Niger Delta

Muslim Women Fete Children In Bayelsa

Published

9 years ago

June 30, 2017

The Bayelsa State chapter of Federation of Muslim Women Organisation in Nigeria (FOMWAN) recently organised a family picnic for children in Yenagoa, the capital.
Reports say that hundreds of children participated in the picnic which featured qur’anic recitations, games and varieties of entertainment.
The Muslim women also rendered free medical service to members of Obelle community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa.
Hajia Folashade Shittu, Chairperson of the 2017 FOMWAN Family Fiesta told newsmen that the group was using the occasion to propagate the ideals of Islam as a religion of peace.
“It is our mission to bring the entire family together at a public place at Bishop Demario Grammar School in Yenagoa to interact with residents, show love and charity to our non-Muslim brothers and sisters.
“There is something for everyone, the medical mission is free and open to both Christians and Muslims and is currently running well. It is our way of showing charity to our brothers and sisters in Bayelsa.
“We are having a picnic to fete our children and allow them to have fun after Ramadan, while we organised a lecture for the men in financial management and medical lecture for the women.
“Our mission is to show the people around us love and let them see that Islam is about peace and correct the perception some people have about us. We are not terrorists, we are loving and caring people and that is our faith for you,” Shittu said.
A member of the medical team Mr Owolabi Akeem, said that the turn-out has been very impressive as the team comprising doctors and medical laboratory scientists were prepared to handle up to 200 cases.
“Our target is 100 children and 70 adults but we can still go up to 200 if more people show up, it depends on the sensitisation and by the time word spreads that there will be free medical service, more people will turn up.
“So far, we have treated over 50 adults and we shall be here till evening and we are doing routine investigations for malaria, hepatitis B, urine analysis amongst others and we have a stock of drugs to dispense after tests,” Akeem said.
One of the beneficiaries of the free medical mission, Ester Ebi applauded the Muslim women for the gesture.
“I am very pleased with the medical outreach, I heard about it and I came. The services from the tests to drugs are all free and they do not discriminate, it is open to both Christians and Muslims,” she said.

Nathan Nwakamma

Niger Delta

Royal Father Endorses PH Arsenal Community, Pledges To Support

Published

17 hours ago

May 29, 2026

The Tide

The Amanyanabo of Koniju town, in Okrika Local Government Area, Rivers State, His Royal Majesty, King Winston Odiye Alamina Oputibeya XII, has expressed satisfaction over the activities of Port Harcourt Arsenal Community.

He further said that bringing Arsenal fans together for a common purpose, which is love, unity, and peace, is commendable and pledges to support the community in his own little way.

HRM Oputibeya said this when some members of the community, led by Ugochukwu Oputa, paid him a courtesy visit in his house in Port Harcourt yesterday.

According to him, he started supporting and following Arsenal Football Club some decades back, saying that anybody who loves good football must love Arsenal because players in Arsenal play good football.

“I was longing to meet leaders of the community to also be part of it because I like their organizational structure and I love Arsenal.

“The activities of the Port Harcourt Arsenal Community for me are satisfactory; that is why I am associating with it.

“I would like members to conduct themselves in a civil manner because football fans all over are the progress of their club and love,” he said.

Earlier, the coordinator of the Port Harcourt community, Ugochukwu Oputa, thanked the royal father for accepting the community, assuring that the group will do her best to get recognition and connection with Arsenal FC in London.

Oputa narrated the activities lined up by the community on Saturday, saying that everything had been put in place for the street procession.

In his vote of thanks, a member of the Arsenal Community, Com. Tonye Orabere also thanked the Amanyanbo for his magnanimity and pledged to assist the community. He prays God to continue to bless him.

Tonye Orabere

Niger Delta

BPP Backs NDDC’s Digital Procurement Reforms

Published

19 hours ago

May 29, 2026

The Tide

The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for initiating reforms aimed at digitising its procurement processes to enhance transparency, efficiency and accountability.

Speaking at the NDDC Procurement Policy Reform and Digitisation Stakeholders’ Sensitisation and Training Summit in Port Harcourt, the Director-General of the BPP, Adebowale Adedokun, described the initiative as a significant step towards modernising public sector operations.

Adedokun said the transition to paperless governance had become imperative as government institutions seek to reduce delays, eliminate waste and improve service delivery.

According to him, public procurement remains central to the execution of government policies and must embrace modern technology to boost productivity and strengthen public confidence.

“Procurement lies at the heart of public service delivery. It determines how resources are allocated, how projects are executed, and ultimately, how development reaches our people”, he said.

The BPP boss stressed the importance of inter-agency collaboration in ensuring a seamless transition to digital operations, noting that the reforms align with the broader agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to build a more responsive and citizen-focused public sector.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Samuel Ogbuku, said the sensitisation workshop formed part of the Commission’s efforts to strengthen institutional capacity and adopt innovative solutions in line with global best practices in governance and service delivery.

He stated that the Commission was implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration in the Niger Delta region, while commending the BPP for supporting the Commission and facilitating the speedy completion of projects.

Ogbuku noted that the workshop came at a critical period when public institutions across the country were embracing reforms aimed at improving governance systems, eliminating inefficiencies and rebuilding public trust.

He said empowering stakeholders, contractors and service providers with the required knowledge would accelerate development and create sustainable value across the Niger Delta.

“We are not only reforming, but we are also transforming the Niger Delta region”, he stated.

Ogbuku explained that the Commission’s reforms would move procurement processes from manual, paper-based operations to a fully digital platform designed to improve accessibility, reduce delays and minimise opportunities for corruption.

According to him, digitisation of procurement processes goes beyond technological advancement and represents a critical governance reform aimed at promoting transparency, improving service delivery and ensuring responsible management of public resources.

Earlier, the NDDC Director of Procurement, Chuks Osuji, said the policy reform and digitisation initiative would improve workflow, eliminate inefficiencies and strengthen accountability in the Commission’s procurement system.

He added that all contractors engaging with the Commission would henceforth operate through the online procurement platform, which would also provide an effective feedback mechanism for stakeholders.

Speaking on behalf of contractors and consultants, Maraizu Uche lauded the initiative and pledged their cooperation towards ensuring a seamless transition to the digital platform.

He, however, appealed to the Commission to review its payment system to address delays in settling executed contracts.

The workshop, themed “Promoting Best Procurement Practices and Digital System for the NDDC”, was held across the nine states of the Niger Delta region.

Niger Delta

Navy Inaugurates 8 Housing Units In Calabar

Published

19 hours ago

May 29, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Navy has inaugurated eight units of two-bedroom flats at the Ikot Ansa Senior Staff Quarters as part of efforts to boost personnel welfare and operational efficiency.

Speaking at the event in Calabar on Monday, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, said similar housing projects would be inaugurated in Port Harcourt and Uyo.

Represented by Rear Adm. Chidozie Okehie, the Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Abbas said the navy would always give priority attention to personnel welfare.

He stated that the housing units would not only translate to decent homes for officers, but boost their morale for greater efficiency.

“I have repeatedly tied welfare projects to better operational readiness against maritime crimes.

“We are very deliberate about closing the accommodation gaps for officers and ratings”, he said.

The CNS charged recipients of the housing units to ensure good maintenance culture while in occupation.

Abbass reiterated the commitment of the navy to initiate new housing projects while taking steps to complete all pending ones.

“The newly inaugurated units of flats are part of the projects that we inherited from our predecessors”, he said.