NEWS
Okowa Swears in 5 Commissioners, Pledges Completion of Major Projects

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has assured that the multi-billion naira Ogheye floating market project in Ogheye ,Warri North Local Government Area of the state, would be ready in September.
Okowa gave the assurance while swearing-in five new commissioners in Asaba on Tuesday.
He also said that the Koka Bridge Flyover and Interchange, Asaba Leisure Park and Film Village; and Warri Storm Water Drainage would be delivered before the end of his administration.
Okowa named the new commissioners as :Dr Kingsley Ashibogwu – Higher Education; Dr Darlington Ijeh – Human and Community Development; Dr Godfrey Enita – Agriculture; Chief Anthony Ofoni – Project Monitoring and Audit and Mrs Nkechi Enumah-Chukwura – Girl-Child Entrepreneurship Development-
While congratulating the appointees , he urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them, especially now that the administration had entered the last lap of its term.
”With less than a year to the terminal date of this administration, every minute counts as we strive to finish strong.
“This administration’s novel entrepreneurship programmes have become the reference point for youth development in the country, while our urban centres continue to experience growth and renewal through massive investments in roads and bridges.
“For instance, Asaba, the capital city, is becoming a hub for conferences, resulting in a boost in the hospitality industry.
” The Koka Bridge Flyover and Interchange, Asaba Leisure Park and Film Village; and Warri Storm Water Drainage, are some of the major projects we hope to deliver before this administration winds up,” he said.
The governor said the Ogheye floating market,when delivered in September,would impact on lives in the riverine areas.
“It is my hope that people from across the state will witness the inauguration of this project because it is a major project in which we are very proud of.
” This is because those in the riverside areas have been neglected for too long but we have continued to partner them by doing projects that will improve their living condition,” he said.
Okowa urged the new commissioners to remain focused and constantly be in tune with the policy direction of the administration to make quick success of their work.
He said that as the electioneering season was gathering momentum, it was expected that political opportunists and detractors would employ every means possible to distract the people.
“But you must remain focused and unwavering in the noble task of building a stronger Delta and standing on the tripod of Prosperity, Peace and Progress.
“It is going to take all of us thinking together, planning together, and working together to actualise this mandate.
“You must promote inclusion and diversity in your ministry. In your utterances and actions. It is important that you develop a work environment devoid of mutual suspicion, distrust, exclusion and resentment.
“This administration is passionate in the belief that the stability, peaceful co-existence and prosperity of the state depends on our ability to run an all-inclusive government,” he said.
The governor urged the commissioners to lead by example, saying, ” always bear in mind that as a leader, people don’t do what you tell them but what they see you do.
I trust that you will be committed to leading by example as you begin your tenures today.
“For that to happen, you must model excellence in your work ethic, character and leadership style. You must commit to excellence in service delivery even if at great personal expense.
“Excellence also means to be purpose-driven, process-driven and people-driven,” the governor said.
Enita, responding on behalf of the commissioners, thanked Okowa for finding them worthy to serve the people of the state.
He assured that they would deliver their services conscientiously in line with the “Stronger Delta” agenda.(NAN)
NEWS
Taraba Community Seeks Strict Enforcement of Open Grazing Prohibition Law

The Munga Dosso community in Karim- Lamido Local Government area of Taraba has appealed to the state government to ensure strict enforcement of it anti-open grazing law to address herders and farmers conflict in the state.Mr Robert Bukar, Youth Leader of the community made the appeal on Monday, while briefing newsmen in Jalingo.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the Munga Dosso community has came under an attack recently by suspected herders, where scores were killed and property worth millions of naira were destroyed. Bukar noted that the bill was signed into law by the former Gov. Darius Ishaku in 2018.He said that the enforcement of the law would address the lingering farmers/herders conflict.He also decried absence of government’s representatives to the crisis affected community.The youth leader also said that the community was left to it faith at the time its 12 members were killed by suspected herders and were given mass burial.“Notably, no government representatives from federal, state, or local levels visited the community after this incident.“We have a senator, a house of representatives member, a state assembly member, yet non deemed it necessary to visit us and to listen to our lamentations.“As a peace-loving community, we always report all incidents and seek assistance from security agencies.However, we were disappointed by the lack of government representation at the mass burial, where officials failed to commiserate with our people.” It is true that the state government sent relief materials to the victims but relief materials is not our problem. We expected their solidarity at the time.“The aftermath of such violence has tragically resulted in not only fatalities but also a significant number of injuries and displacements.“It has led to a humanitarian crisis that requires urgent attention. Families are left to mourn their loved ones, while survivors grapple with trauma and insecurity.“Access to essential resources has become increasingly challenging, complicating efforts for community stability.“Moreover, in all these, our people are often arrested and from police station to prison but none of the perpetrators are brought to justice.“It is only in the recent crisis that the herders were arrested with asulted rifles by the police in Karim -Lamido but were released the next day,” Bukar said.The youth leader also appealed to government to increase security deployment to allow farmers to safely return to their farms.He also requested Taraba government to ensure that the recently constituted administrative committee of enquiry carry out a thorough investigation to apprehend and punish the perpetrators of the recent attacks. (NAN)NEWS
Police Confirm Alleged killing of Naval Officer by Hoodlum in Kaduna

The Police Command in Kaduna State, on Monday confirmed the alleged killing of a Nigerian Navy Officer, Lt.-Cdr. M. Buba by a hoodlum on Sunday at about 4:50 am .The command’s spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, confirmed the incident to Newsmen in Kaduna.Hassan said Buba was attacked and robbed near Kawo the fly over.
He said the yet-to-be identified individual had attacked the Naval Officer with a knife and robbed him of his mobile phones. According to him, the suspect was attempting to escape when an angry mob overpowered and beat him to death.Hassan said the late Naval officer suffered stab wounds and was rushed to Manaal Hospital where he was declared dead by a Medical Doctor.He also disclosed that Mr Suleiman Dahiru , who attempted to help the late Naval officer was also stabbed in the hand and he was also receiving treatment .Hassan said, “The body of late Buba has been deposited at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital mortuary.“The deceased was in his black Toyota vehicle with registration number APP-745HT, when the incident happened “He said investigation and monitoring were ongoing in the general area to fish out the hoodlum. (NAN)NEWS
Successful Hajj 1446: Saudi Arabia Announces End of Pilgrimage

Prince Saud bin Mishaal, Deputy Emir of the Makkah Region, announced the successful completion of Hajj 1446, declaring it incident-free in terms of security, health, and services.Mishaal said that over 1.6 million pilgrims participated in the holy pilgrimage, with 1,506,576 pilgrims arriving from outside the Kingdom.
He explained that 166,654 domestic pilgrims, comprising Saudi citizens and residents. Mishaal said, “Total pilgrims1,673,230, including 877,841 male pilgrims and 795,389 female pilgrims. ”The prince extended congratulations to the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their role in ensuring the pilgrims’ safety and peace.He also praised the pilgrims’ cooperation and compliance with regulations, which contributed to the season’s success.Mishaal added, “The pilgrims performed their rites in safety and peace, thanks to the distinguished execution of operational plans by the Kingdom’s leadership.“The Hajj season was free of any major security, health, or service-related incidents.”He said that preparations for the next Hajj season would begin immediately, with the Kingdom’s leadership, government, and people taking pride in serving the holy sites and visitors. Mishaal extended congratulations to King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their role in ensuring the pilgrims’ safety and peace.( NAN)