25th November, 2022.
*From the National Secretariat of the Okpe Union.*
*UPDATES ON THE LAW SUIT AND MOTIONS IN COURT FOR THE AUTONOMY OF THE OKPE UNION.*
The President General of the Okpe Union, Prof. Igho Natufe has directed that the National Secretariat of the Okpe Union issues the following updates to the various branches and members of the Union concerning the law suit and motions in courts aimed at protecting the autonomy of the Okpe Union.
- The substantive suit instituted on behalf of the elected National Executive Council of the Okpe Union in April, 2022 at the Federal High Court, Lagos has its judgment fixed for the 9th of December, 2022. In the same vein, hearing of the motion at the Federal High Court, Abuja, for the vacation of the Order of that Court which empowered the appointment of trustees for the Okpe Union by the Imposed Interim Committee is fixed by the Court for the 28th of November, 2022.
- The summary of what is before the courts in the above two cases is whether a Traditional Ruler in Nigeria can dissolve the elected executive leadership of a registered organisation under the Corporate Affairs Commission and impose another leadership against the provisions of the constitution of the organisation and its history of democratic transfer of leadership.
- It is our hope that if the above two legal actions are positive, the position that the Okpe Union is an autonomous organisation as envisioned by its founding fathers for the protection of the interests of the average Okpe man and woman shall be maintained. Every step that has been taken previously to undermine the autonomy of the Okpe Union including the recent plans to illegally arrange a kangaroo election to counter the elected National Executive Council would be known to the Okpe Nation and the whole world as a nullity.
- The National Executive Council led by Prof Igho Natufe which delegates of the various branches of the Okpe Union freely elected on the 15th of May 2021 remains poised to implement its electoral promises of making the Okpe Union vibrant and proactive again.
*Signed:*
*Akpederin Kingsley Ehensiri Esq.,* General Secretary
Okowa mourns former Delta lawmaker, Michael Ogwilaya
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta and Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has commiserated with the Ogwilaya family and people of Emevor over the passing of one of the pioneer members of Delta House of Assembly, Hon. Michael Ogwilaya.
The late Ogwilaya, who represented the defunct Isoko North Constituency II between 1992 and 1993, died at 70 after a brief illness. Until his passing, he was a chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta.
In a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, Okowa expressed sadness at the passing of Ogwilaya, and said that the incident was a big loss to the deceased’s family, the PDP and Emevor community.
According to him, the passing of the PDP chieftain is a big blow to our party, his family, Emevor community and Isoko North, especially at this period, and considering his immense contributions to the party’s fortunes in the state.
The governor remarked that the late “gentleman-politician”, contributed to the growth and development of his community and local government area, and that he would be greatly missed by his political associates and others close to him.
He said: “On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I mourn the passing of an astute politician and a gentleman of amiable personality.
“Michael Omokaro Ogwilaya was a renowned party leader, a man of peace who was passionate about the development of his people of Emevor and Isoko North.
“The news of his death was shocking and a great loss because he was a valued asset to PDP and had distinguished himself in the service of the party and his people.
“His huge contributions to our party’s victories in several elections in Emevor and Isoko North remain laudable”.
Okowa prayed to God to accept the deceased’s soul and grant fortitude to the family and friends to bear his demise.
Atiku’ll tackle insecurity with job creation – Aniagwu
Peoples Democratic Party PDP Presidential Campaign Spokesman, Mr Charles Aniagwu says the party’s Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar would in addition to other measures create jobs to solve the perennial insecurity and poverty bedevilling Nigeria.
Aniagwu who spoke on Arise Television on Saturday said until jobs were created in the country, insecurity would continue to fester.
He stressed that without jobs it would be impossible to solve the hydra-headed insecurity with its attendant effect on the nation’s socio-economic landscape.
“Earlier today in Lagos, our Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa had a successful dialogue with Corporate Nigeria with the great investors like Africa’s greatest industrialist Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, Jim Ovia, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Herbert Wigwe and many others in attendance.
“The discussion centered mainly on the economic issues like job creation and how to ensure that a number of comatose industries are brought back to life and to recover our country from where we are now.
“Atiku believes that not until we are able to bring back the jobs the issue of insecurity will remain a challenge.
“He was also able to deal with a number of interwoven factors of how to address the security challenge with a view to ensuring that the economy becomes more robust.
“All of these issues he wants to address to be able to recover our country are well encapsulated in five thematic areas in his policy document ‘My Covenant With Nigerians’.
“Beyond that, we have made it clear that Atiku will continue to engage with different segments and sectors of our society and today’s engagement is one of such arrangements believing that this document cannot be exhaustive,” Aniagwu said.
He said Atiku would run an administration that would support a free-market economy which will involve the stakeholders in the private sector, adding that the PDP led government would tackle the causative factors making Nigerians to navigate towards the dollar.
“He will ensure that Nigeria’s education is sector is developed such that Nigerians would no longer find it attractive to source for dollar to pay school fees abroad.
“Atiku will also improve on the health sector such that funds spent on medical tourism would be a thing of the past.
“Once the causative factors are addressed, the dollar will automatically take the back seat because the naira can only be stable by stimulating productivity among the different sectors of the economy.
“The discussions today also centred on what he is going to do to bring back the jobs, to recover the economy and to ensure that we begin to have value for our naira, productivity and many other things that could help revive the industries,” Aniagwu stated.
God behind our successes in Delta – Okowa
Delta Governor and Vice-Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has attributed successes recorded by his administration, including prevailing peace in the state, to the praying culture introduced by his regime.
He stated this in his remarks at the National Hymn Festival 2022 at the University of Lagos, on Saturday.
Okowa disclosed that prayers had helped tremendously in stabilizing the state and made the sustenance of peace in the state possible.
He said that aside the daily supplications to God at the Government House Chapel and other religious activities in the state, his administration ensured that May 29 (Democracy Day) every year was dedicated to prayers and Thanksgiving to God, since 2015.
The governor expressed the hope that his successor would sustain the culture to ensure that peace and prosperity reigned in the state.
He commended authorities of University of Lagos for collaborating with the organisers of the festival and sued for its sustenance.
He urged the people to pray for Nigeria and its people for unity and peace, especially as the country prepared for 2023 general elections.
Highpoint of the event was an Award to the governor by the organisers for his contributions to the growth of the Church in Nigeria and for his outstanding performance in Delta.
Other awardees were the Vice-Chancellor of University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola and her predecessor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe
