Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Tuesday charged appointed public office holders to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and accountability in the discharge of their duties.

He said their appointments come with the responsibility of strengthening governance and advancing development across the state.

The governor gave the charge in Asaba during the swearing-in of Mr. Brave Enodeh and Mr. Moses Ogodo as Commissioners and members of the State Executive Council; Mr. Cosmas Igbenije as a member of the Governing Board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC); and Chief Joseph Ojobu, Chief James Obeuwou and Mr. Fun-Ebi Edonyabo as members of the Delta State Judicial Service Commission.

Oborevwori noted that Enodeh and Ogodo were appointed, following the resignation of two former commissioners who resigned to contest elections into the Delta State House of Assembly.

Addressing the appointees, the governor said they must demonstrate leadership, integrity, professionalism and unwavering commitment to duty in order to strengthen democratic institutions in the state.

He said their responsibilities extend beyond policy formulation to ensuring transparency, accountability and fairness in the conduct of the commission’s affairs.

Oborevwori said, “your actions should inspire public confidence and reinforce our administration’s commitment to the MORE Agenda”.

Congratulating Mr. Igbenije on his appointment to the DESOPADEC Governing Board, Oborevwori urged him to justify the confidence reposed in him through discipline, dedication and commitment to the development of oil-producing communities.

He recalled that the tenure of the current DESOPADEC Governing Board was recently extended by one year to ensure continuity in the implementation of ongoing programmes and the effective discharge of the commission’s statutory responsibilities.

According to him, the board has recorded significant achievements in the provision of roads, classroom blocks, markets, health centres, electricity infrastructure, water projects and other community development initiatives across oil-bearing communities.

The governor expressed confidence that the board would consolidate on its achievements by expanding infrastructural development and deepening human capital development, while urging members to continue involving host communities in decision-making so that projects reflect the aspirations of the people.

Speaking to the newly inaugurated members of the Delta State Judicial Service Commission, Oborevwori said only men and women of proven integrity and unquestionable character could be entrusted with the constitutional responsibility of overseeing the appointment, promotion, discipline and welfare of judicial officers.

He urged the commission to discharge its responsibilities with fairness, impartiality, transparency and the fear of God to sustain a corruption-free, independent and effective judiciary.

Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to inclusive governance, Oborevwori assured Deltans that his government would continue to partner with the judiciary to strengthen the justice sector and make it a model for other states.

He congratulated all the appointees and prayed for God’s wisdom, strength and good health to enable them discharge their responsibilities effectively.

Responding on behalf of the appointees, Mr. Brave Enodeh thanked Governor Oborevwori for finding them worthy to serve in his administration.

He pledged the commitment of the new appointees to the governor’s vision, assuring that they would work diligently to advance the M.O.R.E. Agenda in the overall interest and development of Delta State.

The legal team of Senator Ned Munir Nwoko has today reacted almost immediately to the ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja which struck out a substantive suit challenging the APC senatorial candidacy of Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa.

This is following today’s ruling by the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that struck out the suit filed by Senator Ned Nwoko against Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for being incompetent and fundamentally defective.

Senator Ned Nwoko, who contested the APC senatorial primaries against Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, had earlier approached the court to void Okowa’s emergence as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Delta North Senatorial District, claiming that the official result announced by the party which recorded that Okowa secured 113,309 against his recorded 2,612 votes, was premeditated and false,. He insisted that there are extensive video evidences showing  he (Nwoko) actually won the grassroots vote.

A preliminary procedural error was spotted as the suit was initially filed through a proxy, Dr. Mike Nwoko instead of the proper aggrieved party Senator Ned Nwoko, and upon realizing the mistake, Senator Nwoko applied for a leave to amend the court processes so that it would reflect that he, and not Dr. Mike Nwoko, was the actual aggrieved person in the pre-election matter – in which a leave to amend was granted by the court in this regards.

That move was immediately challenged by the defence counsel, and the court later upheld the defence, stating that the originating process was rendered incompetent by the error thereby stripping the court off jurisdiction.

Reacting to the ruling and misrepresentation of facts from the defendant’s camp, the legal team juxtaposed the difference and implication of sticking out a suit and dismissing a suit, placing the two legal terminologies in their right perspectives in order not to misinform the unsuspecting public.

“With the suit struck out by the high court and not dismissed, the claimant has the latitude to file a motion to relist the suit, refile the same suit with another suit number after all procedural errors have been amended or appeal the ruling , in other not to prejudice the merit of the case;” the legal team of the claimant states. The legal team insists that procedural errors at preliminary stage do not render a suit, then the court, incompetent, since a leave to amend is usually granted by the court to enable it entertain the merit of the case.

It further noted that the high court ruling is unfortunate and deeply concerning, noting that as the claimant’s legal team, it has the strict instruction to file an appeal immediately and is confident that the Appellate Court will overturn the ruling.

“The ruling is suspicious because it was not based on the merits of the case. The same court had earlier granted us leave to amend our processes but later set aside that order on its own motion, without justification, after it had exhausted its powers. This is an attempt to sabotage the substantive suit at this preliminary stage. It is imperative that the suit be heard on its merits;” the legal team maintained.

The legal team insists that the claimant is determined to pursue the appeal to ensure justice is done and seen to be done, while urging supporters and all stakeholders to remain calm and law-abiding as the appellate process unfolds, adding that
Senator Nwoko reaffirms his commitment to equity, transparency, party unity, and the progress of Delta State.

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has expressed profound grief over the death of veteran journalist and State Correspondent of News Direct, Comrade Dave Okpogadie, describing his passing as a huge loss to the journalism profession and Delta State.

Okpogadie died on Saturday after a courageous battle with jaw cancer that lasted for more than two years.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, Governor Oborevwori extended his heartfelt condolences to the deceased’s family, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council, the entire media community and his family.

The governor described the late Okpogadie as a consummate professional whose dedication, integrity and commitment to journalism earned him the respect and admiration of colleagues and the wider society.

He noted that the late journalist’s courage, resilience and unwavering faith throughout his prolonged illness served as an inspiration to many who stood by him during his difficult journey.

Governor Oborevwori prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the departed media veteran and asked God to grant his family, friends, colleagues and members of the NUJ Delta State Council the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

By: Wilbet Ijeoma (News View)

The 2026 FIFA world cup came to a climax today as Spain denied Argentina a back-to-back world cup title as they dethroned reigning champions by 1-0, in a dominant epic clash at New York/New Jersey Stadium.

Lionel Messi and Argentina were vying to become just the third nation to win back-to-back World Cup titles, but it was Spain lifting their second trophy for the first time since 2010.

Ferran Torres 106th minute extra time goal from Nico Williams assist separated the two sides after several attempts which proved decisive following a pulsating 90 minutes regulation time.

It was Spain’s 20th shot, to Argentina’s zero that saw Argentina and Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinéz helpless after several efforts to keep the ball at abeyance.

Earlier in the match, Argentina were reduced to 10 men when Enzo Fernández was sent off for a reckless tackle that made him see the yellow card a second time, reducing the Argentines to 10 men.

Still, Argentina nearly leveled late in extra time, but couldn’t capitalize on a pair of Messi corner kicks, with Giuliano Simeone firing over the crossbar in stoppage time.

Spain’s superior and dominant display over Argentina throughout the duration of the final match was a masterclass, with wins over four of the world’s top ten teams during the knockout stages. Moreover, they are the first World Cup champion to win the title while only conceding a lone goal.

The Court of Appeal Lagos Division has ruled that the mere publication of an allegedly defamatory statement is not enough to sustain a claim for libel, holding that a claimant must produce credible evidence showing that the publication actually lowered his or her reputation in the eyes of right-thinking members of society.

The court made the pronouncement while dismissing an appeal filed by the Chief Executive Officer of EbonyLife Group, Mosunmola (Mo) Abudu, against the judgement of the Lagos State High Court, which dismissed her libel suit against child rights advocate, Oluyemisi Wada.

In a unanimous decision, the three-member panel held that although Wada admitted publishing the disputed article, Abudu failed to establish a crucial element of defamation because she did not call any independent witness to testify that the publication negatively affected their opinion of her.

The panel, comprising Justices Folasade Ayodeji-Ojo, Muslim Sule Hassan and Polycarp T. Kwahar, delivered its lead judgment through Justice Hassan.

Abudu had sued Wada for libel, seeking N100 million in general damages, N100 million in aggravated damages, an order compelling Wada to publish a retraction and apology in THISDAY, two national newspapers and online platforms, as well as a perpetual injunction restraining further publication of the alleged defamatory statements.

In her defence, Wada denied liability and relied on the defences of justification and fair comment.

She maintained that her publication merely questioned the management of funds raised during a benefit concert organised by Abudu for street children, arguing that the issue was one of legitimate public interest.

Dissatisfied with the High Court’s decision, Abudu appealed on six grounds. She argued that the trial judge erred by holding that she failed to prove publication despite Wada’s admission that she authored and published the article.

She also contended that the lower court was wrong to insist on evidence from third parties before determining whether the words complained of were defamatory.

Before considering the substantive appeal, the Court of Appeal dismissed Wada’s preliminary application seeking to strike out two grounds of appeal and the related issues formulated by Abudu.

The court held that the grounds properly arose from the trial court’s decision and were therefore competent.

On the merits, however, the appellate court agreed with the trial court that Abudu failed to prove an essential ingredient of defamation.

Justice Hassan held that although Wada admitted publishing the article in THISDAY, publication alone could not establish libel.

According to the court, a claimant in a defamation action must also prove that the publication lowered his or her reputation in the estimation of reasonable and right-thinking members of society.

The court further held that while publication in a national newspaper amounts to publication to the whole world, the claimant must still call at least one person who read the publication and whose opinion of the claimant was adversely affected.

Justice Hassan observed that Abudu testified only on her own behalf despite claiming that several friends and associates contacted her after reading the publication.

“The appellant must go ahead to establish that in the eyes of reasonable men or third parties her reputation has been ruined, her estimation destroyed or her business value diminished before damage can be established,” the court held.

The court added that for it to determine, without evidence from readers, that the publication was defamatory would amount to speculation and improperly draw the court into the arena of the dispute.

It consequently resolved the first two issues against Abudu.

On the third issue, relating to Wada’s reliance on the defences of justification and fair comment, the court held that the publication concerned a matter of public interest involving funds raised from members of the public for charitable purposes.

Justice Hassan noted that Abudu, as a public figure and child rights advocate, organised a public fundraising campaign, while Wada, who also advocates for children’s rights, was among the contributors to the initiative.

The court held that Wada was entitled to question how the funds were utilised and to express her views on the matter.

According to the court, the publication merely challenged Abudu to provide greater transparency regarding the management of funds donated by members of the public.

It further held that criticism relating to the use of publicly donated funds was protected by the defence of fair comment, adding that organisers of public fundraising campaigns should expect public scrutiny and accountability.

The court further remarked that Abudu ought to have regarded the publication as constructive criticism rather than a personal attack, noting that it would not have cost her anything to provide a fuller explanation of how the charitable funds entrusted to her by members of the public were utilised.

Having resolved all three issues against the appellant, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal in its entirety, affirmed the judgment of the Lagos State High Court delivered on May 3, 2019, and made no order as to costs.

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has congratulated renowned media entrepreneur and Chairman of THISDAY Newspapers and ARISE News, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, CON, on the occasion of his 67th birth anniversary, describing him as one of Africa’s most influential figures in contemporary journalism.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, on Tuesday, the governor commended Obaigbena for his exceptional contributions to the growth of Nigeria’s media industry and his unwavering commitment to promoting credible journalism over the decades.

Oborevwori noted that the Delta-born publisher has distinguished himself as an innovative media executive whose vision transformed newspaper publishing and television broadcasting, while setting new standards of excellence in the profession.

He said Obaigbena’s leadership of THISDAY Newspapers and ARISE News has strengthened democratic values, expanded public discourse, and projected Nigeria’s voice on the global media stage.

The governor also acknowledged the celebrant’s tenure as President of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), describing it as a period marked by strong advocacy for press freedom, professionalism, and the advancement of the media industry.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I heartily congratulate our distinguished son and brother, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, CON, as he marks his 67th birthday.

“Your remarkable achievements in media entrepreneurship and your enduring contributions to journalism have earned you respect both within Nigeria and internationally. Through your visionary leadership, you have built enduring media institutions that continue to shape public opinion, deepen democratic engagement, and inspire a new generation of media professionals.

“We are proud of your accomplishments and the positive image you have brought to Delta State and Nigeria through your outstanding career,” the governor stated.

Oborevwori prayed for God’s continued blessings upon the media icon, wishing him good health, renewed strength, and many more years of impactful service to the media profession, the nation, and humanity.