Pro-Biafra Protesters Grounds Economic Activities In Delta

By Kenneth Orusi, Asaba

Members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has threatened to continue its protest in the South East and South South states of the federation if by January 18, 2016, its leader and Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu was not released from the cell of Department of State Services (DSS) to the Igbo people.

Although, the January 18 date given by the group has not come, some agitators have taken to the popular Nnebisi road in Asaba, Delta State grounding economic activities and causing heavy gridlock.

The over 200 protesters, who used motorcycles, tricycles, vehicles while others were on foot, displayed the Biafra flag, chanting the release of Kanu.

The pro-Biafrans took one part of the lane leading to the popular Inter-Biau junction while commercial tricycles and other vehicles were forced to use the other lane leading to Ogbegonogo market in Asaba, thereby breaking traffic rules.

One of the protesters, Chukwuma Eze who spoke with our correspondent alleged that the federal government has denied Kanu access to his doctors, the Federal Government through the DSS, has devised another way of complicating his already deteriorating health condition, by making him to sleep on bare floor, thereby making him to contract pneumonia, which may possibly kill him.

Another respondent who identified himself as Peters Eluwa hinted that the pro-Biafra group would continue its agitation until the federal government do the needful, stressing that the idea of wanting them to be a pressure group would not be accepted by them, “it is the succession we are fighting for and that is what Kanu represent”, he said.

Okowa Makes More Appointments, Warn Against Money Grabbing

By Kenneth Orusi, Asaba
Delta State Governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, yesterday appointed his elder brother, Chief Tony Okowa as Chairman, Delta State Sports Commission and other members into Boards and Agencies, warning them to shun “money grabbing” or have their Commissions dissolved.

Okowa made the warning yesterday in Asaba during the inauguration of about nine Boards and agencies, saying their appointments would ensure decisive implementation of policies to ensure quick delivery of his SMART agenda.

The governor urged them to “take note that their appointments are not avenue for self-aggrandizement and self-enrichment but a call to serve Deltans and humanity through delivery on the S.M.A.R.T agenda of this administration which are Strategic wealth creation initiatives and provision of Jobs for all; Meaningful peace building platforms aimed at political/social stability; Agricultural reforms and industrialization; relevant health and education policies; Transformed environment through massive urban renewal."

He explained that, with the inauguration of the Boards and Commission his "administration continues to position itself to decisively implement its policies in respect of the economy and in other areas”, adding that the Boards should not be lured to run counter to the goals of their respective agencies.

According to him, the appointments were in recognition of track records of experience, hard work and contribution of the appointees to the development of Delta State, charging the appointees to work very hard so that during their tenure, they can transform their various agencies to attain desired goals.

"Recognizing the challenges we face and the need to surmount them, we should acknowledge the progress we have made so far in the short span of this government, as an indication of how better we can do as a people driven by patriotism and a common resolve to do things right”, the Governor said, assuring, "we will continue to do our very best by the grace of God, to give effective leadership with integrity, fairness, justice, honour and transparency."

Responding on behalf of the appointees, Dr. Chris Chris Oghenechovwen, thanked Governor Okowa for deeming them fit to serve the state in their respective Boards and Commission, pledging to carry out their functions diligently to the glory of God and service to humanity.