News
Delta Assembly’s US-Trip Causes Ripples
Mixed reactions have continued to trail the Delta State House of Assembly’s alleged N1.2 billion leadership training programme currently taking place at the Goldman School of Public Policy, University of California, San Francisco, USA.
The two-week training programme, it was learnt, ends today.
The 29 members of the House as well as Emma Okoro, the pioneer Speaker of the House, who is now Senior Adviser to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan on Legislative Matters, along with directors and aides to key officers of the House led by the current Speaker, Rt Hon Victor Ochei, are said to have left the shores of the country two weeks ago for what has been described by critics as a jamboree.
The size of the Speaker’s entourage, which our correspondent learnt, has about 40 persons, is already generating ripples among Deltans, who described the “training” as a waste of public funds that has no direct positive impact on Deltans, questioning the rationale behind elected officials funding such training from the public purse.
But the speaker, who spoke on phone from the United States, explained that the training of members of the 5th Assembly in California “is to prepare them further for the challenges ahead.
“The training programme is a must for all members of the House as capacity building is a priority to the leadership of the 5th Assembly.”
He explained that choice of the School of Public Policy, was informed by the institution’s track record in capacity building training, adding that certificates would be issued to participants at the end of the programme today.
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, who spoke with our correspondent, condemned the training, describing it as a “kangaroo training” for the purpose of looting public funds.
“We learnt here that the training programme is focusing on the power of legislation in sustainable development of society, leadership and public management, social media and public policy, public and private partnership, innovation and sustainable development, Californian political system, education as well as the place of agriculture in human development. Our question is that this is not the first time they are embarking on such frivolous trips abroad; and what has been the gains and impact on the people?
“Has this stopped them from being contractors, has this stopped them from being corrupt and fraudulent? The answer is no,” he declared.
A House of Assembly staff, who spoke under condition of anonymity, described the act of the lawmakers as unfortunate, saying that the lawmakers are among the many problems facing the state right from the beginning, in terms of corruption and amassing wealth for themselves.
“Ask them what has been their contribution to the growth of the state and democracy, apart from their usual votes of confidence on the state governor so that ‘Ghana must go’ bags will keep on coming. Just look at the list of the persons that went, what has the training got to do with directors, Uduaghan’s aides, and aides of the speaker, if not to waste and loot public funds?”
One of the lawmakers participating in the training, who pleaded that his name should not be mentioned, confided in our correspondent that the whole exercise is nothing but fraud.
“Honestly speaking, this training is a waste of funds as far as I am concerned because it will not have any impact on our people. It will not change our way of life, rather it is just to siphon public funds all in the name of training abroad.
“I was telling a colleague of mine that rather than wasting taxpayers’ money, why not we hold this training even in Calabar or any other place in Nigeria, and the purpose will still be achieved. For over two weeks we arrived here, if I tell you how much taxpayers’ money that has gone, you will be shocked. “Are you talking about the bills for our accommodation alone at the Hotel Shattuck, Berkeley?” he queried.
“ What about the feeding, drinking, hanging out with all these Oyibo girls, what about the money for our instructors taking us the programme?”
But when asked to give the total figure expended so far in the programme, he declined but simply said “several millions of Naira my brother”.
Reacting to the development, a socio-political pressure group, Emede Political Focus Forum (EPFF), Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, described the lawmakers as “mere rubber stamp”, who are just amassing wealth at the detriment of the people.
In a press statement, the Founder/Secretary General of the group, Comrade Geoffrey Osiama, expressed sadness and disappointment, describing the trip as “a waste of resources” and a way of undermining such institutions as the Lagos Business School, Nigeria Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies in Jos, and the Centre for Development Studies within the country which can offer capacity building training on Governance and Leadership.
“The lawmakers should realise that with this recent accord with University of California, they have passed a vote of no confidence in their own universities, which some of them are currently attending and some graduated from as well as the numerous federal and private universities in this country.”
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi