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A former federal Information Commissioner, Edwin Clark, has endorsed the Labor Party's (LP) presidential candidate Pedro Obifor the next elections.
Clark is considered a leader and an influential voice in South-South Nigeria.
He told reporters at his residence in Abuja on Tuesday that Obi would unite the country with his movement to restructure it if he wins the presidential election, according to a report in the Vanguard newspaper.
Mr. Clark said that the people of the Niger Delta want to see a Nigeria where there is true federalism, especially in the areas of devolution and control of resources, and that PANDEF has presented this aspiration to Mr. Obi.
“That the vision statement shared by Peter Obi on the occasion, as it relates to making Nigeria more productive, utilizing the rich endowment of resources in every part of the country; stop waste and fight corruption; and the creation of jobs for our many young people through innovative initiatives is highly commendable.
“That his reiterated commitment to the restructuring and devolution of power will promote harmony, peaceful coexistence between the states and the constituent parts of the country.
“That his vision of more equity and justice in regards to the South-South region, which in the last 60 years has produced a large part of the income of the national economy, but has been neglected with little impact in terms of infrastructure and social development. , it is compelling and commendable,” he said.
"Peter Obi's commitment to environmental justice for the cleanup of contaminated communities in the Niger Delta is very welcome, given that even the ongoing cleanup of the Ogoni has been quite slow," he added.
The Vanguard quoted Mr. Clark as also saying the Southeast region should be allowed to produce a president in 2013.
Mr Clark's endorsement of Mr Obi comes roughly two days after former President Olusegun Obasanjo's endorsement of the LP candidate.
ALSO READ: Operate within your law, Edwin Clark assigns new NDDC management“None of the contestants are saints, but when one compares their character, background, their understanding, knowledge, discipline and stamina they can bring to the table and the great efforts it takes to stay focused on the job, particularly looking at where the country is today. and with the experience on the job that I personally had, Peter Obi as an apprentice has an advantage. Others, like all of us, have what they can contribute to the new dispensation for the deliverance, restoration and salvation of Nigeria collectively.
“Another important point to note about Peter is that he is a needle with a thread tied from the north and south and he cannot be lost,” Obasanjo said of Obi in an open letter he wrote to Nigerians, especially Nigerians. youths
Credit: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/573874-2023-edwin-clark-endorses-peter-obi.htmlA Federal High Court in Abuja has warned President Muhammadu Buhari; the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; the president of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan; the Senate of the National Assembly; Ms. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku on the consequences of ignoring a previous restraining order.
In a notice of the consequences of disobeying the court's order dated December 23, 2022, the court warned President Buhari, Lawan, Onochie and others.
“Please note that unless you obey the instructions contained in this order, you will be guilty of contempt of court and subject to imprisonment,” the notice read.
The court also prevented President Buhari from swearing in Ms. Onochie and Ogbuku.
The duo were vetted and confirmed last week as the respective president and CEO of the Niger Delta Development Commission.
Earlier, the court had granted an order preventing the National Assembly from examining and confirming Onochie and Ogbuku's nomination.
The presiding judge, Judge JK Omotosho, ordered all actions on the matter to be stayed pending determination of the lawsuit.
Among other things, the initial subpoena marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2294/2022 seeks a restraining order for the National Assembly to evaluate and confirm the duo.
The plaintiffs, Chief Edward Ekpokpo Esq., and Victor Wood, who represent Itsekiri Thought Leaders and Mr. Edward Omagbemi, who presents the Omadino Unity Forum, all on behalf of the Itsekiri ethnic nationality, are challenging the nomination with the argument that it is the turn of itsekiri nationality to fill the positions.
The first through sixth defendants in the lawsuit are President Muhammadu Buhari, Attorney General and Justice Minister Abubakar Malami; the president of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan; the Senate House, Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku.
The lawsuit filed by Ama Etuwewe SAN & Co. demands that the provisions of the NDDC Act be followed in the process.
He argued that it is the turn of the Itsekiri ethnic nationality to produce the chairman of the board of NDDC and MD as arguably the largest oil producing community in Delta state.
Adjourning the matter until January 11, 2023, for further hearing, the presiding judge, Judge JK Omotosho, reading the affidavit and hearing counsel for the plaintiff, stated
"That the plaintiffs are hereby granted permission to notify the 5th and 6th defendants of the proceedings that gave rise to this lawsuit by substitute means, namely, by publicizing the proceedings in at least one national newspaper that circulates within the jurisdiction of this court and to consider the same as the adequate service.
“That neither party to this lawsuit is hereby ordered to take any step, act, or action that may render the outcome of the pending motion on notice of injunctive relief dated and filed December 12, 2022 null and void.
"That any act or step or action taken in this order to render the result of said motion in notice dated and filed December 12, 2022, null shall be null."
Despite the injunction, the Senate on Tuesday confirmed Onochie and Ogbuku as NDDC president and CEO, respectively.
Credit: https://saharareporters.com/2022/12/25/nigerian-court-threatens-jail-president-buhari-senate-president-lawan-malami-lauretta• Bayelsa will host the 2023 edition Abia State's Donastars FC came back from 0-2 goals with just a few minutes remaining in stoppage time to earn a draw and win the second edition of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Paz Under-17 Soccer Championship on Sunday.
Playing in an Abia State final against El-Godz FC at Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Delta State, Donastars FC wowed the spectators with their exhibition of winning-out football.
In the earlier third-place match, Campus FC of Imo State defeated Ine Stars of Edo State 1-0, following in the footsteps of another Imo team, Sam Decent Academy, which finished in third place in the first edition.
held at Akwa Ibom. Been last year.
Abia's Donastars FC was rewarded with N5 million for emerging as champions, El-Godz FC got N3 million for finishing second, while Campus FC went home with N2 million as the third best team.
The MVP of the tournament went to Imo Campus FC captain Chukwuemeka Prince, who, incidentally, was the youngest captain in the competition.
Jida Justice of Ine Stars, Edo State won the top scorer award, after finishing the tournament as joint top scorer with seven goals, but was awarded for scoring first, ahead of Abia's El-Godz FC's Odoemena Pope who he was also awarded a medal for his performance.
Goalkeeper Solomon Agoziem of Imo's Campus FC won the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament award, with Ondo's Kifa FC emerging as the Best Behaved Team, while the tournament's youngest player award went to Cyril Eta of Safe Side FC of Cross River, who is only 11 years old.
Presenting the trophy to the winners, Niger Delta Affairs Minister Umana O.
Umana praised the Grassroots Sports Federation of Nigeria (GRASOF) for initiating the tournament and the Delta state government for providing an environment conducive to the success of the competition.
The minister, who was represented by Mr. Matthew Pukuma James, said: “The Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs is privileged to be a part of this tournament, which provided an opportunity for youngsters to showcase their talents to the world.
“The soccer tournament will not only help players develop their individual skills, but it will reinforce the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship.
These traits, by the way, are in line with the theme of the tournament, which is Peace,” he stated.
Former internationals Christian Obodo, Sam Sodje and Baldwin Bazuaye were at the grand final, where they presented medals and trophies to the winning teams, as well as individual players who earned honors in the different categories.
Tournament Coordinator and GRASOF President John Ekpenyong announced that Bayelsa State will next host the football competition, which will tentatively take place in December 2023.
The two Abia State teams playing in the current NDDC U17 Peace Cup football competition in Delta State have booked their places for the semi-finals after defeating Akwa State teams Ibom in the quarterfinals yesterday.
In the quarterfinal matches played at Delta State Polytechnic, yesterday Ogwashi Uku, El-Godz FC from Abia, booked their place in the semifinals with a 3-1 victory on penalties, after drawing 1-1 with Carabana Hard fighting FC.
Akwa Ibom State.
In the other quarter-final match, Donastars FC from Abia put salt on Akwa Ibomites' injury by beating Dynamic SPMD, another team from Uyo, 2-0.
Victory now sees Abia following in the footsteps of Delta State, which had two of its teams, Delta United and Delta Force, reach the semifinals last year at the inaugural edition held at Akwa Ibom. Delta United then finished second after losing 1–0 to eventual champions, Akwa Ibom's Kifa FC, while Delta Force lost their third place match to Sam Decent Academy of Imo State.
In the first meeting of the quarterfinals, Campus FC of Imo State defeated Delta Force 3-1 on penalties after a goalless draw in regulation time, while Ine Stars of Edo State booked the bottom spot after defeating Bayelsa's resilient Future Dynamics FC 1-0 in a difficult tie.
.
The semi-final match will see Campus FC (Imo) take on Donastars FC (Abia) at 8 am while the second match, El-Godz FC (Abia) will take on Ine Stars of Edo State at 9 am Both games they will be decided at Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku.
The Ondo State government insisted yesterday that it is their turn to produce the next Chief Executive of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The government added that the state will continue to revive all efforts to achieve the state goal.
Information and Guidance Commissioner Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, who stated this in a statement last night, stated that the state supports the Ondo State Senators in their insistence that the provisions of the NDDC Act must be complied with.
Reacting to the NDDC Senate Committee hearing on nominations for its board, Ademola-Olateju in the statement, said: “We welcome that the Distinguished Senators representing the three Ondo State senatorial districts have demonstrated a spirit of pure team. , in their joint insistence that the content of the Law Establishing the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) be strictly observed.
“Our senators have taken the step of courage and have refused to accept arbitrariness, when it is evident that it is the path of least resistance. Instead, they have done the right thing with their bold, selfless, and legitimate rejection of any breaches of legal authorities, including reference to the nomination of anyone outside of the NDDC Act.”
The commissioner said the senators' determination strengthens unity and unique status as the only oil-producing state in the Southwest, adding that it is a shrewd bipartisan political collaboration worthy of high praise.
“If the sensors at our disposal are anything to be trusted, it is heartwarming to note that due to the resistance and joint rejection of our senators, the Senate Committee on the Niger Delta has rejected the nomination of Mr. Charles Ogunmola as candidate for the position of Executive Director, NDDC Projects.
“In accordance with the provisions of the NDDC Act of 2000, and with specific reference to the position of Managing Director, it is the turn of Ondo State to produce the next Executive Director of the Commission. We have done what the Law requires overtime, to pursue this noble cause. We will continue reactivating all efforts even beyond today, to achieve this end of our State.
“However, we urge our Distinguished Senators to continue this courageous search, so that it docks successfully. We count on them to zealously guide and protect their consciously demonstrated passion for the people of the oil-producing areas of Ondo State. We are congruent with them as they monitor events between now and the next plenary session, where their report is most likely to be presented and debated.
“However, the next collective battle is for everyone to be on deck to achieve what is most desirable immediately. Simply put, we all need to work together to ensure that Ondo State is not let down under the flimsy guise of our "rejection of an earlier opportunity."
“The next NDDC EDP is yet to be produced by the Ondo State mandate areas. We will give whatever it takes to achieve it. For this reason, we will ensure a stronger and more holistic engagement of stakeholders, in a matter of days," the governor said.
Ademola-Olateju thanked all stakeholders who stood firm and unwavering in their individual and collective stance against non-compliance with the NDDC Act in light of recent nominations.
Credit: https://leadership.ng/ondo-state-insists-on-turn-to-produce-nddc-boss/
The three senators from Ondo State have rejected the appointment of Charles Ogunmola by President Muhammadu Buhari as executive director of Projects for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The senators are Ajayi Boroffice, (Ondo Norte); Ayo Akinuelure (Ondo Sur) and Nicholas Tofowomo (Ondo Sur).
Mr. Ogunmola is on the list of 15 candidates sent by President Buhari to the Senate for confirmation as NDDC President, Managing Director, Executive Directors and Board members.
But the list has drawn criticism and petitions from some quarters in the oil and gas-rich region.
The Senate on Wednesday referred the selection of nominees to its Niger Delta Affairs Committee, which was asked to submit its report Tuesday for further legislative action.
But Ondo's three senators, in a November 8 letter to Senate President Ahmed Lawan, urged the Senate to respect the provisions of the NDDC Act of 2000 when considering the nominations.
“We write as distinguished senators representing the three senatorial districts of Ondo State to reject the nomination of Mr. Charles Ogunmola, as Executive Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Projects,” part of the letter read. .
“Our petition is based on the fact that the nomination of Mr. Charles Ogunmola does not comply with the provisions of Section 12(1) of the NDDC (Establishment) Act 2000.
“The aforementioned Law clearly establishes that the candidate for the position of Executive Director of NDDC Projects 'must be an indigenous person from the oil production area.' Mr. Charles Ogunmola is not an indigenous person from the oil-producing area of Ondo State.”
Earlier, a coalition of lawyers from the city of Ilaje in the Ilaje local government area of Ondo state, the Ilaje Lawyers Forum, had sent a petition to the Senate, calling for the rejection of Mr. Ogunmola's nomination for the same reasons. reasons.
“We are the sole body of all Ilaje removal lawyers of the Illaje Local Government Area (LGA) of Ondo State and we hereby write this petition as a representative, of the long-suffering citizens, of all those who produce LGA labeling,” the petition says. .
“We petition your noble office in protest against the arbitrary and illegal nomination of one Mr. Charles B. Ogunmola (“Mr. Ogunmola”) for the position of Executive Director, Projects (EDP) of the Delta Development Commission of Niger (NDDC) by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, pursuant to his letter to yourself dated October 21, 2022.
"Please refer to page 2 of the said letter where Mr. Ogunmola was listed as the No. 15 Nominee. We hereby appeal to your noble office to reject the confirmation of the said Mr. Ogunmola for the EDP position."
Lawmaker representing the federal Ilaje/Ese-Odo constituency, Kolade Akinjo, also urged the Senate to reject Ogunmola, saying it went against the law that established the commission.
The lawmaker said the nomination goes against “the letters of Section 12(1) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) (Establishment etc.) Act 2000 (hereinafter referred to as the NDDC Act). ) which states that:
“There will be for the Commission, a Director General and two Executive Directors who will be indigenous to oil-producing areas beginning with the Commission member states with the largest amount of oil production and will rotate among the member states in the order of production.”
ALSO READ: Buhari nominates Lauretta Onochie as NDDC Board ChairHowever, a contrary position was promoted by another group, the Ilaje National Alliance Movement, which urged the Senate not to succumb to “blackmail” by rejecting the candidate.
The group claimed that the president followed due process and did not violate any laws in nominating capable individuals to various positions on the NDDC board.
The statement signed by the group's chairman, Alex Omotehinse, and secretary, Oluwatobi Fagbemi, noted that those who were against Buhari's candidates were hell-bent on derailing the projected development of the current regime.
According to them, the president did not violate any section of the NDDC Act because the agency was not established to serve the interests of a particular ethnic group or people.
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Credit: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/570610-ondo-senators-write-lawan-reject-buharis-nddc-nominee.htmlThe 2022 NDDC U-17 Peace Cup football tournament held in Asaba, Delta State has provided a platform for scouts from different parts of the world to discover talented players.
The tournament, sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, kicked off at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, with dozens of soccer scouts from around the world visiting the venues of the matches daily to identify the players, whom they hope to prepare for the different national teams or for clubs abroad.
Niger Delta Affairs Minister Umana O.
Umana declared the tournament open on Monday and praised the organizers, the Nigerian Grassroots Sports Federation (GRASOF), for their initiative in hosting the event.
Umana, who was represented by Mr. Matthew Pukuma James, said the tournament would go a long way in uniting the Niger Delta region, which was in line with the cardinal policy of establishing the interventionist agency.
The minister called for the collective support for the success of the tournament, as well as urged the participating teams to give their best, as well as to guarantee fair play at all times to frame the mantra of the competition, which is to promote the peace all over the world.
region.
“I would like first and foremost to thank Delta State for providing a conducive environment to host this special event in a period of national insecurity and economic challenge.
This nice gesture is indeed commendable.
“I would also like to congratulate the organizers, Grassroots Sports Federation, for this laudable initiative, which not only promotes peace in the Niger Delta region, but also provides an opportunity for talented young boys to showcase their talents to the world.
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“I am especially pleased to inform you that this initiative is in line with the mandate of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs in promoting peace and security, as well as in the development of human capital in the Niger Delta region,” he said.
umana.
Former Super Eagles players including Peter Rufai, Sam Sodje, Baldwin Bazuaye and Christian Obodo praised the NDDC and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs for sponsoring the U-17 Peace Soccer Tournament, which is in its second edition.
The players said the tournament would motivate the youth of the Niger Delta to put their football talents to good use.
Rufai praised the organizers, GRASOF, led by its president, John Ekpenyong, for creating a platform for the youth of the Niger Delta, saying that as a player, who was discovered at a young age, his main passion is youth development.
He insisted that it was necessary to look back and discover talent from the grassroots and make sure they are prepared to play on a bigger stage.
For his part, Obodo, now a soccer agent, expressed his willingness to take some talented players discovered from the competition abroad.
Likewise, former Leeds and West Brom player Sodje said he was delighted that the tournament is taking place in his state, and urged the players to make sure their dreams of playing professional football come true.
The tournament, which will end on Sunday, will feature teams such as Delta United FC, New Evangel FC of Bayelsa, Diamond Stars of Cross River, Progress FC of Rivers, Excellent FC of Edo, Donastars FC of Abia, El-Godz FC of Abia and Ine Stars FC from Edo State.
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Federal Government have applauded the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises, Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) in Abia for its successes in agribusiness.
They gave the commendation on Thursday during a two-day third joint supervisor mission to the state project coordinating office.
The delegation expressed their satisfaction with the performance of LIFE-ND, saying that the state had raised the bar in agricultural entrepreneurship, especially for the youths and women.
The IFAD team and others led by Mr George Polenakis, visited different incubation centres across the state, to assess performance as well as interface with the beneficiaries.
Also in the team were IFAD officials from its headquarters in Rome as well as East Africa.
Others were officials from the Federal Ministry of Finance, Agriculture, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), consultants as well as national project coordinating office of LIFE-ND.
They visited different incubation centres where they interacted with the beneficiaries on the beneficiaries’ success stories and their challenges.
The beneficiaries, including Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), were engaged in selected commodities’ value chain of rice, cassava, palm oil processing, poultry, as well as nutrition mainstreaming.
Polenakis, who is also IFAD’s Technical Mission Lead, Financial Inclusion, commended the state project coordinating office for the exemplary efforts.
He said they were very happy to see the beneficiaries, adding that they would figure out ways where they could be financed accordingly.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that members of the mission took turns to congratulate the coordinating office as well as gave their recommendations.
In a remark, LIFE-ND National Project Coordinator, Mr Sanni Abiodun, appreciated the mission for all the accolades, saying that the project was trying to resuscitate youths in agriculture.
He said that Abia remained one of the best amongst the Niger Delta state involved in the programme.
He said that the projected, funded by IFAD, Federal Government, NDDC and the state government, is in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision for national food security, especially in the Niger Delta.
Abiodun said that the project was being designed for implementation in nine Niger Delta states of Abia,
Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers.
The LIFE-ND State Project Coordinator, Abia, Dr Uchenna Onyeizu thanked the mission for its visit, saying that it would continue to worker to surmount the few challenges identified.
He said that
“Our implementation has been unhindered by any form of interferences by the state government and that has helped us to achieve what we have achieved so far,” he said.
Meanwhile, Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu has promised to release additional tranche of the counterpart fund to the project soon, so that more youths and women would be empowered in the state.
The governor gave the assurance when the mission earlier paid him a courtesy visit for supporting the project.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to support the project which he said had made huge impacts in the lives of the youth and rural dwellers.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Niger Delta Youth Council (NDYC) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for disengaging the Sole Administrator, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr Effiong Akwa.
The council described the President’s action as a welcome development, saying it would improve the situation of things in the NDDC.
This is contained in a communique made available to newsmen in Abuja and signed by the National Coordinator of NDYC, Mr Abido Jator, at the end of a meeting.
“We commend President Muhammadu Buhari for heeding to our plea and acting promptly to sack the Sole Administrator of the NDDC, Mr Effiong Akwa.
“This is a welcome development that will usher in a substantive governing board and a new management team,” the statement said.
The body, however, called on the Federal Government, relevant organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to come to the aid of the victims of flood in the Niger Delta.
“This call became necessary as many people in the Niger Delta have lost so much to the flood,” the council said.
President Muhammadu Buhari had on Thursday removed the interim administrator of the NDDC, Mr Effiong Akwa after acting in that capacity.
Akwa was appointed on Dec. 12, 2020 after the removal of Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei, the then acting managing director of the intervention agency.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for sacking the era of Interim Administrator, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Efiong Akwa.
The President of IYC, Peter Timothy Igbifa, in a statement said that the group was elated over Buhari’s decision to end the era of interim administrations in NDDC.
Igbifa said that the situation had crippled the commission and denied all member states equal participation in the activities of the interventionist agency as envisioned by the Act establishing it.
He said Buhari’s order that the board of the NDDC should be immediately reconstituted in line with the Act was long overdue.
While acknowledging that it was better late than never, Igbifa recalled that the IYC led by him had through various actions bemoaned the draconian leadership style introduced in NDDC and called for a substantive board.
He urged Buhari’s aides to urgently swing into action to carry out his directives on the reconstitution of the commission’s board.
“Now that the President has given a marching order, we only hope that those saddled with the responsibility of implementing it will act fast to save the image of the President.
“We have noticed in the past how the President’s orders were disregarded by his aides, who were more concerned about protecting their personal interests than the national interests with total disregard to the image of their principal.
”
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
