By Sunday Apah

On Tuesday, the First Lady of Nigeria, Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu, through the Social Investment Programme of the Renewed Hope Initiative, distributed Fifty Million Naira (₦50,000,000) to 250 elderly men and women from all 25 Local Government Areas in Delta State.

The distribution, which took place simultaneously across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, was conducted at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Asaba, where beneficiaries from various political affiliations were present.

Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, the wife of Delta State Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, represented Senator Tinubu at the event.

She announced that the Governor supported the First Lady’s initiative by providing 250 bags of rice, while she herself offered free medical check-ups and medications for the elderly participants.

In her speech, Senator Tinubu expressed her enthusiasm for the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme (RHIESS), which is centered around the theme “Total Wellness: Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous Lifestyle.” She emphasized that this program is aimed at enhancing the well-being of senior citizens annually.

Senator Tinubu highlighted that the initiative seeks to assist 250 vulnerable seniors aged 65 and over from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, including veterans associated with the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association.

Furthermore, she mentioned that the Governing Board of the Renewed Hope Initiative decided to increase the financial support for the second edition of the program from ₦100,000 to ₦200,000, to provide additional aid to elderly citizens during this festive season.

The First Lady noted that the total amount disbursed nationwide is One Billion, Nine Hundred Million Naira (₦1,900,000,000), with each beneficiary receiving ₦200,000.

She wished the senior citizens a joyful holiday and a prosperous 2025 while encouraging them to prioritize their health through regular exercise and a balanced diet.

In her welcome address, conveyed by the Deputy Governor’s wife, Lady Catherine Onyeme, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori expressed gratitude to Senator Tinubu and the Renewed Hope Initiative team for their generous scheme. She remarked, “This thoughtful gesture will significantly contribute to nation-building.”

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Sunny Onyejose, a stalwart of the APC, extended his appreciation to the First Lady for her kindness and commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his wife for their additional humanitarian contributions to the initiative.

The Chief Press Secretary, CPS, to the Governor of Delta State, Sir Festus Ahon, Sunday, said Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was fully focusing on the governance and development of the state.

Ahon stated this in Asaba in reaction to a report credited to one of the Executive Assistants, New Media, to the Governor, Mr Felix Ofou, in response to former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege’s recent diatribe on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori at an APC event in Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area of the state.

The CPS, in the statement, frowned that a personal article written by Mr Felix Ofou was being mischievously and deliberately misinterpreted by a section of the media, adding that, contrary to perception, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had a harmonious working relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Ahon said, “the Governor has constantly urged Deltans and other Nigerians to continue to give support to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”, stressing that “if the President fails”, he, as a governor, would have failed, too.”

He said this was the same view Governor Oborevwori lucidly expressed at the Urhobo Progress Union, UPU event on Saturday 7th December, at which event, he said, inter alia, “I want to appeal to Urhobo nation today, I am saying it here, I am an Urhobo man and am Governor of Delta State.

“But I will tell you today whether you like it or not, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is supporting this administration. God has made him the President as God has made me the Governor of Delta State.

“So, as you are supporting me, support him because if he fails, I will fail, but by the grace of God, he will not fail and I will not fail, too.

“Mr President has appointed our sons and daughters into various positions. He did not appoint people from outside the state. God has given him victory and God has given me victory; you people should support us to succeed”.

Ahon added, “it is, therefore, imperative to state categorically that, as Chief Press Secretary and official spokesman of the Governor of Delta State, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori did not, and has never, expressed such views on Mr President’s economic policies.

“The general public is, therefore, advised to jettison such misleading reports as they do not reflect the views of the Governor who is working very hard to provide good governance for Deltans and other residents of the state, despite the present economic challenges faced by the citizens.”

By Sunday Apah

The Delta State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally disassociated itself from the recent activities of Chief Paulinus Akpeki, the Vice Chairman for the Delta Central Senatorial District, concerning his alleged submission of a reconciliation report to the party’s National Chairman.

In a statement issued by Chief Francis Obigbor, the Acting Chairman of Delta State APC, the party clarified that Chief Akpeki did not possess the authority to receive or present the report from the reconciliation committee led by Olorogun O’Tega Emerhor on behalf of the State Working Committee. Chief Obigbor characterized Akpeki’s actions as an overreach and an intentional effort to sow confusion within the party.

The Delta State APC urged the party’s National Chairman and the National Working Committee (NWC) to disregard any reports or claims made by Chief Akpeki, highlighting that his actions were unauthorized.

Reassuring party members and stakeholders, Chief Obigbor encouraged them to remain calm and focused despite the disruption caused by this incident. He emphasized that he, as Acting Chairman, was awaiting the official submission of the reconciliation report from the O’Tega Emerhor committee.

Upon receipt of the report, Chief Obigbor expressed his intent to present it to the State Working Committee, the State Caucus, and the State Executive Committee for thorough discussion and appropriate action.

He further stated his commitment to serving as Acting Chairman until Elder Omeni Sobotie, the substantive chairman, returns to preside over meetings at the State Secretariat in Asaba.

The statement concluded: “The Delta State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has noted an unauthorized presentation by Chief Paulinus Akpeki, Vice Chairman of Delta Central Senatorial District, regarding a report said to be from the Olorogun O’Tega Emerhor-led reconciliation committee.

“We emphatically assert that Chief Akpeki lacks the authority to receive or present any report to the National Chairman. His actions represent a clear usurpation of power and an attempt to create confusion within our ranks.

“We implore the National Chairman and the National Working Committee (NWC) to dismiss this report and any actions attributed to Chief Akpeki.

“To our dedicated party members and stakeholders, we encourage you to remain calm and not be swayed by this unauthorized maneuver.

“As the Acting Chairman of the Delta State APC, I await the formal submission of the O’Tega Emerhor committee’s report. Once I receive it, I shall present it to the State Working Committee, State Caucus, and State Executive Committee for extensive discussion and necessary subsequent actions.

“I will continue in my role as Acting Chairman until Elder Omeni Sobotie returns and is present to conduct meetings held at the State Secretariat in Asaba.”