Niger Delta

Obaseki Blames Global Inflation On COVID-19 Pandemic

Published

2 years ago

November 20, 2023

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has said the Corona Virus (COVID-19) pandemic which impacted the World three years ago, was responsible for the all- time high global inflation.
Obaseki stated this while delivering his keynote address on Friday at the 2023 Delta State Executive Council Retreat in Asaba.
The retreat has the theme, “Delivering the M.O.R.E Agenda for Advancing Delta: Strategies Enablers”.
The theme was aimed at ensuring that Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of Delta State Government align their programmes and activities with the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori-led administration’s policy focus.
Obaseki, who spoke on “Innovative Approach to Building a State that Works for the Citizens (Opportunities, Challenges and Prospects for Advancing the Delta State Economy)”, said the pandemic triggered the global inflation.
According to him, the pandemic of three years ago had driven global inflation to an all time high.
“Since the era of COVID-19, there has been a significant increase in use of technology and Artificial Intelligence in doing things. The effect on developing countries like Nigeria is frightening”.
He, however, warned that sub-national and local governments must work assiduously to deliver for the people.
Obaseki disclosed plans to buy back the state’s shares in the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), adding that talks were ongoing between Delta, Edo, Ekiti, and Ondo states to repurchase the shares.
On his part, Oborevwori assured of his administration’s commitment to ensuring excellence, process-driven and result-oriented governance for the people of the state.
He said the strategic imperatives of the M.O.R.E agenda have been distilled into deliverables that can be measured, tracked, and reported.
“These key performance indicators will enable us to measure our progress as an administration based on established timelines and benchmarks for success.
“This will in turn enable efficiency of government, enhance performance, hold the MDAs accountable, and promote judicious utilization of resources.
“It is my earnest expectation that this forum will provide the pathway for us to deliver on the promises of the M.O.R.E agenda.
“Through fiscal responsibility, synergy among the MDAs, robust community engagement, effective public communication, creative execution of programmes, and excellent service delivery”, he said.
Oborevwori continued that a key component of his administration’s policy thrust was to ensure a credible feedback mechanism.
“For us to achieve our stated goals, MDAs must constantly monitor the progress of projects under their jurisdiction and formulate a mechanism for feedback and evaluation.
“As evidenced from the projects that we have so far completed and embarked upon, this administration is process-driven, result-oriented, and excellence-inclined.
“Indeed, we are poised to advance the state into an era that will accelerate the realization of its full potentials through the M.O.R.E agenda.
“Towards this end, the Commissioners are expected to sign a Performance Bond at the end of this retreat.

“This is not meant to scare anybody. It is to serve as a motivation to stay focused on the deliverables that have been established.

“As I stated in my inauguration speech, the M.O.R.E agenda is designed to foster inclusive and sustainable economic growth and private sector job creation.

“Also to strengthen the human capital, build an enabling infrastructure, bolster public financial management, and improve governance and accountability systems for improved service delivery.

“The issues before us are simple: they are about improving the quality of life of our people, about building bridges of social cohesion, about giving our people hope of a better tomorrow, and about accelerated development.

“To effectively achieve this target, it demands thought and action from me and all those who have the privilege to serve as elected officials, political appointees, or civil servants”, he said.

Earlier, the Delta State Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, thanked the Governor for organizing the retreat, adding that it would give participants insight into the philosophy and clear vision of the Agenda.

Onyeme said there was a new Sheriff in town whose agenda was geared towards reshaping the tools of governance for greater efficiency as encapsulated in his M.O.R.E agenda.

He urged participants to do things differently.

Niger Delta

Sexual Harassment: Court Sentences UNICAL Prof To 5yrs Imprisonment

Published

4 days ago

November 19, 2025

The Tide

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, sentenced Prof. Cyril Ndifon, suspended Dean of Faculty of Law, University of Calabar (UNICAL), to five years’ imprisonment without an option of fine.

Justice James Omotosho, in a judgment, held that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had been able to prove the evidence in counts one and two beyond reasonable doubt against the 1st defendant.

Justice Omotosho, therefore, sentenced Ndifon to two-year jail term in count one and five-year imprisonment in count two which must run concurrently.

The judge, however, discharged and acquitted Sunny Anyanwu, who was earlier a member of Ndifon ‘s team of lawyers, of the charges against him.

He held that the anti-corruption commission was unable to link the offences in counts three and four in which Anyanwu’s name appeared, to the co-defendant.

The Tide’s source reports that th ICPC had, in the amended charge dated January 19, 2024, preferred four counts against Ndifon (1st defendant) and his lawyer, Sunny Anyanwu (2nd defendant)

Although Ndifon was initially the sole defendant in the sexual harassment charge, Anyanwu was later joined as 2nd defendant in the amended charge.

The development followed allegations that Anyanwu had attempted to pervert the course of justice by calling the star witness on her mobile phone during the pendency of the charge against Ndifon to threaten her.

Anyanwu, while being a lawyer to Ndifon, was said to have called TKJ not not either honour the ICPC’s invitation or write any statement in respect of the allegations of sexual harrament case against his client.

In the amended charge, counts one and two accused the professor of harassing some female students of the school sexually.

The commission said Ndifon, while serving as the Dean of the Faculty of Law at UNICAL, asked a female Diploma student, identified as TKJ and a star witness, to send him “pornographic, indecent and obscene photographs of herself” through WhatsApp chats.

He was also accused to have, on differently occasions, asked TKJ to give him “a blow job” as an exchange for gaining admission into the institution to study law.

Ndifon, a public officer, was alleged to have sexually harassed many female students of the institution using his position to gain undue advantage over them.

While count three was preferred solely against Anyanwu, the two defendants were accused of attempting to influence the course of justice in count four of the charge.

The anti-corruption commission had, on February 14, 2024, closed its case against the suspended professor and Anyanwu.

ICPC counsel, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, told Justice Omotosho after Bwaigu Fungo, the 4th prosecution witness, a Forensic and intelligence Analyst with the commission, was cross-examined by the defence lawyer.

But the defendants opted for a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution had failed to sufficiently prove the allegations against them.

But Justice Omotosho had, on March 6, 2024, dismissed the no-case submission filed by Ndifon and Anyanwu against the charge.

In defending himself, Ndifon testified as the first defence witness (DW-1), while CSP Babagana Mingali, a Forensic Analyst, who works at the laboratory of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), gave his testimony as the DW-2.

Delivering the judgement, the judge said the commission had been able to prove the ingredients of the offences in counts one and two.

He observed that Ndifon was unable to controvert the evidence that he unduly pressurised TKJ to perform the immoral act with her.

He said: “The victim was desirous of being admitted into the university and the 1st defendant was in advantage to help her being the dean and the diploma course is under his supervision,

“The instances of undue advantage are so much. The 1st defendant abused his office.”

According to him, the court observes the 1st defendant and see that the 1st defendant is not a witness of truth and cannot be believed by any reasonable court.

“Consequently, the 1st defendant is hereby convicted of count one and count two”, he said.

The judge said being a first-time offender, he was minded to temper justice with mercy as prayed by Ndifon and his lawyer, Oladimeji Ekengba.

On count three, the judge said he observed that although Anyanwu made a phone call to TKJ, this was about four months before the investigation commenced into the case and a charge preferred against Ndifon.

He said the court cannot assume or speculate the intention of the 2nd defendant at the time the act was committed.

Justice Omotosho, therefore, discharged and acquitted Anyanwu of count three and likewise count four which both the defendants were charged.

The judge, however, condemned Anyanwu’s unprofessional act by calling a supposed witness in his client’s matter.

Also Justice Omotosho berated Ndifon’s immoral conduct.

He said: “It was with dismay I read through this case that a Dean of Law can turn himself to a sexual predator.”

He said his randy nature should be condemned by all.

According to the judge, he is a disgrace to the community of learner persons and must be made to face the wrath of the law.

He said this would serve as a deterrent to others like him in public office who have penchant for taking undue advantage over the female folks.

Niger Delta

FRSC Begins Free Vehicle Safety Checks In A’Ibom

Published

4 days ago

November 19, 2025

The Tide

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Command in Akwa Ibom State, says it has commenced free safety checks for all categories of vehicles in the state.

The Sector Commander, Mr. Francis Ajatta, told newsmen in Uyo on Monday that the safety checks would continue untill November 20.

Ajatta said the safety checks was the operational window adopted by the corps to relate with the 080-334-22651motoring public, and to demonstrate its commitment to road safety.

He said the exercise was part of FRSC’s proactive steps to reduce road traffic crashes in the state, especially during the ‘Ember’ Months.

The FRSC official urged motorists and vehicle owners in the state to take advantage of the opportunity to ascertain the road worthiness level of their vehicles.

“In the interest of public safety, let’s strive consciously to safeguard our lives, let’s use this opportunity to carry out safety checks on our vehicles.

“As road users, we should be active observers. We should be cautious. We should promptly report any road incident or emergencies to the FRSC Toll-free line –122,” he said.

Niger Delta

Monarch Lauds Fubara Over Speedy Execution Of Projects In Rivers

Published

4 days ago

November 18, 2025

The Tide

A traditional ruler in Rivers State, His Royal Highness, Epelle D. E. Asukokpong has commended the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for ensuring speedy execution of ongoing projects across the state.

Asuk-okpong, who is the Paramount Ruler of Egwe-Asukokpong in Asarama District, in Andoni Local Government Area lauded the Governor during his inspection tour with his Cabinet on a section of Andoni road linking Oyorokoto fishing community in the area, yesterday.

The Paramount Ruler who expressed satisfaction with the pace of work on the road, commended the Governor for the seriousness he attached to the project.

According to him, “there is a serious motivation on the part of the company handling project.

“With what am seeing today I can say that the Company has redoubled its effort by 50 percent after the Governor’s inspection of the Road on October 28, 2025.

“I thank God for His intervention in the political impasse that was trying to slow down the pace of development in the State.”

The Traditional Ruler, who doubles as PRO of Asarama Divisional Council of Traditional Rulers and Secretary Asarama Town Council of Traditional Rulers said traditional rulers in his domain would continue to support the efforts of Government at all levels to ensure security and development in the area.

He also appealed to the State Government to intervene in the abandoned Asarama, Engendem, Unyeada Ring Road in the area.

It would be recalled that the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on October 28, 2025, visited the Andoni Atlantic Ocean shoreline to inspect the 13-kilometre road project currently under construction.

The road, when completed, will provide direct access to the beach and link Oyorokoto — a fishing settlement in — to Ngo, the headquarters of Andoni Local Government Area which has since been linked to mainland Ogoni by the Governor.