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Niger Delta

FRSC Assures On Accident-free ‘Ember’ Months

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The Auchi Unit Command of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Edo says in spite of its inadequacies, it has evolved measures to ensure accident-free “ember” months.

The Unit Commander, Mr Olu Afolabi, told newsmen on Monday that the commission had mobilised its human and material resources toward achieving the goal.

He said the staff of the commission had been placed on red alert, while stakeholders such as the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) had been co-opted into the ember months safety campaign.

Afolabi said the command was currently patrolling the highways within the zone from dawn to dusk with a plan of making it a 24-hour patrol during the peak period of the campaign.

As part of efforts to realise the objective, he said more patrol vehicles and equipment were been deployed from the FRSC headquarters in Abuja to the unit.

“We know we have shortcomings, especially with regard to our equipment and patrol vehicles that were recently destroyed by students of the Auchi Polytechnic, but that notwithstanding, we are not taking chances of ensuring a successful campaign.

“To start with, we have placed all our staff on red alert. We have banned all forms of leave for the staff during the campaign period.

“We are also going round all motor parks in the Edo North Senatorial District, organising rallies and sensitisation workshops for drivers. We are educating them on how to maintain discipline on the highways.

“Special marshals have been mobilised to partake in the ember months campaign activities as well as to educate the public throughout the district.

“We went a step further by co-opting some of our stakeholders such as FERMA and NURTW as well as other transport operators into the campaign to make the whole scheme a huge success.

“We have also secured the cooperation of private truck owners to assist us in removing obstructions from the highways.

“Notwithstanding our plan of ensuring an accident-free campaign, we have, however, placed on standby rescue teams in case of any traffic crash at midnight,” he said.

Afolabi explained that these efforts were being made because of the sensitive nature of the highways in the district, especially the Okene-Auchi-Benin highway.

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Niger Delta

NDDC Begins N50,000 Monthly Payment To 10,000 N’Delta Youths 

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The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has begun the payment of N50,000 monthly stipends to 10,000 indigenous youths from the Niger Delta under its Youths Internship Scheme.

The Director of Corporate Affairs at the NDDC, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, disclosed this to journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, yesterday.

She explained that the beneficiaries would undergo practical, hands-on training across the various organisations for 12 months to develop critical skills.

Recall that during the inauguration of the scheme on July 31, 2024, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, had announced the Federal Government’s approval of a N50,000 monthly stipend for the trainees.

According to Thompson-Wakama, the commission has successfully completed the selection process and has begun placing trainees in organisations to gain practical experience.

“Consequently, with the completion of these phases, the payment of the monthly stipends has also commenced,” she announced.

She revealed that the 10,000 beneficiaries were transparently selected from over 3.2 million youths who registered for the empowerment programme.

“This unprecedented response highlights the immense potential and aspirations of our youths to improve themselves.

“NDDC remains steadfast in ensuring this life-changing opportunity reaches the most deserving candidates, creating a lasting impact and paving the way for a brighter future,” she stated.

Thompson-Wakama explained that the scheme had enabled the commission to collate essential data, including the qualifications, skills, interests, needs, and employment status of the youths in the region.

The data, she explained, would guide the commission in designing programmes tailored to address the unique challenges faced by young people.

She disclosed that the NDDC partnered with KPMG, a global audit and consultancy firm, to enhance the commission’s corporate governance framework.

“KPMG has produced a Governance Advisory Report that will serve as a tool to support the commission’s transition from a transaction-based to a transformation-focussed policy,” Thompson-Wakama added.

The director commended the youths for their patience and cooperation during the selection process for the scheme.

  

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Niger Delta

Oborevwori Tasks Public Officers On Selflessness

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Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori,  has charged public office holders in the state to put the interest of the people above self in the discharge of their duties.
The Governor gave the charge when  the new executive of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), State Chapter, led by Bishop Abos Willie, called on him at Government House, Asaba.
He said it was the lack of fear of God that made some public office holders to put themselves above the collective interest of the people.
Oborevwori attributed the successes so far recorded by his administration in the last 19 months to divine directive and God’s providence and pledged to continue to put God first in the governance of the state.
He congratulated members of the new PFN executive in the state on their successful election and promised to synergies with them in advancing the M.O.R.E Agenda of his administration.
“First, let me congratulate the new executive members of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Delta state Chapter.
“As an administration, we are grateful to God for the successes that we have recorded so far.
“It is by divine wisdom that we have been able to judiciously allocate resources that meet competing needs and made the right choices and decisions.
“As a government, we are determined to continue to trust God for wisdom, guidance and direction to successfully execute the programmes that we have outlined under the M.O.R.E Agenda.
“I know that, in partnership with the Christian body, we will succeed because, as an Elder in the Living Faith Church, we put God first in everything that we do.
“We are elected or appointed to serve interest of the people and not for our personal interest; as such, the interest of the people should come first.
“By the time you put the interest of the people first, you will succeed but when you put your personal interest first, you will fail”, he said.
He said his administration was committed to doing those things that would positively impact on the lives of the people at the grassroots.
“l want to assure you that, as a government, we will continue to partner with relevant stakeholders in order to move the state forward”, Oborevwori said.
He implored the PFN and the church to continue to pray for the state and the nation, affirming that God was needed to reverse the ugly trend in the country.
Earlier, the State PFN Chairman, Bishop Abos Willie, said the visit was not only to introduce the new executive to the governor but to also congratulate him on his giant strides and recognition by the ThisDay Newspaper and Arise Television as the Governor -of -The -Year.
Willie reminded the Governor of the need to sustain zero tolerance for shoddy projects, stressing that the bold step would stamp out the syndrome of abandonment of projects in the state.
He outlined the programmes of his administration to include the value of the Holy Bible, religious harmony, integrity in Christianity and value of being born again.
He, however, urges the state government  support in achieving the set goals
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Niger Delta

C’ River Committed To Mangrove Restoration – Gov

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Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, last Wednesday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling climate change by advocating for the restoration of the state’s mangroves.
Otu made this remark during a courtesy visit by officials of the National Council on Climate Change Secretariat, highlighting the state’s proactive stance as the first to enact a Climate Change Law.
Emphasising the importance of collective action in addressing environmental challenges, he called for greater support for ongoing projects and increased investment in training and awareness initiatives at the community level.
“Our mangroves have suffered, but we are working on sustainable solutions. This is a testament to our full support and commitment to climate action.
“Our roadmap is strong, and our people are ready to collaborate for a greener economy”,  he said.
Also speaking during the visit, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Council on Climate Change Secretariat, Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe, commended the Cross River government for its leadership in climate governance.
Maduekwe, who is also a Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Change, described mangroves as Nigeria’s ‘low-hanging fruit’ in climate mitigation, highlighting their economic and environmental significance.
She noted that a stakeholder town hall meeting had been held in Calabar, the state capital, to establish a concrete roadmap for mangrove restoration and conservation.
“We are excited to see a state that has not only adopted the Climate Change Law but has also developed a solid framework for a green economy.
“While we continue to engage other states, Cross River stands out as a model in driving climate action”,  she said.
She, however, stressed the need for a strong legal framework to ensure effective climate action, noting that operationalising a climate change fund would be crucial in attracting global financial support.
On her part, Dr Edu Effiom, Director-General of the Cross River Council on Climate Change, reiterated the state’s efforts in mangrove restoration and carbon investment, noting that significant progress was being made.
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