The national president of Choice 2011 for Uduaghan, Mr. Donatus Eromosele, who led the secretary, Mr. Steel Emehwekre and a PDP woman leader in the state, Madam Nkechi Utomi, on the courtesy visit, said the group was made up of all Deltans and non-indigenes who are staunch supporters of the governor.

Contacted yesterday, Chief Clark confirmed that he was, indeed, the convener of the meeting, adding that the idea was for the leaders of the region to chart a way forward.

He called on NNPC officials to avoid what he described as “their usual pompous posturing and use of vituperative languages against victims of entrenched injustice and exploitations.”

He said: “The truth is that the real issues that led to the strike were addressed by management even before the union decided to go on strike.

By Simon Ebegbulem BENIN—THE authorities  of the Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State, said yesterday that not more than 4,500 candidates were expected to participate in the forthcoming post University Matriculation Examination (UME), saying the number was reduced due to the new guidelines given to universities by the National University Commission (NUC).