Niger Delta

Delta Scale Up SEEFOR Projects

Published

10 years ago

May 25, 2016

The Delta State Coordina
tor of State Employment and Expenditure for Results (SEEFOR), Mr Benson Ojoko, said the state government had given approval to scale up the project in all the 25 councils.
Ojoko told newsmen in Abuja that the projects were pilot projects in six local government areas and that the projects had been a huge success.
He listed the beneficiary councils as Oshimili South, Warri South, Uvwie, Ughelli North, Sapele and Udu.
Our correspondent reports that the SEEFOR project, which is being funded by the European Union (EU) and the World Bank, is aimed at employing youths in the informal sector.
The project is being implemented in four Niger Delta states of Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and Rivers through the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.
The official said the objective of SEEFOR was to enhance youth employment opportunities and access to socio-economic services, while improving the public financial management systems of participating states.
“It will interest you to know that out of 7,750 beneficiaries of SEEFOR project in the implementing states, 4,431 of the youths have been employed in the implementation of the project in Delta.
“One thousand, three hundred and eighty six (1,386) of the jobs were created for males, while 3,045 jobs were created for females”.
He said that apart from the number of youths that had benefited, the state had adopted the project to ensure its sustainability.
“For instance, the Private Sector Participation (PSP) model in refuse disposal and collection, even when the contract elapsed since Oct. 2015, the government has continued implementing it.
“The government of Delta is running the project with the vision and they are not stopping it at the six pilot local government areas.
“The governor has seen the benefits accruable in the number of people employed in revenue generation and cleanliness of the environment.
“He has approved the scale up from the six local government areas to all the 25 local government areas of the state, “ the official said.
Ojoko said that the project showed a credible alternative to business in an unusual way, which the state had been benefiting beyond the immediate cash.
He said the state had also recorded success under the Technical Vocation Training Institution, and on the Commodity Intervention that the project had impacted at the grassroots level.
“But much more importantly is on the Medium-Term Support for Public Financial Management Reforms- with this intervention we have leverage on the support of the World Bank.
“We have leveraged on the support to have a draft Public Financial Management Law for Delta, a draft Audit and Economic Law and updated Fiscal Policy Paper and Budget Policy Statement.
“These are elements of Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) which were not there before the intervention.
“For the first time in the history of Delta State, the state government has been able to pass the MTEF document to the Executive Council and the State House of Assembly.
“This became the working document for budget preparation for 2016, “ the official said.
In addition, Ojoko said that the state had been paying its counterpart funding of N150 million annually, saying that the act demonstrated government‘s commitment to the project.
“I have seen the wisdom in this partnership with the World Bank and EU. For us in Delta, it is truly a demonstration of partnership for result. “
Our correspondent reports that the five-year project which started in 2012 would end in 2017.

Niger Delta

Edo Partners Stakeholders For Better Land, Housing Services

Published

5 hours ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

The Edo State government has reaffirmed its commitment to strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to enhance effective service delivery in the lands and housing sector across the state.

Commissioner for Ministry of Lands and Housing, Mr. Yakubu Musa, made this known on Thursday, when he met with members of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in Benin.

Musa emphasised the importance of synergy and collaboration to drive sustainable development in the state.

He said, ‘’The ministry is taking steps to sanitise and regulate the real estate industry to make sure Edo citizens get maximum satisfaction from the lands and housing sector.’’

Earlier, the Chairman of the Association, Mr. Roger Isiokhere, said the visit was to formally acquaint the commissioner with the institution’s activities.

Isiokhere expressed the institution’s readiness to work closely with the ministry in achieving its mandate, offering professional advisory services and other forms of support.

The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Joy Akhigbe, also stressed the importance of collaboration.

In attendance at the meeting were the Surveyor-General of the State, Directors, and other management staff of the Ministry of Lands and Housing.

Niger Delta

Otu Reiterates Commitment To Support Military Veterans, Families

Published

5 hours ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of military veterans and their families.

Otu, who spoke at the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Calabar on Thursday, said his administration would not forget the contributions of fallen heroes.

Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Peter Odey, the Governor described the armed forces remembrance day as a reminder of the sacrifices made by military veterans to keep Nigeria united and peaceful.

“The lesson is to remember our fallen heroes, people who sacrificed for the country, many of them paid with their lives to protect this nation”, he said.

Otu further said widows of late military officers would continue to be part of his government’s programmes and interventions.

“All widows are being carried along, the Commissioner for Social Welfare ensures their inclusion in every programme”, he said.

Earlier, the Cross River State Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Daniel Ojugbo, said the ceremony was not only an honour for fallen heroes, but a time to reflect on the challenges being faced by military veterans and their families.

Ojugbo said families of fallen military officers faced delayed welfare benefits, limited medical care and unemployment for their widows and other dependants.

He commended Otu for his support, saying that his administration had shown genuine and remarkable concerns for the legion and its members.

Also speaking, the Coordinator, Military Widows in the state, Mrs. Miriam Orok, thanked the Governor for improved treatment and inclusion in welfare interventions.

“We are actually seeing better changes under our Governor. He has been carrying us along, and we are very grateful. We also thank the governor’s wife for her sense of compassion”, she said.

The Tide’s source reports that the event featured prayers, wreath-laying, and tributes to the fallen heroes.

Niger Delta

Delta Legislative Assembly Impeaches Leader Over Gross misconduct

Published

5 hours ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

Leader of Ughelli North Local Government Legislative Arm, Rt. Hon. Ajero Prosper Okeoghene, has been impeached over alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office.

The impeachment of the ousted leader was signed by 12 out of the 18 councillors that attended the plenary at the legislative chamber of Ughelli North on Wednesday.

The Councillors alleged that the former House leader breached the constitutional requirement to lead the 8th Assembly.

According to the statement, “We the undersigned Councillors of Ughelli North Local Government Legislative House of the 8th Assembly have watched with keen interest the activities of the present Leader of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ajero Okeoghene Prosper, and having thoroughly gone through it, we decided to as a matter of urgency, resolved to impeach him in line with the relevant Delta Local Government Law 2013, as Amended, and other Legislative practices/convention.

“Furthermore, to the above therefore, we are constrained to state unequivocally that Hon. Ajero Okeoghene Prosper lacks the ability to move this Eighth (8th) Assembly to the next level and as such should step outside for another to reinvigorate this present Assembly.

“Having satisfied the constitutional requirement of 2/3 majority, motion for his impeachment and removal as leader of the Ughelli North Legislative Arm was moved.

“His impeachment was as a result of Misappropriation of funds, inability to pilot the affairs of the house, high-handedness, gross misconduct and refusal to call plenary as at when due and his excessive drunkenness.

“The motion for his impeachment was moved by Hon. Onome Isherhe, Councillor representing Ughelli Ward 12, and seconded by Hon. Clever Erhuvwu Ofariko, representing Orogun Ward 3, respectively.

“The motion for a new Leader of the Ughelli North Legislative Arm was moved by Hon. Collins Oghenebrorhie Arhiakpore, the Councillor representing Agbarha Ward 2 and seconded by Hon Felicia Diedjomaho, the Councillor representing Agbarho Ward 1″, it stated.

Amongst the Councillors that signed the impeachment are Hon. Orido December, Hon. Victor, Hon. Igogono Goddey, and Hon. Felicia Diedjomaho.

Others are Hon. Inana Oke Festus, Hon. Clever Erhuvwu Ofariko, Hon. Collins Arhiakpore, Hon. Joseph Friday Obara, Hon. Onome Isherhe, and Hon. Palmer Israel.

The new Leader of the Ughelli North Local Government Legislative Arm is Rt. Hon. Solomon Oghenero Agbini, the Councillor representing Ogor Ward 1.

All efforts to contact the impeached leader, Okeoghene, were not successful as calls to his line were not answered or returned as of the time of this report.