Niger Delta
Ex-Edo Gov Wants To Succeed Oshiomhole
Ahead of this year’s gov
ernorship election in Edo State, former governor the state and governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, says is the assertion that only a Bini man can win the forthcoming governorship election in the state iswrong, adding that he remains the best aspirant of the party to succeed Governor Adams Oshiomhole.
He urged delegates of the party to be wary of aspirants whose only credential is money, stressing the need for them to cast their votes based on the credentials and track records of the aspirants and not how rich they are or the geographical zone they hail from.
Osunbor is one of the APC governorship aspirants and hails from Edo Central senatorial zone of the state. He addressed newsmen, at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, secretariat in Benin City.
The Prof. of Law explained that he decided to remain calm over his ambition all along in order to respect the instruction by Governor Oshiomhole that governorship aspirants must not distract his developmental projects.
Noting that he has respect for all other aspirants of the party, Prof Osunbor said he considered himself the most suitable candidate, adding that the belief that only a Bini (Edo South) candidate can win the election had been proved wrong in the past, notably in 2012 when a non-Bini man defeated a Bini man with a wide margin.
He said: “I am not unmindful of arguments about which senatorial zone’s turn it is to produce the next governor. I believe that this is a legitimate issue to raise in order to ensure fairness, equity and justice amongst the component parts of the state, Edo South, Edo Central and Edo North. Nevertheless, I want to be assessed based on my antecedents and record of performance rather than simply on arguments based on zoning,” he said.
Meanwhile a governorship aspirant on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Solomon Edebiri, has denied the rumour in the state that he was aborting his governorship aspiration and had stepped down for another aspirant, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
Chief Edebiri who denied the rumour while speaking with newsmen in Benin at the PDP state secretariat, said, “I want to tell you clearly that there is no truth in the rumour. It is a lie. As far as I and my campaign organisation are concerned, we still remain the candidate to beat in the state.
“We remain the number one candidate in the forthcoming governorship race because we speak the language of the people. The people are with us. All we are asking is for the leaders of the PDP to listen to the people of Edo State.
“I am looking forward to free and fair primaries. The only thing that can survive and regain the peoples’ confidence once again in PDP in Edo State is for it to conduct free and fair primaries, where whoever wins will be accepted and earn the respect and support of other aspirants,
Adeboye’s Visit: Good Omen To Rivers State – Banigo
Deputy Governor of Rivers State Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo said the visit to the State by the General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye at the first month of 2016 is a good omen to the Government and people of Rivers State.

Members of the Federated Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Rivers State Chapter, during the visit of the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr. Austin Tam-George to the chapel in Port Harcourt, recently. Photo: Egberi A. Sampson
Niger Delta
RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages

The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.