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Showing posts from July, 2025

FUPRE Vice-Chancellor Celebrates Orodje of Okpe on 19th Coronation Anniversary

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  By Wilson Macaulay Effurun, Delta State — The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE), Professor Ezekiel Oghenenyeworo Agbalagba, has extended heartfelt congratulations to His Royal Majesty, Major General Felix Mujakperuo (Rtd), CFR, MNI, Orhue I, the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, on the occasion of his 19th coronation anniversary. In a goodwill message on behalf of the University’s Governing Council, Senate, Staff, and Students, Professor Agbalagba praised the monarch’s reign as a beacon of visionary leadership, enduring wisdom, and meaningful national impact. “Your Majesty’s reign is distinguished by exceptional service—as a senior military officer, legal scholar, and statesman—characterized by integrity, discipline, and visionary leadership,” the Vice-Chancellor said.  “You have played a pivotal role in fostering peace, stability, and unity, thereby laying a solid foundation for sustainable development within the Okpe Kingdom, throughou...

NUV Slams Ijaw Voice Over False Allegations Against FUPRE VC, Demands Apology in 72 Hours

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By Wilson Macaulay The National Urhobo Vanguard (NUV) Apex Body has issued a stern warning to Ijaw Voice Newspaper, demanding a public apology within 72 hours for what it described as a deliberate and malicious publication targeting the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE), Professor Ezekiel Agbalagba. The group warned that failure to retract the report and apologize in three national dailies would result in immediate legal action.The demand was made in a strongly worded statement issued in Effurun, Delta State, and signed by Hon. Bamwa Austine, Chairman of the NUV Apex Body, and Chief Daniel Umukoro  a member of the executive committee.“We demand an unreserved apology within 72 hours. If Ijaw Voice Newspaper fails to comply, we will not hesitate to take the route of the law,” said Hon. Austine.The NUV described the publication as an orchestrated attempt to blackmail and discredit the newly appointed Vice Chancellor, who they say is alre...

19 Years of Royal Grace: Celebrating HRM Orhue I, The Orodje of The Great Okpe Kingdom — From Battlefield to Royal Court

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By Wilson Macaulay In the annals of Nigerian traditional leadership, few monarchs embody the seamless transition from national service to royal stewardship as gracefully as His Royal Majesty, Major General Felix Mujakperuo (Rtd), Orhue I, the Orodje of the great  and ancient  Okpe Kingdom. As His  Royal Majesty marks nineteen years on the revered throne, the people of Okpe and the larger Delta State reflect on the reign of a monarch whose leadership has been marked by integrity, stability, and visionary progress. From Military Valor to Royal Nobility Born into the royal lineage of Okpe, HRM Orhue I was nonetheless shaped by a distinguished military career. Trained as an officer in the Nigerian Army, he rose through the ranks to become a Major General, earning a reputation for discipline, tactical brilliance, and patriotism. His meritorious service includes his deployment as  ECOMOG Commander (Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group) peacekeeping mi...

19th Orodje Anniversary: The Blessings Upon Okpe Kingdom Signifies the Finger of God Upon Orhue I — Hon. Francis Obule JP

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By Wilson Macaulay  Sapele As the people of Okpe Kingdom commemorate the 19th coronation anniversary of His Royal Majesty, Orhue I, the Orodje of Okpe, glowing tributes have continued to pour in, affirming the monarch's reign as one marked by divine grace, unity, and uncommon favour. Speaking during a press briefing in Sapele, Hon. Francis Obule JP, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Delta State on Political Matters, described the Orodje’s reign as "a clear manifestation of the finger of God upon the  great Okpe land." According to Hon  Francis Obule, the current political blessings bestowed upon Okpe Kingdom are historic and divinely orchestrated by the finger of God.  “Okpe has not been this blessed in recent history. Today, under the spiritual and traditional leadership of Orhue I, we have an Okpe son as Governor of Delta State, another in the Senate, and one in the House of Representatives. That alone is a strong pointer that the hand of God is indee...

2027: Tinubu, Oborevwori unopposed - Ethiope East APC leaders ... Affirm Edewor as party authentic leader

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  Leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, In Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, on Sunday, declared that President Bola Tinubu and governor Sheriff Oborevwori are the two unopposed candidates of the party in the forthcoming presidential and governorship elections in 2027. The leaders also confirmed an astute politician and business tycoon, Chief Bernard Edewor, as the leader of APC in Ethiope East Local Government Area, a development that received the full support of the entire college of leaders and stakeholders. LGA party Chairman, Chief Julius Ogboru, State Director of Protocol, Chief Sunday Onoriode, Rt Rt Hon Sunny Emeyese and other prominent leaders said the decision to unanimously endorse and adopt President Bola Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as presidential and governorship elections in 2027, was as a result of their visionary leadership and good governance strides since they assumed office in 2023, and counting. The leaders noted that Presid...

OPC Menace Made Us Recruit Buhari into Politics – Galadima Drops Bombshell

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  By Wilson Macaulay  Abuja, Nigeria – July 27, 2025 In a stunning disclosure that throws new light on Nigeria’s post-military political evolution, elder statesman and political heavyweight Alhaji Buba Galadima has publicly confessed that General Muhammadu Buhari was lured into partisan politics not by personal desire, but out of a perceived regional necessity — triggered by the violent activities of the Odua People's Congress (OPC) in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Galadima, a former close ally of Buhari and founding member of several opposition coalitions, made the explosive statement during a recent interview aired on national television, causing ripples in political and civil society circles. > “Some of us who recruited Buhari had a mission. And I will reveal that mission today,” Galadima said. “General Buhari came into politics. It was not his province. He never liked politicians because he believed we are fake and that we do not mean what we say. But there was an inc...

FUPRE Appeals for Full Implementation of Funding Act to Address Infrastructure Deficit

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  By Wilson Macaulay  Warri The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE), Professor Ezekiel O. Agbalagba, has assured stakeholders of the institution’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence, infrastructural advancement, and staff welfare, despite recent misunderstandings involving university unions. Professor Agbalagba gave the assurance during a media briefing held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Effurun, Delta State, on Saturday, July 26, 2025. The Vice Chancellor, while addressing a cross-section of journalists, took time to clear the air on issues surrounding an internal conflict involving one of the institution’s staff unions, describing it as a temporary challenge that is already being resolved through constructive dialogue and adherence to due process. He emphasized that his administration is open to engagement with all stakeholders, including staff unions, in line with democratic principles and t...

Francis Obule Mobilizes Supporters for Governor Oborevwori, President Tinubu

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  By Wilson Macaulay Hon. Francis Obule (JP), the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Delta State on Political Matters, has mobilized his teeming supporters in Okuovu Ward 11, Sapele Rural, in a powerful show of solidarity for Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The event, a well-attended sensitization program held at Okuovu 1, served as a prelude to the grand political declaration scheduled for July 31st, 2025, when Francis Obule and his supporters will be formally received into the All Progressives Congress (APC). Addressing the gathering, Hon. Obule stated:  “The PDP is a ship that has already sunk. I have called you all today my teaming  supporters to prepare your minds for our exodus into the APC, where we will align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu and the MORE Agenda of our dynamic Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori. We cannot afford to be left behind while the rest of the nation moves forward.” He further em...

BOOK REVIEW BOOK REVIEW Book: Brutally Frank: The Autobiography of Edwin Kiagbodo Clark Author : Chief Edwin Clark CON OFR Reviewed By : Wilson Macaulay, as published in the Independent on May 25, 2024, in honor of Pa Edwin Clark’s 97th birthday ⁣ :

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  📚 Review Summary by Wilson Macaulay Occasion & Context 226-0Wilson Macaulay wrote the review to celebrate Chief Edwin Clark on his 97th birthday (May 25, 2024)  . Scope & Structure 426-0Macaulay provides an overview of the memoir, highlighting key chapters and themes. The early chapters (1–5) explore Clark’s upbringing, education, and early career—from teaching to studying law in the UK—and his early involvement in education and politics with figures like Samuel Ogbemudia as his contemporaries. Major Life Events 767-1Subsequent chapters describe his rise to the federal stage during the Gowon administration (including his roles during the civil war), his appointment as Federal Commissioner for Information in 1975, and his clashes with General Murtala Mohammed, including the political and personal fallout that followed  . Themes 1123-0Central themes include his advocacy for restructuring Nigeria, equity, and justice; his resilience in the face of political persec...

How the Partition of the Moon Began With the Hoisting of Flags By Wilson Macaulay

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  “Flags do not merely wave in the wind; they declare territory, triumph, and sometimes, a silent war.” When Neil Armstrong the first human being to step his foot on moon planted the Stars and Stripes American  flag on the Moon’s gray soil in 1969, the world clapped.  History — always clever in hindsight — now sees that moment not only as a scientific leap, but as the first symbolic claim in what would become a new age of celestial colonialism or what can be called the partition of the Moon. The Moon, long revered by poets and prophets, as a no go area have indeed become a real estate today , due to increase in scientific knowledge.That flutter less nylon flag, rigged with a telescoping rod to simulate motion, was the first shot in a quiet scrambled for the Moon not for Africa, as it was in Berlin Conference of 1885 — but for Luna , which is stepping up the game. The Flag as a Claim: A Familiar Colonial Ritual Like the European powers who carved up the African continent w...

Oyibode Udu Council Chair Rallies Support for Governor Oborevwori and President Tinubu As Urhobo Ex-Millitants paid Him Solidarity Visit

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  By Wilson Macaulay  Warri The Executive Chairman of Udu Local Government Area, Olorogun Vincent Oyibode, has called on the Urhobo Ex-Militants Forum to throw their weight behind the second-term ambitions of Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, citing the numerous developmental strides being recorded under their administrations. Olorogun Oyibode made the call on Monday when he received the leadership of the Urhobo Ex-Militants Forum on a solidarity visit at the Udu Council Secretariat Otor - Udu. According to Oyibode, Governor Oborevwori's delivery of the MORE Agenda has repositioned Delta State on the path of sustainable growth and infrastructural advancement, describing the state as "a construction site" due to the volume of ongoing projects. “ Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has shown uncommon leadership, prudence, and passion for the development of Delta State. I urge you to continue to mobilise your members to support him n...

Democracy Newsline Newspaper to Host 15th Public Lecture and Award Ceremony, August 26 in Abuja

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  By Joseph Martin - Abuja Democracy Newsline Newspaper is set to host its 15th edition Public Lecture and Award Ceremony on August 26, 2025, in Abuja. Speaking with the Journalists in Abuja, the publisher and CEO of the media outfit, Chief Olugbemi Femi said that the event will feature a keynote speaker, award presentations, and a red carpet ceremony. He said the theme of the event is "Promoting Participatory Democracy and Good Governance in Nigeria." The occasion aims to bring together prominent personalities, award winners, and stakeholders to discuss and promote good governance in Nigeria. He further stressed that an outstanding scholar and Professor Emeritus Olu Obafemi will serve as the chairman of the event while notable Nigerian scholars of international repute will be the guest speakers. He announced that the program will also feature the launch of a N100 million fund dedicated to procuring podcast studio equipment and establishing Democracy Newsline Online Televisio...

Ethiope State Is Long Overdue, Says Senator Dafinone at Constitution Review Hearing in Yenagoa

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  By Wilson Macaulay Senator Ede Dafinone, the lawmaker representing Delta Central Senatorial District, has strongly advocated for the creation of Ethiope State, describing it as a bold step toward correcting historical injustices, empowering the Urhobo Nation, and unlocking new avenues for inclusive economic growth, infrastructural development, and cultural preservation. Speaking at the South-South Zonal Public Hearing of the House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, held at the Chief D.S. Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Senator Dafinone emphasized that the creation of Ethiope State is long overdue and remains a legitimate demand by the Urhobo people — Nigeria’s fifth-largest ethnic nationality and the most populous ethnic group in Delta State. Dafinone, who also serves as the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committees on Local Content and Legislative Compliance, stated that the Urhobos have endured decades of sys...

Good Life Helping Hand Initiative* *Our Seven-Point Agenda:*

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  1. *Charity Partnership*: Building collaborative relationships with organizations to enhance our charitable impact. 2. *Youth Empowerment/Skill Acquisition Programme*: Empowering young individuals with skills, knowledge, and opportunities for personal and professional growth. 3. *Crusade for Good Governance*: Advocating for transparency, accountability, and good governance practices in our communities. 4. *Mass Awareness/Literacy Programme*: Educating communities on critical issues, promoting literacy, and fostering informed decision-making. 5. *Campaign for Peace/Conflict Resolution*: Promoting peaceful conflict resolution, tolerance, and understanding to build harmonious communities. 6. *Private/Public Sector Partnership*: Fostering strategic partnerships between private and public sectors to drive development and growth. 7. *Ethnic, Religious, and Cultural Harmonization*: Encouraging unity, understanding, and mutual respect among diverse ethnic, religious, and cultural groups....

Etanabene: I’ll Campaign for Peter Obi in 2027 if He Runs on ADC Ticket

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  By Wilson Macaulay Hon. Benedict Etanabene has reiterated his loyalty to Peter Obi, stating unequivocally that he will campaign for the former Anambra State Governor should he emerge as the presidential candidate under the ADC banner. The federal lawmaker, speaking in Effurun, said Peter Obi’s economic blueprint aligns with the hopes of millions of Nigerians who yearn for purposeful leadership. Etanabene stressed that Obi’s prudence and commitment to national development were reasons why he supported him in 2023—and would do so again. He encouraged other progressive-minded politicians to rally around Obi for a united front in 2027.

Otuaro Rallies Niger Delta Support for Tinubu’s 2027 Bid to Sustain Peace and Progress

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  By Wilson Macaulay The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Chief (Dr.) Dennis Otuaro, has called on stakeholders across the Niger Delta to rally behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027 to safeguard the region’s peace and development progress. Speaking in Abuja during a leadership and mediation training for PAP stakeholders—organized in collaboration with the Nigerian Army Resource Centre—Otuaro emphasized the need to uphold peace and consolidate on gains made in recent years. According to him, the region must leverage the current stability to drive economic growth and development in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration. He reaffirmed President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to the peace, unity, and progress of the Niger Delta, pointing to the administration’s actions since taking office as evidence of that dedication. Otuaro also highlighted PAP’s strategic initiatives under his leadership, which include expanded scholarship opp...

P.T.I Cleared of Wrongdoing as Urhobo Vanguard Condemns ‘False Reports’ by Sahara Reporters On Enviable institution

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By Wilson Macaulay, Warri The National Urhobo Vanguard Apex Body has issued a stern condemnation of Sahara Reporters over what it described as “malicious and misleading falsehoods” aimed at tarnishing the image of the Petroleum Training Institute (P.T.I) in Effurun, Delta State. In a press statement released on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, and jointly signed by Hon. Bamwa Austine (Chairman) and Chief Daniel Umukoro, the body decried Sahara Reporters’ publication as a calculated attempt to damage the institute’s reputation and mislead the public with unverified claims of flooded classrooms and snake-infested hostels. > “As a socio-cultural watchdog committed to truth and transparency, we visited the campus and discovered that all classrooms, hostels, and equipment are in excellent condition, with modern drainage systems in place to prevent any form of flooding,” the statement read in part. The National Urhobo Vanguard, which comprises a coalition of Urhobo socio-cultural and interest grou...

Omene Revives Push for Ethiope State, Urges Urhobo Unity and Action To Actualize The New State By Wilson Macaulay MOSOGAR The call for the creation of Ethiope State has once again echoed from the heart of Delta State, as Chief Dr. Wilson Omene, a respected APC chieftain and former Chairman of Ethiope West Local Government Area, reignites the conversation with renewed urgency. During an interaction with journalists in Mosogar, Omene emphasized that the quest for Ethiope State is not a new agitation, but one deeply rooted in the pursuit of equity, adequate political representation, and accelerated development for the Urhobo people — Nigeria’s fourth largest ethnic group. He expressed concern over the declining enthusiasm among Urhobos toward championing their collective interest, warning that apathy could jeopardize the realization of a goal that past Urhobo leaders passionately fought for. “The creation of Ethiope State is not just about redrawing boundaries; it’s about securing our political future and ensuring that the Urhobo nation gets its deserved place in the Nigerian federation,” Omene stated. Reflecting on the efforts of Urhobo icons such as Olorogun Michael Ibru, Chief D.O.D. Dafinone, the Salubis, and the Okumagbas, Omene praised their patriotic legacies and urged the present generation to match their vision with action. He noted that the establishment of a new state would enhance Urhobo representation at the federal level, open more opportunities in governance, and drive grassroots development. Chief Omene concluded by encouraging all Urhobo sons and daughters—regardless of political affiliation—to unite under one voice and push for the realization of Ethiope State, saying, “This is not a partisan project; it’s a generational responsibility.

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PTI Defends Its Reputation Against Misleading Sahara Media Report By Wilson Macaulay Effurun, Delta State July 12 2025 The Management of the prestigious Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, has vehemently refuted a sensational and malicious report published by Sahara Reporters on July 10, 2025, which alleged that students of the foremost oil and gas institution study in “flooded classrooms and snake-infested hostels” despite a ₦39 billion budget. Describing the publication as “baseless, mischievous, and an orchestrated attempt to malign the integrity of the institution,” PTI Management said the report is not only factually inaccurate but also a deliberate attack on the hard-earned reputation and progress of the institution under its current leadership. In a strongly worded statement issued on Friday, the management declared: > “There are absolutely no flooded classrooms or snake-infested hostels within the Institute. These claims are complete fabrications devoid of any evidence or truth.” Management further challenged Sahara Reporters to produce any verifiable photographic or video proof to substantiate its claims. > “If such conditions exist as alleged, Sahara Reporters should have no difficulty presenting concrete evidence. Until then, their report remains a reckless misrepresentation aimed at misleading the public.” PTI clarified that all its lecture halls, laboratories, workshops, and hostels are structurally sound, properly ventilated, electrically powered, and routinely maintained. The Institute prides itself on maintaining a safe and conducive academic environment for learning, innovation, and professional development in the oil and gas sector. The management in clear terms described the publication as the work of “unscrupulous elements seeking to sow discord and cast aspersions on the steady infrastructural development PTI has recorded in recent years.” As a center of excellence in petroleum training and manpower development, PTI has, under its current administration, seen remarkable transformation in terms of physical infrastructure, digital modernization, and student welfare programs. The Institute continues to attract local and international recognition for its cutting-edge research and high-impact training curriculum. While assuring stakeholders, parents, and the general public of its unwavering commitment to the safety and welfare of its students, the management reiterated its call for responsible journalism and urged media practitioners to verify facts before rushing to publication. “We remain focused on our mandate and will not be distracted by smear campaigns designed to derail our progress.”

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Warri Oil and Gas Summit 2025 Enters Day Two with Groundbreaking Dialogues on Community Development , Regional Stability By Wilson Macaulay Warri, The second edition of the Warri Oil & Gas Summit surged into its second day with unmatched energy and intellectual depth, hosting a high-powered session at the prestigious Best Western Wetland Hotel along the Udu Expressway in Delta State. The summit, rapidly gaining reputation as the most significant oil and gas convening in the Niger Delta, brought together stakeholders, visionaries, and community leaders to deliberate on the pressing issues facing host communities and the industry at large. Scene One of Day Two proved nothing short of historic, as two of the region’s most respected voices took center stage with illuminating presentations that set the tone for policy direction and community awakening in 2025 and beyond. First to mount the podium was Prince Maikpobi Okareme, the distinguished Chairman of PANDEF, Delta State Chapter, who dissected the vital topic: "The Role of Multinational Companies in Promoting Development in the Host Communities." His presentation was a call to conscience and corporate responsibility, urging oil multinationals to go beyond token gestures and embrace transformative partnerships that prioritize infrastructure, youth empowerment, and environmental restoration in the region. In what many described as the most compelling address of the summit so far, Dr. Ominimini Obiuwevwi, the National PRO of PANDEF and Deputy Chief of Staff to the Senate President, delivered an emotionally charged yet intellectually rich presentation titled: "The Responsibility of Host Communities in Ensuring the Seamless Protection and Development of the Niger Delta." Dr. Ominimini’s address was a powerful charge to the region's communities, emphasizing internal accountability, unity of purpose, and a reawakening of civic responsibility. "Intellectual militancy remains the most veritable and potent avenue to accentuate the struggle of good over evil," Dr. Ominimini declared, in a moment that drew resounding applause and a standing ovation. "No amount of a standing army can replace the might of enlightened minds united for justice." Observers, delegates, and participants unanimously agreed that the Warri Oil and Gas Summit 2025 has set a new standard for advocacy and dialogue. With themes that strike at the heart of the Niger Delta question, and speakers who personify both passion and precision, the summit is being hailed as a watershed moment in the long march toward equity, peace, and sustainable development in oil-producing communities. As the summit continues, anticipation grows for what promises to be a transformational week of ideas, commitments, and renewed hope for the future of the region.

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