By ENITAN ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA, mnipr 

Delta Wire Industries has reaffirmed its commitment to a robust partnership with the Delta State Government, pledging to drive economic growth, create jobs, and advance the administration’s MORE Agenda.

Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Osaro Abusomwan, made the appeal during an inspection visit by the Delta State Economic Management Team, led by the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme. He urged the government to fulfill its obligations to the project, stressing that the company’s success would translate into significant socio-economic benefits for the state.

Taking the team on a tour of the facility, Mr. Abusomwan showcased the advanced machines and equipment already installed, noting that once fully operational, Delta Wire Industries will directly employ over 1,000 people and stimulate the local economy.

He revealed that the company plans to expand into the production of galvanized sections for the oil & gas, power, and telecoms sectors. Leveraging Delta’s abundant gas resources, and through a UJVA with the NNPC for gas distribution, the firm intends to establish special business units within the Kwale Free Trade Zone.

Sir Monday Onyeme commended the progress made at the facility and praised the company’s strategic growth plans. He assured the state’s unwavering support, emphasizing that Delta is open for business and ready to welcome investors committed to sustainable development.

“The right time to invest in Delta State is now,” Onyeme declared. “We are committed to ensuring this project’s success and attracting more like-minded investors to our state.”

By ENITAN ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA, mnipr

The Nigeria Union of Journalists has been rocked by a scandal as its National Executive Council (NEC) upheld the indefinite suspension of Delta State Council Secretary, Comrade Victor Sorokwu, over jaw-dropping allegations of cash theft, power abuse, and ethical breaches.

The NEC, meeting in Kano under NUJ President Comrade Abdullahi Alhassan Yahya, ordered Sorokwu to vacate his seat immediately, hand over every union property in his possession, and stay far from the Press Centre while investigators move in.

The bombshell petition — lodged by none other than the Press Centre’s own vendor — accuses the embattled official of draining union funds and running the council like a personal empire.

In a no-nonsense move, NEC is dispatching a three-man “hit squad” to Delta to dig deep, grill witnesses, and unravel the money trail before delivering its final hammer blow.

Union insiders say the scandal has left the Delta NUJ in turmoil, with members stunned at the scale of the allegations and bracing for more shocking revelations.

By Our Correspondent 

The Delta State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) is under a cloud of controversy as contractors handling school projects allege widespread bribery and extortion involving senior officials — with fingers pointed directly at the Board’s Chairman, Hon. Samuel Mariere.

Multiple contractors, speaking on condition of anonymity, accused top staff of the Department of Planning, Research and Statistics (DPRS) of demanding kickbacks ranging from 5% to 20% of contract sums — either before award or during project execution — crippling their ability to deliver jobs to standard.

“The exploitation starts from when you apply for the job, through the construction phase, and even before completion certificates are issued,” one contractor lamented. “Governor Sheriff Oborevwori pays strictly according to work done, but these illegal deductions make it hard to meet specifications.”

The Chairman’s personal secretary, Antonia Krenyo, and a senior DPRS officer, Engr. Sylvester Etetafia, were named as central players in the alleged scheme. Contractors claim both operate with impunity, reportedly shielded by their proximity to the Chairman.

“Mariere is very much aware — his secretary is part of the collection system,” another source alleged.

Repeated attempts to obtain comments from the accused officers were rebuffed, while Mariere declined to respond when approached.

Education stakeholders warn that unless the alleged rot is addressed, the state’s already fragile basic education infrastructure will continue to suffer, denying pupils the learning environment they deserve.

By ENITAN ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA, mnipr

Over 1,200 young men and women in Delta State have graduated from an intensive empowerment programme under the OVL Foundation’s 9ja Youth Drive 2025, gaining practical skills designed to break the cycle of unemployment and foster self-reliance.

The initiative, held in commemoration of International Youth Day, is part of a nationwide campaign spanning Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and targeting young people — particularly women and vulnerable groups — with high-demand vocational and digital training.

Speaking at the Delta State graduation ceremony, OVL Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer, Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, described the programme as a catalyst for lasting change.

“Our vision is to equip Nigerian youths, especially women and children, with the tools and opportunities to live productive, economically independent lives. Every skill learned here is a door to a sustainable future,” she said.

Participants underwent hands-on training in digital literacy, vocational trades, catering, soap and paint production, makeup artistry, and gele tying. The event also featured a Talent and Innovation Showcase, where Group 8 emerged victorious, securing a ₦1 million prize to launch their business venture.

In addition to the grand prize, every graduate received starter packs, certificates of completion, and awards for excellence in their respective fields — a move organisers say is crucial for ensuring participants can immediately translate their training into income.

Omobolanle emphasised that the project’s success was made possible through strategic partnerships with local and international organisations, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

“Partnership is at the heart of sustainable development. Through collaboration, we are giving our youths not just skills, but the confidence to thrive,” she added.

The 9ja Youth Drive 2025 has been widely praised for its grassroots reach and alignment with International Youth Day’s global mission of spotlighting youth engagement for development. With its focus on skills, entrepreneurship, and empowerment, the programme continues to affirm the OVL Foundation’s role as a driving force for youth-led nation-building in Nigeria.

By ENITAN ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA, mnipr 

The Magistrate Court 1 in Asaba was thrown into a tense legal drama on Monday as Pastor Sunday Ogbogho of the Redeemed Christian Church of God was arraigned over an alleged violent assault on one Kenneth Orusi.

According to the charge sheet, the incident occurred on July 27, 2025, at No. 5 Elder Ediale Street, off Ibusa Road, Asaba. The prosecution alleged that Ogbogho struck Orusi on the head with a wheel spanner, inflicting bodily harm — an offence punishable under Section 355 of the Criminal Code.

When the charge was read, Ogbogho pleaded “not guilty”. His counsel, identified as Chris, informed the court that the defendant is a landlord in Asaba and presented a surety described as a Grade Level 17 officer.

The surety, who introduced himself as Engineer Pastor and Director of Operations at the Delta State Direct Labour Agency, assured the court of his availability throughout the trial. However, Magistrate expressed caution, citing past experiences where sureties working in “field-based” roles had proven difficult to trace after defendants jumped bail.

“When you take someone on bail, you are telling the court you will ensure they attend trial until the case is concluded. We have had situations where people vanish, and sureties claim they are working in the field. That will not be tolerated here,” the Magistrate warned.

After deliberation, the Magistrate admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of ₦500,000 with one surety in like sum. The surety must be a responsible citizen resident within the court’s jurisdiction, a civil servant not below Grade Level 12, and must present multiple official documents including an appointment letter, promotion letter, office ID, payslip, and national identity card or voter’s card. Additional requirements include sworn affidavits, residence verification, and passport photographs of both the surety and the defendant.

In a stern address, the Magistrate also issued a strong anti-corruption warning:

“In this court, justice is not for sale. Do not give money to anybody — whether court staff, someone claiming to know the magistrate, or even a lawyer — to influence justice. We do not accept money here. Do not tempt the court, and the court will not tempt you.”

The case was adjourned to August 25, 2025, for hearing.

By Our Correspondent

A web of alleged financial misconduct is tightening around the Chairman of the Delta State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Hon. Samuel Mariere, amid explosive claims that he has been using publicity contracts as a personal cash cow — with the agency’s official Public Relations Officer (PRO) deliberately cut out of the loop.

Multiple insider accounts paint a picture of a well-oiled scheme in which publicity is allegedly weaponized as a conduit for siphoning millions from the Board’s coffers. The method, according to sources, is simple but effective: bypass the duly posted PRO, channel publicity jobs to a handpicked outsider, inflate the costs, and then route part of the payout back to the Chairman.

One staff member described the arrangement as “daylight looting under the guise of public relations,” alleging that the outsider acts as a middleman who shares the inflated proceeds with the Chairman. The PRO is allegedly forced to sign off on these padded expenses — or face intimidation and marginalization.

Investigations reveal that this pattern of sidelining began long before the current PRO arrived. The former PRO, described by colleagues as a “dedicated young lady,” reportedly endured months of frustration for refusing to rubber-stamp suspicious transactions. She eventually left the Board after being completely stripped of her core functions.

The drama deepened when the new PRO also refused to play along. According to an anonymous staffer, this triggered a furious reaction from Hon. Mariere, who allegedly threatened to use the Commissioner for Information to “deal with” the officer.

What baffles many insiders is the fact that both the Chairman and the sidelined PRO hail from the same Ughelli North Local Government Area. “Instead of protecting his own, he is tearing him down for refusing to join in the racket,” a senior staff lamented.

Critics warn that outsourcing official publicity to non-staff is not just a breach of protocol — it is a gateway for unchecked financial manipulation. “Publicity budgets are now an open vault for a few individuals, while the PRO’s office is reduced to a mere rubber stamp,” another source alleged.

As pressure mounts, civil society groups and education stakeholders are calling on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration to launch an immediate forensic audit of SUBEB’s publicity spending. “If these allegations are true, it’s not just theft — it’s sabotage of the entire system meant to uplift basic education in Delta State,” one activist told our correspondent.

At press time, Hon. Samuel Mariere had yet to respond to repeated requests for comment.

By ENITAN ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA, mnipr

Philanthropist and founder of Zafama Helping Hands Foundation, Hauwa Abdul-Dimka, turned her 50th birthday into a celebration of compassion, gifting over 400 schoolchildren from paramilitary schools and orphanages with school bags and learning accessories.

The Abuja event, filled with music, dance, and cultural displays, drew family, friends, and well-wishers who hailed Hauwa’s decades-long commitment to supporting education, healthcare, and the less privileged.

“Celebrating with the less privileged is a family tradition,” Hauwa said, as her husband, Usman Abdul-Dimka, affirmed that service to humanity brings their family “happiness, fulfillment, and joy.”

Guests described the milestone celebration as a fitting tribute to a woman whose life’s work has touched thousands.

The Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to investing in agriculture as a cornerstone of the state’s economy.

The governor made this known at Owa-Ofie community in Ika North East Local Government Area during the continuation of the 5th tranche of agricultural inputs distribution to beneficiaries under Result Area 2 (FADAMA) of the Delta COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (D-CARES) programme.

Represented by the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Chairman of the State CARES Steering Committee, Mr. Sonny Ekedayen, Governor Oborevwori emphasized the state’s dedication to agricultural development through D-CARES. He noted that the provision of critical inputs to farmers, alongside capacity building, would not only enhance food security but also promote long-term economic resilience.

He urged the 40 poultry farmers and 30 maize farmers selected in Owa-Ofie to make judicious use of the inputs, apply the knowledge acquired from extension workers, and share their expertise with other farmers to boost food sufficiency.

Commending the beneficiaries for their modest appearance and the community’s cleanliness, the governor observed that the event was a testament to his administration’s growing support for those who work tirelessly to sustain the state’s food system.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Barr. Val Areyinka, highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to support farmers through the D-CARES initiative. He acknowledged the challenges faced by farmers in the current economic climate and expressed optimism that the programme would continue to improve food availability in the market.

The Chief Political Strategist to the Governor, Dr. Festus Okubor, speaking in the Ika dialect, encouraged beneficiaries to make the most of the opportunity, reminding them that “to whom much is given, much is expected,” while urging them to support the governor’s agricultural drive.

Also speaking, the State Coordinator of D-CARES, Dr. Patience Ogbewe, represented by Mr. Chris Onyenike, Director of Operations, SCCU, stressed the importance of achieving the programme’s goals and maximizing the provided resources as a way of justifying the investment.

In appreciation, Mr. Okonta Broderick, a poultry input beneficiary, thanked the governor for choosing their community, while Mrs. Justina Erikume, a maize input beneficiary, expressed her joy through singing and dancing.

The event’s highlight was the presentation of inputs to beneficiaries and a vibrant performance by a cultural troupe.