Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Ede Dafinone, has said Nigeria needs continuity in the ongoing reform programme of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, arguing that the country cannot afford to abandon the process of economic and institutional reforms midway. Dafinone spoke on Saturday at the Okpe Youth Council (OYC) World Youth Conference 2026, held at Edion Hall, Orerokpe, Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State, where he also received an Outstanding Leadership Award from the leadership of the council in recognition of his service and leadership. Speaking in an interview on the sidelines of the conference, the senator said…
Author: SouthernVoiceNews
SouthernVoiceNews
Godwin-Maria Utuedoye is a trained professional journalist. A graduate of Mass Communication from the Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria. He is a registered practising Journalist with the Nigeria Union of Journalists with over 20 years experience in news reporting. He is interested in Investigative and development Journalism. He lives in Nigeria and focuses more in the Niger-Delta region where oil and gas exploration by government and multinational oil companies has plunged into poverty and environmental degradation for years. He is also a PR Consultant, content creator, broadcast, print Journalist and Publisher. His vast experiences in journalism span over decades of reporting the activities of the untouched areas. He is married with children.
Senator Ede Dafinone has expressed grief over the death of Mr. Adeda Ekwevugbe, a Deputy Director in the Delta State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, and called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. Ekwevugbe reportedly died following an incident at his workplace. In a statement, Dafinone described the development as shocking and troubling, saying a public servant who went to work in service to the state should not lose his life under circumstances that leave his family, colleagues and the public seeking answers. The senator, who represents Delta Central Senatorial District, extended his condolences to…
A deepening administrative crisis over the transfer and posting of principals in Delta State secondary schools has triggered allegations of procedural violations, abuse of authority and deliberate disregard for seniority within the education system. A source accused the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr Kingsley Ashibuogwu, of allegedly acting in connivance with some members of the Post-Primary Education Board (PPEB) and the Permanent Secretary in the Board to take over responsibilities legally and lawfully assigned to the Board. The allegations have reportedly heightened tension among principals, raised questions about the Board’s authority and left some schools without substantive heads. The source…
By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye As the 2027 general elections approaches and as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) opens the campaign window, politicians seeking various offices have intensified their efforts to secure victory. In campaign rallies and press statements, they have outline reasons why voters should support their candidacies. However, at times, these campaigns messages and press statements include misleading assertions and attempts to shift blame for shortcomings onto opponents. Escalating claims and counter‑claims, coupled with public name‑calling and insults, have become increasingly common, and in their determination to win, some actors appear bent on removing every perceived obstacle or stumbling…
ABUJA — The Director General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mr. Charles Odii, on Tuesday welcomed the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, H.E. Ambassador Gautier Mignot, and his delegation in a high-level engagement focused on strengthening Nigeria-EU cooperation for enterprise development and inclusive economic growth. The visit underscored the growing importance of Nigeria-EU collaboration in driving enterprise development and creating opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and young entrepreneurs. Following formal discussions, the Ambassador and his team toured SMEDAN’s Common Facility Centre and workshop. The facilities showcase practical interventions designed…
ABUJA — The Director General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mr. Charles Odii, on Tuesday, 23 September, welcomed the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Aisha Rimi, and her team to the SMEDAN headquarters. The high-level engagement focused on a shared commitment to creating a stronger and more enabling environment for young Nigerian entrepreneurs to build, scale and compete in the marketplace — a goal being advanced under the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which continues to prioritise policies that support business growth and the emergence of…
By Michael Odiah ABUJA — The Chief Executive Officer of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mr. Charles Odii, has hosted Local Government Chairmen from Delta State at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja for a strategic engagement on rural industrialisation, enterprise development and job creation. The delegation, led by the Delta State Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Isaiah Onoriode Esiovwa, met with the SMEDAN CEO to explore stronger collaboration in expanding opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across Delta State. The discussions centred on leveraging local government structures…
…Tasks Varsities On Financial Autonomy, Private Sector Investments Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Tuesday, said he has approved a new salary structure for academic staff of the four state-owned universities effective from August 2026, while that of non-academic staff and other tertiary institutions would take effect from September. Oborevwori spoke in Asaba at the swearing-in of the newly appointed Auditor-General of the state, Mr Emasogbe Matthew Oghene, and the inauguration of the Governing Councils of the University of Delta, Agbor; Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba; and Southern Delta University, Ozoro. He said the four state-owned universities now offer professional…
Senator Ede Dafinone, representing Delta Central Senatorial District, has congratulated the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on her 66th birthday. In a goodwill message issued on behalf of his family and the people of Delta Central, Dafinone described the First Lady’s public service career as a testament to her commitment to faith, compassion and national development. He noted that Tinubu’s service journey—from her time as First Lady of Lagos State to her tenure as senator representing Lagos Central and her current role as First Lady of Nigeria—reflected a life dedicated to serving humanity and the nation. The senator…
Delta Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has challenged tertiary institutions in the state to move beyond producing certificate holders and focus on developing competent graduates, impactful research and solutions to societal challenges. The State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Nyerhovwo Tonukari, gave the charge on behalf of Governor Oborevwori while delivering a lecture titled, “Repositioning Tertiary Institutions for National Development and Institutional Responsibilities,” at the 3rd Delta State Higher Education Summit. He said Delta had witnessed remarkable expansion in tertiary education, with four state-owned universities, three polytechnics and two colleges of education, alongside federal and private institutions operating across the…