I Was Neither Arrested Nor Detained The Executive Chairman, Ika South Local Government council, Delta State, Mr. Fred Ofume has refuted reports by some sections of the media, particularly the social media alleging that he was arrested recently by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad ( SARS) for allegedly ordering the demolition of the property of one Mr. Alex Ikpeazu valued at Over N100 Million. Addressing journalists at the weekend in his country home, Agbor, the administrative headquarters of the Council, Ofume, while describing the allegation as baseless, false and unfounded, said he has never been arrested by any law enforcement agency on any issue bothering on threat to life, malicious damage or any other misdemeanours acts as claimed by the report which according to him, originated from Sahara Reporters. Putting the records straight, the council boss said "It is true that the Council, Ika South Local Government council has been having crisis with One Mr Alex Ikpeazu o...

Rivers, Delta, Akwa Ibom get highest payment The Federal Government has paid the sum of N516.38 billion to states as refunds on over-deductions for external debt service.  If the governors make good their promises to pay the backlog of workers’ salaries, then there would be an unprecedented economic relief throughout the country in the days ahead.  The governors had at their meeting in Abuja, last weekend, promised to pay the backlog of workers’ salaries from the second tranche of the refund.  Rivers State topped the list with N34.925 billion, followed by Delta and Akwa Ibom with N27.606 billion and N25.981 billion, respectively. Gombe received the least refund of N8. 945 billion.  The Federal Ministry of Finance, in a statement by its Director of Information, Mr. Salisu Na’Inna, in Abuja, yesterday, said the payment was in line with the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari on November 21, 2016, in partial settlement of long-standing claims by state...

Google, Thursday, announced plans to train 6000 African journalists in data journalism skills by the end of February 2018. Google News Lab and the World Bank according to a press release are working with Code For Africa to empower journalists in Africa by giving them the necessary support to better understand the Web and how to use the tools available to them online. The Code For Africa Digital Journalism initiative will take place over the next 9 months (to February 2018) and see 6 000 journalists trained in 12 major African cities – Abuja, Lagos, Nairobi, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Casablanca, Dakar, Freetown, Dar es Salaam, Kampala, and Yaounde. Code For Africa is a data journalism and civic technology initiative operating across Africa that trains and supports journalists and civic activists to better understand and use web tools for news reporting and storytelling. Training will take place in three formats. Beginning June 15, in-person training sessions will be held in ...

My dear colleagues, we are very fortunate to be given consideration to serve in the Government of Delta State, this is because with the huge population of the State, the diverse cultural, political and social wealth that abounds in every nook and cranny of the State, our differences in language, culture, social background, religion and economic prospect in different occupational backgrounds, any person that is called upon to assist Governor actualize the prosperity agenda of Governor Okowa is not only lucky but also expected to enrich the flow of ideas in the state  for the benefit of the people. Everyone’s appointment carries political significance because we are all expected as servants of the people duplicate the presence of Governor Okowa in every Unit, ward, and community and make the people feel his presence. This is because as political aides of the Governor we carry a heavy burden of responsibility to live above board in conduct and character. We must in our daily conduc...

Gentlemen of the Press, On behalf of my distinguished colleagues, I gladly welcome you to this press briefing on the activities of the House in the past one year as we mark the second anniversary of the Sixth (6th) assembly. Let me start by appreciating your role as members of the fourth estate of the realm in promoting the activities and deliberations of the House. The role of the press in a democratic dispensation cannot be over emphasized; that is why the Legislative arm of Government holds the media in a very high esteem. I want to express our gratitude to the media for their coverage of the activities of the House. We, however, enjoin our vibrant journalists in Delta State to shun speculative stories that would erode their credibility. Let me implore our gentlemen of the Press to always cross-check their facts from our offices which are indeed open to them before going to Press. I want to state here that as an arm of Government, the House has undergone some ...

A Stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, Mr. Paul Alika, has congratulated the state governor, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa on his two years anniversary in office,  describing him as miracle working governor.  Mr. Alika also commeneded Deltans for their support for the governor within the period under review.    Alika said governor Okowa has performed remarkably well within this two years in office despite the economic downturn in the country and paucity of funds.   He observed that the presence of the government is felt in all the twenty-five Local Government Areas of the State, stressing that a lot of projects are on-going while others have been completed and commissioned across the 25 LGAs.   He said in line with the accountability policies of the Okowa led administration, that town hall meetings in all the Local Government Areas are ongoing in order to render account of the governor's...

The Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Zanna Ibrahim, has sued for collaboration of members of the public to assist the force in policing the society.  The Police Commissioner was speaking when he played host to members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, Delta State chapter, led by Comrade Augustine Chiejina, at the force Headquarters Asaba.   CP Ibrahim who expressed appreciation for the visit, described it as timely adding that it was the beginning of collaboration between the Force and the Judiciary.  He disclosed that there was need to redeem the image of the police due to what he described as a paradigm shift by members of the public. He restated the committment of the Police to the security of lives and properties which he said requires a holistic approach. He disclosed that the Inspector General of Police was so committed to the task pointing out that there was zero tolerance for impunity, indiscipline and human rights violation by any polic...

Comedian, I Go Dye has completed a luxury “Golden Eyes Castle” in honour of his mother. The comedian in celebration of Mother’s Day unveiled the magnificent mansion designed and built by his company Revamp Constructions yesterday in Delta state. Adams Oshiomhole, Apostle Johnson Suleman, Delta state Deputy speaker Rt. Hon.Friday Ossai, Bovi and other dignitaries were in attendance.

Contrary to reports that the impeached Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Monday Igbuya was impeached by his colleagues for alleged high-handedness and poor leadership style, the real reason he was shown the way out has to do with political permutations in Delta State toward the 2019 governorship elections. Top level sources at the two camps of the factionalized Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) revealed that the impeachment of ex-Speaker Igbuya followed indications that he may have been directed to set up political structures ahead of 2019 governorship polls for two reasons. Igbuya who is a political protégé of former Governor James Ibori, was said to have received the blessing of key political actors in Ibori Political family to “to start setting up structures ahead of 2019 governorship elections.” First, it was gathered that the move was to appease the Central Senatorial zone (Urhobos) who feel totally marginalized under the current Okowa administration given the ...

Delta State House of Assembly Speaker, Mr. Monday Igbuya, has been impeached in the early hours of today Thursday 11 May, 2017, during an emergency session of the House.  Mr. Igbuya representing Sapele constituency, was immediately replaced with the lawmaker representing, Okpe constituency, Mr. Sheriff Oborevwori as the new speaker. It was reliably gathered by C&P News that Igbuya’s impeachment which was incubated late yesterday night and was hatched early this morning and was signed by 22 out of the 29 members of the House.  Friday Osanebi remains as Deputy Speaker. Justin Erijo replaces Tim Owhefere, representing Isoko North as Majority Leader. Sheriff, has already been introduced to the Governor as the new Speaker. Inside sources gave C&P News that high handedness, incompetence and bad leadership was the reasons for his impeachment. About three months ago, the second attempt at removing Igbuya which was attended by key players of the house in the United Sta...

Informantion creeping out from the save thy face meeting between the state governor and the prodigal lawmakers led by the Anioma lawmakers suggests that Deltans have not heard the latest of the speakership intrigues. Why did Gov Okowa initially agree to the change over, only to change his mind? Already the princess of the state,Hon Erhiatakhe,the daughter of ex governor Ibori has vowed to continue to address impeached Monday Igbuya as her speaker. This is most likely to create a crisis within the house and it is doubtful if the "prodigal" lawmakers who spearheaded the impeachment of Igbuya would have the audacity to penalize Ibori's daughter should she carry out her threat. Meanwhile another source to the games has confided in C&P News that Ibori on learning that Gov Okowa had initially accented to the impeachment ,is not happy with the governor for not confiding in him and as a result of the development,the ex governor has ordered Gov Okowa to rectify what he de...

SENATOR Dr Ifeanyi Okowa today (11/05/17) received Delta State-born Big Brother Naija winner, Efe Michael Ejeba and called on youths to remain focused in discovering their talents. According to Governor Okowa, "wherever our youths find themselves they should be focussed in achieving their goals, the youths have latent talents deposited in them they must find ways to develop them and apply them, if you have a calling, you must not allow that calling to die, you (Efe) despite your calling, you listened to your parents and went to school which gave you a good foundation." "It was obvious that there was no controversy about your winning, you avoided the vices, and showed that you are focused; our youths should find a way to discover their talents, they should stay committed to their dreams and pray to God to achieve it," the Governor said, adding, "there was no issue of sentiments or tribalism, it shows that you are truly, a Nigerian." Governor Okowa, ...

The convener of a social, political, and cultural group known as The Ika Village Square, IVS, barrister Eugene Uzum, has called on members of the public to harness the potentials laying bare in the Ika nation.  Barrister Uzum was speaking while addressing journalists, on the forthcoming Ika Ecomic Summit with the theme "Harnessing the economic potential of Ika nation through strategic partnership".  The IVS convener said the group which comprises only persons from the Ika ethnic nationality from home and abroad, aims at propelling, articulating and sustainment the collective interests of the Ika nation in the politics of the federal republic of Nigeria.  He stated that the IVS which started about a year ago as an online group, has carried out a lot of activities including a comprehensive tour of all the villages and towns in the Ika Nation in order to identify the potentials as well as the challenges facing the various components of the Ika Nation and preferring soluti...

The proprietor and chairman of the governing council of the Calvary Polytechnic Owa oyibu, in Ika North East Local Government Area, Delta state, Chief Nkenchor Okwuokenye, has stated that the Polytechnic was an endeavour to assist in the development of his immediate community, the state and the country.  The Proprietor was speaking during the maiden matriculation ceremony of about 50 students who are pioneers of the school. He said the Polytechnic which received approval from the National Board for Technical Education NBTE, and the Delta state ministry of education in 2014, has also secured NBTE satisfactory recommendation and approval from the Federal Ministry of Education in 2016 while academic work commenced in the school in January 2017.  The governing council chairman also disclosed that the polytechnic currently offers regular 2-year ND approved programmes and certificate courses such as Computer Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering from the school of Engine...

My name is Queen Esther. I'm from COTONOU. I used to live in Kaduna State. I'm a commercial sex worker. I stayed in one of the Hotels in OBALENDE area, by CONSTITUTION ROAD, Kaduna. A man came to me about two months ago, just like other fun seekers. He didn't make love to me, but instead asked for only blow-job. I gave him so much of it until he was satisfied. He later engaged me into a discussion after paying me the sum of #10,000 (Ten thousand naira only) without asking for my price; unlike other customers who would first of all bargain before the action. I was amazed at his generosity. He then smiled at me, and promised to make me rich if only I can do one small job for his boss who just arrived Kaduna from Abuja that night. Without thinking twice, I agreed to meet his Oga and do the simple job. We had few bottles of drinks while he kept on making calls and was answering ok sir, yes sir and all of that. Around past 12:00 mid night, we drove in his car to one SEA-B...

Stephanie Otobo, the woman who claimed to have had an affair with Apostle Johnson Suleman was re-arraigned by the police before a Tinubu magistrates’ court, Lagos on Monday, March 20. She was brought alongside one Wisdom Godstime, 43, before Magistrate Kikelomo Bukola-Ayeye on a three-count charge of conspiracy, intent to steal, blackmail and threat to life. Addressing the court, the prosecutor, M. A. Animashaun, said the defendants and others at large committed the alleged offence on February 14, 2016 at about 10.30am at Police College, Ikeja, Lagos. He said the defendants, “with intent to blackmail a man of God, unlawfully demanded the immediate payment of $1million to Otobo by Apostle Johnson Suleiman, the president and founder of Omega Fire Ministry Worldwide, else she would call a press conference and accuse him of committing adult–ery with her and thereafter kill him.” The court also heard that the defendants with intent to extort money from Apostle Suleman, accused him of co...

Officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency yesterday, searched for a medical doctor, who jumped into a lagoon on the Third Mainland Bridge, in the Adekunle area of Lagos State. It was learnt that the man, identified simply as Dr Allwell Orji,a medical doctor with Mount Zion Hospital, Isolo, Lagos  was in a Sport Utility Vehicle en route to Lagos Island at about 4pm on Sunday when he asked his driver to stop after he allegedly received a call. He was said to have walked to the railings on the bridge and jumped into the lagoon. PUNCH Metro gathered that the vehicle and the deceased’s driver were taken to the Adeniji Adele Police Division, while efforts were ongoing to find the doctor “dead or alive” as of 8pm on Sunday. An Instagram user, who claimed to have witnessed the moment Orji jumped into the lagoon expressed shock over the incident. “I witnessed the worst thing ever today! The owner of this particular vehicle jumped into the lagoon right in front of ...

Ex-beauty queen and owner of Rikaoto By Me fashion line, Mariam Elisha, said she is yet to recover from trauma after her car went up in flames on Eko Bridge, Lagos on Sunday afternoon. The Kebbi-State born fashion entrepreneur narrowly escaped death after her Mercedes Benz G-Wagon caught fire while she was in transit. According to Miss Elisha, onlookers drew her attention to the fire because she was in transit and totally oblivious of it. She told PREMIUM TIMES that she attempted to stop the car immediately but the brakes would not work. “When the car began to slow down, I attempted to park it and open the door but it wouldn’t open until people came to help me out before the fire spread to every part of the car,” she recalled. Jesus!!! Speaking further, she added, “I am still in shock and afraid to sit behind the wheels, let alone drive my car because the memories of the accident keeps flashing right before my eyes.  Maryland Elisha. “I saw death sta...