Niger Delta

A’Ibom Donates N.2bn For Army Barrack’s Renovation

Published

8 years ago

February 12, 2018

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel has donated N200 million for the renovation of Wellington Bassey Barracks, Ibagwa in Abak Local Government Area of the state.
Emmanuel made the donation at the 2017 West African Social Activity (WASA) held in the barracks last Saturday.
The governor expressed his appreciation to the Nigerian Army for its contributions in providing the security of lives and property in the state.
He said the soldiers that were toiling day and night to keep peace in the country deserved a better place to stay with their families, adding, “we have enjoyed a whole lot of cooperation in terms of security.
“Through this barracks, they (Soldiers) have helped us to actually keep peace within the community and Akwa Ibom State.
“Through this barracks, they have been able to enforce discipline in so many quarters, it will not be wise for me to be here as a governor, I just leave this barracks without our signature.
“We will make available to you almost immediately the sum of N200 million.
“So that you can actually look at the quarters that you want to renovate.
He, however, urged the Commander 2 Brigade to pay attention during the renovation on quarters that would touch the lives of children and women in the barracks.
Emmanuel commended the Chief of Army Staff, the GOC 6 Division and the Commander 2 Brigade for upholding the WASA tradition.
He also lauded the army for the high level of training given to the soldiers irrespective of gender, adding that he was impressed to see the performance of the female tug of war during the ceremony.
He said, “let me appreciate the Nigerian Army for what I am seeing today, you could not differentiate the strength of the men from the women.
“It shows the adequacy and capacity of the training that we are building through human resources.”
The governor appealed to residents of the barracks to live in peace with one another in irrespective of ethnic or religious differences.
Earlier, the Commander 2 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. Abdu Hassan, said that WASA was an accepted age long tradition of the army in getting officers’ families and friends together in a social and conducive atmosphere.
The commander traced the origin of WASA to the period of West African Frontier Force, where persons in the society whose ancestral background with some traditional and customary heritage started joining the army.
According to him, sacrifices were usually offered at the end of the harvest and beginning of planting season to their gods for bounty harvest.
He said during these periods, delegates were usually sent to military authorities to release soldiers for the yearly rituals.
Hassan explained that instead of the military continuing to release soldiers to go for the yearly rituals, the military authority incorporated into the army activities and coined it WASA.
He commended the Emmanuel for personally honouring the invitation, thanked the Chief of Army Staff for giving approval for the Brigade to host the WASA 2017.
The highpoint of the event was award of prizes to soldiers who performed gallantly in 2017.
Also, the ceremony featured tug of war and cultural dances from the barracks community.

Niger Delta

Edo Partners Stakeholders For Better Land, Housing Services

Published

7 hours ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

The Edo State government has reaffirmed its commitment to strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to enhance effective service delivery in the lands and housing sector across the state.

Commissioner for Ministry of Lands and Housing, Mr. Yakubu Musa, made this known on Thursday, when he met with members of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in Benin.

Musa emphasised the importance of synergy and collaboration to drive sustainable development in the state.

He said, ‘’The ministry is taking steps to sanitise and regulate the real estate industry to make sure Edo citizens get maximum satisfaction from the lands and housing sector.’’

Earlier, the Chairman of the Association, Mr. Roger Isiokhere, said the visit was to formally acquaint the commissioner with the institution’s activities.

Isiokhere expressed the institution’s readiness to work closely with the ministry in achieving its mandate, offering professional advisory services and other forms of support.

The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Joy Akhigbe, also stressed the importance of collaboration.

In attendance at the meeting were the Surveyor-General of the State, Directors, and other management staff of the Ministry of Lands and Housing.

Niger Delta

Otu Reiterates Commitment To Support Military Veterans, Families

Published

7 hours ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of military veterans and their families.

Otu, who spoke at the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Calabar on Thursday, said his administration would not forget the contributions of fallen heroes.

Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Peter Odey, the Governor described the armed forces remembrance day as a reminder of the sacrifices made by military veterans to keep Nigeria united and peaceful.

“The lesson is to remember our fallen heroes, people who sacrificed for the country, many of them paid with their lives to protect this nation”, he said.

Otu further said widows of late military officers would continue to be part of his government’s programmes and interventions.

“All widows are being carried along, the Commissioner for Social Welfare ensures their inclusion in every programme”, he said.

Earlier, the Cross River State Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Daniel Ojugbo, said the ceremony was not only an honour for fallen heroes, but a time to reflect on the challenges being faced by military veterans and their families.

Ojugbo said families of fallen military officers faced delayed welfare benefits, limited medical care and unemployment for their widows and other dependants.

He commended Otu for his support, saying that his administration had shown genuine and remarkable concerns for the legion and its members.

Also speaking, the Coordinator, Military Widows in the state, Mrs. Miriam Orok, thanked the Governor for improved treatment and inclusion in welfare interventions.

“We are actually seeing better changes under our Governor. He has been carrying us along, and we are very grateful. We also thank the governor’s wife for her sense of compassion”, she said.

The Tide’s source reports that the event featured prayers, wreath-laying, and tributes to the fallen heroes.

Niger Delta

Delta Legislative Assembly Impeaches Leader Over Gross misconduct

Published

7 hours ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

Leader of Ughelli North Local Government Legislative Arm, Rt. Hon. Ajero Prosper Okeoghene, has been impeached over alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office.

The impeachment of the ousted leader was signed by 12 out of the 18 councillors that attended the plenary at the legislative chamber of Ughelli North on Wednesday.

The Councillors alleged that the former House leader breached the constitutional requirement to lead the 8th Assembly.

According to the statement, “We the undersigned Councillors of Ughelli North Local Government Legislative House of the 8th Assembly have watched with keen interest the activities of the present Leader of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ajero Okeoghene Prosper, and having thoroughly gone through it, we decided to as a matter of urgency, resolved to impeach him in line with the relevant Delta Local Government Law 2013, as Amended, and other Legislative practices/convention.

“Furthermore, to the above therefore, we are constrained to state unequivocally that Hon. Ajero Okeoghene Prosper lacks the ability to move this Eighth (8th) Assembly to the next level and as such should step outside for another to reinvigorate this present Assembly.

“Having satisfied the constitutional requirement of 2/3 majority, motion for his impeachment and removal as leader of the Ughelli North Legislative Arm was moved.

“His impeachment was as a result of Misappropriation of funds, inability to pilot the affairs of the house, high-handedness, gross misconduct and refusal to call plenary as at when due and his excessive drunkenness.

“The motion for his impeachment was moved by Hon. Onome Isherhe, Councillor representing Ughelli Ward 12, and seconded by Hon. Clever Erhuvwu Ofariko, representing Orogun Ward 3, respectively.

“The motion for a new Leader of the Ughelli North Legislative Arm was moved by Hon. Collins Oghenebrorhie Arhiakpore, the Councillor representing Agbarha Ward 2 and seconded by Hon Felicia Diedjomaho, the Councillor representing Agbarho Ward 1″, it stated.

Amongst the Councillors that signed the impeachment are Hon. Orido December, Hon. Victor, Hon. Igogono Goddey, and Hon. Felicia Diedjomaho.

Others are Hon. Inana Oke Festus, Hon. Clever Erhuvwu Ofariko, Hon. Collins Arhiakpore, Hon. Joseph Friday Obara, Hon. Onome Isherhe, and Hon. Palmer Israel.

The new Leader of the Ughelli North Local Government Legislative Arm is Rt. Hon. Solomon Oghenero Agbini, the Councillor representing Ogor Ward 1.

All efforts to contact the impeached leader, Okeoghene, were not successful as calls to his line were not answered or returned as of the time of this report.