Opinion
EDUMOGREN CRITICIZES IJAW POLITICAL LEADERSHIP AS ANIAGWU SHOWCASES OBOREVWORI’S 19-MONTH ACHIEVEMENTS
Oborevwori Has Validated My Stance – Edumogren
Prominent Delta State good governance advocate, Austin Edumogren, has openly criticized the Ijaw political elite, accusing them of neglecting the interests of their people. This reaction follows a press briefing by Delta State’s Commissioner for Information, Charles Aniagwu, who detailed the accomplishments of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration over the past 19 months.
In a fiery statement, Edumogren expressed frustration, saying:
“Hahahahaha 😂🤣😂😭😭😭, no single mention of continuation of any abandoned project, not to talk of new ones initiated and being executed in Ijaw Land, the second most populated tribe in the State, and decider of all PDP Governorship victories in the State since 1999.
“Shame, big shame on Ijaw Leaders, particularly those politicians that have been elected or appointed to different high offices, and indeed those that are still in government.
“You know yourselves, and all well-meaning Ijaw People know you to your dirty pants!
“When I said Ijaw Political Leaders from 1999 to date are not people having the Ijaw Nation at heart, but political merchants, moral bankrupts, and a people suffering intellectual poverty on their praise singing homage to Governor Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, the young and small minds they have recruited to follow their treacherous parts, have been calling to blame me for speaking the obvious truth, how sad!
“With the press briefing by the Acting Commissioner for Information, Charles Aniagwu, on the achievements of the Governor in the past nineteen months into his four years tenure, which though has proved me right, I challenge those e-rats to Ijaw Political Merchants cum moral bankrupts to come out to defend their leaders in the public space, countering my submissions with facts and proof or perpetually hide their dirty faces in shame,” Edumogren declared.
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ANIAGWU: OBOREVWORI WILL ADDRESS CRITICS WITH PROJECTS
During the same press briefing in Asaba, Commissioner Aniagwu reiterated Governor Oborevwori’s commitment to governance, emphasizing that he would not be drawn into political disputes but would continue to silence critics through project delivery.
Aniagwu, who now oversees the State Information Ministry, stated:
“Governor Oborevwori has chosen to respond to critics by delivering impactful projects. His focus remains governance, not politics.
“We have seen a whole lot of publications in different places, including those that are insinuating that he is leaving the PDP.
“Oborevwori is a very proud member of the Peoples Democratic Party. Today, Oborevwori is a clear leader amongst leaders of the party in Nigeria, and he is not in any way hungry to abandon the Peoples Democratic Party.”
Continuing and Initiating Projects
Aniagwu outlined a range of completed, ongoing, and newly initiated projects, such as the Okpanam-Ibusa bypass, the Beneku Bridge, and various sections of the Asaba-Ughelli dual carriageway. He highlighted the transformation of the Warri-Effurun corridor with three flyovers and road expansions handled by Julius Berger.
He further noted, “Other roads have been completed within Asaba and the capital territory, while in Delta South, a lot of roads in Warri, Isoko North, and Isoko South have also been completed, while new ones have also been initiated.”
In Delta North, roads such as the Eweshi-Utagba-Uno, Ndemili-Utagba-Uno, Akumazi-Umuocha, and Owere-Olubor roads have either been completed or are ongoing, alongside the Issele-Azagba-Otulu road.
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Focus on Education, Health, and Housing
Aniagwu highlighted achievements in education, including establishing a campus of Southern Delta State University at Orerokpe and introducing a College of Health Sciences at the Ozoro campus. He also mentioned significant upgrades to healthcare facilities, including over 150 primary health centers, general hospitals, and various health colleges.
Regarding housing, he shared details of a pilot project involving 50 housing units across Ozoro, Kwale, and Owa-Oyibu, as well as the construction of eight duplexes for commissioners.
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Economic Diversification and Financial Management
Aniagwu announced a partnership with UTM LNG to utilize the state’s natural gas reserves as part of economic diversification efforts. Additionally, he disclosed that over ₦200 billion had been paid to reduce the state’s debt, with contractors mobilized and outstanding certificates promptly addressed.
The Commissioner concluded, “Governor Oborevwori is committed to revitalizing state-owned broadcast stations in Asaba and Warri. He has directed a comprehensive review of the stations, with a report due within three weeks.”
Aniagwu reaffirmed the governor’s resolve:
“His business, at the moment, is governance, and he is not going to lose sight of it. Every Deltan deserves the dividend of democracy, and that is what he has concerned himself all about.”
Opinion
Dr. Mulade Laments Poor Developmwntal State of Delta Oil-producing Communities Despite Huge 13% Accruals
By: Divine Perezide
The living conditions and developmental stayts of Delta citizens have once again come under review in comparing dividends versus 13% derivation funds amidst other federal allocations. Observers believe that the people of Delta State have continued to suffer untold hardship despite the 13% oil derivation funds accruable to the oil-rich State, popular human and environmental rights activist.
CAddi his voice to this assertions is Comrade Chief Dr. Mulade Sheriff, a foremost environmental rights and good governance advocate.
According to Mulade, the Ibe-Sorimowei of Ancient Gbaramatu kingdom, an oil-prospecting Kindom in Warri South-West Local Government Area, “the funds do not translate into significant development in oil-producing communities, where residents often experience environmental degradation, poor infrastructure and neglect from goverment at all levels”.
The activist alleged that “the sufferings of Deltans are aggravated by those who manipulated the 13 percent derivation to the detriment of others, especially the host communities”.
Mulade made the assertions while speaking with journalists at the Africa for Peace Games village, Ugolo/Osubi, in Okpe Local Government Area on Sunday.
He said, “People of oil producing communities are wallowing in untold hardship as the reality affects all Deltans who should ordinarily benefit massively being part of oil producing states such as Akwa-Ibom, Rivers, Cross River, Edo, Bayelsa, Abia, Ondo, Imo, Anambra, and recently, Lagos State.
“So far, nothing has been done as regards N1.3trillion Naira of the 13% Derivatives paid to the Delta State Government within the eight years tenure of the immediate past governor of the State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.
“Despite the bold steps taken by stakeholders, the case has suffered some setback becuase of political interferenc. But the push is not over.
“The Niger Delta region is still suffering from massive infrastructure decay, widespread poverty and environmental degradation, among numerous others as the 13% Percent derivation funds are not used for the development of oil-producing and bearing communities.
“The funds are now budget tools being used by most of the states, instead of using the funds for the actual purpose they were meant for”.
Mulade spoke further, “Delta State is a major beneficiary of the 13% derivation fund which is a constitutional provision in Nigeria that mandates 13% of the revenue generated from natural resources be allocated to the oil-producing states.
“As one of the country’s most significant oil-producing states, Delta State consistently receives the highest share of the derivation fund among all eligible states.
“In the first five months of 2025, Delta received ₦185.16 billion, the largest allocation among the nine oil-producing states.
“Between June 2023 and May 2024, Delta State’s share amounted to ₦211.69 billion.
“The state also received a significant 29% of the total 13% oil derivation funds distributed across the country from 2015 to 2023.
“The funds do not translate into significant development in oil-producing communities, where residents often experience environmental degradation, poor infrastructure and abject poverty.
“Delta State had reportedly withheld a large portion of the derivation funds from the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), the agency responsible for developing oil-producing communities”.
It will be recalled that the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Stakeholders Forum recently despatched an open letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu raising similar allegations.
Its quiet unfortunate that DESOPADEC currently exist on newspapers, paid media houses and has become a tool for government to compensate political foot soldiers, he lamented.
By: Derick Peretengboro
Prominent Nigerian businessman and philanthropist Obinna Iyegbu, widely known as Obi Cubana, has delivered an inspiring message to young Nigerians, urging them to channel their energy into overcoming poverty rather than engaging in unhealthy rivalries.
In his advice, Obi Cubana emphasized that true growth is not determined by how long someone has been pursuing a venture but by how effectively they execute it. He cautioned youths against unnecessary competition, stressing that in life, “overtaking happens,” and as such, everyone should be treated with respect and important.
“The race isn’t between you and anyone, but against you and poverty forever, and be a role model to the next generation,” he said.
The message was shared during his visit to Enviable Tricycles, Enviable Transport, and Enviable Logistics Ltd., where he highlighted the need for resilience, focus, and the pursuit of excellence as key tools for empowerment and nation-building.
Observation note that Obi Cubana’s call resonates at a time when young Nigerians are seeking practical ways to navigate economic challenges and build sustainable futures.
Opinion
“Dr. Otuaro’s Successful Deployment Of Over 142 Niger Deltans For Onshore And Offshore Postgraduate Studies Highly Commendable” – Ozobo
Call for support towards Otuaro
By Divine Perezide
Popular Niger Delta activist Comrade Ozobo Austin, known within his close circle as the ‘king of the dragons,’ has expressed deep satisfaction with the leadership style of Chief Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro PhD, Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), especially for the timely deployment of 142 beneficiaries to pursue postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom on Offshore Scholarship.
Ozobo said Dr. Dennis Otuaro has upgraded the face to the Niger Delta Presidential Amnesty programme for ex-agitators which was completely bastardized by the previous administrations, adding that Otuaro’s people-centric leadership as PAP Administrator has set the agency apart to to envy of all. He also wondered if any other agency of the Federal Government has performed well like the PAP is currently doing.
While commending him, Ozobo said Dr Otuaro is detribalised, accommodating, most friendly and performing administrator of the programme, adding that the PAP beneficiaries, critical stakeholders and all Niger Delta youths should encourage him to do more for the beneficiaries of the program.
He also appealed to people with genuine concerns and challenges to approach Otuaro through the appropriate channels, adding he has shown demonstrable will to address every genuine concerns relating to the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
Ozobo, alias the ‘senior advocate of the Niger Delta oppressed people’ also urged Dr. Dennis Otuaro to continue his good works and should not listen to the campaign of calumny by sponsored voices by enemies of Niger Delta, assuring that all well-meaning Niger Deltans were behind him.
The activist further congratulated the successful delegates, urging them to use the opportunity to build their future and avoid engaging in activities that could truncate their studies abroad by the foreign authorities.
Recall, Dr. Otuaro earlier emphasised that the students were carefully placed in competitive and professional courses designed to contribute to socio-economic growth, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that the initiative aimed to bridge the human capital development gap in the Niger Delta region.
However, at the flag-off event, the beneficiaries expressed gratitude to PAP for the opportunity, promising to make good use of the training and serve as worthy ambassadors of their families, communities, and the Niger Delta. Some officials, including the Technical Assistant to the PAP Administrator, Edgar Daniel, and the Head of PAP’s Education Department, Dr. Charles Ariye, delivered talks on social and cultural challenges, diplomatic and security considerations, and academic demands of studying in the UK.
The programme has also distributed laptops to scholarship recipients to support their research and academic work abroad. PAP’s focus on human capital development in the Niger Delta region is expected to yield long-term benefits, contributing to the area’s socio-economic advancement.
Ozobo’s commendation speaks volumes of the positive impact of PAP’s efforts under Dr. Otuaro’s leadership.