The Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom communities in Warri urban led by the Meinbutus have reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to peace, unity, and development in Delta State, declaring full support for the Peace Agenda of His Excellency, Elder Sheriff Oborevwori, the Governor of Delta State. Their position was made known during a press briefing where leaders of the group described peace as the foundation upon which the state’s growth and stability must be built. Central to their message was the Delta Peace Concert, a brainchild of one of their own, Tare Harrison Okiri, popularly known as Harrysong, who currently serves as Executive Assistant on Entertainment to the Governor. The communities hailed Harrysong for deploying his platform, creativity, and international reach to amplify the call for peace, stressing that his initiative goes far beyond music and entertainment but speaks directly to the need for harmony in the state. Speaking on behalf of the Warri urban communities, Comr. Amakiye Ekaye, President of Meinbutus, and Ambassador Payebo Koremene praised Harrysong as a “shining star of the soil” who is using his influence for the collective good of Delta State. They described the Delta Peace Concert as a clarion call to all citizens, particularly the youth, to embrace peace as the true pathway to progress. “The Mein-Butus therefore reaffirm our total support for Harrison and this bold project. We urge all Deltans to rally behind him, embrace peace, and demonstrate to the world that Delta is indeed a land where harmony and progress go hand in hand,” the leaders declared. They emphasized that with Governor Oborevwori’s leadership and visionaries like Harrysong driving people-oriented initiatives, Delta State is well positioned to achieve greater unity and advancement. “Peace is our strength, unity is our future, and with this agenda, Delta State will continue to rise,” they concluded.

A court in Equatorial Guinea has sentenced former senior government official, Baltasar Ebang Engonga, to eight years in prison for embezzlement. Engonga, who gained notoriety after explicit videos of him with several women leaked online, was found guilty by the Bioko provincial tribunal of diverting funds earmarked for official travel for personal use. According to Hilario Mitogo, press director of the Supreme Court, the court also imposed a $220,000 fine on him. Engonga, who previously headed the national financial investigation agency, was tried alongside five other senior officials accused of misappropriating hundreds of thousands of dollars in state funds. His conviction comes months after his detention in November, when videos of him with women, including the wives of fellow officials, surfaced on social media while the embezzlement probe was still underway.

As Delta State marks its 34th anniversary, Hon. Spencer Okpoye, Member representing the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality on the Board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), has extended warm felicitations to the government and people of the state. In a goodwill message, Hon. Okpoye described the celebration as a testament to the resilience, unity, and progress of the people of Delta over the past three decades. He emphasized the importance of sustaining peace, inclusiveness, and collective effort in building a brighter future for the state. His full message reads: “On behalf of the good people of the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality, I, Hon. Spencer Okpoye, Member representing Ijaw Ethnic Nationality on the Board of DESOPADEC, heartily congratulate the government and people of Delta State on the occasion of her 34th anniversary since creation. Thirty-four years ago, Delta State was birthed with the hope of unity in diversity, progress, and prosperity. Today, despite the challenges that have come our way, we have every reason to celebrate how far we have come as one people. I particularly commend the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State, whose MORE Agenda continues to open new frontiers of development across the state. Your commitment to inclusiveness, infrastructural renewal, youth empowerment, and peace-building reassures us all that the future of Delta State is bright. As we celebrate this milestone, I call on all Deltans to continue to uphold the values of unity, peace, and hard work. Together, we can consolidate on the achievements of the past and build a stronger, more prosperous Delta for generations yet unborn. Happy 34th Anniversary to our beloved Delta State!” Hon. Okpoye urged Deltans to see the anniversary as an opportunity to rededicate themselves to the values of unity and resilience, noting that these qualities have kept the state thriving since its creation.

As Delta State celebrates its 34th anniversary, the immediate past Deputy Governor, H.E. Deacon Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, Esq., has extended warm felicitations to all Deltans, describing the occasion as a testament to the state’s unity, resilience, and progress. In a goodwill message to mark the milestone, Otuaro reflected on Delta’s journey since its creation, noting that the state, though conceived in diversity, has remained sustained by unity through seasons of trials and triumphs. “Today, as Delta State marks thirty-four years of existence, I extend my heartfelt felicitations to every son and daughter of this great land. Our state, conceived in diversity yet sustained by unity, has journeyed through seasons of trials and triumphs, emerging each time with renewed strength and deeper resolve,” Otuaro stated. He emphasized that the anniversary was not only about remembering the state’s creation but also about honoring the enduring spirit of its people across the creeks, uplands, cities, and villages whose resilience continues to define Delta’s story. “This anniversary is not merely a remembrance of our creation, but a testament to the enduring spirit of our people—from the creeks to the uplands, from the bustling cities to the quiet villages—whose resilience and enterprise continue to define the Delta story,” he said. The former Deputy Governor paid tribute to the founding fathers, past leaders, and ordinary citizens whose sacrifices have shaped the state. He urged Deltans to preserve peace, deepen harmony, and quicken the pace of progress so that Delta may shine even brighter among Nigeria’s comity of states. “I pay tribute to our founding fathers, past leaders, and the everyday men and women whose sacrifices have shaped the Delta we celebrate today. The task before us is clear: to preserve our peace, deepen our harmony, and quicken the pace of progress so that Delta may shine even brighter in the comity of states,” Otuaro added. Concluding his message, Otuaro called for renewed unity and commitment to building a prosperous Delta where future generations will rejoice. “On this day, let us stand together in hope, purpose, and unwavering commitment to building a Delta State where posterity shall rejoice. Happy 34th Anniversary to our dear Delta State,” he declared.

Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) has dismissed reports circulating on social media alleging that its operatives illegally sealed off petrol filling stations along Abeke and Ugberikoko Roads in Sapele, Delta State. In a statement issued on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, the company explained that its actions were based on credible intelligence that some stations within the axis had received and were retailing condensate as petrol. Condensate, an unrefined gaseous component of crude oil, is not licensed for sale as fuel in Nigeria. Tantita warned that its use can severely damage vehicle engines and is often a sign of illegal diversion from crude oil platforms. According to the company, the intelligence was relayed to government security agencies, who subsequently visited the suspected filling stations in the company of Tantita officials and ordered their temporary closure for investigation and testing. Read the full statement below: TANTITA SECURITY SERVICES NIG. LTD. 26th August 2025 PRESS STATEMENT Our attention has been drawn to a recent social media publication alleging Tantita Security Services may have illegally sealed some petrol filling stations along the Abeke Road/Ugberikoko Road, Sapele, Delta State, Nigeria. Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited is a private security company contracted by the Federal Government of Nigeria to provide industry wide security for oil and gas installations by providing intelligence/surveillance to prevent illegality in the industry. In line with her mandate Tantita SSNL received intelligence that some filling stations within the Abeke axis in Sapele had received and were selling condensate as petrol. Condensate is unrefined gaseous component of crude oil and is not licensed for sale to the public as fuel. It can damage the engines of cars owned by the unsuspecting public and its presence in a filling station is usually evidence of illegal activity, as the seller must have obtained it illegally from a crude oil platform. Our officials communicated this intelligence to government security agencies who visited the filling stations in company of our team and sealed up the suspected premises, to enable them carry out proper investigation and tests of the products collected in the process. Investigations are ongoing and so far, the test results have revealed that two of the filling stations are actually selling illegal condensate. Once the tests are completed, any station not found wanting will be re-opened immediately. Closure is in the interest of the general public to prevent damage to valuable cars and other petrol driven equipment. Tantita is committed to upholding the highest standard of professionalism and integrity in discharging her duties, even as we affirm our dedication to protecting government oil assets and pipeline across the Niger Delta. Signed Management

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced the commencement of applications for its Direct Short Service Commission Course 34/2025. The announcement, released on the force’s official X handle on Tuesday, invites qualified Nigerians from various fields, including engineering, medical and cyber specialities, to apply in line with the Air Force’s expanding operational needs in modern warfare. According to NAF, the online application is free and will run from August 27 to October 7, 2025, through its official recruitment portal at https://nafrecruitment.airforce.mil.ng . Applicants must be Nigerian citizens by birth and between the ages of 20 and 32 years, although medical doctors who are consultants may apply between the ages of 25 and 40. The Force explained that the exercise is not open to serving personnel seeking Branch Commission, except those who are under 32 years, have served for at least 10 years, and attained the rank of corporal with a recommendation from their commanding officer. It further stated that applicants must not be less than 1.66 metres tall for males and 1.63 metres for females, and must be free of any criminal conviction, while also meeting medical, physical and psychological fitness standards prescribed by the Air Force. In addition, candidates are required to possess at least a Second Class Upper Division degree and must hold either a NYSC Discharge Certificate or a Letter of Exemption. The NAF added that the date for the Zonal General Aptitude Test will be announced on the recruitment portal, while only successful candidates will be invited for the Selection Interview.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has declared readiness to embark on what it described as the “mother of all strikes” if the Federal Government fails to implement the long-standing 2009 agreement. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday in Calabar, the Chairman of the University of Calabar (Unical) chapter, Dr. Peter Ubi, said it was high time the government honoured the pact designed to improve the standard of university education in Nigeria. He explained that the strike action would commence once the national leadership of ASUU makes a final declaration after its August 28 meeting. According to Ubi, the union’s demands include the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, sustainable funding and revitalisation of Nigerian universities, payment of the outstanding 25–35 percent wage award, settlement of three months’ salary arrears, release of over four years’ promotion arrears, and remittance of withheld third-party deductions “The government made promises on these issues, and regrettably, we are here today to inform the Nigerian public that these undisputed issues have not been resolved for several years now. “ASUU has tried several ways and strategies of resolving the conflict in the education sector. “Unfortunately, government, in its characteristics, has paid deaf ears to our demands and has constantly pushed our union to embark on strike. “In this regard, ASUU has to embark on strike to press the Federal Government to do the needful,” he stated.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Monday raised a public alert over the circulation of counterfeit batches of Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75 mg) in Nigeria. According to the agency, the warning was prompted by a report from the Society for Family Health, the product’s marketing authorisation holder, which confirmed it had not imported the suspect batches. Postinor-2, an emergency contraceptive pill containing levonorgestrel as its active ingredient, was found to have counterfeit versions with clear labelling discrepancies compared to the genuine product, NAFDAC stated. It said,” The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) hereby notifies the public of falsified Type 1 and 2 batches of POSTINOR 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) product in circulation. “The noticeable difference was found to be as follows: The font size of the text on the pin verification sticker appears smaller and has a wrong spelling of the word Veify instead of Verify on the fake; meanwhile, the text font on the sticker of the original appears bigger and more visible. There is also a wrong spelling behind the pack of the fake “Distnibuted in Nigeria” instead of distributed in Nigeria”, NAFDAC said. NAFDAC identified the original Postinor-2 as batch T32458H, manufactured in February 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027 and registration number 04-6985. The agency, however, confirmed two falsified versions: Counterfeit Product (Type 1), batch T36184B, manufactured in August 2024 with an expiry date of August 2028; and Counterfeit Product (Type 2), batch 332, manufactured in March 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027, both carrying the registration number 04-6985. It said that due to the potential presence of incorrect, substandard, or harmful ingredients, improper dosages of levonorgestrel, and a lack of sterile manufacturing conditions, poses significant risks to individual health and public safety. “The risks of administering falsified Postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) include failure of contraceptive effect, toxic or harmful contaminants, unpredictable side effects, delayed or missed opportunity for genuine emergency contraception, and potential long-term reproductive health impact. Unexpected side effects: Unknown substances can trigger allergic reactions, organ damage, or death. “Counterfeit medicines are unregulated, untested, and illegal, making their safety and efficacy impossible to guarantee. Patients should only obtain Postinor-2 from verified pharmacies or licensed healthcare providers. “Although Investigations are still ongoing regarding the source of the falsified product, all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the falsified product of type 1 and 2 postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) within the zones and states,” it added. NAFDAC urged consumers and healthcare providers to verify PIN stickers carefully, report suspected counterfeit products, and always purchase medications from reputable sources.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has cautioned Nigerians against eating fruits ripened with calcium carbide. The warning was issued on Monday by the Commission’s Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Olatunji Bello, during a one-day sensitisation programme on food quality standards, organised in Ado-Ekiti. Represented by the Director of Quality Assurance, Mrs. Nkechi Mba, Bello decried the rising cases of adulterated and contaminated food items in markets, stressing that such acts endanger public health. He lamented that those behind these practices were exposing unsuspecting Nigerians to grave risks and vowed that the Commission would ensure offenders do not go unpunished. Bello explained that the sensitisation exercise was aimed at creating awareness among the public and sending a clear warning signal to “defiant” perpetrators. According to him, the agency has already commenced full enforcement of the law and remains committed to carrying out its mandate without compromise. He emphasised that the FCCPC is statutorily empowered to safeguard consumer rights, welfare, and interests at all times. ”The issues of food quality standards, safety and fair business practices are more pressing than ever, but we continue to see alarming trends. ”Such alarming trends include principally the forceful ripening of fruits using harmful chemicals, such as calcium carbide, which contains trace amounts of arsenic and phosphorus, both of which are highly toxic to humans. “These practices not only endanger the lives of millions of Nigerians, but they also erode consumer trust and sabotage the integrity of our food systems,” he stated. Bello further revealed that the Commission was working in collaboration with other relevant agencies, including the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and the Federal Ministries of Health and Agriculture, to enforce compliance. He urged Nigerians to be vigilant and cautious about the food they purchase in markets and farms. He also noted that through regular market surveillance, the FCCPC had intervened in several cases involving hazardous food practices, leading to the closure of facilities, imposition of sanctions, and prosecution of offenders.

The Indigenous Ijaw and Urhobo people of Warri Federal Constituency have accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of grossly undermining the Supreme Court’s judgment ordering a fresh delineation of electoral wards in Warri South, Warri North, and Warri South-West local government areas. Speaking at a world press conference held in Warri, leaders of the ethnic groups expressed dismay over INEC’s alleged disregard for the rule of law, warning that the commission’s actions could strangle democratic participation and rekindle tensions in the region. Read the full press statement below INDEGENOUS IJAW AND URHOBO PEOPLE OF WARRI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY 5 Swamp Road Warri A WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE INDEGENOUS IJAW AND URHOBO PEOPLE OF WARRI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY ON THE SUPREME COURT ORDERED FRESH DELINEATION OF ELECTORIAL WARDS AND THE ONGOING CONTINUOUS VOTER REGISTRATION(CVR). Distinguish ladies and gentlemen of the press. All entities and states that cherish and champion human rights, freedom and liberty, and all people of goodwill and democratic conscience in the World, we welcome you to this press conference. It is with great sadness, yet unbroken resolve, that we, the undersigned representatives of the INDEGENOUS Ijaw and Urhobo People of Warri Federal Constituency bring to your attention the alarming plan of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to undermine and debase the rule of law, supress and strangulate our fundamental democratic rights to participate in the electoral processes, and unconscionably deal a death blow to democracy in Warri, Delta State. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Former military Head of State, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar established the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 1998 with Justice Ephraim Akpata as chairman. The erudite jurist had the mandate of conducting the transitional elections from the military to civil rule that ushered in the 4th republic in May 29, 1999 with chief Olusegun Obasanjo as president of Nigeria. The gerrymandering upon which the 1999 general election was conducted in Warri Federal Constituency was grossly skewed against the Ijaw and the Urhobo indigenous peoples of Warri Federal Constituency. Disappointedly, complaints were made to INEC. INEC, in its post-election assessment report, made stunning and significant admission and regret of its lawlessness in the electoral processes as follows: “We INEC are not unaware that some of the previous exercises (wards delineation) did not follow the relevant laws and guidelines, resulting in the skewed results in some instances. These were obviously designed to satisfy certain selfish interest. Such imbalances will be redressed using laid-down criteria” (INEC report of activities August, 1998 to December 1999). Furthermore, INEC noted the following: “In the federation, the exercise of (electoral constituency delineation) did not hold in almost 31 wards that cut across Ilaje LGA in Ondo State, Takun LGA IN Taraba State, Warri South-West LGA in Delta State and Toto LGA in Nasarawa State”. (INEC report of activities, August 1998 to December 1999, page 34 paragraph 5) Distinguish members of the global press and advocates for human rights and democratic principles, it is important to draw your attention to the fact that it is the failure of INEC to address these imbalances that led to the Warri crisis, which unfolded in two phases: 1997-1999 and 2002-2003, involving conflicts between Ijaw and Itsekiri, and Urhobo and Itsekiri. We are compelled to revisit the precise words of chief Gani Fawewhinmi, a stalwart champion of democracy who aptly captured the essence of INEC’s trajectory as follows: “Believe it or not, INEC is far gone on the path of bringing disaster to our beloved country that, it is very doubtful if it can turn back” presidential candidate, National Conscious Party (NCP) 2003. SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENT AND INEC DELAYED IMPLEMENTATION OF REPORT After INEC’S damning admission of lawlessness in gerrymandering Warri, which led to crisis and failure to fulfil promises to rectify ward delineation in balances, affected leaders in Warri Sought judicial recourse. In Suite No. SC/413/2016, Hon George U. Timinimi and ors VS INEC, the Hon Justice Uwani Musa Abba Aji, Jsc in the following words at page 2 of judgement re-articulated fact in issue, inter alia “The Appellant case is that the Respondent, who is statutorily empowered to delineate local governments in Nigeria into wards and units for the purposes of conducting elections into to elective offices have not properly delineated the Warri South-West, Warri South and Warri North local government areas of Delta State in accordance with statutory requirements. That consequent upon the failure, there exist fictitious wards and units used as instruments of electoral manipulation and subversion of the popular wish of the people during elections”. The above point was further reiterated by Hon Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun Jsc, now chief justice of Nigeria (CJN) as follows “It is their contention that there are in existence fictitious wards, that in some instances, multiple wards are located \in sparsely populated areas while the wards and units in some other areas are inadequate vis-à-vis the population. It is also contended that the registration of voters in some instances were done in private homes. On the whole, the failure of the respondent to deliberately carryout its statutory duty in this regard has led to a series of irregularity in the process of voter’s registration which in turn will affect the outcome of any future elections negatively”. It is on the basis of the foregoing that, the supreme of Nigeria on the 2nd of December, 2022 ordered INEC as follows “AN ORDER of this honourable court compelling the defendant, its agents, servants, privies and assigns to conduct a fresh delineation of all that electoral wards/polling units for Warri South-West, Warri North and Warri South local government areas of Warri Federal Constituency in Delta State for the purpose of future elections”. In compliance with the Supreme Court ordered fresh delineation, INEC held several critical stakeholders meetings with representatives of the indigenous ethnic groups in Asaba, the Delta State capital. Specifically, INEC held a stakeholder meeting on February 2, 2023, to inform stakeholders of the judgement delivered in George Timinimi & Nine ors vs the INEC and pleaded that they should be allowed to complete the 2023 electoral process which had started before the judgement was delivered, a plea stakeholder obliged INEC. A follow up stakeholders meeting was held on the 4th of April,2023 where presentations were made on the guidelines for the field exercise by INEC. These stakeholders’ meetings culminated into weeks of stakeholders and INEC field works upon which a report was presented to stakeholders on the 4th of April 2025 in Asaba, the Delta State capital for review, with an expected proofread version incorporating minor corrections. Five months after the presentation, INEC has not been able to publish the final report, rather they have decided to commence a future election process in gross violation of the Supreme Judgement. We are fully convinced that INEC seemingly compromised independence, lack of resolve, and vulnerability to selfish external influence has delayed the release and implementation of this crucial report, which is vital to defining and enhancing the democratic participation of the indigenous Ijaw and Urhobo people of Warri Federal Constituency. OUR POSITION 1. That the Supreme Court ordered judgment drawn upon INEC to delineate fresh wards and units in Warri presupposes that hitherto existed wards were flawed and does not satisfy statutory requirement for credible future elections, 2. That in the Supreme Court ordered judgement on INEC, the operative words are to “conduct fresh delineation” in the eyes of the law, there are no longer in existence electoral wards and units in Warri until the fresh exercise is concluded. 3. That it is criminal, illegal and contemptuous of the Supreme Court judgement by INEC, proceeding with the registration of voters in Warri Federal Constituency as there are no longer in existence electoral wards and units upon which the ongoing voter’s registration can stand. According to Lord Denning in the landmark case of UAC Vs McToy (1963) “You cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stand”. OUR IRREVOCABLE DEMAND AND CONCLUSION INEC should immediately release and implement the report painstakingly embarked upon by stakeholders. We shall not idly standby and watch our democratic rights and franchise fretted away by INEC’s lawlessness and disastrous irresponsibility. A stich in time saves nine. Signed: Olorogun Victor Okumagba, JP Hon. Deinbofa Oweikpodor Dr Joel Bisina Dr Paul Bebenimibo Chief Arthur Akpodubakaye Rev. Samuel Ako Chief Emmanuel Sekondi Hon. Frank Pukon Amb. Jude Ebitimi Ukori (JP) Chief David Reje Comrade (Mrs) Margaret Ikinbor Chief Monday Keme Chief John Eranvor Chief Sylvester Femi Okumagba Chief Wilson Ogbodu Chief Mrs Ann Gagiyovwi, JP.