Gov Okowa Suspends Aide For Posting N3.5bn Grant To Delta First Lady On Social Media

Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa has suspended his Special Assistant on Special Duties, Ovie Ossai, without salary for two months, because of a Facebook post he made about a grant of N3.5 billion given to the wife of the state governor, Mrs. Edith Okowa.

The United States-based non-profit organization, the Initiative for Global Development, had through its Chief Executive Officer, Leila Ndiaye, announced a donation of $10m in support of Mrs. Okowa’s pet project, 05 Initiative, for the management of sickle cell disease in Delta State.

Following the money donation, Ossai issued a statement on his Facebook page elaborating more about the $10m grant given to Mrs. Okowa.

According to Sahara Reporters, a top government official said, “After the statement was posted on Ossai’s Facebook page, one of the governor’s daughters, who was not happy with the publicity being given to the grant her mother received, she confronted him over the issue and expressed disappointment.

“All efforts by Ossai to explain his motive fell on deaf ears, and she promised that he will be dealt with by her father.

“Barely 24 hours after the confrontation, the governor invited Ossai over the issue where he explained things to the governor and the governor asked him to leave.

“Shockingly, Ossai got a suspension letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Chiedu Ebie, for two months without salary.”

When contacted over the issue, Commissioner for Information in the state, Charles Aniagwu, said, “I have not gotten the details of Ossai’s suspension.”

The News Agency of Nigeria had reported the grant story but the annoyance of the governor was that his aide made the news more prominent through his post.