Orette Engages Delta South Leaders, Stakeholders

...... Announces Political Town Hall

All Progressives Congress (APC) Senatorial Hopeful, Dr Austin Orette, will on Friday speak on the future of Delta South Senatorial District.

Orette, who is running for next year’s Senate Election, will be in Isoko South, Isoko North, Burutu, Bomadi, Patani, Warri South, Warri North and Warri South-West as part of a series of town halls across the senatorial district.

“Dr. Austin Orette will hold talks with leaders and stakeholders on March 27, 28, and 29 in Owhelogbo , Ozoro, Oleh and Patani”  a statement released by the Director of Communications, MediaGate Nigeria, Henry Ebireri said.

Orette declared his intention to contest for the Delta South Senatorial Seat in the 2027 National Assembly Elections on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) early 2026.

He outlined a vision focused on using his professional skills to empower constituents and reform governance.

He also vowed to fight for a new constitution that decentralizes power from Abuja and empowers local citizens.

His platform includes setting up digital libraries, retraining artisans (welders, carpenters, and mechanics) with modern tools, and encouraging vocational education.

Titled "The way forward", the Statement said Dr Austin Orette would shed light on healthcare, education, and legal reforms in Nigeria.

“Dr Austin Orette intends to introduce modern equipment and extension services to make the senatorial zone self-sufficient in food production.” 

According to Ebireri, a wide demographic of Delta South residents, including students, market women and government officials are expected to gather in Patani on Sunday, March 29, 2026.

Orette, who recently promised a more active, service-oriented leadership, is expected to have a strong crowd response from stakeholders in Warri, Koko, Ogbe-Ijoh, Burutu and Bomadi.

“The town hall is significant as a chance to hear Dr. Austin Orette talk in person.”

The statement urged Delta South stakeholders to attend the town hall meeting. 

“The good people of Delta South will get to know Dr Orette and what he actually stands for. We believe by going out to hear Dr Austin Orette speak, people will get a better understanding that he is dedicated to what he’s talking about. Dr. Austin Orette genuinely wants to better Delta South and he believes that his policies are the way forward.” 

’The statement said the floor would be opened up to questions and comments from the constituents. 

“It is also an opportunity for the stakeholders to voice their own opinions and be better represented. Constituents will have the opportunity to hear from Dr. Austin Orette and participate in a question-and-answer session”  the statement added.

Credit: Henry Ebireri Ovie

 

 

2027: Okpe Union Gives Condition To Support Tinubu, Oborevwori, Others

  ....Warns Against Blind Support For Political Parties, Candidates

 

....Says Politicians behind Underdevelopment of Okpe Kingdom

 

Okpe Union on Tuesday emphasized that growth and development would continue to elude Okpe Kingdom unless the people stop blind support for political parties and candidates.

 

“We call on all Okpe nationals to vote for only candidates that subscribe to the 14 points Okpe Nation Agenda. Blind support for political parties and candidates since 1999 has failed Okpe Nation in all indices of growth and development.”

 

The Union also advised Okpe nationals to register and obtain their permanent voter’s card (PVC).

 

“It is time to reclaim Okpe Nation for the growth and development of Okpe land.”

 

In a statement on political participation by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Okpe Union Worldwide, the Union vowed to support only candidates committed to the actualization of the 14 Points Okpe Nation Agenda.

 

“Okpe Union, like other responsible ethnic organizations, will only endorse candidates for elective offices who subscribe to the 14 Points Okpe Nation Agenda.”

 

The statement signed by Okpe Union President General, Prof Igho Natufe and National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Victor Oruno called on Okpe nationals to assess all prospective candidates for the presidency, vice presidency, governorship, the National, Assembly and the State Assembly of all political parties before casting their votes in 2027.

 

“As we enter the season of another election cycle in Nigeria, we expect politicians to be flocking town and village halls distributing cups of rice, beans, wrappers, etc to buy the votes of Nigerians, including Okpe nationals. This is an opportunity for critically minded Okpe nationals to assess all prospective candidates – for the presidency, vice presidency, governorship, the National Assembly, and the State Assembly – of all political parties before casting their votes in 2027. Therefore, we call on Okpe nationals to begin the process of assessing the performances of current incumbents and prospective candidates of all political parties not through the prism of political affiliations, but on the basis of individual candidate's suitability.”

 

The union identified the development and sustenance of Okpe identity as a distinct ethnic nationality, concern over the threat of extinction posed by Okpe language, the need to teach Okpe Language in all primary and secondary schools in Okpe land, the restoration of Okpe language news broadcasts on the state owned television and radio stations, postgraduate scholarship funds, the ploughing of ten percent of funds accruing from oil firms donations to Sapele and Okpe Local Government Councils into an Okpe Scholarship Fund and the establishment of a Board of Trustees to manage the scholarship fund as key elements Okpe must address in order to facilitate the rebirth of the Okpe Nation.

 

“The Okpe Nation Agenda derives from the communiqué of the Okpe World Conference held in Sapele on November 17 – 19, 2006 organized by the Okpe Voice. It gave rise to the renaissance of Okpe identity as an ethnic nationality.  In fact, it also derives from the coronation brochure of HRM Orhue l, Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, which recognized Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality. The Okpe Nation Agenda, as expressed in the communiqué of the 1st Okpe World Conference, was approved by HRM Orhue l and his Palace Chiefs on November 20, 2006, at a meeting with the delegates of OKPE VOICE, which included the leaders of the Okpe Union Nigeria, Okpe Union of North America, and the Okpe Union UK Branch.”

 

The union also listed the conversion of the Sapele Technical College to a polytechnic, involvement of Okpe in state and national politics, periodic meetings between elected Okpe leaders and the Okpe people, the establishment of an Okpe Leaders Forum or Leaders of Thought, empowerment of Okpe women, establishment of an Okpe Monitoring Board and the twinning of Okpe towns with major roads and cities in Europe and North America as a way of attracting foreign direct investment to Okpe land.

 

Credit: Prof Igho Natufe,  Okpe Union President General

 

 

Maritime workers Union Shipping Branch Elects Unit EXCOs at Onne

 

By Bon Peters

 

The Maritime Workers Union Shipping Branch, Onne, Rivers State has elected new executives that will pilot the activities of the shipping branch units for the next four years.

 

The election which took place last week Wednesday, March 11, 2026, underscored the determination of the various units to champion the cause of the affiliate members of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria for their betterment.

 

The election which was conducted by the District Chairman shipping branch of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria Comrade Nwawueze Raymond under the watchful eyes of delegates, sister associations, independent monitors among others was devoid of rancour and acrimony.

 

Addressing the various units comprising West African Container Terminal (WACT), Brawal Shipping, Maesk Line and CMA CGM, Comrade Nwawueze said the essence of the unit election was in fulfillment of the wishes and aspirations of the National President, MWUN shipping Branch, Comrade Abass Olufemi and constitutional obligation of the union to elect the executives that will act as ambassadors and ensure discipline, commitment, diligence and professionalism  among members while maintaining a cordial relationship with both the management, the branch executive. 

 

He described the elections as divinely orchestrated while assuring a level playing ground for all the contestants.

 

 "This election will be free, fair and credible and will be by open - ballot" Comrade Nwawueze assured.

 

"Nobody will be short-changed and whoever emerges today, will be the wishes and aspirations of  all the unit members" he insisted.

 

 He urged both the contestants and voters to conduct themselves well insisting that the election was not a do or die affair as losers today might be winners  tomorrow.

 

Comrade, Nwawueze, also applauded the managements of West African Container Terminal (WACT) Brawal Shipping, Maesk Line and CMA CGM shipping for creating an enabling environment for the workers to participate in the election even as he pledged to continue the robust synergy and collaboration existing between the workers and the management, noting that the trust reposed in his District by the National executive led by Comrade Abass Olufemi would not be taken for granted.

 

However, after the exercise which was conducted through open- ballot voting and some positions like the WACT Vice Chairman, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary which were keenly contested and winners emerged, others were returned unopposed in all the units.

 

The following officers according to report emerged as winners:

 

 West African Container Terminal (WACT):

 

Comrade  Laaka Solomon  (Chairman), comrade Seleka Sotonye  (Vice Chairman), comrade God Knows. M. Itelima (Secretary), comrade Kingsley Osaroeke (Assistant Secretary) and comrade Gilbert Dumdibabari Chris (Treasurer). 

 

BRAWAL Shipping:

 

Comrade Mathew Emmanuel (Chairman), comrade Henry Emordi Atashia (Vice Chairman), comrade Daju Emmanuel (Secretary), comrade Osadebe Azubuke (Assistant Secretary) and comrade Aliu Adolphus (Treasurer). 

 

CMA CGM Shipping:

 

Comrade Akomas Dikachi (Chairman), comrade Okagha Ebere (Secretary) and

 Comrade Opus Lilian. (Treasurer). 

 

Maersk Line:

 

Comrade John Nedum  Osakwe ( Chairman), comrade.Sampson Gbeneteh Jimmy (Vice Chairman),  comrade. Ogobue Happiness Ogochukwu (Secretary) and comrade. Blessing E. Lawrence  Ita (Treasurer).

 

Speaking to Journalists on the sidelines of the election, comrade Laaka Solomon the newly elected chairman of West African Container Terminal (WACT) Unit said he was grateful to God for making the day a reality. 

 

He scored the Election  high even as he commended the District Chairman Comrade Nwawueze and his executive for conducting what he described as a  free, fair and transparent election.

He said his motivation to contest is to ensure that workers welfare is the utmost priority of the management of WACT which he said is a Multinational Company.

 

“I will leverage on my  District executive to ensure that those of us working with WACT gets what is rightly due for us."

 

"I will also continue and sustain the cordial working relationship between my management and the Union members here at WACT."

 

"This election today is for the welfare of all hence, I therefore call everybody to come together, let's move the WACT Unit of the maritime workers Union forward."

 

He added that to him "It was a new dawn"

 

Other units’ chairmen have also expressed their gratitude to the District Chairman and his executive thanking them for making a bold statement by conducting the election. They pledged their loyalty to them, the management and to the workers they are representing.

 

Commenting on the election, the Branch Manager Onne, Port Harcourt CMA CGM Nigeria shipping Ltd, Yvonne Odiete said she was happy with the outcome of the election.

 

She described her workers as a team and family even as she hinted at the support the union is rendering to make sure that they prioritize the work.

 

"We work together here as a family. I appreciate the support of the union in making sure that we prioritize the work" Odiete said 

 

Speaking further, she added, “One of them while making a speech said without work there will be no Union, I like people with such mind sets and what happened today is a good job. Yes, the election went successfully without bad report."

 

She promised the management's readiness to support, insisting that the union and the management would continue to work together for a common goal.

 

"I am also proud to say that without them, there will not be management." We will continue to work together to achieve our desired goals" she vowed.

 

The high point of the election was the swearing-in ceremony of the elected officers by the District Chairman MWUN District Shipping branch, Onne Port Harcourt Comrade Nwawueze Raymond.

 

Present at the election include, Vice Chairman MWUN District Shipping branch Comrade Gordons Braid, District Secretary, Comrade Asito, Precious, Treasurer Comrade Paul Otogboro. NEC Member, Comrade Godfrey Nkpornwi. Others include the immediate past District Chairman MWUN, Comrade Tonye Paul Worika and Chairman NAGAFF Onne, Dr. Ike Okechukwu among others.

 

 

Delta Community Celebrates Aganbi’s Leadership

 ....Calls Him Reliable, Trusted Leader

 

...Lauds His Role In Building The New Koko Of Prosperity For All

 

Prominent leaders of Koko community in Warri North Local Government Area on Monday described the Chairman, Board of Trustees of Canaan Land Golf Course and Country Club, Hon Felix Aganbi, as a dynamic thinker, a defender of the collective interest of the Itsekiri Nation and a rallying point for the Koko people.

“Hon Felix Aganbi is a shining example, a role model to all of us. His life is that of accomplishment and service to humanity.”

They also applauded the astute businessman, politician, philanthropist, humanist and mentor for conceiving a rigorous development agenda for Koko, which has so far dictated the steady growth of the Itsekiri community.

“April 25, 2026, is a day of jubilation for the peaceful and God-Fearing people of Koko. It is a great opportunity for us to celebrate Canaan Land Golf and Country Club, the Chief Executive Officer of Akogate Group, Hon Felix Aganbi, his contributions to the development of Warri North and to say a big thank you to our great son.”

In a statement in Koko, the community leaders commended the Akogate chief executive officer for bringing Koko forward in terms of physical and human development.

“It’s our dream to see a prosperous Koko and we are near to achieving the objective.”

The community in a statement issued by Chris Ebrajolor, Alex Orogun, Wilson Omawumi Alatsha and Phillip Daibo extolled the charming qualities of the celebrated businessman.

“Hon Felix Aganbi is a man of integrity. He knows where the problems of the community lie and how to keep solving them.”

The community praised Aganbi for his numerous contributions to youth and community development.

The statement highlighted Aganbi's benevolence, leadership qualities, development initiatives, commitment to the well-being of the people of Koko and his role in building the new Koko of prosperity for all.

It also highlighted his honesty, reliability, uprightness, modesty and practical ability.