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Humanitarian minister visits Bayelsa, Delta states

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***Flags off GEEP 2.0, School Feeding

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq has visited Bayelsa and Delta states to commiserate with the governments on the flood disaster which destroyed farmlands, property and livelihoods. 
Her special adviser on media Nneka Ikem Anibeze in a statement quoted the minister to have indicated that aside from the 12,000 metric tonnes of grains already distributed to states affected by the floods, as approved  by President Muhammadu Buhari,  the federal government, through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has also delivered three consignments of food and non-food items to Bayelsa state since July 2022. 

She commended the Bayelsa state government for its support to its people during the initial time of distress, adding that government sympathizes with all the victims and states devastated by the disaster.

“Given the magnitude of the devastation in the State and most parts of the country at large, l wish to inform you that His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the release of 12,000 metric tons of assorted food commodities from National Strategic Reserve for distribution to victims of this flood disaster in the country as a way of assuaging their suffering. 

“In addition, there are relief materials and other interventions that have been provided since July 2022 by NEMA, an Agency under the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs. I wish to also commend Bayelsa State Government for providing support to the flood affected persons and to acknowledge the understanding of the public on the intervention by the Federal and State Governments”.

The Minister also officially rolled out the Home Grown School Feeding Programme with Bayelsa state being the last state to join the programme, as well as the Government Enterprise Empowerment Programme GEEP 2.0

“We are also rolling out the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP 2.0) 
designed for vulnerable and low-income Nigerians who are involved in productive activities but have no access to loans. 

“The  first phase of GEEP programme registered about 8,762 potential beneficiaries  in Bayelsa State across the 8 LGAs after which verification was carried out and about 828 beneficiaries were selected. 

“These selected beneficiaries have under-gone enumeration and today l have come to Roll-Out the programme in the Bayelsa State. Hence, successful beneficiaries of the GEEP proagramme will start receiving credit alerts from Access bank from today by God’s grace”.

In his response, the Governor who was represented by the Deputy Governor Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo thanked the Minister for her visit and urged her to give more loans to farmers in the state to assuage their losses to the floods.

“It is better to be late than not come at all. The cause is beyond the state and the country. Man has treated the environment badly and the environment has decided to fight back. We are happy that you have finally come.

“We urge you to increase the number of beneficiaries of the GEEP programme so that more farmers can produce more food, having lost most of their farmlands to flood “.

In the same vein, the Minister also sympathized with the Governor of Delta state, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa on the flooding in the state. 

“On behalf of the Federal Government and the entire Management and staff of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, we have come  to commiserate with the Government and good people of Delta  State and to express our sympathy and condolences to you over this unfortunate incident of flood disaster. 

“The Federal government has approved  12,000 tonnes of grains for states affected by floods and out of this, 105 metric tons of maize, 88.7 metric tons of sorghum and 98.7 metric tons of garri are to be distributed to the victims of flood disaster in Delta State.

The Minister also rolled out the GEEP 2.0 programme in Delta state with 4,657 beneficiaries.

“A total of 33,838 potential beneficiaries were registered across 28 LGAs in Delta State after which 11,991 were verified and 4,754 were enumerated. The total number of 4,657 beneficiaries were finally selected to receive disbursement”.

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‘Listing Simon Ekpa among wanted persons by Nigeria military is rascality, intimidation’

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The recent listing of the Biafra Prime Minister Simon Ekpas’ name among wanted individuals by the Nigerian government and military has been condemned by The Biafra Republic Government in Exile.

Chief of staff to chief Ekpa, Dr. Ngozi Orabueze in a statement said the declaration is an indication of the highest form of rascality,  irresponsibility and intimidation that can not be found in a true democracy

She said the Nigeria government and military were looking for a foithold to suppress the basic and inalienable rights of the Biafra people to chose their leader and discuss who they are as a people hence they came up with the declaration
“Prime Minister His Excellency Simon Ekpa is a Self Determination Leader who can never be a wanted individual. 

Dr. Orabueze indicated that the declaration by the Director, Defence Media Operation Maj. Gen. Edward Buba is a show of the highest form of rascality,  irresponsibility and intimidation. 
“It is also a ploy by the Nigeria government and military to suppress the basic and inalienable rights of the Biafra people to chose their leader and discuss who they are as a people.” 
The chief of staff in the statement called for the immediate withdrawal of the Biafra Government the Nigeria government.

She also demanded an apology from Major General Buba to the Biafra people whose rights and image  has been trampled upon with such fallacy and publication. 
In her statement, Dr Orabueze explained that the continuous use of intimidation, suppression, killings and disrespect for the right of over 70 million Biafrans scattered all over the world and inside Nigeria can no longer go without a measurable action.

“The call for Self Determination, Self Referendum and Redeclaration  of Biafra as a Sovereign state is a task geared towards the security of lives and property of indigenous Nigerians in Biafra territory, and must be achieved for peace and reduction in terrorism in that part of the world. 
“The 40 United States of Biafra currently under the leadership of Biafra Republic government in Exile headed by Prime Minister Simon Ekpa is the wish of Biafra people. Such wish must be respected. 
“The inclusion of the distinguished Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic government in Exile’s name Simon Ekpa among the list of wanted individuals in Nigeria is the same thing Nigeria government and military did to the current Biafra leader leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is currently being held in Nigeria DSS detention center despite repeated legal rulings to free him.
“The United Nations has also called for the release of Nnamdi Kanu but the Nigeria military and government has refused.
“Nigeria is currently in a military rule disguised with President Tinubu as a civilian stooge. 
“With this publication, the Nigeria military and  government has once again proven to the world that it is a government that uses its power militarily to intimidate, suppress, kill and maim innocent citizens. “Thousands of innocent Nigerians have been killed this year alone by government sponsored terrorists. 
“The Nigeria military and government runs a  policy to reintegrate and rehabilitate known terrorists. This  policy has cause more deaths to indigenous Nigeria citizens compared to Boko Haram.
“Last Christmas, over 300 indigenous citizens were murdered same day by government sponsored and reintegrated terrorists. 
“The only crime of Simon Ekpa is to speak against these killings and encourage Biafrans to defend themselves against invading terrorists.”

She described the Nigeria government and military romance/sympathy with terrorist leaders such as Hamas that recently visited Nigeria and welcomed in over 3 news media controlled by the Nigeria government as a grave concern.
“Such action validates the connivance of the current Nigeria  government and military with terrorists.”
Dr. Orabueze therefore called on the Nigeria government to not only withdraw the Biafra Prime Ministers name from their purported wanted list but to respect the wishes of the Biafra people and peacefully start discussion towards the exit of Biafra from Nigeria
The Chief of staff noted that she will be open for such discussion any day

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Youth leader on marathon trek for Jarigbe arrives Abuja after 5 days

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A prominent youth leader in Cross River North Senatorial District Aruku Richard Monkom had made 474.9km long trek from Obudu to Abuja in honour of Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe

The young man who arrived Abuja on Saturday morning had flagged off his marathon walk at Federal Goverent College Obudu on March 19.
He arrived Abuja at about 11.45 am on Saturday to a warm welcomed by Distinguished Jarigbe and other supporters.

He said, “I trekked day and night and thank God I was able to make it here after, and embarked on the long walk as my only way to appreciate the quality representation our Distinguished Senator has given the Cross River North in the Senate.
“But did vidoe of myself in every popular locations on my way down here starting from the Federal Government College Obudu, down to Makurdi, Akwanga, keffi, mararaba and finally Abuja.”
Richard who is the coordinator of PDP youth movement in Cross River told journalist that he was in Abuja to present award to Senator Jarigbe and to encourage him to continue with his good work for the zone.
According to him, “I have only met Distinguidhed Senator once and this is my first time of coming closer to him and embarking on the long walk was the only way I felt I could honour him for standing with our people.

According to him, the lawmaker has become a model for everyone in the society due to his standout legislative performance which is basically on Human Capital and Infrastructural Development in the zone
Speaking when he received the youth man and other youths in his official home Sen Jarigbe thanked Mr Richard for his amazing show of solidarity . Senator Jarigbe who is the chairman Senate Committee on Gas said the action of Mr Richard will rather spur into more work fir his people .

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Tension persists in Warri, as thugs attack sympathisers of Chief Emami

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Barely two weeks after residents of Okere Community in Warri South local government area of Delta state suffered sporadic gun shots from unidentified military men, tension has again gripped the community again as thugs attacked innocent indigenes who were just returning to the city after the last ugly incidents.
Findings revealed that those targeted in the attacks were loyalists of the prominent Warri businessman and philanthropist, Chief Ayiri Emami.
Chief Emami had recently while offering prayer at the community shrine sought divine intervention on the stool of Warri, a supplication which courted the anger of the incumbent Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III.
The victims of Thursday attacks included David Iwere and Philip Awani, among others. They had earlier been granted bail from Police custody among other innocent victims of March 2 attack before they were physically assaulted again.

Narrating his experience in a chat with newsmen, Mr. David Iwere, claimed that the reason for the persistent assaults on him and others was their support for Chief Ayiri Emami, over his insistence on the edict as regards succession to the throne of Olu of Warri and the preservation of Itsekiri custom and tradition, “which the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, is bent on desecrating with oily substance as displayed in Okere Community Ogwa ( town hall) on Saturday March 2 this year and similar exercise earlier at Ogbowuru hall in Ode – Itsekiri and Ugborodo.”
“We will not succumb to the continued attacks, the Inspector – General of Police, should take note of the lawless and destruction being carried out by thugs acting on the behest of the Olu of Warri.”
Further checks revealed that the police in Delta State have reportedly invited those fingered as threats to the peace of the Okere community.

In the letter signed by Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Abubakar, Warri Area Command headquarters of the Nigerian Police Force, Warri, Delta state aides of Olu of Warri was allegedly listed among those constituting threats to peace.

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