Delta Governor and Vice-Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa on Friday said the state’s COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (D-CARES) Programme was to mitigate the adverse economic impact of the pandemic, particularly on the poor and vulnerable.

Okowa disclosed this at the official flag-off of the implementation of activities under Result Areas 1 and 2 of the Delta COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (D-CARES) Programme held at the Events Centre, Asaba.

He said that the D-CARES programme is a World Bank supported intervention with the main objective of expanding access to livelihood support and food security services as well as grants for poor and vulnerable households and firms.

He pledged his administration’s commitment towards implementation of all aspects of the D-CARES programme in the state for the overall benefit of the people.

“As we all know, the COVID-19 exerted a huge toll on the economy with the attendant loss of income and means of livelihoods by thousands of people.

“The CARES programme is to help mitigate the adverse economic impact of the pandemic, particularly on the poor and vulnerable.

“On September 28, last year, we gave operational support grants to 1,818 Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) under the Result Area 3 component of the programme.

“This administration is very committed to this programme because it complements and supports our various social intervention efforts.”

He said through the initiative, the programme will directly support; 25,269 poor and vulnerable households with social transfers, basic services, and livelihood grants; 13,976 farmers to increase food production and facilitate smooth functioning of the food supply chain, while 2,529 MSEs will be given grants to support post-COVID-19 loans, operational costs and to enhance their IT capabilities.

He advised the programme managers to continue to display high performance and accountability levels required for seamless execution.

“The successful implementation of the programme in the state, especially given the wide scope of the intervention would go a long way in addressing some of the negative economic impacts of the pandemic on our people.

While assuring that the State Government would continue to provide the necessary support and funding to ensure that the programme achieves its stated objectives, “it is indeed my hope that beneficiaries will make good use of the opportunity to grow their businesses, increase their income, and generally improve their living standard,” Okowa added.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, Commissioner for Economic Planning, Dr Barry Pere-Gbe, said beneficiaries drawn from poor and vulnerable households were selected on merit and not through political colouration or ethnic cleavages and urged them to maximise the opportunity.

In their goodwill messages, stakeholders of the programme from the world bank and other agencies lauded Governor Okowa for keying into the programme and affirmed that it will help to alleviate poverty.

Some of the beneficiaries including a physically challenged person thanked the Governor for giving them opportunity to benefit from the scheme emphasizing that their economic status has improved.

Highight of the programme was the presentation of cheques and farm implements to some beneficiaries by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

Okowa felicitates Omo-Agege at 59

Delta Governor and Vice-Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has congratulated Deputy President of the Senate, Chief Ovie Omo-Agege, as he turned 59 on Wednesday.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, the governor said that Omo-Agege, who represents Delta Central Senatorial District, remained an amiable and illustrious son of Delta in whom citizens were delighted about for his political accomplishments.

According to him, Omo-Agege has had an outstanding performance in the Red Chamber as one of the presiding officers and a very vocal member of the 9th Senate.

The governor specifically commended the Orogun-born lawmaker and APC Governorship Candidate for his contributions to the strengthening of laws guiding the electoral process in the country, and for all the projects he had attracted to state.

He commended the lawmaker for his astute representation of his constituents, and wished him more fruitful years of contributing to nation-building.

“On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, I congratulate my brother and friend, the Deputy President of the Senate, an illustrious son of Delta and a leader of note, Distinguished Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, on the occasion of his 59th birth anniversary.

“Your Excellency, you have made invaluable contributions to nation-building, especially with your notable contributions to legal reforms in our the electoral process.

“You have also shown a strong commitment to the welfare of our citizens, especially the people of your Delta Central Senatorial District where you have used your privileged office to touch lives in many ways, including projects, appointments and employments.

“On this special day of your 59th birth anniversary, it is my prayer that God will grant you many more years in good health to continue to render greater service to God and humanity,” Okowa stated.

Ekwunife mobilises for Atiku/Okowa ticket

A federal lawmaker, Senator Uche Ekwunife, on Wednesday affirmed total support of the South East for the presidential ticket of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Senator Ifeanyi Okowa in the 2023 Presidential Election.

Ekwunife gave the assurance when she led a delegation of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members from Anambra on a solidarity visit to Gôvernor Okowa at Government House, Asaba.

The legislator, who spoke to newsmen after a closed session with the gôvernor, clarified that the delegation was not on the auspices of Ohaneze Ndigbo, but stated that the South East was impressed with the contributions of Atiku Abubakar to nation-building and the leadership qualities of Senator Okowa.

She explained that the visit was to intimate their host on their level of mobilisation for  PDP in the region, and said that no effort would be spared in ensuring that PDP got landslide victory for all candidates in the 2023 general elections.

On the insecurity in the South East and other parts of the country, she said that the Senate had called on President Muhammadu Buhari to rise to the occasion as it was the duty of the Federal Government to protect lives and property of citizens.

Ekwunife reminded security agencies of the need to redouble their efforts in making the country unsafe for insurgents and other criminal elements.

She sued for the synergy among stakeholders in building a new Nigeria, emphasizing that no meaningful development could take root in a polarised nation when religion, tribe and unpatriotic traits took the centre stage.

Okowa congratulates BUA Chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu at 62

Gôvernor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta and Vice Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has congratuled Chairman of BUA Group, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, on his 62nd birth anniversary.

Okowa, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, said Rabiu, who is President of France-Nigeria Business Council, had by his pragmatic entrepreneurship, given confidence to budding investors in Nigeria.

According to him, Rabiu has made exemplary contributions toward revamping the nation’s economy, and has brought succour to many homes through the numerous employments to Nigerians.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I congratulate our friend and brother, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, as he celebrates his 62nd birth anniversary.

“Your contributions to the growth and development of Nigeria’s economy are not lost on citizens as you successfully built one of the most flourishing and enviable business enterprises in the past 34 years.

“We also thank you for your philanthropy and massive contributions to making life more meaningful for the less-privileged in the society.

“As you celebrate 62 years today, it is my prayer that Almighty God will continue to grant you good health and longer life to sustain your benevolence to humanity,” Okowa stated.

 Nigeria can’t progress without restructuring – Atiku

Presidential Candidate of  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, on Thursday, said Nigeria would continue to grapple with its current challenges unless it was restructured.

Atiku stated this at the 64th Annual Bible Study Conference of the National Council of Anglican Youth Fellowship (AYF) of Nigeria held at the Ekiti Diocesan Camp Ground, Iyin-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

Represented by his running mate and Governor of Delta, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, Abubakar who was Special Guest at the occasion, said Nigeria was in dire need of knowledgeable, capable, and experienced leaders who would break the cycle of failed leadership and take the country to the level of growth and prosperity.

He said that devolution of powers and resources to the sub-national governments, and the guaranteeing of a constitution that allowed equity, justice for all and inclusiveness in governance such that none was left out or oppressed, was what was needed for a proper federal structure.

According to him, Nigeria should continue as a Federation but not in its present form.

He said “I advocate a proper federal structure that recognises the federating units and the federal government as mutually coordinate and not subordinate one to the other, yet cooperative among themselves, distinct from the current structure where states exist as mere appendages of the centre.

“I am particularly thrilled by the theme of this conference – ‘Be Strong and Courageous’ because the times we live in call for men and women of courage who will stand up to be counted in the battle to rescue and rebuild Nigeria.

“There is no gainsaying the fact that Nigeria’s unity is under serious threat today. The mutual suspicion, distrust, and sometimes hostility among the various ethnic groups have reached levels never experienced before, fueling separatist agitations across the country.

“This is largely due to the general discontent occasioned by the broken promises, dashed aspirations, and the lopsidedness in power-sharing under the current federal government.

“As I said sometime ago, a situation where the top guns in the nation’s security architecture are dominated by persons from a particular ethnic/religious group does not augur well for the unity and progress of the country.

“Nigeria can only grow if ethnic, religious and tribal divides dissolve, and a pan-Nigeria goal is truly desired and embraced by all. We must act swiftly – and decisively – to calm the raging storm, regain confidence in the Nigerian project, and halt the drift toward chaos and anarchy.

“The forthcoming 2023 elections offer us the opportunity to do the needful and move Nigeria in the right direction. It calls for sober reflection and strategic thinking as against the mindless euphoria, sensationalism, and herd mentality that brought us to where we are today.

“Going forward, we need mature, wise, and experienced leaders who will inspire hope in our country and foster a sense of belonging among all Nigerians.

“I am an ardent believer in the restructuring of Nigeria, especially as it relates to fiscal federalism and devolution of powers.

“Restructuring does not mean we jettison the federal system of government. In fact, I believe that it is more functional and realistic for our ethnic, linguistic, religious, and cultural diversities.

“I guarantee you that the states and Nigeria will develop faster when the proper federal structure is put in place.”

The former vice-president assured that if voted as President in 2023, he would prioritize education in the country as no nation could develop beyond the knowledge-base of its citizens.

He recalled that the great late Nelson Mandela had said that “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”, and said “you can, therefore, imagine my pain and grief to see students of our tertiary institutions idling away at home when they should be in school.

“It not only distorts the academic calendar, it also robs the parents and the students of their hope for a better future.

“I wish to use this opportunity to respectfully call on the Federal Government to urgently reach a compromise with striking university lecturers and reopen our universities.

“No nation can afford to have its students to be idle or roaming the streets and expect to achieve peace, security, and inclusive economic growth.”

He called for the harnessing of the creative energies of the youth to accelerate national development by providing them with a solid educational system that equipped them with the right skills-set and leadership credentials.

“As a corollary to the above, Nigeria needs a well thought-out policy to tackle youth unemployment through skills training and entrepreneurship development programmes.

“The army of the unemployed in our country is a recipe for disaster. To get out of the current quagmire, we must as a matter of urgency begin to think more in terms of equipping them with the technical know-how, vocational skills, values and resources to become job and wealth creators, as well as giving them employability skills.

“We must be intentional, determined, and resolute about this to avoid a situation where graduates from our educational system roam the streets in search of non-existent jobs,” Atiku stated.

Welcoming guests earlier, National President of Anglican Youth Fellowship (AYF) Nigeria, Mr Alex Akpata, said Nigerians were faced with serious security and economic challenges, but urged the youths to be strong and courageous as the nation would soon overcome its challenges.

He urged the young persons to join politics and stand firm in voting for candidates that would protect the interest of the people.

Pray for unity, recovery of Nigeria, Okowa urges Christians

Gôvernor Ifeanyi Okowa and Vice-Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged Christians to pray for “recovery” and unity of the country, and not allow political intrigues to pollute the Church and divide it.

Okowa made the call on Friday when he received leaders of South-South Zone of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) led by Archbishop Israel Ege at Government House, Asaba.

He said that the time had come for Christians to go on their kneels and seek divine direction in the choice of the nation’s leaders that would emerge in 2023 rather than succumb to distraction by politicians.

According to him, it is my prayer that the church will continue to lead us in prayers and we need to be a little cautious as a church.

Okowa said “I am saying this because from the conversations I am beginning to see, I want to be sure that the church will not because of politics divide itself.

“The church in itself must be very prayerful that the will of God be done in 2023. We may have our individual preferences but we must be cautious about the unity of the church.

“Although we are traumatised as Christians but we must be careful not to, because of that trauma, take decisions that may not actually be the will of God.”

While attributing the successes of his administration to grace of God, the governor pledged to continue to synergize with the church in piloting the affairs of Delta and in his future endeavours.

He advocated for constitutional review to pave the way for devolution of powers, especially giving more powers to states to establish their own police outfit as a way to tackle insecurity, pointing out that the nation was in perilous times.

The governor also stated that it was time for the re-building of the nation by giving all segment of the society a sense of belonging in the scheme of things.

He frowned at the continuous stay of tertiary institutions’ students at home due to industrial action by teachers and other workers, emphasizing that drastic steps should be taken to pull the nation out of economic quagmire, worsening insecurity and other heinous crimes taking place in all geopolitical zones of the country.

“There is no doubt that we are very challenged as a nation and it appears that all hope is lost, particularly to the younger ones. But I am one person that believes that all hope is not lost.

“Whatever thing that we have seen in the last seven years, I believe that God has allowed it for a purpose. I believe that there are lessons to be learnt.

“As at today, there is so much insecurity; the economy is going really down beyond what you think and know. Most Nigerians don’t even know how huge these challenges are.

“With the things going on now in the Education sector, it’s not what anyone would wish for our country. We need to be very prayerful.

“The church must stay very prayerful and it’s a time for us as a nation to unite and find peace,” he stressed.

Okowa further said that “looking at the constitution of the security agencies, I think that there is a need to expand it. My principal, the Presidential Candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has always said that it’s not possible to police this nation with the Federal Government police only.

“It is not because of the situation of today but because of the peculiarities of this nation. We need to devolve power and resources to the states to ensure that they can run their own police force.

“If it were so, a lot of things going on at the moment would have been tackled, and so I believe that we need men who have experience to bring about the change that we need in our nation today.”

Earlier, the leader of the team, Archbishop Israel Ege, had said that they were in Asaba to thank the Governor for his support for Christians in Delta and the South South and assured him of their support at all times.

He congratulated him on his emergence as vice presidential candidate of the PDP and for his transformation agenda in Delta and charged him to remain a good ambassador of the church in his political career.

The cleric said that Satan was at war with the church through the use of Boko Haram to kidnap and kill Christians and persecution of believers, and called on Christians to redouble prayers for the nation.

Highpoint of the event was special prayer for the Governor, his family, the state and the nation.