Opinions
OKOWA AND EFCC: THE FACTS, THE FICTION, AND THE FAIRY TALE, By Olisa Ifeajika
▪︎Olisa Ifeajika, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okowa (2019-2023).
We have observed the desperate attempt by some dubious elements and a section of the media to malign His Excellency, Senator, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, the immediate past Governor of Delta State, over his recent invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
With few exceptions, the media reports and commentaries have been mostly sensational, mischievous, and gross misrepresentations and distortions of the facts of the matter.
They fall far short of the journalistic standards of factual reporting, fairness, balance, and simple logic.
Most of these reports are riddled with outright lies, wild conjectures, and unverifiable claims, with the unmistakable diabolical intent to beguile and incite the unsuspecting public against Dr Okowa.
But you cannot pull down him whom God has lifted. Like previous failed attempts to drag Dr Okowa’s name in the mud, this renewed offensive against him by his traducers is an exercise in futility.
The Facts of the Matter
The first point that needs to be made is that the EFCC has not established any case against Dr Okowa.
As is customary with the anti-graft agency, the former Governor was invited to answer questions relating to some petitions that were filed against him by some disgruntled elements.
Upon his return from vacation, and as a man with a clear conscience, Dr Okowa proceeded to the EFCC office in Portharcourt as requested.
The substance of the petitions was that Dr Okowa allegedly corruptly enriched himself and used state resources to acquire 80% stake in Premium Trust Bank.
He was also alleged to have diverted state resources to build housing estates in Asaba and Abuja and two hotels in Asaba, for himself.
Governor Okowa cleared himself of those allegations as the estate in Abuja is owned by a public figure.
The ex-Governor lives in his own private house in an estate in Asaba that is occupied by other residents who are home owners.
Similarly, the owners of the hotels in Asaba are persons known to the public and the EFCC, while Okowa has zero financial interest in Premium Trust Bank.
These are facts that are easily verifiable from the Corporate Affairs Commission and by virtue of the Freedom of Information Act.
The allegation that the former Governor allegedly diverted N1.3 trillion oil derivation funds is as ludicrous as it is outlandish.
This is just a rehash of the same spurious allegations that some malicious, myopic, vindictive, and prejudiced persons concocted while Governor Okowa was still in office.
These haters simply latched on to the EFCC invitation to launch a well-orchestrated propaganda, using their hirelings and hack writers in a section of the media.
It is obvious that these people, including their puppets in the media, are bereft of commonsense. Otherwise, how can anybody in his right mind allege that N1.3 trillion was diverted for personal use?
Are we to believe that Okowa’s administration did not pay salaries or execute a single project in eight years?
It will take an individual to appropriate an average of N16b every month for eight years to amass a whooping sum of N1.3 trillion as alleged.
The implication of such a scenario happening is that there will be no money to run the government or pay the salaries of the state’s almost 50,000 workforce.
Prejudice is a terrible thing, and those caught in its web, often develop a warped sense of reasoning.
For the avoidance of doubt and for the benefit of the public, we wish to bring to the fore some salient information from the audited accounts of the Delta State Government for the eight years that Okowa presided over the affairs of the state.
Total Revenue (FAAC, IGR, Other receipts) = N2.65 trillion Salaries = N628.5bn Pensions/Contributory Pensions/Social Benefits = N141.22bn
Overhead/Consolidated Revenue Charges = N489.83bn
Grants/Contributions = 107.88bn
DESOPADEC = N221.2bn
Internal Loans Repayment/Public Debt Charges = N200.38bn
FAAC Deductions for Loan Repayment = N150.63bn
Total Capital Expenditure = N729.2bn
Dr Okowa is a man of unassailable integrity and we welcome any honest attempt to investigate his eight-year tenure as we believe it will vindicate his exemplary stewardship of the state.
Among the flagship projects executed by the Okowa administration include the Professor Chike Edozien Secretariat, which recently won the Nigerian Institute of Architects award for Most Iconic Corporate Building in Nigeria, the Ogheye Floating Market in Warri North LGA, the 19.7km Obotobo 1 –Obotobo 11 – Sokebolou – Yokri coastal road in Burutu LGA, Maryam Babangida Film Village and Leisure Park Asaba, Koka Flyover in Asaba, and Asaba Storm Water Drainage.
The Warri Storm Water Drainage project, designed to tackle the perennial flooding in Warri and environs, was at advanced stage by the time
Okowa left office on May 29, 2023.
In road infrastructure, the Okowa administration constructed over 2,000 kilometres of roads (including bridges) and 1,400 kilometres of drains.
The administration established three new universities and six model technical colleges that have remained functional.
Of course, there were the novel youth entrepreneurship development programmes of the Okowa administration that saw thousands of youths become small business owners and employers of labour.
As a result, Delta was ranked the Best State in Human Capital Development in the 2017 states peer review by the National Competitiveness Council of Nigeria. Furthermore, Delta State under his watch enjoyed peace and security.
UTM INVESTMENT
The insinuation that the state government’s investment in the first Floating Liquified Natural Gas project promoted by UTM, a private indigenous company in the oil and gas sector, is a phantom project is at best laughable and at worst disingenuous.
As a state rich in oil and gas, the administration of Okowa saw a viable opportunity in the project and, upon approval by the Delta State Executive Council and the House of Assembly, purchased equity in the company with N42.05b in two tranches of five percent and three percent.
The authenticity of this project is evidenced by the signing of the Shareholders’ Agreement between UTM, NNPC limited, and the Delta State Government on December 19, 2023.
Today, the state government’s investment has appreciated to at least N190.85 billion underscoring the wisdom and foresight of the Okowa administration.
CONCLUSION
It bears restating that Dr Okowa has nothing to hide. His governance of Delta State was marked by fiscal discipline, prudent management of resources, and excellent service delivery.
As a matter of fact, the state won World Bank awards in Overall State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability, and Sustainability Programme (All DLIs), Fiscal Transparency and Accountability, Efficiency of Public Expenditure, and Debt Sustainability.
Dr Okowa is a man of unassailable integrity and we welcome any honest attempt to investigate his eight-year tenure as we believe it will vindicate his exemplary stewardship of the state.
We know that the current campaign of calumny against Okowa is at the behest of unscrupulous politicians who see him as the biggest threat to their 2027 political aspirations.
Instead of engaging in lies and propaganda, we urge these persons to work at winning the hearts and confidence of the people.
Power resides in the electorate and they are the ones who determine who is to govern or represent them. Finally, we urge our media practitioners to always abide by the ethics of the profession.
They should not allow themselves to continue to be used by desperate power mongers whose stock-in-trade is to engage in political subterfuge, stoke the fires of hatred, and foment crisis in the polity.
Opinions
Nigeria: Act Now Before It’s Too Late, By Emeka Monye
Each time, the Nigerian government issues statements. Each time, we summon the South African High Commissioner. Each time, we are promised investigations. And each time, the violence returns.
In the build-up to political independence from Britain, Nigeria stood as a frontline voice in African affairs.
That role positioned the nation as a leading force on the continent — so central to African liberation and diplomacy that Nigeria was widely perceived as a potential superpower in African geopolitics.And true to those expectations, Nigeria did not falter.
The country embraced its political and economic leadership role with conviction, both before and after independence in 1960.
From the corridors of the United Nations to the liberation movements of Southern Africa, Nigeria’s imprint was unmistakable.
The nation’s support for fellow African states was comprehensive.
It was economic, political, social, cultural, and educational. During the dark years of colonial rule and apartheid, Nigeria opened its treasury and its classrooms.
It offered scholarships to citizens of Ghana, Togo, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and others.
The Nigerian government funded the Southern African Relief Fund in 1976, contributing over $5 million — a significant sum at the time — to support liberation movements. Nigerian civil servants took a pay cut to fund the anti-apartheid struggle.
Our musicians, from Sonny Okosun to Majek Fashek, became the soundtrack of African resistance. Our passports were issued to ANC leaders denied travel documents.
We were, in every sense, “Africa’s Big Brother.”Yet, tragically, these acts of solidarity have been consigned to the dustbin of history.
Many of the countries that once leaned on Nigeria’s shoulders now appear unmoved by that legacy of goodwill.
The sacrifices we made during their years of struggle and suffering are met today with silence, or worse, hostility.South Africa offers the most painful example.
A nation that was once an apartheid enclave emerged from decades of racial oppression with Nigeria as one of its staunchest allies.
Lagos was declared an ANC operational hub. Nigerian students protested on the streets for Mandela’s release.
We boycotted the 1976 Olympics and the 1978 Commonwealth Games to isolate the apartheid regime. Nigeria lost trade, investment, and diplomatic opportunities for the sake of South Africa’s freedom.
But post-apartheid South Africa has turned a blind eye to that history. Today, Nigerians in South Africa live under the shadow of xenophobia.
They are hunted in their shops, assaulted in taxi ranks, and targeted in their homes. The attacks are not random.
They are systematic, recurring, and often justified under the obnoxious narrative that foreigners — especially Nigerians — are “taking jobs,” “running drugs,” and “fueling crime.”
That a fellow African nation would institutionalize the rejection of other Africans is not just pathetic. It is a betrayal of the Pan-African ideal.This is not new.
History is replete with patterns of anti-Nigerian and anti-foreigner violence in South Africa.
We saw it in May 2008, when over 60 people were killed. We saw it again in April 2015, when shops were looted in Durban and Johannesburg.
In September 2019, another wave left at least 12 dead, with Nigerian businesses torched on live television. And now, in 2026, the cycle continues.
Each time, the Nigerian government issues statements. Each time, we summon the South African High Commissioner. Each time, we are promised investigations. And each time, the violence returns.
For too long, the Nigerian government has turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to the plight of its citizens abroad.
Our foreign policy, once rooted in Afrocentrism, has become reactive rather than proactive. We respond to crises instead of preventing them.
We preach “Africa as the centerpiece” of our diplomacy, but we have failed to define what that means in 2026. Does it mean silent diplomacy while our people are killed? Does it mean economic ties at the expense of human dignity?The cost of inaction is no longer diplomatic — it is existential.
Every Nigerian killed in Pretoria or Durban chips away at our national pride. Every looted shop weakens the confidence of our diaspora, whose remittances exceed $20 billion annually and sustain millions of families at home.
Every video of a Nigerian pleading for his life diminishes Nigeria’s standing as a regional power.
A nation that cannot protect its citizens abroad cannot command respect at home.
So what must Nigeria do?
” We need a rapid response unit within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, capable of legal intervention, evacuation, and litigation within 48 hours of any attack. “
First, we must abandon the era of tepid press releases. Diplomacy without consequences is appeasement.
The government must invoke Article 3 of the 2013 Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission Agreement, which commits both nations to protect each other’s citizens.
Where violations occur, there must be reciprocal measures — from visa reviews to trade sanctions.
South Africa benefits from Nigerian markets, from MTN to Shoprite. That leverage must be used.
Second, Nigeria needs a Diaspora Protection Framework with teeth.
We need a rapid response unit within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, capable of legal intervention, evacuation, and litigation within 48 hours of any attack.
Our missions must move from being ceremonial offices to active defenders of Nigerian lives and property.
Third, we must re-educate Africa about Nigeria’s role. The younger generation in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and beyond has no memory of Nigeria’s sacrifices.
Our foreign policy should include cultural diplomacy — documentaries, curriculum exchanges, and memorials that institutionalize our Pan-African contributions.
If we do not tell our story, others will erase it.
Fourth, we must look inward.
The reason many Nigerians migrate is because home has failed them. Unemployment, insecurity, and poor governance push our best brains into hostile environments.
The ultimate protection for Nigerians abroad is a Nigeria that works. If we fix power, secure our streets, and create jobs, economic migration will become a choice, not a desperate escape.This is not a call for war. It is a call for self-respect.
Nigeria gave Africa its voice. We funded liberation when it was not profitable. We welcomed refugees when it was not convenient. We must now demand that the same humanity be extended to us.
The xenophobic attacks are not just South Africa’s shame. They are Nigeria’s test.
Our founding fathers envisioned a Nigeria that would be the giant of Africa not in size alone, but in moral authority.
That authority is bleeding out on the streets of Johannesburg.
History will not judge us by the speeches we made, but by the citizens we protected.
The time for quiet diplomacy is over.
The time for lamentations has passed.Nigeria must act now — before the next video, before the next body bag, before it is too late.
• Emeka Monye Is a journalist.
Opinions
Money Politics And High Costs of Political Party’s Nomination Form
Nigeria deserves leaders chosen for their competence and character, not the size of their wallets.
•Dr. Chiogo Constance Ikokwu (Ugonecheora).
In a piece, titled ‘ End the Paywall on Leadership: Let Competence, Not Cash, Decide Our Candidates,’ Dr. Chiogo Constance Ikokwu (Ugonecheora), an aspirant for Idemili North and South Federal Constituency for House of Representatives on African Democratic Congress (ADC) platform, called on political parties across Nigeria, to either scrap or reduce the high cost of nomination forms.
This she said, will open the door to real leadership, and help to expand access to women and people with disabilities (PWDs).
Emphasising that Nigeria’s political system cannot thrive behind a price tag, Dr Ikokwu observed that the high cost of party nomination forms has turned political participation into an exclusive club for the wealthy, shutting out capable women, young people, and PWDs before they even begin.
She argues that if leadership is truly about service, then access to contest must not be determined by bank balance, but by vision, integrity, and the courage to lead.
She said:
” Political parties, especially the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on whose platform I’m running, must take deliberate steps to eliminate or drastically reduce the cost of nomination forms. I also expect that women and PWDs are allowed to pay discounted fees, if indeed they must pay.
If we are serious about deepening democracy, then access to contest should not be reserved for the wealthy or those backed by powerful financiers,” she stated.
She continued; “Money politics has done deep damage to the quality of our representation, and the reasons are clear. It sidelines visionary candidates who have ideas, integrity, and a genuine desire to serve, but lack the financial muscle to compete.
By removing these financial, and other barriers, parties will not only expand participation but also elevate the standard of leadership.
If we are serious about deepening democracy, then access to contest should not be reserved for the wealthy or those backed by powerful financiers.
Nigeria deserves leaders chosen for their competence and character, not the size of their wallets.”
Dr. Ikokwu argued that Nigeria cannot keep saying it wants inclusive leadership while maintaining barriers that shut out capable citizens.
As a journalist turned politician, she said that she has seen firsthand how the exorbitant cost of party nomination forms discourages not just women, but also young people from even stepping forward.
These fees are not a measure of competence or commitment, they are simply a financial gatekeeping tool that narrows our democratic space, she declared. “
Opinions
IWD: 50 rights female gender should enjoy
Women are individuals with talents, ambitions, and identities.
Every year on March 8, the world pauses to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD), a global moment to reflect on women’s achievements and the ongoing fight for equality.
Meanwhile, beyond the celebrations, the real conversation centers on something deeper: women’s rights.
Tribune Online, highlights 50 key rights of the female gender, drawn from those principles and global equality frameworks, to mark International Women’s Day and remind society that equality is not a privilege but a right.
The Right to Respect
Every woman deserves respect in all aspects of her life, including society, at home, and in the workplace.
The Right to Be Free from Body Shaming
No woman should be judged or mocked because of her appearance.
The Right to Protection from Sexual Abuse
Sexual violence against women is a violation of basic human rights.
The Right to Protection from Physical Abuse
Women have the right to live without domestic or physical violence.
The Right to Emotional Safety
Psychological and emotional abuse are forms of violence that must be rejected.
The Right to Education
No girl or woman should be denied access to education.
The Right to Equal Treatment
Women should be treated equally to men in all areas of life.
The Right to Equal Pay
Women must receive the same pay as men for the same work.
Globally, the gender pay gap persists, where women are paid roughly 22% less than men on average, according to the Economic Policy Institute.
The Right to Freedom from Discrimination
Gender should never determine opportunities.
The Right to Political Participation
Women should have the opportunity to run for public office.
The Right to Own Property
Women should have the right to own land and assets.
The Right to Healthcare
Access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right.
The Right to Bodily Autonomy
A woman’s body belongs to her, no one else.
The Right to Vote
Women must participate freely in democratic processes.
The Right to Make Personal Decisions
Women should have autonomy over life choices.
The Right to Choose Marriage
No woman should be forced into marriage.
The Right to Decide Family Size
Women should determine the number of children they want.
The Right to Dress Freely
Women should not be shamed for their clothing choices.
The Right to Reproductive Freedom
Women must not be forced into abortion or sterilization.
The Right to Protest
Women have the right to peacefully advocate for their rights.
Women have the right to peacefully advocate for their rights.
The Right to Speak Out
Every woman should be able to express her views openly.
The Right to Privacy
Recording or sharing images of women without consent is unacceptable.
The Right to Protection from Drugging or Assault
Women deserve safety in social spaces.
The Right to Safety in Public and Private Spaces
Women must feel secure everywhere they go.
The Right to Be Seen Beyond Sexual Objectification
Women are individuals with talents, ambitions, and identities.
The Right to Freedom of Movement
Women should travel freely without restrictions.
The Right to Hold a Passport
Travel rights must not be denied based on gender.
The Right to Independence
Women should be encouraged to build financial independence.
The Right to Dignity After Divorce
Divorced women should not face stigma.
The Right to Respect Regardless of Marital Status
Being unmarried should never invite insult.
The Right to Protection from Rape
Sexual violence must never be tolerated
Sexual violence must never be tolerated.
The Right to Freedom from Harmful Cultural Practices
Practices like forced virginity tests must be abolished.
The Right to Freedom from Widowhood Abuse
Widows should not face degrading rituals.
The Right to Freedom from Gender Stereotypes
Women should not be confined to traditional roles.
The Right to Career Ambition
An ambitious woman should be celebrated, not criticized.
The Right to Equal Leadership Opportunities
Women should participate in leadership and decision-making.
The Right to Equal Opportunity in Employment
Career advancement should be based on merit.
The Right to Freedom from Disability Discrimination
Women with disabilities deserve equal respect.
The Right to Gender Equality Policies
Governments must reform laws that discriminate against women.
Right to Empowerment
Education, economic inclusion, and health access empower women globally.
Right to Celebration
Women’s contributions make the world better and deserve recognition.
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