Patriotism in Action

                                                    Nigeria Flag, flying on a car  

Pointer NUJ Chair Resigns

MY RESIGNATION ADDRESS

AN ADDRESS PRESENTED BY COMRADE (SIR) FIDELIS EGUGBO, CHAIRMAN, NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS (NUJ), THE POINTER CHAPEL ON FEBRUARY 3, 2014 BEING THE LAST CONGRESS AT WHICH I AM PRESIDING AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE UNION AT THE CHAPEL LEVEL.

My Dear Comrades in the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), The Pointer Chapel.

It is with mixed feelings that I stand here today to address you. Yes! For the first time as the Chairman of this great Union, I am standing to address you. First, I will thank God for His benevolence towards us; I will thank Him greatly for His blessings on the NUJ, The Pointer Chapel within the past three years that I have been in the saddle as the Chairman of this great Chapel. But for God, we would not have been seated here today and hold this meeting. We give Him the glory and honour in Jesus name, amen. I also, wish to thank all of you for believing in this union. It is our union of which we are all proud of.

The journey for me to be the Chairman of this great Union started three years ago. Then, it was like a joke; but, following the elevation of our then Chairman, Comrade Gomo Oyibokuku Oyiborhoro to become the Secretary of the Delta State Council of NUJ, there was a vacuum in the headship of the Union. Initially, I had no intention of contesting for this position but, had to reluctantly do so after most of our members encouraged me in that respect to serve in the capacity of the Chairman of NUJ, The Pointer Chapel. That was in July, 2011. There was an election in which I had a co-contestant, but, you spoke with a strong voice by giving me 22 votes as against his 15 votes.

That election took place on August 4, 2011 and it inadvertently signalled my journey back to active unionism 10 years after I left the executive of this Union as Acting Chairman. We can recall that in 2001, I was the Acting Chairman of this Union and I called for election in which I did not participate as an aspirant. That was because I had held positions as Secretary of the Union, Vice-Chairman of the Union and Acting Chairman of the Union and I felt there was need for others to also contribute their quota to the growth of the Union because, the union leadership is open to all eligible members.

After my return on August 4, 2011, there were serious challenges:

- The management of The Pointer was on us to take our bus to our permanent site as an abandoned vehicle because the bus was in a bad state;

- Our Union account with First Bank of Nigeria Plc had been dormant for more than two years;

- Our members were not paying dues, as such; there was no money anywhere; and,

- Quite regrettable, we had become a union without any record of either attendance at meetings or minutes of meeting, including financial records.

But spurred by your confidence in me and our collective faith in the unseen hands that make things perfect, we initiated a Media Week for NUJ for The Pointer Chapel, with an annual lecture as its core element.

In October, 2011, about two months of our being in office, we organized a successful Media Week at which a Lagos-based Chartered Accountant and social commentator, Chief Ken Olise, delivered a lecture on the topic, ‘National Security and Vision 2020-20.’ Of course, the week-long activities featured thanksgiving at the Catholic Church of Ascension, Asaba; a novelty football match with our colleagues in Delta Broadcasting Service, Asaba; presentation of gift items to the School of Children with Special Needs, Okpanam; the inaugural lecture of the NUJ, The Pointer Chapel and the first annual dinner of the union.

We rendered account of what we did for our members to appreciate those who contributed to the success of the Week. Besides, in less than five months after my coming in as the Chairman, NUJ, The Pointer Chapel, our union account with First Bank Plc was reactivated and, till date, that account remains functional.

It is worthy to state here that we have since, consistently and successfully held the annual Media Week without interruption. In 2012, the Week which usually holds in October was postponed by about one month in sympathy with victims of the flood that ravaged coastal communities in Nigeria, especially, in Delta State and our Union, NUJ, The Pointer Chapel was among the first set of concerned Nigerians –individuals or organisations, to donate relief materials to the victims of the flood. It is worthy to state here that Dr Anthonia Ashiedu, the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation in the state was on hand to receive our relief materials on behalf of the state government. Our donation and the attendant media publicity, added to the creation of awareness for not only individuals but, for groups to assist the victims of the flood. Much more than that, it helped redefine the Chapel and DPPCL as an organisation with a huge sense of corporate social responsibility.

Also in 2012, our Media Week was a success as a world acclaimed Professor of Arts, Prince Demas Nwoko delivered the second annual lecture titled, ‘Constitution Review and the Role of the Mass Media’. Members of the NUJ, Warri Correspondents’ Chapel were in Asaba for a novelty football match during the 2012 Media Week, which also featured a thanksgiving service at the Living Faith Bible Church (Winners Chapel), Asaba, the presentation of gift items to Old People’s Home by St. Joseph Catholic Church, Asaba, and the Orphanage being run by the Anglican Church at Cable Point, Asaba. It is worthy to state here that the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN), graciously took the kick-off in the novelty football match with the Warri Correspondents’ Chapel of the NUJ. A member of House of Representatives, Hon. (Chief) Ndudi Elumelu played prominent roles during that year’s annual dinner and dance held at the Orchid Hotel, Asaba. The Vice-Chairman of NUJ, in charge of our zone, Comrade Uzarka USA was also actively involved in that year’s Media Week as he

attended almost all the ceremonies for the Week, and till date, his endearing words and positive activism bears clear testimony to our resurgence as a leading Chapel in all the South-South zone if not the entire country.

A member of House of Representatives, Hon. Evelyn Oboro delivered the lecture during the 2013 Media Week and she spoke on the topic, ‘New Revenue Allocation Formula and the Nigerian Project: The Role of the Mass Media’ with High Chief Tom Egbuwoku, former member of the House of Representatives and other prominent Nigerians, in attendance. During last year’s Media Week, there was a novelty football match with the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) Chapel of the NUJ; a thanksgiving service at St. Philip’s Anglican Church, Asaba; a picnic at Ned Nwoko’s place, Idumuje-Ugboko; presentation of gift items to the sick at the Government Hospital, Okwe, and our annual dinner and dance, among others.

With a bid to fostering good relationship within us and our children and also provide an avenue to unwind, in May, 2012, we organized the first annual Children’s Day party for Children of Journalists. The party, against all odds, was successfully held in The Pointer Newspaper’s premises, 278 Nnebisi Road, Asaba on May, 27, 2012. There was enough to eat and drink for parents and their children with good music to spice up the event. Since it was an annual event, the second edition of the Children’s Day party for Children of Journalists was successfully held again on May 27, 2013.

Two days after the Children’s Day Party, on May 29, 2012, we organized our first annual Walk 4 Democracy & Fitness programme. The programme was organized with the sole aim of raising awareness for people not to see Democracy Day activities as those for government officials alone but for all Nigerians to look at where we were during the military era and appreciate where we are now for us to always work towards deepening our democracy.

Our Democracy Day activities have gone beyond walking from The Pointer Premises, 278 Nnebisi Road to include brief talks on how to sustain democracy by resource persons and we have been consistent in holding the annual Walk event.

My brothers and sisters in the Union, permit me to say that with your cooperation, our bus which we were under pressure to abandon in our permanent site is now functional. Less than eight months after my coming on board as Chairman, through the resolution of the House, we got our friend, Chief Godwill Obielum to refurbish the bus for us and till date, there is a committee which is handling everything concerning the bus without any interference from the exco.

Also, one of the herculean tasks we faced when I became the Chairman of the Union was opening up the space for staff to grow. Through consistent dialogue, subtle push and the use of contacts, the management of The Pointer Newspaper promoted our colleagues who had been stagnated for a long time. We made management to understand that people can rise to the position of Deputy General Manager, Assistant General Manager, among others, as obtainable in the Delta Broadcasting Service. Today, our colleagues and other staff of the organization can rise to level 15 and 16 unlike before.

It is also worthy to state that we canvassed vigorously for not only casuals in The Pointer to be absorbed but for government to declare vacancies in the organization because of the need for more hands to be engaged in the newspaper house. To make this possible and other issues such as weigh-in allowance; movement to our permanent site and a generally good work environment for our members; we paid courtesy visits to the Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei; the Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr Festus Okubor; the Commissioner for Information, Barr. Chike Ogeah; the Special Adviser to Delta State Governor on Labour and Industrial Relations, Comrade Mike Okeme; among others. Today, the Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan who has not only shown his passion for workers’ welfare but, has proven through actions that he is the best media friendly Governor in the country, has made some of our prayers come through and we give the glory to God.

On December 4, 2013, based on congress resolution, we successfully held a prayer meeting in conjunction with our sister Union, the National Union of Printing & Publishing, Paper Product Workers (NUPPPPROW) at the permanent site of The Pointer Newspaper’s premises by the Delta Broadcasting Service (DBS), Asaba.

It is worthy to also note that in 2012, our great Union celebrated Easter with inmates of Pro Labore Dei in Asaba. This is in addition to the fact that we have also celebrated with our members who had reasons to celebrate and mourned with those who were bereaved, as occasion demanded.

In February, 2013, our tenure came to an end. This was because we were an inherited executive and, due to our concern for the programmes we initiated to be well institutionalized, you collectively came out on May 14, 2013 and again spoke with one voice that I should be returned as the Chairman of NUJ, The Pointer Chapel.

It is important to state here that financial report and any other accounts were rendered at every congress held after we engaged in any activity. This is because, our members deserve to know how such event(s) became possible - whether they were sponsored by friends or the money came from our union or individual purse.

Today, my dear colleagues, I want to thank all of you for your support for me as an individual and for our Union which made it possible for us to record success in all our activities. The tenure of the executive of the Delta State Council of the NUJ will come to an end on March 2, 2014. As such, I want to use this medium to inform you of my intention to formally resign as the Chairman of this great Union, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), The Pointer Chapel from today. This is no light decision, of a truth, I have examined all the relevant issues and arrived at the decision that it is in our best long-term interest.

I am happy that we have a Union which we all believe in; a union which does not revolve round an individual, a union which believes that unionism is ALL about the Welfare of its members, and a Union that we are immensely proud of.

As I resign as the Chairman of NUJ, The Pointer Chapel who inherited nothing from my predecessor in 2011, I am proud to say that I am leaving this position having entrenched, among others:

1. An annual lecture series/Media Week;

2. A culture of monthly Congress where members are free to express themselves;

3. An annual Walk 4 Democracy & Fitness programme for May 29, every year;

4. An annual Children’s Day party for Children of Journalists for May 27, every year;

5. Car sticker that distinguishes our members’ vehicles from others;

6. A functional bus which is being managed by a three-man committee;

7. A revolving loan fund to assist our members who are in financial needs at 5 per cent interest rate;

8. An account with First Bank Plc that is buoyant; at least in light of our previous experience;

9. A Union leadership that is transparent;

10. A Union with functional facebook account which has more than 1, 300 friends;

11. A united NUJ, The Pointer Chapel,

12. A Union that is fostering harmony with other sister Unions and labour organizations;

13. A leadership that is vision-propelled; and

13. Most importantly, a Union that prays to God, gives thanks to God and believes that with God nothing is impossible.

Thank you as I also assure you of my continual contribution to the growth of our union. I solicit your prayers for those who will continue from where I stop today, to head our union. I seek, by the same stretch of honest appeal, your consistent support for and prayer for me. Again, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve the NUJ, The Pointer Chapel as Secretary, Vice-Chairman, Acting Chairman and Chairman. I believe that we have capable hands that can build on our little success.

Let us support whoever will take over from me as the Chairman of NUJ, The Pointer Chapel as it is said that only by consistent cooperation do ants build an endearing termitvicum. For the incoming Chairman to succeed, he must ensure that the Union comes first before self and take it as an opportunity to render selfless service not only to the Union but to humanity.

Thanks for your support and may God bless us all.

COMRADE (SIR) FIDELIS EGUGBO KSJI

Amosun seeks assembly’s approval for N19bn loan

News

Amosun seeks assembly’s approval for N19bn loan

Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun on Tuesday sought approval of the Ogun House of Assembly to obtain N19 billion loan from four commercial banks.

Amosun said that the loan was for further execution of the state government’s five cardinal programmes.

Mr Suraj Adekunbi, the Speaker, read the letter from the governor to the lawmakers during plenary in Abeokuta.

Amosun said the amount was part of N29 billion approved as capital receipts in the state’s 2014 budget.

According to governor, the loan will be used to provide infrastructure in the state’s educational, housing, agriculture and health sectors.

A breakdown of the proposed loan profile showed that N5 billion would be sourced from First Bank of Nigeria while Sterling Bank is expected to offer N10 billion.

Other banks in the loan syndication are Gtbank and Eko Bank, projected to contribute N3 billion and N1 billion, respectively.

The governor said that the loan from Eko bank would be for short term Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) counterpart funding.

Meanwhile, a bill seeking the establishment of the Ogun State Lotteries Board Law has passed through its second reading at the plenary.

Opening debate on the bill, the Majority Leader, Mr Isreal Jolaosho, canvassed the need for effective regulation of the activities of lottery companies in the state.

He said that the operation of the board would minimise investment scams in the state through sharp practices.

Jolaosho also said that the establishment of the board and regulation would leverage the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR).

Also contributing to the debate on the bill, Mr Olakunle Oluomo, said that the bill would specify the age limit of interested members and protect children.

Agency reports that after exhaustive deliberations, the speaker referred the bill to the house committee on Commerce and Special Duties for further deliberations.

Kano assembly gets new speaker

News

Kano assembly gets new speaker

The Kano State House of Assembly has elected a new speaker following the resignation of the former, Alhaji Gambo Sallau.

The new speaker is Alhaji Ishaku Danja, who was until Tuesday’s election, the Deputy Speaker.

The Majority Leader, Alhaji Hamisu Chidari, is now the Deputy Speaker.

The House had also elected Alhaji Kabir Alhassan as the new Majority Leader to replace Chidari.

The former speaker announced his resignation in a broadcast in Kano on Tuesday.

Sallau and three other members had on Monday announced their decision in a local radio station to remain in the Peoples Democratic Party.

The decision came barely 24 hours after 26 of the 31 legislators defected to the APC from the PDP. NAN

Okorocha indicate interest for presidency

News

Rochas Okorocha’s posters flood Owerri, indicate interest for presidency

Governor Rochas Okorocha’s posters, indicating his interest to run for the presidency in the 2015 general elections, has flooded Owerri and other major cities in the state.

Our Correspondent, who moved round the Owerri Capital Territory Tuesday, noticed the pasting of several posters at strategic points, including the Government House.

Apart from Okorocha’s photograph, the posters equally included his presidential ambition for the February 14, 2015, presidential poll.

As at the time of going to press, no campaign organization, agency of the state government claimed responsibility for the flooding of posters in the state.

When contacted for comment, the Governor’s Senior Special Assistant, SSA, on Media, Mr.
Samuel Onwuemeodo, confirmed that Okorocha was interested in running for the presidency but has not declared his intentions openly.

“It is not a secret that Governor Rochas Okorocha is interested in running for the presidency. It is however true that he has not openly declared this intention to run for the top national job in next year’s general election”, Onwuemeodo said.

According to the SSA, Governor Okorocha has not commissioned anybody or group to print and paste the posters, adding that there had been series of meetings about the matter in some parts of the federation.

“The Governor has not commissioned anybody or group to act its campaign outfit. I however know that a lo of people have been clamouring for this and meetings have been going on in many states of the federation over this matter”, the SSA said.

Vanguard recalls that only last week, Okorocha took a swipe at the President of Ohaneze Ndigbo for daring to decree that no Igbo man should vie for the presidency against the incumbent, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. Vanguard

Delta Flood Relief Committee Issues Cheques

Press Release

DELTA STATE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION

SUMMIT ROAD, ASABA 

February 2, 2014

Press release

Delta Flood Relief Committee Issues Cheques To Farmers, To Wind Down In March

The activities of the Delta State Flood Relief Committee will be concluded in March after it began issuing cheques to owners of commercial farms. The committee was set up in October 2012 to superintend the utilization of the N500 million grant from the Federal Government to the state for the provision of relief to victims of the 2012 flood.

The first disbursement of N237 million was made to the committee in March 2013. The money was used to provide 54,217 bundles of hybrid cassava; 546,632 yam seedlings; 50,000 plantain suckers; 72,474 sachets and seeds of vegetable items (Okra, Green, Groundnut and Pumpkin) to the flood victims.

The fund was also utilized as grant to 242 churches devastated by the flood in the 14 local government areas impacted, construction and rehabilitation of boreholes in the 14 councils, construction and distribution of chairs/desks to 150 schools in the affected areas, and procurement and distribution of drugs to health centres in all the affected areas.

In December 2013, the state government released the balance of N262 million to the committee, which commenced work with it immediately. This is being utilized in the construction of 46 new boreholes in communities in the affected areas. More drugs have been ordered to increase the stock at the health centres in the areas while additional N10 million has been given as grant to the churches.

On Thursday, January 22, 2014, the committee commenced the distribution of cheques to 170 owners of commercial farms destroyed by the flood in all the affected local government areas. On the first day, 32 farmers received cheques for amounts ranging from N500,000 to N1 million. The exercise was concluded on Friday, January 31.

By the committee’s programme, full utilization of the funds, through all its activities, will be concluded before the end of March 2014.

The committee has Justice Francis Tabai (rtd) as chairman. Other members are Prof. Pat Utomi, Arch-Bishop God-Do-well Awomakpa, Mrs. Florence Ehinlaye, Paul Enebeli, Asanuvwie S. Oberhiri and Dr. Anthony Okwunze.

The rest are Engr. Owen Mordi, Olise Ifejika, Barr. Oghenejabor Ikimi and Onyeisi Nkenchor.

Signed

CHIKE C. OGEAH Esq

Honourable Commissioner for Information

Opinion: Owumi indicates interest in Delta Governorship seat

Opinion

Paul Owumi for Delta State Governor, 2015

Paul Owumi

Deltans from all walks of life have started to show interest in the number one political position of the State.

Although, all those showing interest to take over the mantle of leadership from the incumbent Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan is from the three senatorial districts of the state, namely Delta-North, Delta-South and Delta-Central.

Among those that have indicated interest, is the Executive Assistance to the Governor of Delta State on Foreign Relations, Mr. Paul Otomiefe Owumi.

Paul Owumi is a dynamic young-man, trust worthy and a politician to reckoned with.

Owumi has been a dedicated member of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, since 1998.

He was born on the 2^nd February 1971 in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State to the family of Chief B.T Owumi ( The Adani of Okpe Kigdom) and Mrs Beauty Alero Owumi.

Paul Owumi who is a set of twin and the first son of his mother in the family of 22 children of his father.

Young Owumi began his primary education at Premier Day Primary School, Lagos in1977; from there he proceeded to Unity Secondary School, Agbarho, Delta State in 1984.

He excelled and passed out of secondary school with flying colours in 1990.

Mr Paul Owumi, with his quest and love for academic excellence proceeded to the Delta State University, Abraka, where he obtained a bachelors degree in Business Administration in 1998.

Unsatisfied and undaunted he went further to obtain his Masters Degree in Industrial and Labour Relations from the same University in 2006.

Mr Paul Owumi has also attended several workshops, courses, seminars and lectures both home and abroad and he is well versed in politics.

Paul has served in various capacities to the Delta state Government.

He was appointed Personal Assistant (Protocol) to the Delta State Governor in 2000 – 2006, from 2006 – 2007, he was appointed the Senior Special Assistant (Protocol) to the Governor of Delta State in 2007-2008 and he became the current Executive Assistant (Foreign Relations) to the Governor of Delta State in 2008-till date.

His multi - tasking and relentless nature saw Paul venturing into the private sector and today he sits on the board of the following organizations:

Ø Pauwumi Nig Ltd

Ø Chrisolomons Integrated Resources

Ø Chrisolomons Vents and Consults

Ø Crest Communications and Media Services.

His relentless services to humans and his philanthropic nature has accorded Paul Otomiefe Owumi several awards from different youth associations and other associations, which include: Lions Club International Award, Global Leader of Integrity Award by Proven Integrity Communication Network Ltd ( Publisher of Integrity International Magazine), Award of Excellence (Student Union Government of UNIBEN ), Niger-Delta 2012 Young Achievers Award (Qlassique Image)  among others which are too numerous to mention.

Paul is a man of many parts and kindness; his loves nature especially as it relates to the welfare of children.

His love for children made him to register a Non Governmental Organisation known as the 'FACELESS CHILD EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE'.

He is also the Chairman of Research based NGO known as 'CONCERN FOR PEACE AND SOCIETY SURVIVAL'.  

With these two NGO’s, Paul has been able to provide the needed health and educational assistance to the less privileged in the society especially the children who he believes should be given the opportunity to life.

Paul believes firmly in children’s right and he will do anything within his power to protect children irrespective of their tribe and colour.

Paul has been funding health and educational programmes for children from different localities as long as it is in the best interest of the child.

This young man has shown the quality of leadership that the youths are the emerging leaders of tomorrow when he single handily sponsored the 1^st youth Exchange Programme to UAE which saw a group of 15 youths between the ages of 10 and 18 years travel to UAE where they interacted with their counterparts for 2 weeks in 2008.

He is also the sponsor of an annual Grassroot Sports Competition which is an avenue for the youths to discover their talents in football and other sports that will help them stay away from cultism and other social vices.

In his effort to reduce infant mortality in the society and other infant related diseases, Paul has been sponsoring the annual de-worming immunization programmes for school children in different local government areas of the state.

These are among the great things Paul Owumi has done for mankind.

I believe that Paul Owumi is the best contestant to occupy the office of Delta State Governor in 2015.

If Paul is giving the opportunity to lead the State, He will be able to do more for the citizenry of the State.

Paul Otomiefe Owumi is happily married to his heartthrob, beautiful, lovely wife and mother of the 2 wonderfully blessed boys, Mrs Adetoro Owumi.

Remember the famous saying that says, “We live in an age when to be young and to be indifferent can be no longer synonymous. We must prepare for the coming hour. The claims of the Future are represented by suffering millions; and the Youth of a Nation are the trustees of Posterity”. (Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881) British Politician and Author).

Charles Ike, wrote in from Asaba, Delta State.