News
Delta 7th Assembly: We Must Conclude All Outstanding Legislative Assignments – Oborevwori.
Oborevwori To Lawmakers: Let Us Conclude All Outstanding Legislative Assignments
As the 7th Delta State Assembly draws to a close, the Speaker, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori has urged members to use the remaining few weeks to conclude all outstanding legislative assignments.
Rt Hon Oborevwori gave the charge on Tuesday, at the Hallowed Chamber, while addressing the Lawmakers during plenary of the House.
It was the first time the Speaker was presiding at plenary after his declaration as Delta State Governor Elect.
Welcoming members to the plenary, the Governor Elect and Speaker reminded the Lawmakers that they are at the last lap of the Seventh Assembly and stressed the need for the various House committees to expedite actions on all outstanding legislative assignments before them.
According to him; “Dear colleagues, today’s plenary is unique in the history of Delta State House of Assembly. It is the first time since the inception of the House that a Speaker of the House is presiding in plenary as a SPEAKER and also being the Governor-elect of the State. This is a groundbreaking feat for the Legislature in the State. You will recall that in the second week of February, 2023 the House adjourned to enable Members vying for elective positions at both national and State levels to fully embark on campaigns for the elections. Though, we have since resumed plenary, however, this is the first plenary of the House I am presiding over as a Speaker after my declaration by INEC as Governor-Elect of our dear State. To God be the Glory”.
“Specifically, the Presidential and National Assembly elections were held on Saturday, 25th February, 2023 and the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly on Saturday, 18th March, 2023. The elections have come and gone, and I wish to congratulate our party members (the PDP) who won and those who lost gallantly. Nonetheless, I wish to also congratulate those who have been elected to the 8th Assembly of this honourable House. Irrespective of your political affiliation, I look forward to partnering with you to advance Delta State to the next level of growth and development”, he added.
Rt Hon Oborevwori also said that; “Again, let me seize this opportunity to thank our traditional rulers, civil society groups, organized labour, religious leaders and followers, grassroots organisations, all PDP faithful, women, men, youths, and above all God Almighty for my resounding victory at the polls. I will continue to trust in God for the wisdom and guidance required to advance Delta State with my M.O.R.E Agenda. It is also important that I commend the security agencies that ensured the election was held in a peaceful and orderly atmosphere. Also noteworthy, are the staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, for their diligence and courage in the face of threats and intimidation. You did well to deliver a free, fair and credible election in Delta State. My gratitude also goes to the various observer teams and the press for their Independent and unbiased reporting and assessment. Posterity will be kind to you”.
“At this juncture, I wish to single out the youth of Delta State for standing resolute behind my candidacy and conducting themselves with decorum. You have started something remarkable, and I want to assure you that the youth will play a role in my administration. By the special grace of God, I will be Governor to all and sundry. Distinguished colleagues, I invite you to join me in celebrating our unrivalled leader and performing Governor, His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for his revolutionary strides in human capital development, infrastructural renewal, and peace building. He has laid a solid foundation for the takeoff of the M.O.R.E Agenda. His monumental contribution to the success of the PDP in the just concluded elections in the State is unparalleled. I also wish to appreciate our leaders across Delta State for their show of love and support”, Rt Hon Oborevwori stated.
He further said that; “I have learnt many things in the past six years as Speaker of the House under the able leadership of Governor Okowa. One of them is that I have learnt the importance of setting the priorities of government, communicating goals and outcomes of policies and programmes, and pursuing them with relentless zeal. I certainly believe that my rich experience in the Executive and Legislative arms of government put me in a better position to deliver on my campaign promises and provide good governance to our people. My goal is to make life richer, better, and more fulfilling for all through the M.O.R.E Agenda. Mine is a mandate for consolidation and growth, investment and economic reform in advancing Delta”.
The Speaker said that; “Distinguished colleagues, as we resume plenary today, we should remember that we are at the last lap of the Seventh Assembly. We have few weeks to the end of our tenure. Let us endeavour to conclude on all outstanding legislative assignments in our various Committees. The Seventh Assembly has done very well in lawmaking, representation of constituents and oversight of other arms of government. I will reserve enumeration of our achievements till the valedictory Session. On this note, I would like to express my appreciation to Honourable Members for their unflinching support to the leadership of the House. Together, we have propelled the House to an enviable height in the comity of State Houses of Assembly in the country. We have also made history together as the Legislature that has produced a Governor of the State in our time. Congratulations to all of us”.
He specially thanked the management and staff of the House, led by the Clerk of the House, for their support to him, the leadership and members of the House, adding that; “The entire staff stood resolute behind me through the thick and thin of the electioneering process. Thank you for believing in me and I promise that the Legislature will always occupy the prime place in my heart”.
He said that; “As you will recall, after my victory, I made a promise to the Staff of the House that the leadership of the House led by me will immediately embark on maintenance and renovation of the Assembly complex. I also promised to provide furniture and office equipment to staff for effective discharge of their duties. And very importantly, I made a promise to also train the staff and management to further enhance their capacity for effective service delivery. I am glad to inform you today that the trainings for staff and management of the House have been done and dusted within the last two weeks. Furthermore, furniture and office equipment are being supplied to staff offices. Meanwhile, the maintenance and renovation of the Assembly Complex is ongoing. I want to reiterate that I am a promise keeper. Consistency and reliability will be one of the pillars of my administration. “I TALK AND I DO.”Once again, I welcome you to plenary and thank you for your kind attention. God bless you”.
Meantime, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa Tuesday forwarded four bills to the Delta State House of Assembly for processing and possible passage into law.
They include a Bill to Amend the Delta State High Court Law 2021, a Bill to Repeal the State School of Marine Technology Burutu and enact Delta State Polytechnic, Burutu, a Bill for law to provide for Creative Industry Development Fund and a Bill to Repeal Delta State School of Technologya law 2022 and enact College of Health Sciences and Technology law 2023.
Also at plenary, the Delta State Sickle Cell Disorder Bill 2023 was read the second time after an extensive debates on its merits as led by the Majority Leader, Ferguson Onwo.
By Favour Bibaikefie
At Enekorogha Grammar School in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria-an oil-rich state known for federal wealth-the condition education paints a deeply disturbing picture.
Students at school secondary school were recently captured writing their second-term exams while seated on the bare floor. Some leaned against broken concrete blocks-no desks, no chairs, and no proper classrooms in sight. Teachers also struggle without offices or basic teaching tools, working unde appalling conditions.
Founded in the early 1980s, the school has barely received any attention from the government since it’s establishment. Instead of being maintained or upgraded, most of its current structures were either community-built or donated by concerned individuals. The school lacks perimeter fencing, which leaves students and teachers vulnerable, while reptiles roam freely around the premises.
When journalists sought a reaction from the Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, she refused to comment-even when approached in her office-raising serious concerns about the state government’s accountability.
According to Mr. Peter Ganagana, the Chairman of the Enekorogha Education committee, the Delta State government has never contributed a single building to the school. “The only six-classroom bock was built by a private individual,” he explained. “Other parts were put together by the community with little resources. Yet, over 80% of our students don’t have desks to sit on.”
Despite now having a students population of over 350, the school one has six government appointed teachers and one principal. To make up for the shortfall, local residents pay stipends to volunteer teachers who are helping to keep Education going in the face of government abandonment.
“The students are writing their second-term exams now” Mr. Ganagana noted, “and many are doing so sitting on the floor. The only desks in the school were donated by a kind old student-just 50 in total. That’s all we have.”
Multiple appeals and complaints have been sent to both the Post-primary Education Board and the Ministry of Education, but so far, there has been no meaningful response. Officials have visited for inspection, but their words have led to no real change.
The buildings themselves are in a dangerous state-ceilings are falling in, roofs have been blown off, windows and doors are missing, and some classrooms can no longer be used at all. That such a learning environment exists in a state with massive federal allocations and oil revenue is nothing short of disgraceful.
Attempts to contact the principal were unsuccessful, as his phone remained switched off. Teachers also declined to comment, citing restrictions on speaking to the press.
This situation is a devastating indictment of the Delta State Governor and government’s priorities. In a state blessed with immense natural wealth, children who eager to learn are being denied even the most basic conditions for education. It is not only a betrayal of their rights- it is a failure of leadership.
The silence from the officials, especially from those tasked with overseeing Education, is both telling and unacceptable. The government must act urgently. The lives and future of these students should not continue to be disregarded because of negligence and bureaucratic indifference.
Source: Golden Nation Multimedia
News
28,000bpd Ogidigben Oilfield Shutdown by Itsekiri Youth, Under PINL Not Tantita’s Coverage – Tompolo
By Divine Perezide
High Chief (Dr.) Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has disassociated his company, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, from the recent protest and shutdown of an oil facility in Warri, Delta State.
Speaking through his media aide, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo PhD., Tompolo clarified that the affected oil field, located in Ugborodo, Warri South-West Local Government Area, does not fall within Tantita’s jurisdiction. He stressed that the facility is under the protection of another security firm, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), which is owned by the Olu of Warri.
“It is not only Tantita that is doing the security job. The Olu of Itsekiri’s company, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, is also covering that area,” Bebenimibo explained. He further stated, “The Ogidigben oil field is not under our watch but under Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), a firm linked to the Olu of Itsekiri.”
The facility, currently operated by Renaissance Africa Energy Holdings following its acquisition from Shell, reportedly produces around 28,000 barrels of oil per day. It was shut down on Wednesday by aggrieved members of the Itsekiri community. The protesters, who carried placards, voiced their dissatisfaction over alleged marginalisation in ward delineation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In response to the incident, Bebenimibo emphasized that the protest and the shutdown had no connection to Tompolo or Tantita. “Nobody dares Tantita. The issue has nothing to do with Tantita and Tompolo,” he stated firmly.
The protest remained peaceful, but it successfully brought operations at the facility to a standstill, underlining ongoing tensions related to political representation in the region.
News
“Peace is the Panacea for Development” Dr. Takeme Said as He Inaugurates Burutu Peace and Advocacy Committee
By Favour Bibaikefie
In a bid to strengthen harmony and peaceful coexistence within Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, Council Chairman Dr. Julius Takeme on Tuesday formally inaugurated a 23-member Peace Building and Advocacy Committee.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the council secretariat in Burutu, marked a significant step toward fulfilling the chairman’s campaign promises, particularly on conflict resolution and community engagement. The committee, chaired by retired Justice J.F. Daubry, comprises individuals described by Dr. Takeme as “men and women of integrity,” selected for their reputation and dedication to peaceful service.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Takeme outlined the committee’s core responsibilities, which include mediating disputes among individuals, groups, and communities to maintain the prevailing peace in the area. “Your responsibility includes the amicable settlement of disputes between individuals, groups and communities. Please, do your very best to meditate diligently,” he said.
Chief Fidelis Tubotu was appointed Secretary of the committee, while members include Apostle Godsflag Agboun, Chief October Kuro-Ogu, Gen. Brodrick Demeyeibo, Chief Elimina Namah Eselemo, Chief James Nicketen, Barr. B.D. Ekpese, Barr. Torugbene Oloye, Chief Patrick Fufeyin, Chief Gabriel Benede, Chief Lucky Yoweibo, and Dr. (Mrs.) Jennet Abdullahi.
Additional members are Chief Dauyeibo Kitua, Chief Apiakise Apiakise Coleman, Barr. Isa Clark, Hon. Gift Gomeromo, Prince Peter Numa, Chief Torololo Love, Chief Clement Kęmetimibibo, Chief (Mrs.) Ter Okpe, Chief Pukon Samson Eles, Chief Douglas T.M.O, and Chief Fidelis Tubotu.
Dr. Takeme reiterated his administration’s intention to mirror Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s “More Agenda” through proactive peace initiatives and conflict resolution efforts. “We promised to replicate Gov. Oborevwori’s More Agenda in Burutu, and one of our targets is to resolve as many lingering inter and intra-communal disputes. We believe in your individual and collective capabilities to help this government deliver on this promise,” he said.
He further noted, “We want to make Burutu a reflection of Oborevwori’s good governance that has rendered even the main opposition parties speechless.”
The council chairman encouraged committee members to remain upright and committed, emphasizing the importance of including the local chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in their peacebuilding activities. According to him, “CAN is pivotal to peace building.”
In his response on behalf of the committee, Justice Daubry expressed gratitude for the trust placed in them and pledged their unwavering commitment. “We will not disappoint the council,” he assured.
The event was attended by council executive members including Vice Chairman Chief (Mrs.) Georgina Evah; Supervisor for Education, Hon. Okpako Doctor; Supervisor for Agriculture, Hon. Immaculate Birialade; Supervisor for Environment, Hon. Godwin Oro; and Supervisor for Works, Hon. Pudigha Biakpara. Traditional rulers from various communities across the local government were also present, further highlighting the importance of the initiative.