By Celestine Ukah

Delta Born Televangelist and Billionaire Prophet/President Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministries Worldwide, CMDM, Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin has splashed Five Million Naira cash on the Internally Displaced Persons , IDPs currently camped in his Church in Effurun- Warri, Delta State.

The cash gift presentation was made Thursday October 27, 2022 by Senior Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin Rescue Team led by the Man of God under Prophet Omoto Fufeyin Foundation, JOFF, to rescue victims of the ravaging floods across States in Nigeria in order to cushion their sufferings.

Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin Rescue Team and Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin Foundation is also providing food materials, medicals and other domestic supports to the flood victims in the facility.

According to Prophet Fufeyin, JOFF is taking care of over Ten Thousand Flood displaced persons in the established IDPs Camp by the Church, accommodating those whose homes were submerged from Anambra, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Kogi IMO and affected people across Nigeria, he noted that the rescue mission embarked upon is as a result of the instruction of the Holy spirit and not by his power.

It should be noted that Prophet Fufeyin who swam through the flood to rescue affected victims in Delta State, also with his team had earlier arranged speed boats and palliatives as well as provision of over 4.5 millions Naira cash to the victim’s at the spot.

Prophet Fufeyin also donated different items to the affected communities while visiting the affected flooded ravaged communities in the country.

The Billionaire Prophet and Founder Christ Mercy land Deliverance Ministries, Papa J Fufeyin assured the rescued flood impacted communities victims that the Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin Foundation will continue to carter for them till the flood rescinds, he promised them that they will never experience suffering again in their lives with God intervention in their affairs.

He called on churches other clergies to come to the rescue of those suffering in their midst in order to alleviate their pains especially in situation like the flood and other natural future happenings beyond human control.

In a chat with newsmen, Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin said he decided to rescue the flood victims because of the promise he made to God Almighty.

He stated thus: “I promise God that if He blesses me, I will also remember the children of God. Those who are in need. So, what make me to now go for this rescue is because of love. Because the bible says, you have to love one another. Love your neighbor as yourself. So, when they’re I. trouble, we have to. The bible says, when he’s in prison, nobody visited. When they’re in sick bed, nobody visited them. So, today, I am here to try my best to come to their aid.”

Prophet Fufeyin noted that the flood victims are being fed three times daily courtesy of the Jeremiah Omoto Funfeyin Rescue Team an arm under Jeremaiah Omoto Funfeyin Foundation.

“We don’t ask for help from anywhere here. But the foundation is ready. That’s what God sent me to do. So, am ready to now take care of them until the flood dry up.”

While noting that it is the government that ensures the protection of lives and properties, Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin also called on Christian Clerics in the Country to assist the Federal and State Governments in critical times such as this.

He stressed that the governments have tried their best possible for its citizens. “So, we also need need to now come to their aid. That’s what we are doing right now.”

Our Correspondent who was at the event reports that there was jubilation amongst the flood victims when the cleric arrived the IDP Camp to have fellowship and dinner with them yesterday evening. The flood victims danced and entertained Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin with a local wrestling competition among other games.

Josephine Jos, preye Faith both mothers of twins rescued by the team from Ayakoromo in Burutu LGA commended Prophet Fufeyin for his fatherly love and care given them to alive and escape from the ravaging flood across their homes.

Other beneficiaries Joy Reuben from Kogi State, Michael Glory, from Oleh in Delta State, Enegarenbenabo Tei Aperebo from Peretorogbene , Bayelsa as well as those from Gbekebor, Obotebe, Rivers and Anambra States hailed Prophet Fufeyin for his support and identification with the internally displaced persons especially in their time of need , they expressed delight that the Man of God has demonstrated the biblical injunctions of showing compassion to people just as Jesus Christ did while on earth ministering God word, they prayed for him for more anointing to continue soaring in his ministry.

The chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Delta State Council, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu has commended Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for successfully completing the council’s Press Centre which started since 2014.

Ikeogwu gave this commendation at the inauguration of the well furnished journalists’ house on Friday, October 28, 2022 by Governor Okowa.

The highly elated NUJ Chairman noted thay “this day will forever remain indelible in the minds of practicing journalists here in Delta State and beyond.”

“Let me first appreciate God Almighty, the maker of heaven and earth for making this day a reality after 31 years of creation of Delta State.

“That this is happening in our time, means so much to us as a union and to me as an individual, it gives me immense joy that this magnificent edifice is being commissioned under my watch as the Council Chairman.

“Your Excellency, you may not know exactly what you have done for media practitioners in Delta State. For your information, this singular act of putting a roof over our heads and taking us out of the street to become landlords, has etched your name on the sand of times.

“You have given us a name and identity, you have taken us out of Egypt to our promised land. You have put unquenchable smile on the faces of members and defeated the imagination of naysayers praying that we continue to wonder about as normads.

“Your Excellency, that you completed the building project would have given us enough reason to celebrate, but going ahead to tastefully furnish the centre is another monumental achievement that must be counted for your administration.

“I hereby on behalf of the members of our great union express our profound appreciation to you and the government of Delta State for this gift of a press centre. We also commend you for your infrastructural development and other dividends of democracy that you have delivered across the state and urge you not to relent even as you pursue your ambition as the Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections.” He stated.

Comrade Ikeogwu appreciated the efforts of the State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu who he said committed alot in seeing that the project became a reality.

He equally commended the individual and collective efforts of the immediate past Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, the secretary to State Government, Chief Patrick Ukah, pioneer chairman of state NUJ, Comrade Ovuozorie Macaulay and his predecessor, Comrade Norbert Chiazor in the actualization of the Press Centre.

Ikeogwu further noted the effort of the Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Olise Ifeajika in ensuring the welfare of journalists in the state.

He appealed to Governor Okowa to consider the provision of operational vehicles for the Union and linking the edifice “to the Independent Power Plant that is serving the State Secretariat for constant power supply. This will enable practitioners who are on duty 24 hours of the day, discharge their duties without hindrance”.

While assuring the governor who is also the vice presidential candidate of the PDP for 2023 general elections of proper media reportage of his administration’s successes to Deltans and Nigerians, Comrade Ikeogwu commended journalists in the state for remaining committed to the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities as watchdogs and thanked them for their continued support to his administration. He promised to continually seek opportunities to upscale their welfare.

In his address, NUJ National President, Comrade Chris Isiguzo, lauded Governor Okowa for encouraging Press Freedom by improving the working condition of journalists in the state.

He said that a free press, independent, vibrant, objective and nationalistic was critical pre-condition for good governance in a democracy.

“In most countries of Africa, especially in Nigeria, in the past years, the greatest advertisement for the democratic dispensation is the free climate of dialogue and debate (free expression) that has been initiated and sustained by the media.

“The existence of an unfettered and independent press is necessary for democracy to flourish. The right to freedom of expression, thought and association will strengthen and encourage accountability of governments to all citizens,”
Isiguzo said.

He said government officials were expected to be honest, responsible, transparent, accountable and efficient in administration and service delivery.

“Where any of these is lacking or is deliberately subverted, it is the responsibility of the media to raise alarm,” Isiguzo stated.

A Frontline pressure group, the Niger Delta Puritans (NDP), says that Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Umana Umana’s appointment of Engineer Emmanuel Audu- Owhavborua as the acting managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC), connotes a blatant violation of the NDDC Act 2020, and obvious affront to President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive.

In a release signed by the group’s coordinator Timipre Ebiuwe, “President Buhari, an avowed stickler for due process had consented to the disengagement of the Interim Administrator of the NDDC, and subsequently approved the appointment of the most senior director to oversee the affairs of the commission pending the appointment of a substantive Managing Director and members of the Gorvening Board in accordance with the Federal Government Circular dated 4th December 2017, with Ref.No.50/S./C.2/268”.

The statement further opined that, for unkown reasons at variance with President Buhari’s directive based on the extant circular, the minister, Okon Umana discarded the commission’s regulations and catapulted Engineer Audu- Owhavborua, the most junior of the three ranking directors, ahead of two superiors; Ms Racheal Oddiri, who was appointed substantive director in 2013 and presently, the most senior director having been with the commission since the days of OMPADEC. There is also Mr Serigha Glasgow, who joined the commission through a former MD, Timi Alaibe as a deputy director. Let it be established that Audu-Ohwavborua who is perceived to be “highly connected is being peddled to mislead Mr President to approve the appointment.

It queried the rationale for appointing another acting Managing Director ,when an interim administrator has just been disengaged.
“We, the Niger Delta Puritans have been impeccably informed that this endless one step forward, two steps backwards movement is being orchestrated to elongate Audu-Owhavborua’s tenure till June 2023 and if encouraged, it will portend grave danger to President Buhari’s unalloyed commitment to the development of the Niger-Delta region”.

By Lucy Ezeliora

As part of it’s effort to support internally displaced persons camped (IDP) in Utagba-Ogbe Technical College, Kwale, Ndokwa West LGA of the State, His Excellency, Sen Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, the incoming Vice President of Nigeria has continues his tour across the 19 local government areas of the state.

The governor was received by the incoming Deputy Governor of Delta State Sir, Monday Onyeme alongside some notable leaders from Ndokwa nation to Kwale IDP camp where he sympathized with the flood victims.

Speaking during the visit, Governor Okowa said he feels the pains of those that was affected by the flood, Stating that his administration will do everything to assist them in areas.

He commiserated with them, he urged them to continue praying so that, God in his infinite mercy will send the flood back, he prayed to God to guide and protect the flood victims through out their stay in the camp.

Okowa assured that the PDP headed by Atiku Abubakar by God’s grace in 2023, would spare no effort in ensuring that the construction of dams and desilting of Rivers Niger and Benue gets the desired attention because of the sufferings of Nigerians occasioned by reoccurring flood.

“When we look at the pains that come to our people cumulatively as a result of the flood and the destruction it brings, it is so huge and runs into several billion.

“So, I think that it is something that the Federal Government would consider building a dam across River Niger to prevent this from happening and I believe that the PDP government under the watch of Atiku will truly take that as a priority.

“We are immediately taking care of the people in the camp, which is the first thing to do by providing food, security and healthcare for them here.

“They have been organised into groups and they are cooking for themselves and we ensure that there is a regular supply of food items to cook. So, we are sure that they are not suffering from any form of hunger.

“We can see doctors and nurses here, living under the same conditions as the IDPs just to provide health care. In two of the camps, some pregnant women have already been delivered by medical personnel.

“You can see that they are well taken care of. In previous years, after their return to their homes, we have always provided some form of assistance and we will also do so this year. We are always compassionate,” the governor said.

He called on donor agencies and well-spirited individuals to partner government in alleviating the plights of those affected by the flood, adding that his administration would assist those in IDP camps as soon as the flood was over

Also speaking,Sir. Monday Onyeme
commended Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for his intervention and prompt response to cushion the adverse effects of the flood on the people by setting up various IDP Camps across the various affected LGAs in the State.

Sir Monday Onyeme commiserated with victims of the flood disaster and affected communities across the State, he assured them goverment full support now and always.

Onyeme urged the displaced persons to remain positive stating that in a very short time by God’s grace the flood will be over and everyone will return to their various homes.

Responding, One of the flood victim, Mr Chima who spoke on behalf of the victims thanked Sen Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and his team for caring for them, we never thought of leaving our houses but here we are today because flood he stated, he pleaded with the State government to continue to provide for them until they return their homes.

The high point of the visit was inspection of the Health care center, School, Kitchen, nursing mothers, aged persons and prayers for the victims.

Dignities present at the event includes PDP Candidate for House of Representatives, Ndokwa/ Ukwuani Federal Constituency, Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi, Chief Festus Ochonogor, Commissioner for Housing, Hon Kingsley Ashibogwu, Commissiner for Higher Educations, Chief Godday Obi Nzete, Executive Chairman, Ndokwa West, Hon Funkeke Solomon, Senior political Adviser to Governor, Barr Eugene D.G Orientation, PDP House of Assembly Candidate for Ndokwa East, Prince Emeka Osamota, PDP State House of Assembly, Hon Chris Osakwe, Executive Assistant, political, Hon Juan Governor, Executive Chairman, Ndokwa East LGA, Hon Ossai Azaka, Desopadec commissioner, Hon Chief Patrick Ogelenya, Hon Flenjor Oputa, Comrade Anslem Nzete and others.

By Lucy Ezeliora

Team Sheriff /Onyeme has commenced the distribution of relief materials to internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by the floods that has ravaged 19 LGAs in the state.

Speaking during the visit, Sir. Monday Onyeme disclosed that the government has opened up distribution centres at various locations to receive the relief materials from Team Sheriff /Onyeme and other individuals who wish to support the displaced persons.

“According to him, all the eight LGA’s in Delta South, six LGAs in Delta North, and five LGAs in Delta Central Senatorial Districts have been taken over by flood.

While commiserating with victims of the flood disaster and affected communities, Onyeme urged them to move to safer places while waiting for intervention from government and other individuals.

Onyeme urged the displaced persons to remain calm stating that in a very short time by God’s grace the situation will be over and everyone will return to their various homes.

While commending the State Emergency Management Agency for their interventions Onyeme pleaded for more humanitarian assistance from private Organisation community for relief materials to the victims to cushion the effects of the flood on various communities.

Items donated include bags of Rice, Yam, Cow, Beans, Onions, palm Oil, indomie and other utensils

He commended Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for his intervention to cushion the adverse effects of the flood on the people by setting up various IDP Camps across the various affected LGAs in the State.

One of the flood victim, Mrs Chidinma Ifeoma, Chukwuora who spoke on behalf of the IDPs thanked team Sheriff Onyeme group for coming to their aid by providing the food items to the camp. They pleaded with the Team to visit them again as soon possible.

The IDP Camps visited are Oneh Primary School Asaba, Ogbeafor Primary School Asaba, Ewulu Primary School in Aniocha South Local Government Area and Utagogbe Technical College, kwale in Ndokwa West, LGA respectively.

Among the dignities present includes the Deputy Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly Hon. OchorOchor Christopher, Director of Protocol, Government House, Hon. Ifeanyi Egboigbe, PDP Candidate for House of Representatives, Ndokwa Constituency, Hon. Nnamdi Chairman, Oshimili South Local Government Area, Hon. Kelvin Obi Ezenyili, Commissioner for Humanitarian and Community Support Services, Dr. Darlington ijeh, Commissioner for Youth, Ifeanyi Egwuwenyenga, PDP House of Assembly Candidate for Ndokwa East, Prince Emeka Osamota, Delta State House of Assembly candidate for Oshimili South. Hon. Bridgeth Ayafulu and others.

As the country nears another electioneering cycle in 2023, the National Association of Seadogs (NAS), Pyrates Confraternity, have advised Nigerians to rise up to ensure that only candidates who are committed to holistically implementing policies and programs aimed towards eradication of poverty are elected across board.

The deputy national co-ordinator of the Aisha Buhari led All Progressives Congress (APC) Women Presidential Campaign Team, Lauretta Onochie has expressed optimism about the organization’s capability of delivering on its mandate to ensure victory for the ruling APC at the 2023 presidential election.

The Delta born frontline politician, who also will co-ordinate the Delta State chapter of the group, averred that her confidence in the organization’s prospects of electoral success, arose from its membership which comprise high calibre personalities, who parade sterling accomplishments in diverse spheres of endeavor.

She further observed that,. “There is no gain-saying that an organization with Aisha Buhari at the helm, alongside Senator Oluremi Tinubu and a collection of distinctive achievers, will harvest success at the polls”.

Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria (PPSN), yesterday, raised concern over the increasing Tropical Parasitic Diseases and the heavy burden it had placed on the region over the years, but with”no Political Will by African leaders to nip the crippling and killing parasites in the bud”.

Vice-Chancellor, Delta State University, DELSU, Abraka, Prof. Andy Egwunyenga, raised the concern in a keynote address at the 46th Annual conference, holding in Delta State Abraka, Ethiope East council of Delta State, lamenting that the consequences of parasitic infections are very devastating in terms of human sickness and deaths, as well as agriculture and animal grazing, and so, governments must rise up to the challenge.

According to Egwunyenga, who delivered the keynote address with the theme of the 46th annual conference, “POLITICAL WILL TOWARDS DISEASE CONTROL-THE AFRICAN EXPERIENCE”, stressed that tropical parasites shorten lives, reduce the ability to work or attend school and impose a lifelong burden on Africa’s potential for development.

The Professor of parasitology and public health consultant who brazenly bemoaned the burden of the tropical diseases in Africa though with far fewer resources, stated that diseases cause mass poverty, high fertility rate, slow economic growth, deforestation, rapid urbanization and increased migration, wars and natural disasters across the African continent.

These, according to him, were contributing to increased transmission and distribution of diseases, hence there must be urgent needs in building the political will for effective disease control, to bridging the gap in health financing, priority setting and on how best to improve prevention, monitoring and control of diseases rather than relying more on foreign aid such as World Bank which, only this year, allocated $100 million to help enhance and support African countries in preparing for, detecting, and responding to disease outbreaks and public emergencies.

He said diseases cost the African Region $2.4 trillion a year and nearly 639 million years of healthy life were lost in 2015 while In sub-Saharan Africa, an epidemiological transition in the last 20 years has seen the rise of non-communicable disease as the leading cause of death in many countries.

“The health challenge has been well recognised by African governments resulting in the Abuja Declaration in 2001 and other follow-ups but responses have been mixed with most countries unable to meet the funding target of 15 percent, including Nigeria, with average budget of about 4.7 percent since the past 20 years while the highest is Swaziland with 17 percent, he regretted.

Speaking further, Prof. Egwunyenga viewed Africa’s Disease Burden With a population of 1.34 billion, to represents 16 percent of the world’s population of 7.9 billion which of course, carries 25 percent of the world’s disease burden.

He revealed that Extreme poverty continues to drive increased burden of disease in Africa because of 736 million people who lived on less than $1.90 a day, more than 413 million of them were from sub-Saharan Africa; adding: “Africa share of global health expenditure is less than 1 percent leaving more than half of its population without access to essential health services”.

He expressed worry that deaths from non-communicable diseases,
NCDS, are likely to increase by 17 percent globally over the next 10 years, and African Region will experience a whopping 27 percent increase, which is twenty-eight million additional deaths from conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases (Naik and Kaneda, saying they are projected to exceed the combined deaths due to communicable, maternal, perinatal and nutrition-related diseases.

Prof. Egwunyenga, however, regretted that Nigeria government, compared to other African countries, has failed woefully, in ensuring that 15 percent of its annual budgetary allocation goes towards health, after all.

The parasitologist hinted that political will to sustainably fund health and disease control was weak, noting with emphasis that Politics and Health Financing in Nigeria
Commitment to adequately fund health and disease control programmes in Nigeria is hampered by the inability of government and politicians, particularly the National Assembly to set the right priorities.

“Aside from other unstated allowances, Nigerian Federal Lawmakers in 2020 allocated to themselves, a total of N268 billion and N463.76 billion to Health. An analysis of the budget shows that more than half of all Nigeria planned to spend on health in 2020 (N463.7 billion) went to the National Assembly. This meant that for every N2 spent on Nigerian’s health care, N1 went to the National Assembly. In pitiably same year Nigeria spent N500 billion on medical tourisms”, he revealed.

In his address, Prof. Sammy O Sam-Wobo, President, Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria (PPSN), said it was worthy to note that they were in a near-constant state of improvement and regeneration of existing policies and scientific procedures, and PPSN has the gift of remaining contemporary to her members and their aspirations, as well as the society at large, in advancing the culture of scientific progression to measure up with global curve of rapid scientific novelties in research, prevention and control of parasitic diseases.

He said this year’s conference theme “Political Will Towards Disease Control – The African Experience”, was well chosen considering the present realities in most African countries where parasitic diseases especially Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) still hold sway and the Government going nothing to salvage the situation.

While summarizing key achievements of PPSN to include building the capacity and development of a critical mass of doctoral level scholarships for the continent, practical engagement in intellectual discourse, knowledge production, policy definition and intervention against diseases and their agents, Prof. Sam-Wobo thanked members of PPSN Council, BoT, College of Fellows, Zonal and Chapter coordinators, all members of PPSN and Local Organizing Committee for their enthusiastic commitment to ensure the success of the outstanding conference.

A special logo, designed by a member as the official logo for PPSN@50, was unveiled which kick-started awareness activities towards celebrating the Society in 2023.