Skill Acquisition: Delta Empowers 565 Widows

THE Delta State Government, yesterday, empowered 565 widows through its Widows Skill Acquisition and Empowerment Programme with starter-packs after undergoing vocational training in hairdressing, fashion and design, make-up, soap making and baking.

Addressing the beneficiaries at a ceremony, with the theme, ‘Sustainable Solutions for Widows Financial Independence,’ Governor Ifeanyi Okowa said the empowerment was part of measures to tackle challenges faced by some vulnerable members of society, especially widows.

Okowa, who ordered the increase in the number of beneficiaries of the scheme from 11,000 to 20,000 and the monthly stipend from N5, 000 to N10, 000, urged them to use the starter-packs to fend for themselves and add to the improvement of the state’s economy.

He said: “We are here to fulfill part of our promise for a Stronger Delta as we tackle the challenges faced by some vulnerable members of society through providing starter-packs to 565 widows across the state. This will go a long way in shoring up the economic sustenance of these widows and position them to offer training and employment to other Deltans. 

“At the commencement of the Widows’ Welfare Scheme, 5,607 widows were placed on a stipend of N5, 000 each. After the enumeration of widows in the state, the number was increased to 11, 107.”

  He explained that the women, drawn from the 270 federal wards in the 25 local government areas of the state, apart from the monthly stipend, enjoyed free healthcare services through the state’s contributory health insurance scheme in accredited hospitals and primary healthcare centres in their localities.

While stressing that the scheme was non-partisan, but meant for women resident in the state, irrespective of political affiliation, tribe and religion, the governor urged the beneficiaries to build on the economic elevation to improve on their living standard and that of their dependants. 

“Today’s exercise is a demonstration that the Stronger Delta Agenda is all-embracing. It cuts across every segment of the population from pregnant women, infants, youths, the elderly to the vulnerable. 

“We are determined to leave the state better than we met it and with the continuous support of Deltans, we will not rest on our oars,” he stated. 

The Project Coordinator of the scheme, Mr. Isioma Okonta, thanked the governor for providing resources for the training and empowerment and for giving hope to vulnerable segments of society.

Ifeanyi Ubah Attackers Now Arrested, Says Soludo

By Chuks Collins (Awka)

THE Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has announced the arrest of most of the heavily armed gunmen that attacked the senator representing Anambra South, Chief Ifeanyi Ubah, few weeks ago.

  The governor, who made the disclosure, to the relief of the teeming audience at the St Theresa Catholic Parish, Enuagu, Enugwu-ukwu during the funeral Mass of the late Boniface Okonkwo Nwankwo, father of Dozie Nwankwo, a member of the Federal House of Representatives, noted that more details would be made public soon.

  Describing Anambra State as ‘Light of the nation is the land of peace,’ Soludo urged politicians to always embrace dialogue, instead of resorting to violence and bloodshed, which the state was never known for.

  He stated: “We are peaceful people; we have given the armed gunmen and similar troublemakers flight out of the state.”

  Soludo praised the deceased as having “lived a life of impact.”

  In his response, Nwankwo, while commending guests, including President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by his wife Aisha, who spoke through Zoom, ministers and a large number of colleagues in the National Assembly, thanked all the sympathisers who braved all odds to visit in person.

Nigeria Air To Commence Operations In December, As FG Takes Delivery Of Nine Aircraft

THE Minister of Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, has disclosed that nine of the 20 petrol-aircraft ordered by the Federal Government for the take off of Nigeria Air had been delivered.

   Speaking during a meeting with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, who raised concerns about the process leading to the establishment of Nigeria Air, Sirika said “there are issues that need clarification,” adding that there was no cause for worries, as stakeholders were carried along in the establishment of the national carrier, which is expected to kick-start operation in December this year.

  He stated: “When I came in as a minister, we didn’t arrogate to ourselves knowledge and wisdom. We believe in the stakeholders on whose behalf we are servicing. Having been made minister, I came out with a road map which in my little wisdom will help transform civil aviation in Nigeria.

  “I ran it through the system within the ministry and we commissioned some consultants to conduct a market survey and see where we are as an industry at that time. We set out to concession our airports, not to privatise, but to concession the airports.

  “We also set out to put a proper airline the size, capacity, dynamics and the population and the markets and the complexity of the nation, Nigeria and also set out a leasing company and develop the cargo terminals and so on.

“When I came to the House of Representatives, I found out that the act that was signed by Jaja Nwachukwu in 1963 was the Act that we were using, charging pounds and shillings in 2003. We hurriedly, as we were departing in 2007, got the civil aviation passed in 2006 with some imperfections.

  “There were some important ones, roadmaps and to God be the glory that today, we have done what we thought is good as an act. So, all these roadmap items are private sector-led and driven. It’s intended to do the framework and the foundation and steer it in such a way that it will be beneficial to the people and make it a private sector initiative to which the government has some interests, understanding the civil aviation in value addition, improving the GDP and jobs.”

   He assured that the national carrier (Nigeria Air) is in advanced works, adding: “Just yesterday, Mr. President, in concluding the retreat, has directed that this airline must work between now and December. And it will work by God’s grace.

  “We have ordered 20 brand new training aircraft that use petrol. So far, nine have been delivered, all these in the national carrier efforts.”

  According to Sirika, both investors and technical partners have been secured, assuring that the country’s national carrier would start operation before the end of the year.

  “We have so far, from all the submissions, identified the partners and the investors and we are currently negotiating and processing the AOC.

  “We are tweaking the business case in such a way it will give us an advantage. So, I want to commit here, by the grace of God, between now and the end of the year, the airline will work.”

Flood: Jonathan Now An IDP, Says Bayelsa Governor

THE flood ravaging Bayelsa State and other parts of the country has affected the residence of former President Goodluck Jonathan in his hometown, Otuoke, in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state.

  Speaking when he visited the community on Friday, October 21, Governor Douye Diri lamented the degree of destruction caused by what he described as an “attack by natural disaster” on the livelihood of Bayelsans.

  He stressed that Otuoke, which is the host community of a federal university, had been submerged and most of the locals displaced, including Jonathan.

  The governor urged the people not to despair, even in the trying times, assuring them that the state government had put in place machinery to provide relief materials and medical assistance to victims of the flood.

  “As we have seen in other local government areas in the state, we have come to Ogbia and parts of Southern Ijaw today. I had been to Ayama-Ijaw and Azikoro community in Yenagoa, which is also badly hit.

  “Now I am in Ogbia, precisely at the residence of the former president of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. You can see the degree of destruction here in Otuoke. The water current is as if there is a river here.

  “This is what I have been saying; Bayelsa is under attack of natural disaster. The whole premises of our former President and the community is under attack. And this is where you also have the federal university. This situation makes the former President an IDP.

  “To our citizens, particularly in Ogbia local government area, I came to see things for myself in Otuoke and to bring you hope. I came to also let you know that you are not alone in these trying times; that we are all going through in our state.

  “We have put in place machinery that is going round the state, in terms of relief materials and medicines. The Ministry of Health is fully mobilised for that and I am sure they will be here in no distant time.”

How Gunmen Opened Fire On My Convoy- Apostle Suleman

•Three Policemen, Four Others Killed In Attack

* Cleric Condemns Police Killing Of Suspect, DPO’s Removal Over Suspect’s Killing

GUNMEN, on Friday, October 21, attacked the convoy of the President of Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide, Apostle Johnson Suleman, along Benin-Auchi Road in Edo State, killing three policemen and four others.

  Suleman was said to have returned from a programme in Tanzania, and was heading for a destination in the state when the gunmen attacked his convoy.

  His lawyer, Samuel Amune, said: “He was returning from a journey when some assassins attacked him. Three of his Police orderlies, among others, died. He was returning to Auchi when the gunmen attacked him along Sabongida down to the Warake axis and Auchi shares a boundary with Warake. He had passed Warake and was entering the boundaries of Auchi when the attack happened.”

  Reacting to the incident in a video posted on his Twitter handle the same day, Suleman explained: “My car was attacked; they opened fire on my car and kept spraying bullets. My wife and kids were in the escort car in the front. They killed the Police; they killed the other people on the other escort car and the buses with us. Seven people moving in the convoy were killed.

  “People who did this are expecting me to come out and mention their names, so they can come out and deny. I won’t do that. The truth of the matter is, you can’t kill me; my life is in the hand of God, I’m a man of God.”

  Confirming the incident, the Edo State Police Command spokesman, Chidi Nwabuzor, said six persons, including policemen and Suleman’s drivers, were killed, adding that efforts were ongoing to locate the whereabouts of the cleric’s domestic worker.

  Nwabuzor added: “The attack is confirmed. It was done around 5pm in Auchi. They travelled from Benin and were already at Auchi when they were given a hot chase and surprisingly, they (hoodlums) shot at their vehicles. Three policemen were murdered; two of his drivers were killed; one domestic female worker killed and they are still searching for the other domestic female worker.

  “As we speak, Apostle Johnson Suleman is safe. One of the hoodlums was gunned down and one of the vehicles was recovered.

  “One of the kidnappers that was caught today (Friday), while the DPO, Ayodele Sulaiman (CSP), led the operation along Iyewe-Auchi Road, and after a gun battle, this one (suspect) was gunned down while others escaped with bullet wounds. Bush combing is ongoing.”

  Meanwhile, Suleman has condemned the Police for killing the arrested prime suspect involved in the brutal attack on his convoy, a situation that led to the death of three policemen, two drivers and two others.

  A 42-second video clip online showing the corpse of the killed suspect in a vehicle later went viral. In the clip, a policeman was heard describing the slain suspect as a kidnapper.

  Suleman, in a tweet, condemned the killing of the suspect who was handed over to the Police alive, alleging that it was an attempt to cover up traces that could lead to those behind the attack.

  He tweeted: “Lies…there weren’t kidnappers… He was caught and handed over and the Police killed him immediately. Why? Why killing him on the spot? Who is trying to cover up traces?”

  Suleman alleged the suspect may have been hurriedly killed by the Police to cover up the identities of those behind the deadly attack on his convoy.

  Also reacting, Amune, while demanding a thorough investigation into the case, slammed the Police for killing the suspect who was alive when youths and the vigilante caught him and handed him over to them.

  He said: “One of the boys was caught yesterday by vigilantes and he was handed over alive to the Auchi Police Division. But ironically, we don’t know what happened and the next thing we heard was that the Police have shot him dead. I don’t know what the Police would cook up later to be responsible for shooting him, as the Police station was not attacked by the youths.

  “It was youths, in conjunction with the vigilante, that arrested the boy and handed him over alive to the Police. So, the only conspiracy theory that one can easily think of now is, was he (the policeman) acting under a superior order to have done what he has done?

  “Was there any gang up or trace that they are trying to cover up? These are some of the theories God will help us unravel as time progresses. The Police have not given us any official reason for shooting him dead.”

  He added later: “The insinuation that the suspect was handed over to the Police alive and he was shot dead by a policeman as an attempt to malign the efforts of the policemen during the attack is just an attempt to malign the DPO in charge of Auchi. That is an attempt to dent all the work that they have done. During the attack, nobody knew anybody and the Police were there to prevent any form of attack on anybody.

  “The Police have a job to protect life and property; it is their constitutional duty. The action of the Police was impromptu, the action was going on when the Police attended to the distress call and right there at the scene of the crime, everything took place.

  “I never heard of any information that the suspect was handed over to the Police. Let them (those who apprehended the suspect) come out and make clarification for that. That is not true, it is just hearsay; if anyone has a contrary opinion on that, let them come out and tell the world.”

Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abutu Yaro, has ordered the withdrawal of the DPO (Ayodele Suleiman) over the death of the suspects.

  A Police spokesperson in the state, Jennifer Iwegbu, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, October 22, saying: “As part of the measures of the Command concerning the circumstances that led to the death of the surviving members of the monstrous gang that attacked the convoy of Suleman, the outgoing Commissioner of Police (now AIG) Abutu Yaro, has ordered withdrawal of the DPO of Auchi with immediate effect and that he would be interrogated at the Police headquarters over the incident.”

  His withdrawal followed condemnation of the hasty killing of the suspect, who the Police said had claimed was one of the attackers the Police said were kidnappers and was killed during a shootout with Police operatives.

  However, the cleric insisted that they were not kidnappers, but assassins.

Polaris Bank Appoints Ahmad Chairman, Sonola MD

POLARIS Bank has appointed a new independent Board of Directors to lead its growth strategy, its Chairman, Alhaji Muhammad Ahmad, has said in a statement in Lagos.

  According to the statement, the board, which has six non-executive directors and three executive directors, including Abubakar Suleiman, non-executive Director; Salma Mohammed, non-executive Director; Adeleke Adedipe, on-executive Director; Ahmed Almustapha, non-executive Director; Francesco Cuzzocrea, non-executive Director; Olabisi Odunowo, non-executive Director; Abdullahi Mohammed (Executive Director) and Segun Opeke (Executive Director).

  It also named Adekunle Sonola, a former executive director at Union Bank Plc, as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the bank.

  Speaking on the acquisition and Board transition, Ahmad said the bank was willing to work with its core investors to improve and stabilise the firm, adding: “I would like to thank the outgoing Board members profusely for their hardwork and dedication over the last four years, as we have established a strong governance structure and stabilised the bank.

  “I am very pleased with the progress we have been able to make and that we have delivered on our mandate to prepare the bank for a return to private ownership.

  “I am personally proud to have been asked to lead the bank into an exciting new future and I look forward to working with the new Board and our core investors to build on the platform we have created.”

  On his part, Sonola, who spoke on behalf of SCIL, said the new Board would ensure that it sustained the growth of the bank, noting: “We are excited to participate in the next phase of growth for Polaris Bank and to have been able to recruit such an experienced and diverse Board of Directors. We are confident can lead Polaris Bank into a new era of sustainable growth.

  “This is an exciting time for the Nigerian financial services industry and we are committed to building on the strong foundations that have been established by the departing board. We would like to express our thanks for their service and wish them well.

  “We have mandated the incoming management to develop an innovative, but sustainable growth strategy that prioritises the needs and aspirations of our current customers.”

  The change in ownership came after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced completion of a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) for the acquisition of 100 per cent of the equity in the bank by Strategic Capital Investment Limited (SCIL), which it said paid an upfront consideration of N50billion to acquire 100 per cent of the equity of Polaris Bank.

  CBN added that SCIL had accepted the terms of the agreement, which include the full repayment of the sum of N1.31trillion, being the consideration bonds injected.

‘Why I Chose To Marry Chioma Out Of All The Girls In My Life’

POPULAR Nigerian musician and record producer, David Adeleke, also known on stage as Davido, has revealed why he chose Chioma Rowland as his future wife.

  The musician, in one of his tweets, posited that he would be getting married to Chioma next year.

  Davido, while revealing that he became friends with Chioma seven years ago and started dating two years later, reiterated his trust in her, assuring that Chioma is the girl for him and he singer could leave his daughter, Imade, with her and be confident that nothing bad would happen while they are together

  “I have known Chioma for like seven years now. She was my friend then and we got used to each other. I have kids and have someone I know that I can leave them with. Chioma is someone I can leave Imade with and nothing bad will happen. She’s that kind of girl. I trust her. She didn’t want to do assurance video. Na me beg am,” Davido said.

  The two lovebirds had earlier broken up when they unfollowed each other on social media, but only reconciled few weeks back and already making plans for next year’s wedding.