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Academic, Business Activities Grounded As Massive Protest Rocks Ozoro Over Relocation Of Critical Faculty To Orerokpe

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Dozens of Indigenes of Isoko nationality especially Ozoro, in Isoko north local government area of Delta State have embarked on protest against the relocation of critical faculty of the State University of Science and Technology to Orerokpe, Okpe local government area of the State.

The relocation is allegedly carried out by the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori to establish Orerokpe campus.

The protest started early Wednesday February 21st 2024 morning at Ozoro, the university town witnessed, mammoth crowd drawn from all communities in Isoko nation with leaves and placards condemning the relocation of the faculty from the University.

Protesters disrupted economic and academics activities in Ozoro and seizure of vehicles plying the road vowed that until the state government reverse the relocation, they would not vacate the Ozoro-Kwale-Asaba expressway.

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Meanwhile, in a protest letter addressed to the state governor, Sheriff Oborevwori by a pressure association, Isoko Monitoring Group, (IMG), titled “Relocation Of A Faculty From Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro And Neglect Of The Isoko People Is Unacceptable, Isoko Deserves More”, signed for IMG by Dr. Kingsley Oroh, obtained by SaharaReporters, expressed total dissatisfaction and displeasure at the news going round about the relocation of what it called ‘key faculty’ from Dekta State University Of Science And Technology, Ozoro to Orerokpe.

“We wish to draw the attention of the governor to this news, and urge him to set the records straight before it is too late. We want to state categorically that the governor should not take the Isoko people peaceful nature to be a weakness.

We have observed with dismay that the governor has jettisoned the PDP rotation formula that brought him to power when he was appointing the secretary to the state government. You will recur that each governor had followed a pattern that in their first tenure, the three key executive positions in the state are shared among the three senatorial districts.

“2007-2011 Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan – Governor (Delta South) Prof. Utuama – Deputy Governor (Delta Central) Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa – SSG (Delta North). 2011-2015, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan – Governor (Delta South), Prof. Utuama –Deputy Governor (Delta Central), Comrade Ovuozourie Macaulay –SSG (Delta South). 2015-2019. Sen. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa– Governor (Delta North), Barr. Kingsley Otuaro–Deputy Governor (Delta South), Barr. Ovie Festus Agas–SSG (Delta Central)

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“2019-2023: Sen. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa–Governor (Delta North) Barr. Kingsley Otuaro – Deputy Governor (Delta South), Chiedu Ebie/ Patrick Ukah– SSG (Delta North) 2023-date, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori–Governor (Delta Central) , Sir Monday Onyeme–Deputy Governor (Delta North), Dr. Kingsley Emu – SSG (Delta North).When it got to your turn your Excellency, you took the SSG that is supposed to be for Delta

South to Delta North and gave Delta South Chief of Staff, but OUR PEOPLE KEPT QUIET because they believe PARTY IS SUPREME. Your excellency, it was this same Isoko people that you are backstabbing using the chairman of the School governing council to do your bidding.

“Remember, it was the same Isoko people that stood behind you to ensure that a minority ethnic nationality from Delta central emerge as the candidate of the people democratic party (PDP) and subsequently elected as the executive governor of Delta state, but you abandoned the existing rotation of the three key positions in the state among the three senatorial district of the state and now you coming for the only university in Delta South.

“Is this what the MORE agenda means?. Your excellency we want to let you know that as the executive Governor of the state you have the power to establish a university campus anywhere in the state. The Isoko people are not and will not stop you from establishing a campus in Orerokpe or Osubi just the way Oleh and Anwai campuses were created.

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“However, worthy to note that the Law and Engineering faculties in Oleh today were never in existence at Abraka, so they were never a product of relocation, the same for faculties of agriculture, management sciences, and environmental sciences that were created at the Anwai campus, so leave the faculties in Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro alone.

“Give the proposed Orerokpe or Osubi campus a faculty that does not exist in Ozoro. Your Excellency, Isoko people voted for you, and the PDP with the high hope that on-going projects such as Ozoro market, Irri Technical College, and Isoko Ring Road would be completed within three months of your assumption in office, but the opposite is what we are experiencing.

“Projects that were started in other places have been completed, while those in Isoko have become dwelling places for rodents and destitute. You have been going around the state for project inspection. When will you come to Isoko to carry out project inspection?. Your Excellency, Isoko nation is not just a major contributor to the state revenue, but the recent elections have shown that It’s not going to be business as usual.

“The water goddess producing Sokoto votes in the Riverine communities of Delta South has been captured by BVAS. Isoko is now the bride of Delta South as the results of 2023 elections have been revealed. If the needful isn’t done. We will mobilize our people, and we have the capacity to do it against the PDP. The shocker from LP won’t be compared to what PDP will face in Isoko Nation. UNGRATEFULNESS IS A SIN.

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“Finally, we call on all Isoko Sons and Daughters, especially the youths to put aside their primordial and parochial interests and join efforts together to demand justice and seek for development for the Isoko people from the government of the day.

“The youths have to understand that one of the tools of the ruling elites is divide and rule. Therefore, the unnecessary bickering should be discontinued forthwith to pursue such causes that are capable of bringing development to Isoko nation. Unity is strength; this is what we need to conquer at this critical time. We also want to put all Isoko youths on red alert and be ready to do the needful when called upon as this battle is not a sprint but a marathon.”

However, during a visit Tuesday by leaders and traditional rulers of Isoko nation led by the President of the Isoko Development Union, (IDU), Chris Akpotu to the state governor at government house, Asaba, Oborevwori disclosed that the National Universities Commission, (NUC), had approved the establishment of three more faculties for the Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro.

The Faculties which includes Basic Medical Sciences, Pharmacy, and Health Sciences, Oborevwori, thanked the Isoko nation for their support and for being worthy in-laws, assuring that his administration would continue to do everything within its powers to develop all parts of the state, adding that “I appreciate this visit because it is long overdue.

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“I know the support that you people gave to me and I made some promises that I am still keeping till today. The Chief of Staff was the first person I appointed from Isoko nation. I have given key appointments to the Isoko nation. You have also come with some requests. I have taken note of all the requests you made. Like I promised, I am going to be Governor for all Deltans and I am doing just that.”

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Metro

Father demands justice over son’s death in Benue

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By Francesca Hangeior

Joseph Onminyi, the father of 19-year-old Peter Onminyi, who was allegedly killed by men from the Operation Zenda unit of the Benue State Police Command, has called for justice.

According to Onminyi, his son was killed in the presence of family members on May 19, 2024, around 8 pm while they were having dinner at their residence located at Welfare Quarters, Makurdi.

Speaking to journalists in Makurdi on Wednesday, the father of the deceased alleged that some policemen invaded their residence, shot his son dead, and took away his corpse.

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While crying out for justice, Onminyi demanded the immediate release of his son’s body for a decent burial according to Idoma’s traditional rites and customs.

He also demanded the immediate return of items taken from their house and access to their home, as they have been traumatised and are tired of sleeping outside.

The father, a retired civil servant, described his son as a complete gentleman and said that, to his knowledge, his son had not committed any offence that would have warranted his killing by the police in front of the family.

He said, “I am Mr. Joseph Onminyi, the father of the deceased, late Peter Onminyi, who was shot to death by the police on May 19, 2024, in my own house, not even outside.

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“No reason was given by the police for their actions. They didn’t ask or tell anyone about the offence he committed; rather, they just killed him while he was eating in the dining room.

“The police didn’t approach me, the father, or ask any of my children who were with me in the room what offence my son had committed. They just jumped over the fence, entered the house, and began shooting sporadically. They even shot at one of my sons, who was eating at the dining table.

“Not only that, after killing him, they took his body away and removed all the home properties, including a radio, refrigerator, washing machine, gas cooker and gas cylinder, as well as two motorcycles and everything else in the house.

“I think this action could be seen as armed robbery because they came unannounced, and nobody was informed of what they were there for. Whether they came to search for something or to investigate someone, they didn’t say anything; they just shot and killed my innocent child.

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“After killing him, the police took his body away to an unknown destination. Up to this moment, I don’t know where my son’s lifeless body is. Not only that, the police locked my house.”

He added, “They locked the entrance gate to my house. My house has been locked and the key withheld since the incident in May.

“My family and I have been sleeping outside our home in an uncompleted building. I therefore appeal to Nigeria and the entire world to come to my aid and address the police brutality against innocent citizens,” Onminyi stated.

While mentioning that he had filed a case for breach of human rights against the police, the deceased’s father accused the police of delaying the case in court.

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“They have refused to appear in court, which means the police believe they are above the law and can disregard the judicial process,” he said.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the State Command, SP Catherine Anene, said that the case involved someone suspected of kidnapping and armed robbery.

She said, “I am aware of the case, which involved a boy who was suspected of kidnapping. I think the police went there to arrest him, and during the process, one of the boys exchanged gunfire with the police, and in the process, he was killed.

“However, I am not sure of the name, but I will get back to you. This happened around the Welfare Quarters in the Makurdi area.”

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Lagos Seals Churches, Others Over Noise Pollution

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The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA, has sealed off some churches over noise pollution in the state.

LASEPA confirmed this in a statement on its X page.

LASEPA said it took the action in a bid to address noise pollution and other environmental violations.

It said the establishments were found guilty of breaching environmental regulations despite multiple warnings from LASEPA.

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“The affected establishments include Honourable Lounge & Lodging, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Celestial Church of God, OMA Night Club and Lounge, Bridge Spot Bar.

“Others are Okiki Event Centre and Hall, Emota Paradise Hotel (Phase 2), CF Hotel & Suites, House 27 Hotel & Suites, Echo Spring Hotel, and Smile T Continental Hotel,” the statement added.

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Troops kill bandits’ kingpin, four others in Plateau

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Troops attached to the Forward Operation Base of Operation Safe Haven, stationed in the Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, have killed five bandits, including their kingpin, Kachalla Saleh.

Our correspondent reports that the incident occurred less than a week after bandits and vigilantes clashed in the Dogon Ruwa community of the council, resulting in four deaths.

A vigilante and youth leader in Wase, Abdullahi Haruna, told newsmen in Jos on Tuesday that the incident happened around 12 noon in Kinashe village, Bashar District, on Monday.

Haruna stated that the bandits, who posed a threat to residents’ lives, were caught off guard by security personnel, allowing for a resistance-free operation.

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He said “The village is a bushy area, and residents had already fled before the latest incident, Haruna explained. “Bandits had displaced people from the area, using it as a hiding place. The bandits didn’t expect security personnel to descend upon them at that time, given the area’s nature.”

Residents of Wase, particularly Bashar District, commended the troops for the successful operation.

Our correspondent reports that Wase LGA villages have suffered from banditry for two years, resulting in numerous deaths, including security personnel.

When contacted on the development, the spokesperson of Operation Safe Haven, Maj Samson Zhakom, neither answered calls nor responded to the short message sent to him by our correspondent.

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