Niger Delta

Bayelsa, US To Partner On Economic Dev

Published

12 years ago

April 30, 2014

The Bayelsa State Gov
ernment says it will collaborate with the United States of America to explore areas of partnership to further strengthen the socio-economic relationship existing between US and Nigeria.
Governor Dickson expressed his administration’s readiness to partner with the United States government when a 29-member delegation of the United States Department’s Bureau of Conflict Stabilization Operations led by its Assistant Secretary, Mr. Rick Barton, paid him a visit at Government House, Yenagoa.
He commended the US officials for their efforts at fostering closer ties between the two countries and expressed his willingness to interact with them on a number of issues, that could be mutually beneficial to both parties.
His words: “We are very delighted about this visit; I have known a couple of things about the project, that has brought you here. I like to thank you for this very important partnership going forward”
Governor Dickson noted that the visit of the foreign delegation to the state, particularly to Nembe, would afford them the opportunity to have first hand knowledge of the lifestyles of the people as well as create capacity for the youths towards stabilizing communities across the state and possibly, open a vista of opportunities for both countries. “There is likely to be a lot of possibilities for opening up new frontiers for our young people and for stabilizing our communities and we really look forward to this partnership. I like to also appreciate the wonderful and distinguished Nigerians, who are part of this relationship.
“It is our expectation that after you must have visited Nembe; seen our communities and interacted with our people for who we truly are; on your return, we hope to create some time to interact with you on a whole range of other issues.
Earlier in his remarks, the Assistant Secretary, United States Department’s Bureau of Conflict Stabilization and Operations, Richard Barton, said they were on a one-day working visit to Nembe local government area of the state to flag off a project concerning the production of a television reality show.
Mr. Barton, who noted that the US recognized the central role Nigeria played in the success of the African continent with the state being a critical part, expressed the US government’s desire to see a continued peaceful and democratic change in Nigeria.
According to him, peace and stability are crucial elements to the progress of any country and that the initiative will go a long way in engaging youths across the country to get involved in peaceful democratic change.

Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria, Mr Ima Niboro (left), handing over keys of an ultra-modern United Believers Mission Church building erected by him to the General Overseer, Pastor Augustus Owraigbo (right), during the hand-over and dedication of the church building in Delta State last Saturday. With them is the Chairman, Bible Truth Ministry, Pastor Vincent Omugbe. Photo: NAN

Niger Delta

Stakeholders In Delta Seek Stronger GBV Action, Women’s Leadership

Published

5 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Stakeholders in Delta State convened in Asaba for a leadership workshop organised by Otdel Health Heritage and Environmental Initiative (OHHEI), focusing on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and women’s participation in decision-making processes.

OHHEI Project Director, Mr. Peter Olayinka, represented by a consultant, Juliet Obiajulu, urged participants to contribute meaningfully toward advancing women’s leadership and combating GBV across communities in the state.

He said the workshop aimed to strengthen participants’ capacity to influence policies, challenge harmful cultural norms, and reinforce initiatives designed to prevent and respond to GBV.

Olayinka said women often faced bias even when they occupied leadership positions, and stressed that gender diversity improved the quality of decision-making and promoted innovation and accountability in governance structures.

Speaking, the Chairperson of the Association Against Child Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Mr Eris Jewo-Ibi, identified cultural norms, domestic responsibilities, political resistance, and grassroots barriers as constraints to women’s participation.

Delta State GBV Desk Officer, Mrs. Rosemary Okpuno, emphasised that effective decision-making required women’s perspectives, adding that inclusion remained critical to addressing persistent gender-based challenges.

Voke Angbagh of the Delta State Ministry of Justice outlined penalties for rape and called for the establishment of special courts to handle sexual offences cases.

Angbagh said frequent adjournments delayed justice for survivors, stressing that dedicated sexual offences courts would ensure timely trials and stronger protection for victims in Delta State.

The Tide’s source reports that facilitators identified cultural acceptance of violence, unequal power relations, discrimination, poverty, limited education, and low self-esteem as major drivers of GBV.

They emphasised that violence and exclusion resulted in social, physical and emotional harm, imposed economic costs, reinforced harmful stereotypes, and widened existing gender inequalities.

The source also reports that OHHEI, a local non-profit organisation, focuses on education, health, environment, and social justice, promoting sustainable development initiatives with gender equality at the centre of its interventions.

Niger Delta

C’River Suspends Taskforce Activities Over Drivers’ Protest

Published

5 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Cross River State Government has suspended all taskforce activities connected to commercial transportation and ticketing across the state.

The State Governor, Bassey Otu, announced the suspension at an emergency stakeholders meeting on Friday in Calabar.

It would be recalled that commercial drivers in Calabar metropolis took to streets on Thursday to protest alleged multiple taxation and extortion by government agencies.

During the protest, the drivers alleged that taskforce groups claiming to represent the state government openly harassed and extorted them.

Represented at the meeting by Ekpenyong Akiba, his Special Adviser on General Duties, Otu said the suspension would subsist pending further review of the situation.

The Governor stated that the state government did not commission anyone to extort drivers in the name of task force.

He urged commercial drivers and other road users to remain law-abiding while government worked out a lasting solution.

On his part, the Chairman, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, Calabar Metropolis, Mr. Sunday Dennis, expressed optimism that the dialogue would yield positive results.

He said the meeting had provided an opportunity for the aggrieved commercial drivers to present their concerns directly to the state government.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Unified Drivers Association, Mr. Nta Henshaw, described the harassment on drivers as worrisome, and urged the state government to be decisive in resolving the matter.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Assembly Urges More Private Investments In Agriculture

Published

5 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Nutrition and Food Security has called for more private sector investments in agriculture.

The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Moses Essien, made the call when the committee visited Aviclaire Farms, a private establishment in Usung Idem, Uruk Usoh in Abak Local Government Area.

Essien, who represents Ibiono Ibom in the Assembly, commended the Management of the farm for partnering an NGO, ECEWS, to promote private investment in agriculture.

He commended the partners for adopting climate-smart agriculture initiatives in their operations, adding that such move would promote food security.

“Your interest in using transformative intervention to promote food security is a veritable way of complementing the efforts of the state government,” he said.

The lawmaker continued that adopting practical climate-smart agriculture model would help to generate employment, improve nutrition outcomes, and strengthen food sufficiency.

He further said he was impressed with the strides recorded by the partners, saying, “your investment has created jobs for no fewer than 2,000 youths.

”You are an example of an environment-friendly investor. I urge Akwa Ibom residents to embrace environment-friendly and technology-driven agriculture models,” he said.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, ECEWS, Dr. Andy Eyo, who conducted the committee round the farm, said the collaboration was conceived to demonstrate the viability of climate-smart farming in ensuring food sufficiency.

Eyo said the farm, which commenced operations with four greenhouses, had expanded to 14 within two years, and currently supplying high-quality produce to major markets in Uyo and neighbouring communities.

He said ECEWS was exploring cooperative frameworks to enable rural farmers and women’s groups to adopt greenhouse technology for sustainable livelihoods.

In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Aviclaire Farms, Mrs. Victoria Eyo, said the controlled-environment ensured precision cultivation and consistent yields.

She further said the farm served as a capacity-building centre for students, interns, and agri-business trainees.