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Okuama: IDPs get US-based Egi’s welfare attention
Residents displaced by the military destruction and occupation of Okuama, the Ughelli South Local Government Area community in Delta state following March 14 killing of 17 soldiers have received some welfare charity from United States (US) based Nigerian, Micheal Egi.
The gesture by Egi, a staunch member of the Urhobo Historical Society (UHS) comes as the Nigerian Army released detained Ovie of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom, HRM Clement Oghenerukevwe Ikolo, Urhukpe 1 whose domain encompasses Okuama.
Leaders of Okuama who received the charity package on behalf of the community’s Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) roaming creeks in the area told our reporter that the gesture included food items toiletries and medicals.
One of the leaders who spoke to our reporter noted, “Though he is Urhobo, we didn’t see this coming from this concerned individual in Diaspora. We are indeed grateful to Egi as we have been to all, including groups who have shown compassion in these trying times we face.
“Just days ago, one of our satellite camps around Okuama, our ancestral home where we have since been sacked and occupied by military over the killing of soldiers was raided and destroyed again.
“Okuama IDPs remain in disarray even till now, our communal neighbours are afraid to harbour us due to threats from the military. Okuama needs peace, not war, at the moment.”
Speaking from his US base, the donor of the item, Egi said, “The move was not for any self-glorification but to let all men of good conscience know that the world is watching the Nigerian state and her military’s vengeful mission to wipe out Okuama.
“No one is happy that soldiers were killed but against the emanating critical issues, the killing of soldiers in Okuama is beyond the community, even by the military’s reports.
“It is untenable to declare all Okuama people guilty as charged and push to wipe them out for the sins of a few who even have no link to Okuama. Must Okuama not be turned into Odi or Zaki Biam?
“I call on men of good conscience to come to the aid of Okuama even as we ask the military to vacate their land and let the people go. For too long they have been left to run and suffer, no food, no water, no peace.”
Meanwhile, the Ewu monarch was released by the Nigerian Army to Sen Ede Dafinone who represents Delta Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly.
The monarch was released after 21 days in custody after surrendering themself to the Delta State Police Command from where the military whisked him from Asaba to Abuja as one of those declared wanted for the murder of 17 soldiers on March 14 in Okuama.
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Air Force Begins Moving Electoral Materials For Edo Guber Election
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has began airlifting the sensitive election materials for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to Benin, Edo State, ahead of the upcoming governorship election scheduled for September 21, 2024.
This was disclosed on Wednesday by the Deputy Director, Public Relations and Information, Group Captain Kabiru Ali.
The operation is part of the NAF’s efforts to ensure the timely and secure delivery of materials necessary for a smooth electoral process.
This development reinforces the collaboration between NAF and INEC to facilitate logistics and ensure a peaceful election in Edo State.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, had previously reiterated NAF’s commitment to providing airlift support for the swift movement of electoral materials during a meeting with INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu.
This airlift operation is a crucial aspect of NAF’s constitutional responsibility to provide Military Aid to Civil Authority, underscoring the force’s dedication to supporting democratic processes in Nigeria. With the election just days away, the NAF’s timely intervention will help ensure the successful conduct of the governorship elections in Edo State.
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State had earlier accused the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, of working with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to hunt the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members and supporters in the state and force them into hiding ahead of September 21 governorship election.
Obaseki, who made the allegation when a delegation led by the former Head of State, Abdusalam Abubakar, met with him to get the governor and his party to sign peace accord, said that the IGP had made nonsense of his (Obaseki’s) role as the chief security officer of the state.
The governor had said that the police chief obtained a warrant to arrest 60 members and supporters of PDP in Edo and that the IGP sent an armed “gang” of policemen who invaded the state, attacked PDP members, shot at a local government chairman and arrested 10 persons who are currently being detained in Abuja without charges.
Asked by the former head of state if his party would sign the peace accord, Obaseki said, “The person who is supposed to enforce the peace accord is now an active participant in creating a destructive environment.
“We are now in a situation where from the Inspector General’s office, there are armed gang policemen who came into Edo State, invaded, arrested and took away PDP members.
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“Dancing gives me abundant joy and peace of mind”-Gov Adeleke
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has given reasons why he loves dancing.
The ‘Dancing Governor’, as he is fondly called, revealed this on Wednesday while responding to a tweet on X.
An X user, @Iwogoke, while praising the governor, stated that Adeleke has been busy fulfilling his electoral promises to the people of Osun State, while his political opponents believe he is only good at dancing.
Iwogoke tweeted, “I’m not flattering you, Your Excellency, your opponents think you can only dance but while they are busy shouting and calling you ‘Dancing Governor’, you are busy fulfilling your electoral promises to the people.”
Responding to the tweet via his verified X account, Adeleke explained that he loves dancing because it brings him joy.
Speaking further on his love for dancing, Adeleke highlighted that while dancing brings him immense happiness, his greater fulfilment comes from delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Osun.
Outlining his administration’s efforts to enhance the state’s infrastructure, he noted that primary health centre rehabilitation is underway in at least 200 out of the 332 wards across Osun State, adding that road construction projects are also progressing in every local government area.
He wrote, “Dancing gives me joy, but delivering on my electoral promises and providing the dividends of democracy to the good people of Osun gives me even greater joy. Rehabilitation of primary health centers is ongoing in at least 200 out of 332 wards, and road construction is progressing in every Local Government!”
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