budget

The Delta State Government is gearing up to deliver a more comprehensive and effective 2024 state budget that addresses the concerns of its residents. During a Zoom meeting, the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Sonny Akporokiamo Ekedayen, shed light on various aspects of the upcoming budget, which aims to enhance the lives of Deltans. Housing has been a significant concern for many residents, particularly students who have been grappling with the high cost of accommodation.  The commissioner pledged to address this issue by acquiring vast land and collaborating with developers to construct affordable housing options, with a particular focus on students’ needs. Road infrastructure is another critical area in the state, with complaints about the deteriorating state of the Efurrun Abraka Agbor road, which residents consider a safety hazard.  The commissioner assured the public that work is already underway to repair the road, emphasizing the government’s commitment to delivering high-quality infrastructure.  Although concrete construction was preferred, cost considerations led to the decision to use asphalt. Recognizing the importance of food security, the government plans to invest in farm settlements to make food more accessible and affordable for the people of Delta State.  This step is expected to have a positive impact on local agriculture and food supply. In addition to these specific areas, the 2024 budget will also encompass crucial sectors such as security and education, aiming to ensure the satisfaction of Delta’s residents. Commissioner Ekedayen urged the public to be patient and supportive as the new government settles into its responsibilities.  He said the Delta State Government is determined to improve the lives of its citizens through a well-rounded and people-centric budget for the upcoming year.

No court sacked Gov Oborevwori -Delta Govt 

Delta State Government, Thursday, said the Appeal Court sitting in Abuja did not overturn the election of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as speculated by the governorship candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Ken Pela and his supporters. This is following a rumour making the rounds that the Appeal Court had declared Mr Ken Pela as Governor of the state. Reacting to the rumor, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Festus Ahon, in Asaba, said the Appeal Court only ordered that the tribunal to hear the case.  Ahon in the statement said: “We have been inundated by reports from a section of the media that the Appeal Court had declared Mr Ken Pela of the Labour Party as winner of the 2023 Governorship election in Delta State.  “The report is nothing but fake news as the Appellate Court only ordered the tribunal to hear the case.  “From the results declared by the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), it was obvious that the Labour Party did not win the election therefore couldn’t have won in court.  “Our people came out in large numbers to elect Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and they are happy with him. We therefore urge Party faithfuls and Deltans to disregard the said reports as it was a concoction from the Labour Party and their followers.  “We also urge Deltans to remain calm. As at the time of the fake news, Governor Oborevwori was busy inspecting various ongoing projects within Asaba and its environs. He is focused on delivering dividends of democracy to the people of the state and would not be distracted by the rumour mills. “Our lawyers are studying the Appeal Court judgment with a view to taking necessary action,” he said.