For over 12 years, I was deeply involved in the management of the issues of the region, first as Secretary to State Government, SSG, and then as Governor of Delta State for 8 years.Strategically, we had ENGAGEMENT as our major tool. This involved government officials, with me in the forefront (sometimes personally going into the creeks without security at nocturnal hours), community leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, our youths, retired military officers, activists, etc. Of course, ensuring that Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, was active was also part of the engagement process.ENCOURAGING INTERESTS, ACTIVITIESSince the inception of the current All Progressives Congress, APC, the administration at the federal level, there has been an encouraging interest and activities by President Muhammadu Buhari to bring a permanent solution to the Niger Delta crisis. This has pointed in a direction that is at once progressive and developmental.Topmost in these activities are the ENGAGEMENT PROCESSES. Rather than using the military to harass our people, the Buhari administration has embarked on various engagement processes that have led to agreements and brought hope to the people of the Niger Delta.In the last years, Mr President has personally engaged several regional leaders and youths. Senior officials of his administration also engaged many Niger Delta leaders and youths. Very significant is that Mr President mandated the Vice President Prof Yemi Osibajo SAN, to visit virtually all the oil-producing states, engaging various stakeholders. This is unprecedented in the history of the region. Such engagement processes have brought some measure of peace in the Niger Delta. Things can only get better.Beyond the engagement processes, however, the Buhari administration has embarked on some infrastructural and human capital development activities in the region. In Delta State, the opening of a Maritime University; the setting up of a steering committee for the EPZ (GAS CITY), the plan for a deep sea port, the dredging of the Escravos-Warri River; the opening of the railway line to Delta Steel Company, the soon to be flagged off, by Mr. President, the Omadino-Escravos Road that will pass through many riverine communities; the various road construction works by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the various TCN projects across the State are some of the positive activities in the region.There are also various human capital development programmes especially the school feeding and the “social security net” that is making 5,000 Naira available to the poor, the continuation of the YouWin programme, the various SME programmes, and several other projects across the region have brought hope to the people.Indeed, once Mr President was able to set his priorities pursuant to creating an environment for peace in the region, it became incumbent on every well-meaning Niger Deltan and Nigerian to assist the process of building an economically prosperous nation.In this era of partisan politics, it is necessary for the people of the Niger Delta, and Delta State, in particular, to identify more with the Federal Government led by the APC. By so doing, we can push some of the agreements between our leaders and the Federal Government through, and also engage the government to do more. Politics is about interests.The Niger Delta is a major area of interest for me because I staked my life going into the creeks severally without security and sometimes coming back at night negotiating peace. I will, therefore, give the strongest support to any President that shows commitment in the affairs of the Niger Delta.I call on, and enjoin, other well-meaning leaders in the region, who have very useful contributions to make, to come on board and join hands in helping this Federal Government to pursue a robust development agenda that would uplift our people. Whatever milestone that appears not to have been achieved yet is not for lack of efforts. Joining hands with and supporting the process will lead to a faster delivery of expectations.It is in the pursuit of this noble objective that I’m offering myself to help drive a process that would give the lives of our people in the Niger Delta more meaning. President Muhammadu Buhari needs people who will join hands with him to uplift our people. From my political experience, you have to be well represented and actively so at the “boardroom” when decisions are being taken. Delta State must be well represented. Niger Delta must be well represented.It is noteworthy to state that some organisations have been deeply involved in efforts to develop the Niger Delta and can always be relied on to collaborate with our President. It is also noteworthy to add that some previous administrations made significant efforts to develop the region.The current administration made such a significant impact in spite of the fact that apart from Edo State, President Buhari did not score the required 25% in the entire Niger Delta in the election that brought him into government in 2015.This speaks volume of his genuineness to uplift the Niger Delta. Such an administration should be encouraged by the people of the Niger Delta. We can never be sure of the genuineness of another person who becomes the President.I have, therefore, after a series of consultations and prayers, taken the decision to leave the PDP and join the APC. In doing this, I want to thank the numerous leaders, supporters and interest groups that have been urging me to remain in PDP. I am happy that after explaining some of the deeper issues to you, some of you that are politicians have agreed to join the APC in the near future. So I am going into APC as “John the Baptist” to the numerous Deltans that are coming in, soon – very soon.God bless you all.
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Former Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan explains why he dumped PDP For APC
“2019 election will be free, fair and credible” - President Buhari assures UK Prime Minister, Theresa May
‘‘I assure you that I’m all out for free, fair and credible elections. I’m very pleased that my party is doing very well. The High Commissioner will brief you more. The recent successes in polls in Katsina, Bauchi, and Kogi have boosted our morale greatly. Nigeria has accepted multiparty democracy and that is putting politicians on their toes, forcing them to work harder,’’ he said.
"We had great opportunities and resources between 1999 and 2014, due to high oil prices. But when we came in 2015, oil prices plunged to as low as 37 dollars per barrel. What we have been doing since 2015 is to focus on infrastructure development, despite low earnings. Work is ongoing in roads, rail, power, and many others."
‘‘We are nervously watching the development about Brexit because we know that the relationship had been on for a long time. I assure you that I am prepared to strengthen the relationship between our two countries.’’
‘‘Security and defence cooperation are very important steps to address Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa,’’ May said.
Prophet beheads his lover and buries her body in church premises (graphic photos)
On interrogation, Olusola Akindele, who claimed to be a prophet in a church, confessed that the victim was his woman friend, who he simply identified as Iya Aanu. He stated further that they had been dating and hibernating for two years. On the fateful day, the deceased came to visit him, as usual, and after they made love, and the woman was relaxing, the so-called prophet surreptitiously brought out a very big clog that looked like a pestle with which he smashed the woman's head.
The severed head and hands of the victim were buried at the back of Lion of Judah Church of Christ, situated in another area within this vicinity at 13, Robiyan Avenue, belonging to Ayodele Bamiduro
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NAFDAC warns against consumption of two brands of canned sardine
“Anybody in possession of the unwholesome canned sardines should submit them to the nearest NAFDAC Office. Consumers are encouraged to report all adverse events resulting from the use of these products to the nearest NAFDAC office,” she said.
Nicki Minaj's ex Safaree Samuels lands million-dollar deal with sex toy maker over the size of his massive eggplant (Photos)
'Work hard so I can get the last laugh. When y'all think I'm losing I'm not. Trust me! To all the ppl who fronted on me & thought I'd fall off and dissapear... Suck my sex toy. thank you to the biggest adult toy company in the world @docjohnsonusa for the opportunity and my team @britmo_inc & @therealkdmcnair for making this happen and to my fans and supporters who root for me, I love y'all !! Ladies I'm allll yours. Jokes on you.. its a big deal.. but who's gonna copp 1 on the low?? My anaconda don't want none if you ain't got buns hun..STRAAAIIITTTTT.'
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Lagos State PDP chairman, Moshood Salvador decamps to APC
“When you have people or leadership that cannot give you encouragement to carry out your vision, you take it to another place where it will be appreciated. I am not happy that I am abandoning what I laboured for, but I have to move on with my supporters because I cannot continue to labour in vain.Today, the chairman of PDP Board of Trustees called me on the defection and I told him to allow me consult with my people before feedback. The PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus also called me for the first time since my travails.