The leadership of the
Peremabiri Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Council Area of Bayelsa State, yesterday, denied the alleged diversion of the monthly grants and allocation of 60,000 litres of diesel to the community for power generation.
According to the community, though the monthly grants and allocation of diesel for power generation for the indigenes had been a source of contention among cabals and intra-communal conflict in the past, the current leadership has judiciously utilised the funds and built needed infrastructure in the community.
Chairman of the Community Development Committee, CDC, Progress Neverdie, who gave account of his leadership to the indigenes of the community, said the current leadership had so far utilised the funds provided by the oil companies operating in the area to provide basic amenities, including nine boreholes and renovation of schools in the community.
He said: “The current  leadership, upon assumption of office, met with stakeholders from the community to determine sources of revenue and devise a broad-based inventory of opportunities provided by oil companies operating in the area.
“We were resisted by some few cabals but they were rejected by popular opinion and demand of the majority.”

National Leader of
the Ijaw nation, Chief Edwin Clark, has said that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State and himself, have not endorsed any gubernatorial candidate and warned those campaigning with their names to stop forthwith.
Clark, who spoke when one of the governorship aspirants in the state, Obaisi Ovie Omo-Agege, paid him a consultative visit in his Kiagbodo country home, said: “We all have a stake in the state; Chief Clark alone cannot make it. Let me tell you, I cannot endorse you, but I can give you my blessing, the governor alone cannot do it.
“Recently, I sat down with Dr. Uduaghan and I told him that he alone, me alone cannot make the governor of Delta State, and I told him that those who are using our names should stop same. This state is not meant for rascals or people who never went to school and want to be governor, it will not be allowed.
“I have said that I do not want to make any statement about the governorship position until Mr. President declares his intension to contest for a second term. So, if anybody comes to tell you that I, Chief Clark had held his hand to meet Mr. President, that is a lie.
“We all have a stake, when you come to me like this, I’m an old man, I will give you my blessings and tell you go and fight, meaning go and fight in the primaries.
“I have said it, when you are 70 years and above, you are at you departure lodge waiting for your boarding pass. That was what I told them at the national conference when they said Clark you are too old; I stood up and I told them I’m 87 years.
“I waited but God refused to give me my boarding pass, and they said, ‘why,’ I said because God told me, ‘you are one of those that caused the problems in Nigeria and see that they are resolved before you come to me for your boarding pass.’

Engr Owyie Abonye (middle) exchanging views with Florence Kalio during the inauguration of LGA coordinators of Eastern Delta People Association at Delta Hotel, Port Harcourt. With him is Mr Ibidumo Asawo. Photo: Nwiueh Donatus Ken.

Elder statesman, Chief
Edwin Clark, has said that he has high regard for Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, because he is respectful and does not answer back even when he (Clark) abuses him.
“I have abused him (Uduaghan) many times, he never answered back; that is the behaviour of a well-bred person,” Clark told a governorship aspirant from Delta North senatorial district, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, who came on a consultation visit to his Kiagbodo country home in Burutu local government area.
He said that the governor’s reaction was contrary to that of a governorship aspirant (not Okowa), who organised people to take him to the cleaners.
“What did I say before he started organising people to abuse me, so Uduaghan is my son any day. What did I say, I said the President is going to re-contest in 2015; you (aspirant) cannot contest.? If you do, it will be unfair to the people of Delta State.
“They (Deltans) will be campaigning for a President, who is an Ijaw man and campaigning for a governor, who is also an Ijaw man and you want them to vote for the two of you?”
At the moment, he said Uduaghan was doing well and it was likely Deltans would give him a wonderful exit.
Chief Clark, however, said he had advised Governor Uduaghan not to sponsor any governorship candidate for the 2015 elections to avert the traumatic experience of his predecessor, Chief James Ibori.

Governor Godswill
Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State has advised youths to remain united and resist any negative influence that would expose them to any form of thuggery or criminality in the forthcoming general elections.
Stressing why the youths should accord themselves more prestige than being used by politicians, Akpabio said his administration had empowered the youths and promised never to relent in giving them a pride of place in the scheme of things in the state.
He maintained that he has carried youths along, as it is on record that 99 per cent of commissioners and council chairman in the state fall within the age bracket of the youth “even in the state Assembly from the leadership to the last person.
The governor gave the advice at Ibom Hall ground, Uyo, when Akwa Ibom youths publicly identified with the aspiration of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Udom Emmanuel, who is aspiring for the office of the governor of the state in 2015.
The youths, who sang solidarity songs through the streets of Uyo to Ibom Hall, venue of the Akwa Ibom Youth Day rally were met by several top government officials, including the representative of Akpabio.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Emmanuel Ibiok, the governor maintained that his administration had over the years built massive infrastructures in preparation for total industrialisation of  the state.
Akpabio, who said his administration granted the free and compulsory education to help build the youths and prepare them for the challenges ahead, urged them to support the administration to continue to enjoy other dividends of uncommon transformation.
The governor told the youths that genuine development could only take place in an atmosphere of peace and unity.
According to him, “when there is unity, there is strength and only in unity we can achieve prosperity, for united we stand and divided we fall, tribalism and ethnicity have been the monster which sets us back and we overcome them and never allow them to rear their ugly head in our midst again.”

Employees in the Federal
Civil Service in Akwa Ibom State have lamented the non-payment of parts of their salaries in 2012 due to a system failure in the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System.
It was learnt that the system failure had led to irregularities that resulted in some staff members either being overpaid or underpaid up to three months.
Some of the affected employees spoke with newsmen in Uyo recently, saying that in spite of assurances from the office of the Accountant General of the Federation to correct the anomaly, they were still being owed as the affected months in 2012 had not reflected in their current salaries.
A member of the group, who didn’t want his name in print, said they had complied with directives from their various offices for those who were overpaid to refund the excess, adding that the order had been obeyed for the sake of addressing the issue.
He said, “In January 2012, as a fallout from the new payroll system IPPIS, there was a massive system failure to the extent that some workers received two, some three months salary alerts in one month. Some workers were not paid at all while others were underpaid and others overpaid. Some were not paid for three months.
“Assurance came later that all the lapses would be rectified before May 2012. But then a circular came from the office of the AGF instructing all who received more than one month salary alert to refund the excess otherwise March 2012 salary will be withheld.
“Such people were asked to go to the office of the AGF or the Central Bank of Nigeria in the states and pay into a particular account and forward the evidence of such payment to IPPIS desk office in their establishments. While the process was on March salaries of such people who were withheld.
“It is, however, regrettable to note that some of us even after having fulfilled all these conditions as far back as May 2012, our salaries are yet to be paid to us. This money is running into millions of naira and affected workers cut across almost all the ministries and MDAs.”
According to him, there were assurances that the unpaid salaries would be included in the 2013 budget, which was not done.
He revealed that with the proposed merger of agencies it could be more difficult for their unpaid salaries to be processed and refunded as some of the affected employees have retired.
He said, “In 2013, we were told that the money has been returned to treasury and it has to be included in the budget for it to be released, but 2013 budget has since been approved and nothing in this direction has been heard from the AGF office.
“More disturbing is the fact that workers in some of the agencies affected have retired, some are about to retire while some agencies will go into merger with other agencies making it even more difficult for us to follow the process.
“We are afraid that we could lose our hard earned salaries to another scam akin to the infamous pension scam and so we are calling on relevant authorities to address our plight.”

The Niger Delta Develop
ment Commission (NDDC), has tasked women to take up the role of maintaining peace and stability in the oil-rich region.
Managing Director of NDDC, Mr. Bassey Dan-Abia, who gave this charge during a one-day sensitisation workshop with the theme: ‘Women as ambassadors of peace and development in the Niger Delta region’, said women have the capacity to drive sustainable socio-economic development of the region.
Dan-Abia, who was represented at the workshop held in Calabar by the Cross River State representative in the NDDC board, Mr. Paul Adah, said women are key stakeholders in sustaining the peace in the region.
He said, “NDDC sees women as major stakeholders with great potentials of not just creating but sustaining the much needed peace for the development of the Niger Delta.
“The commission is determined to strengthen the capacity of women to create wealth and promote peace, thereby creating a conducive and secure atmosphere for the development of the region.”
He said before now, the commission had worked with women in the region and conducted awareness campaign on breast and cervical cancer.
Dan-Abia also disclosed that the commission had also facilitated partnership with Shell Petroleum Development Company to empower 2000 rural women and young girls with various skills.
“We intend to carry out awareness campaign to discourage child trafficking and violence against women and further equip them with other skills through career and entrepreneurial fairs,” he assured.
In his address, the Cross River State representative in the board, said without peace it would be impossible for the region to produce oil, adding that this would have adverse effect on the people and the country’s economy.
Adah commended Governor Liyel Imoke for ensuring peace in Cross River State through various initiatives.
He said, “Cross River is a model state because Governor Liyel Imoke has consistently worked for peace through various outreach and programmes with a view to sensitising and empowering women to perform this role effectively, peace is the panacea for growth and development of any society.”
Also speaking after the workshop, the state Director of NDDC, Mr. Frank Isaiah, said the workshop was organised because the commission had recognised that women were an integral agent for the sustenance of peace in the region.
He disclosed that over 100 women benefited from the sensitization workshop, assuring that the participants would  further pass on the campaign in the rural areas.

Youth President of Kpean Association, Mr. Petaba Donalolson (right) decorating Menebua Kenwigbana III, HRH Mene Barile D. Yornah with wrapper during the funeral service in honour of Late Elder Ezekiel Deebom Yornah, recently. Photo: Chris Monyanaga

Delta State government
has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two foreign firms in a bid to improve its solar power projects.
The state Commissioner for Power and Energy, Hon Charles Emetulu, said government had decided to cut off middle men in its solar power business to deal directly with the firms- Skypowers of Canada and Fast Energy of Saudi Arabia to provide 1,000 megawatts (MW).
Emetulu told newsmen that the state needed at least 2,000 megawatts of sola power.
According to him, most of the installed solar in some parts of the state were no longer functioning due to roles played by middlemen, adding that “having realised this, we decided to cut them off and get these items directly for the benefit of our people.”
The commissioner said the state rural electrification efforts had remained consistent as the Rural Development Agency (RDA) had continued to extend more power lines to improve the living conditions of communities.
Emetulu said the state investment in the three distribution companies (DISCOs) operating in the state was to protect the citizens of the state, adding that the gains would be ploughed into the rural areas where the DISCOs might not reach.
Meanwhile, as the electricity consumers in Delta North await the commissioning of the 330KV Asaba sub-station, the people have called on Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to commence the rehabilitation of its facilities in the areas.

Bayelsa State Governor,
Hon. Seriake Dickson has signified the intention of his government to procure the new e-passport for civil servants in the state as part of their social welfare packages.
Governor Dickson stated this at the Nigeria Immigration Service in Yenagoa, while flagging off the new electronic passport exercise, that was recently launched by the Federal Government.
He emphasised that, the move was part of the welfare package for civil servants and would assist them travel outside the shores of the country, especially to embark on pilgrimages and other purposes.
In this words: “We have a robust policy which would be implemented very soon. All workers in the civil service in Bayelsa State will have their e-passports at no cost to them so that when the need arises they can travel out; they can go on pilgrimage and use it for other purposes. And it will also support the institutions and systems that we are building.”
Governor Dickson remarked that the modalities would be worked out between the Nigeria Immigration Service and the office of the Bayelsa State Head of Service, stressing that the various ministries would take turns in assisting workers acquire the passport from the service.
The governor also urged all officials of government as well as people of the state to take advantage of the newly introduced electronic passport, which took effect from the 1st of last month.
Governor Dickson, who was issued a new e-passport at the occasion, said he was impressed with the process as it took less than 5 minutes to obtain one and commended the service for the reforms undertaken to enhance service delivery.
Highlighting some of the features of the new e-passport, the Comptroller of Immigration Service, Bayelsa Command, Suleman Wunti, said the document is durable and gender-friendly.

The Federal Ministry of
Agriculture and Rural Development has flagged-off this year’s Poultry Value Chain Growth Enhancement Support (PVC – GES) Scheme of the Ministry to assist farmers in the State, to be self-sufficient in poultry production.
The ceremony which took place at the premises of the Cross River State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, witnessed a large turnout of poultry farmers from across the eighteen local government areas of the State.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, represented by the State Director of Agriculture, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. (Mrs.) Asibong U. Bassey, expressed delight at the large number of farmers present and ready to key into the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme of the Federal Government.
The Minister said that the Agriculture Transformation Agenda of Mr. President was geared towards creating an enabling environment for farmers to be self sufficient in poultry production, through the constant supply of farm inputs.
Dr. Adesina, added that, the poultry value chain distribution was not meant for political farmers, stressing that  all inputs were highly subsidised by the Federal Government.
Earlier, in a welcome address, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. James Aniyom noted that the exercise was meant to increase the productivity of the poultry farmers, adding that  the essence of the Growth Enhancement Support scheme was to enrich  the farmers  through the provision of subsidised inputs.
He thanked the Federal Government under the leadership of President, Goodluck Jonathan, for making this exercise possible and called on farmers to learn how to keep records for better output in their businesses.
The Desk Officer, Poultry Value Chain (PVC), Dr. Gidado Muhammed, noted that, Cross River State was one of twenty-seven (27) states benefitting from the programme this year.
Dr. Muhammed informed the farmers that the PVC, in collaboration with Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), and other stakeholders would soon come up with poultry industry standards in breeder farms, hatcheries, poultry feeds, and deed milling, poultry processing and processing plants, poultry drugs, vaccines and biologics.
He advised the beneficiaries to strictly follow the professional advice given to them in terms of feeding, vaccination and treatment of their birds.

Bayelsa State Government
has urged the National Council of Communication Technology (NCCT) to focus more on the development of Information Communication Technology (ICT) local content towards strengthening ICT infrastructure across the country.
Governor Seriake Dickson stated this in Yenagoa, while declaring open, the 3rd regular meeting of the NCCT, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Communication Technology and the Bayelsa State Government with the theme, “Mainstreaming ICT in National Development: Moving from Talk to Action.”
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd) Governor Dickson attributed the under-development of local industries to the over-dependence on the importation of software and hardware into the country, which he noted has inhibited the growth of domestic economic opportunities as well as capacity building.
Accordingly, he enjoined members of the council to deliberate extensively on broadband download performance, development of ICT in governance to promote accountability and efficiency as well as networking with major ICT companies.
While expressing optimism that, the highlights in the agreement between the Bayelsa State and Federal Ministry of Communication Technology would be adequately addressed in view of the economic benefits accruable to both parties, the governor also appealed to the council to discourage free access to what he referred to as, unholy websites by youths, as it would affect their moral standards.
In her remarks, the Minister for Communication Technology, Dr. Omobola Johnson recommended that, each state should hold ICT workshops, with the objective of creating awareness about the wealth of opportunities, that are derivable for youths.
Dr. Johnson, who said that, with the support of the Rockefeller Foundation, the Ministry would commence an ICT programme in all the 36 states, noting that about 500 to 1000 youths would be trained in each state, noting that upon the completion of the training, the Federal Ministry of Communication Technology would in collaboration with state governments, establish a monitoring framework to assess revenue generated and jobs created from the programme.
Also speaking, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Science and Technology and Manpower Development, Deacon Ndutimi Komonibo, expressed the hope that, Bayelsa would become a global ICT hub, when the MoU it signed with the Federal Ministry of Communication Technology and Broadband Council is concretised to make the State one of the Smart States Initiative.
Highlighting the efforts of government in ICT infrastructural development, Deacon Komonibo said, a state of the art ICT building known as, the Centre of Excellence, in line with the world ICT infrastructural facility practices was ongoing, building and equipping of ICT centres across the 8 local government areas, implementation of the E-governance project, installation of surveillance cameras in security management, deployment of ICT in educational institutions among others.

Chairman Gokana Caretaker Committee of Rivers State, Mr. Sylvester Vidin (3rd right) and members of the committee, after their screening by members of the State House of Assembly in Port Harcourt, recently. Photo: Chris Monyanaga

The Cross River State Secondary Education Board has officially taken over Reverend Ejemot Academy of Presbyterian Church of Nigeria (PCN) Emin–Ebol in Itigidi, Abi local government area of the state.
Governor Liyel Imoke was said to have given the approval for the takeover of the school through a letter with Ref No. MOE/S.010/Vol. VI, dated July 11, this year.
Speaking at the hand over ceremony, the Acting Board Chairman and Board Member 1 in the Secondary Education Board, Prince Sunday William Awara, lauded the State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, for taking education to the door steps of those who need it most.
Prince Awara stated that with this gesture, the children of Emin-Ebol, Itigidi in Abi local government can access education without tears, pointing out that education is the pivotal of all human endeavour.
With the hand over of Rev. Ejemot Eson Ecoma Memorial P.C.N Academy Emin-Ebol, the number of erstwhile community and privately owned secondary schools so far taken over by the state Government are now twelve.
The Acting Board Chairman appealed to the Presbyterian Church to liaise with the Cross River Geographic Information Service (CRSGIS), to demarcate boundaries of the school and the church.
In his address, the Minister In-charge of Presbyterian Church, Emin-Ebol parish and proprietor of the school, Rev. Ukweni Ogan Ukweni, said the school was established to immortalize the late Rev. Ejemot Eson Ecoma, adding  that the school which started on the 6th of February, 2012, with four students had a student population of two hundred and a staff strength of twenty including teaching and non-teaching staff.
Rev. Ukweni was full of praises for the children of the late Rev. Ejemot Eson Ecoma, for donating a six classroom block with offices which ameliorated the acute accommodation problem the school had battled with for long.
Highpoints of the event were the inspection of the existing facilities, signing of the change of ownership documents and the introduction of the new Principal and Vice-Principal of the school, Elder Azorgo Edu and Mrs. Celestina Alobo respectively.
The Secondary Education Board has already conducted interview for the teaching and non-teaching staff of the school.

Yenagoa Local Govern
ment Area, accommodating the capital of Bayelsa State has recorded a total of 18 cases of polio in eight months.
Mr Oya’a Diemebonso of the Disease Surveillance and Notification Unit (DSN) of the council stated this in Yenagoa recently.
Diemebonso, who explained that the 18 cases of the Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) were all recorded within the 15 wards, revealed that Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) is a disease condition mostly found in children, and leads to polio.
He disclosed in a radio announcement, that nine suspected measles cases and three Neo-Natal Tetanus (NNT) cases were also reported within the period.
Diemebonso described polio disease outbreak as a “threat” to society, and maintained that DSN was committed to checkmating any epidemic and promote quality healthcare in the local government.
He commended the efforts of World Health Organisation (WHO) on health development in the council, saying the establishment of 16 AFP Surveillance Facial Sites in the area was a step in the right direction.
“Yenagoa council has 15 wards and 16 functional WHO AFP Surveillance Facial Sites; the surveillance sites are both in public and private hospitals, clinics, and health centres in the communities.
“In these communities, we visit, gather information and capture data on diseases on a weekly and monthly basis, especially the epidemic prone diseases like cholera, lassa fever, measles, among others. So far, we have been able to report 18 cases of AFP, nine cases of children with suspected measles and three NNT from January till date.
“I urge clinicians and other health workers to support DSN officers and embrace the use of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) and other immediate noticeable diseases,” Diemebonso said.
He explained that the use of IDSR would go a longway in controlling any endemic in the area as well as the entire state.

Ahead of 2016 guberna
torial election in Bayelsa State, members of the State of House of Assembly have endorsed the  re-election bid of Governor Seriake Dickson by passing a  vote of confidence on his administration.
The Governor had during the last monthly transparency  briefing commended the various groups in the state for endorsing him for a second term, stating that, their request would be prayerfully looked into and responded to at the appropriate time.
Acknowledgement of the governor’s efforts at transforming the state, especially in the areas of human capacity building was attested to by the lawmakers during the Governor’s inspection of the re-modeled Assembly complex.
Impressed by the developmental initiatives of the Governor Dickson-led administration, the Deputy Speaker, Chief Victor Sam Ateki, in a motion, which was supported by Hon. Jonathan Obuebite, representing Nembe constituency 1, was unanimously adopted by other members of the House.
Chief Ateki, said “in the light of dwindling financial resources, Governor Dickson has performed creditably well beyond expectation in all the sectors of the economy and deserves a vote of confidence.”
Also, Speaker of the State Assembly, Hon. Konbowei Benson, assured that, they would continue to work with the executive arm of government to build a united, peaceful and prosperous state for the benefit of generations to come.
Commenting on the achievements, he called for the cooperation of members to enable the restoration government of Governor Dickson achieve more, noting that the number of people-oriented motions and bills passed would not have been possible, without their loyalty and dedication.
In their separate comments, Hon. Jonathan Obuebite, member representing Nembe constituency 1, Southern Ijaw Constituency 3, Hon. Daniel Igali, member representing Ekeremor Constituency 1, Hon. Agatha Goma, member representing Kolokuma/Opokuma Constituency 1, Hon. Tonye Isenah among others endorsed Governor Dickson for another term in office.
Responding, Governor Dickson expressed delight by their solidarity and support stating that, all arms of government were stable as “the days of politics of in-fighting in the Assembly were gone.”
According to him, “working together does not mean there will be no disagreements, but in doing so, you agree to move the state forward and in the past two and a half years, I have been a beneficiary of your support.”

Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and Gbenemene of Tai Kingdom, President Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers. HM King Godwin N.K. Gininwa (middle) his wife, Queen Grace Gininwa, other members of family and HM King Kaleh O.M. Obuge cutting the cake, during the thanksgiving service to mark the 75th Diamond Birthday Aniversary at Dr. Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt last Saturday. Photo: Chris Monyanaga

The Federal Ministry of Justice has called for an international collaboration between border countries in order to help them tackle organized crimes and other security challenges facing them.
Director, Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Barrister Akinlolu Akintewe, made the call in Calabar, during a workshop organized for ‘Prosecutors and Law Enforcement Officers of Nigeria on International Cooperation in Criminal Matters.
Our correspondent reports that the workshop was organized by the Federal Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Akintewe said that the workshop was organized to support the establishment and strengthen specialized units to investigate and prosecute various forms of organized crimes.
He said that the benefit of the collaboration would help in the fight against organized crimes, thus enhancing effective border checks.
According to him, the West African Network of Central Authorities and Prosecutors (WACAP) were created to strengthen the capacity of central authorities and prosecutors to combat all forms of organized crimes and impunity.
He added that the network would assist West African central authorities in developing contacts with their counterparts within and outside the region.
On the current security challenges facing Nigeria, the director called for a synergy between security agencies in order to help them win the fight against terrorism in the country.
Speaking,  the Cross River Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Attah Ochinke, said that the workshop was organized to review and provide the legal framework to approach criminal prosecutions and investigations from a global perspective.
He appealed to members of the public to avail security agencies with timely and useful information in order to help them curb the present security challenges.
Mariam Sissoko, a representative of UNODC, said that her office was working with the United Nation member states to help strengthen their response to preventing and combating organized crimes.
”We are particularly pleased at UNODC to work with the Ministry of Justice in Nigeria to build capacities for a more effective response to crime,” she said.
Sissoko said that an effective and independent minded investigators and prosecutors were necessary for a strong and effective criminal justice system in Nigeria.

The Delta Ministry of
Commerce and Industry says it has trained 350 young men and women and women on cell phone repair in the last seven years.
The Acting Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Pat Isichei, said this in an interview with newsmen in Asaba.
He said the ministry had been training 50 persons annually since 2008 and that the beneficiaries were evenly selected from the 25 local government areas of the state.
He said that the training programme was to make them self-employed in accordance with the human capital development programme of the present administration in the state.
“We train the youths and women and at the end of the programme, provide them with accessories, tools and some cell phones so that they can start their own businesses.
“The starter packs encourage them to be gainfully employed and not remain idle because idle hands are inimical to peace and security,’’ he said.
Isichei said the ministry had been monitoring the performance of the beneficiaries to ensure that they effectively utilise the funds and equipment given to them.
He commended the state government for supporting the ministry’ initiatives to train and empower the youth.
Some of the beneficiaries said the programme had helped them to earn a living and thanked the state government for the gesture.
A secondary school leaver, Mr John Adigbo, from Sapele Local Government Area, said the training had changed his life positively.
“I am proud to be a cell phone repairer and I can tell you that the skill has helped to make some money to take care of myself,’’ he said.
Miss Susan Nduka, 25, from Oshimili North Local Government Area, a beneficiary of this year’s programme, said she was happy to have acquired the skill.
“We received good training and I call it additional knowledge which remains useful at all times.
“We have become technically self-employed; so when we receive the starter packs as promised by government, many, if not all of us, will start doing something,’’ Nduka said.

The National Vice
Chairman, South-South of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hilliard Etagbo Eta, has called for a halt to the constant threat to the Rivers State Governor.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, recently, he said the then police commissioner, Joseph Mbu, was allegedly used to harrass him and his political associates, the government had not relented in its bid to get at the governor by any means.
He said that Mbu recently bragged about how he was able to tame Amaechi when he was the police commissioner in Rivers State.
Eta also said the killing of Amaechi’s uncle was indicative that the sole aim of the killers was allegedly to kill the governor himself, adding that those close to the governor have been targeted for elimination and harassment.
According to him, Chief Marshall Harry is still fresh in the minds of the people of the South-South, lamenting those alleged to be involved in the murder, Abiye are still walking free.
He noted that the strength being garnered by the opposition, APC, in Rivers State and the South-South region made the PDP to become jittery which was why, it had been trying to create chaos in the state and the region.
He added that the PDP was fighting a lost battle against Amaechi.
The APC chieftain also said the recent allegation of Boko Haram sponsorship against some personalities close to the government by the Australian negotiator and the way the federal government was treating the matter was a confirmation of the unwillingness of the PDP-led administration to protect Nigerians and put a stop to the growing insecurity.

Governor Adams
Oshiomhole of Edo State, has described his mother, Alhaja Aishetu Oshiomhole, as “a strict disciplinarian’’ who gave him good moral upbringing.
He made the remarks  in Iyamho, near Auchi, on Saturdayat the launching of a book, “ Igovina Emosi.’’ a biography of Alhaja Aishetu Oshiomhole, mother of the governor.
The book was written by Mr Imuzeze Ofen-Imu.
The governor said that from his experiences with his mother, there was need for children to honour and listen to their mothers.
He said that his mother was a disciplinarian, who believed that sparing the rod would spoil the child.
He said that whatever he is today was the result of the upbringing he got from his mother.
He said that in spite of the strictness of his mother, “she is always caring and committed to humanity,” adding that he acquired wisdom from his mother.
Oshiomhole said that in spite of his age and status in the society, his mother still found time to advice, admonish and instill the right values in him.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Mr Donald Boi, described the governor’s mother as “a mother to all exemplifying truth, honesty equity and humility.’’
The Chairman of Esan North-East Local Government Council, Mr Sam Oboh, described Alhaja Oshiomhole as “a community mobiliser’’ who had been in politics long before her son.
The book reviewer, Prof. Marcel Okhakhu said the book chronicled the life and times of the mother of the Edo Governor.
He said that the book could be likened to a tale of two cities — Paris and London.
“It dealt with the life and times of Mama at Ayua, her native village and Iyamho, her village by marriage.’’
Okhakhu said the book chronicled Mama’s activities as a woman with leadership quality who was influential and pivotal in the affairs of Ayua.
About N27 million was realised at the book launch.

The Kalaba and
Ayambele communities in Bayelsa State, affected by the August oil leak from the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC)’s facility, have expressed concern on its negative impact.
Chief Roman Orukali, Chief of Kalaba community, who spoke for the two communities, noted that the effect of the leak on the residents was worrisome.
In an interview with newsmen in Yenagoa, Orukali appealed to the Bayelsa government to come to the aid of the people, saying that the spill had destroyed their farmland.
He alleged that the oil leak which he claimed was promptly reported to the company was left to escalate and pollute the environment.
“I got the information that a spill occurred along Agip pipeline across the Taylor Creek and went to the forest four days later and saw things for myself.
“From what I observed, I can say that it was not equipment failure; I noticed some freshly dug out mud around the spill point.
“I was highly annoyed because some people had destroyed our environment. We don’t know who must have caused the spill,’’ he said.
He, however, said he had warned his subjects against any act of sabotage and anybody caught would be handed over to the law enforcement agents.
“I am strongly against any act of sabotage because there is no gain in it; it rather destroys our health and means of livelihood.
“Besides, health is wealth; so if that wealth is destroyed, how can we take care of our children and other responsibilities.
“That is my stand on it and I will maintain it throughout my tenure as the paramount chief of the community,’’ Orukali said.
He further commended the officials of the state’s ministry of environment for showing concern and visiting the impacted sites.
It will be recalled that the Commissioner for Environment in the state, Mr Iniruo Wills, had earlier summoned Agip officials and urged the company to temporarily shut down the facility to forestall further spill.
The ministry also set up a task force to monitor oil spills in the state with the aim of enforcing compliance to existing laws on oil production in the country.
When contacted, the Manager of Media Relations of NAOC, Mr Filipo Cotalini,declined comments on the development.

Cross session of participants at the 2014 native and vogue Port Harcourt Internatioal Fashion week in Port Harcourt. Photo: Ibioye Diama

Governor Adams
Oshiomhole of Edo State has said that the state government will investigate the circumstances leading to the collapse of a church building in the state which killed one person and left two others injured.
Oshiomhole gave the assurance when he visited the site of the collapsed building at Christ Chosen Church of God and addressed the residents of the area.
He said, “my appeal to you all is that as painful as it is, we should avoid doing anything that will compound the problem as government will certainly investigate what happened, and if anybody is involved in criminal negligence, he or she will not be spared”.
“But no matter what anybody has done, government will take the necessary steps by carrying out a thorough investigation with a view to establishing if anyone is guilty or involved in criminal negligence and if there is, such a person will be prosecuted according to the law.
“Government has a duty to protect lives and property and I want to assure you that we will not cover up anybody. The fact that the Commissioner of Police has been here for hours alongside some very senior Police officers tells you the seriousness attached to this and when we begin investigations, the Commissioner of Police will be a witness, which will give credibility and assurance that justice will be done,” he said.

A social-political
organisation in Rivers State; the Pilot group has pledged to moblise the people of the State to support the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the forth-coming general elections.
The newly elected Chairman of the group, Barrister Asimia Opirite who disclosed this in an interview with newsmen during the inauguration of the executive in Port Harcourt said that the group would establish its presence in all the Wards and units of the state.
Barrister Opirite said that Bilboards declaring support for the All Progressive congress (APC) will be mounted at strategies positions across the State.
According to him, the Pilot group would mobilize its Local Government Executives to form a think-tank to campaign for the APC, stressing that after the elections the Pilot Group would also work with the government to ensure that fufilment of promises to the people.
“The focus is that APC shall win election and form the government and services will be rendered to the people.
The Pilot Group Chairman also used the occasion to Thank the leadership of the All progressive Congress in the State for its focused and purposeful leadership and pledge the support of the Pilot Group.
Also speaking, the outgone Chairman of the group, Hon. Hones Odum said that the group has come to stay, stressing that effort must be made to ensure that it made a difference in the politics of Rivers State.
The outgone Chairman also called on members to give the news executive the maximum support to enable its succeed.
The State Secretary of the group, Hon. Imie Benson Alpheus also called for support to both the group and the All Progressive Congress.