My attention has been drawn to the unscrupulous publication of Sahara Reporters on the 13th  January, 2016 with the tittle “ Youths  hold DESOPADEC Commissioner Hostage for Using N60 million to Erect Duplexes “.

Chief Amos Itihwe

For the avoidance of doubt and the attention of the general public,  I wish to state in clear terms and unequivocally that there was never a time that chief Amos Itihwe – Commissioner representing Ughelli South, Udu, Uvwie and Urhobos of Warri South in the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission  (DESOPADEC ) was held Hostage for any reason. The Commissioner did not divert any money for any reason or purpose,  neither did he share any money with his aide.
The purported story by Sahara Reporters is false and very misleading,  without facts and contradict herself  for the following reasons:
1. Chief Amos Itihwe is not the Commissioner representing Ughelli,  so why would Youths of Ughelli ask him of empowerment funds talk less of holding him hostage?
2. The Commissioner did not at any time receive  N60 million for Youths empowerment projects talk less of diverting any money for any reason.
3. The Commissioner has no dispute or problem with any youth and as such there was no time any one or group of persons came to his residence with war songs talk less of holding him hostage.
4. The fake story never mentioned how and why the Commissioner was released by those that held him hostage.
5. The story is very contradicting because at one time it was N60 million diverted, at another time it was N20 million that was shared with his aide, at another time it was N20 million that was spread to the youths and yet at another time it was N40 million released to the Commissioner – very unfounded and lack cohesion.

Chief Amos Itihwe – Commissioner representing Ughelli South, Udu, Uvwie and Urhobos of Warri South in the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission  (DESOPADEC ) is a remarkable personality. He is a transparent public official who can be said to be incorruptible in the course of his duty. Deeply Committed to fighting corruption, fraudulent practice and dishonesty. He is honest , accountable without inordinate ambition,  God fearing, peace loving , with a smooth and working relationship with the youths of his mandate area.
He is an outstanding personality whose rise from a humble background to fame and prominence present an interesting and inspiring account, growing from a Godly and disciplined home which was immensely instrumental to shaping his later life , making him what he is today by the grace of God. He surely deserves to be spotlighted by Delta Initiative Forum, Adadja Development Union,  National Association of South South Students to mention but a few ( all youths bodies).
Itihwe has a very unique character that it is usually difficult to forget him in a hurry. He has the sterling quality of a good leader and one interesting attribute of him is that he reaches out to all and sundry, a man who will always share in the pains and aspirations of the people of his mandate area.
I implore the general public to discard and disregard in its entirety, the purported story or report by Sahara Reporters as it is false, misleading and aimed at tarnishing the good name and image of the Commissioner,  his aide, the commission and the governor.
The commissioner – chief Amos Itihwe has promised never to be distracted by critics in any form but will continue to serve the people of his mandate area to his utmost capacity.
Signed
Hon. Precious Ejenake
Media Assistant to the Commissioner.