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Delta Govt Protests N80m Blackmail

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Delta Govt Protests N80m Blackmail

 

By Edozie Obasi-Eze

The government of Delta State maintains that it will not be cowed into paying a whooping N80 million for a TV programme, Inside Niger Delta, anchored by Felix Akugha on the African Independent Television (AIT).

Commissioner for Information, Delta State, Charles Aniagwu, expressed the position while briefing the media in Asaba, on Tuesday.

He was addressing alleged attacks on the Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa led government by the Port Harcourt-based AIT presenter, Akugha.

The Commissioner made available what he claimed to be a copy of the proposal signed by Akugha, to journalists, and averred that the essence was to come clean before the public.

He pointed out that the media briefing was aimed at educating the general public on why Akugha had chosen the path of blackmail instead of speaking facts about the Delta government.

He said, “We have been quiet because we did not want to expose the reason why he had gone offensive for a very long time.

”Long before now, Akugha had approached us and he brought a proposal to that effect, that we should be paying him N80 million annually to project what we are doing in the state.

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“He had approached us verbally, but in September 2021, he brought this proposal and we said that apart from the fact that the amount was on the high side, the numbers of the things you want to do, we are already handling.

“Besides that, he listed the number of media outfits to be deployed but did not include our local broadcasting stations in the state.”

In addition, Aniagwu stated, “We, however, advised him to progress but take a second look at the cost he was presenting and to also incorporate our local media outfits in Warri and Asaba.

“All he wanted was to push his way through but we say that is not how we work.

“Since that time, he went on the offensive believing that he could blackmail us into doing his bidding.

“He called the programme, ‘Inside Niger Delta’ but what he ended up doing is inside the politics of Delta State.

“So, for every edition of the programme, he looks for his co-travellers to attack whatever we are doing even though he progresses in error.”

He pointed out that even when the state government had explained what it wanted to do with the N150 billion bridging finance, Akugha went about castigating the government.

“Akugha claimed that we have abandoned the ongoing Asaba-Ughelli dualization project (Federal Government Road) that efforts are on by the Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa led the government to complete.

“Beyond that, when we announced that we were going to build an International Conference Centre, he queried why we needed to give advance payment to mobilise the contractor.

“But I did explain to him on the need for the advance payment, particularly when speed was of essence and given the spiral inflation but rather than agreeing, Akugha went on a voyage of destruction.

“Even in his edition of Monday, given the rising profile of Gov. Okowa largely due to his performance and achievements, Akugha and his co-travellers painted a picture that is at variance with the reality, saying that nothing is happening in Delta.

“But we want to make it clear that the number of attacks from Felix Akugha, will not make us to engage him or pay him the N80 million he is demanding.

“If he wants to do business that is legitimate, we don’t have problems with that but he can’t force our hands to pay him.”

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Senator Ifeanyi Ubah Laid To Rest In Nnewi Amidst Tight Security

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On Friday, November 22, 2024, the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah was laid to rest in his hometown of Nnewi, Anambra State.

The funeral, held at his residence in Umuanuka, Otolo Nnewi, was attended by a multitude of mourners, including political figures, business associates, and community members, all paying their final respects to the esteemed businessman and politician.

The burial proceedings commenced with a funeral mass at 10:00 a.m., followed by condolence visits and other funeral activities. The ceremonies are scheduled to continue through the weekend, culminating in a Thanksgiving Mass and Outing Service on Sunday, November 24, at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in Otolo Nnewi.

READ MORE: JUST IN: Anambra Senator, Ubah, Dies In London

In light of security concerns, Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, ordered the closure of schools in Nnewi for a week. This decision followed threats from separatist elements who vowed to attack those attending the burial. A circular from the state Ministry of Education directed school principals to inform parents and ensure students remained at home during this period.

The Anambra State Police Command addressed an incident that occurred on Wednesday night, clarifying that it was not related to the burial. According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the incident involved security operatives mistakenly engaging police personnel, leading to an exchange of gunfire. The situation has since been brought under control.

Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who represented Anambra South Senatorial District, passed away in London in July 2024 at the age of 52. His death was met with an outpouring of grief from across the nation, with many acknowledging his significant contributions to the development of Anambra State and Nigeria.

As the community of Nnewi and the nation at large bid farewell to Senator Ubah, his legacy as a philanthropist, businessman, and public servant continues to resonate, leaving an indelible mark on those he served and inspired.

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Simon Ekpa’s Arrest Will Restore Peace In South East, Says Enugu Gov’t

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The Enugu State Government has commended the Republic of Finland for the arrest of Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based leader of the proscribed separatist group, Autopilots.

Ekpa has been accused of orchestrating violence and chaos in Nigeria’s South East region.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, the government described Ekpa as a “common criminal, con man, and terrorist” who has exploited the Igbo people while claiming to represent their interests.

RELATED NEWS: Finnish Police Arrest Simon Ekpa Over Terror-Related Allegations

“The Enugu State Government welcomes the arrest of the Finland-based terrorist, Simon Ekpa,” the statement read.

“His arrest and trial will no doubt go a long way in strengthening peace, security, and stability in all parts of the South East.”

The state government accused Ekpa of sponsoring violent activities that have resulted in the loss of lives, destruction of property, and disruption of the region’s economic activities.

It stated that Ekpa’s actions were driven by personal greed and not genuine concern for the Igbo people.

Onyia said, “Ekpa is a murderer and fraudster who delights in killing his people and living large off their misery.

“He thrives on manipulating, exploiting, and extorting the people on the pretext of fighting for their interest and for the restoration of Biafra.”

The government emphasized its readiness to provide evidence of Ekpa’s alleged crimes to support his prosecution, whether in Finland or Nigeria.

“This arrest is in line with the demand of the Governor Peter Mbah Administration, which has repeatedly made it known that Ekpa is a megalomaniac, common criminal, murderer, and fraudster who takes joy in feeding fat on the manipulated emotions of Ndigbo and inflicting misery on the South East region,” the statement added.

The government further criticized Ekpa for fostering a climate of fear and insecurity that has harmed the entrepreneurial spirit and economic growth of the Igbo people.

“Ekpa has for long, and unfortunately from Finland, made a living by creating a siege climate and mentality in the South East, destroying lives, property, and the Igbo trademark of entrepreneurship and hard work,” Onyia said.

The Enugu State Government expressed optimism that Ekpa’s arrest would mark a turning point in the quest for peace and stability in the South East, urging residents to remain vigilant and supportive of ongoing efforts to restore normalcy in the region.

 

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JUST IN: COP29 Proposes $250bn Annual Climate Finance Target For Developing Nations

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The COP29 presidency has unveiled an ambitious climate finance plan, calling on developed nations to provide $250 billion annually to developing countries by 2035.

The proposal, part of a broader initiative to mobilize $1.3 trillion from public and private sources each year, seeks to address the mounting challenges posed by climate change.

The five-page draft text, released on Friday, emphasizes the need for developed nations to lead the charge in financing climate action.

RELATED NEWS: COP29: Climate Summit Faces Deadlock Over Vague Funding Proposals For Vulnerable Nations

According to the document, this financial commitment is seen as a critical step toward combating the climate crisis and fostering sustainable development globally.

“In this context, it is decided to set a goal in extension of the goal referred to in paragraph 53 of decision 1/CP.21, with developed country Parties taking the lead, to USD 250 billion per year by 2035 for developing country Parties for climate action,” the draft states.

The announcement follows the release of an earlier 10-page draft on Thursday, which drew significant criticism from Global South delegations.

Many expressed frustration that the document lacked clear financial commitments from wealthier nations, falling short of expectations to support adaptation and mitigation efforts.

“There is a clear need to address the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, especially given the diverse circumstances shaping national priorities,” a negotiator from a developing country delegation remarked.

The updated proposal aims to address some of these concerns by outlining more specific targets. However, skepticism remains among some negotiators, who feel the revisions still fail to adequately address their demands.

Meanwhile, developed countries have raised their own reservations about the proposed plan.

A European negotiator, speaking to Reuters, described the $250 billion annual target as unrealistic and criticized the lack of measures to expand the pool of contributing countries.

“No one is comfortable with the number because it’s high, and there’s almost nothing on broadening the contributor base,” the negotiator said.

The mixed reactions underscore the persistent divide between developed and developing nations in climate negotiations.

While the draft text aims to reconcile these differences, the gap between expectations and commitments remains a significant hurdle.

 

 

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