Niger Delta

PANDEF Petitions Chevron Over Enslavement Of N’Delta Graduates

Published

8 years ago

August 29, 2018

Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the umbrella body of leaders and stakeholders of ethnic nationalities of Niger Delta, has written to Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), demanding a meeting over complaints that 151 graduates of the region that underwent the company’s Vocational Training Programme (VTP), were being used as bond (slave) labour, rather than given employment, three to four years after they concluded the programme.
The body, in a letter by the National Secretary, Dr Alfred Mulade to the Managing Director, Chevron, Mr Jeff Ewing said its intrusion was occasioned by an August 6 petition, entitled, “Marginalisation of Forced Labour of Host Community Graduates by Chevron Nigeria Limited,” sent to it by the aggrieved graduates from Ijaw, Itsekiri, Ilaje and other tribes of the region.
PANDEF urged the managing director to convene a meeting between the company, its representatives and the trainees “to enable us look into the matter with a view to resolving it before it gets out of hand.”
The letter read, “We are in receipt of a petition dated August 6, 2018, by the 31 coalition, a body comprising of Ijaw, Ilaje and Itsekiri graduates drawn from your host communities in Niger Delta and their colleagues from other parts of the region, who participated in the batches 5 and 6 of our Vocational Training Programme, otherwise referred to as VTP 5 and 6 of 101 and 50 trainees, respectively, totalling 151 graduates.
“The VTP 5 and 6 were engaged in March, 2013 and July, 2014, respectively, and mobilised for a training duration of 18 months, domiciled at Ogere Training Centre (OTC), Ogun State, and were expected to complete their training sessions by August, 2014 and 2015, respectively.
“The graduates having completed their respective trainings for the prescribed 18-month period are considered as level two technicians in mechanical maintenance, electrical instrumentation maintenance, process and health, environment and safety, but for about four years running, while compelling them to sign trainee/training contracts, they are being used as bonded labour with subtle threat of being dropped unilaterally should anyone raise his/her voice in defiance.”

Niger Delta

Otu Recommits To Support For Navy

Published

2 days ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has said his administration will continue to collaborate with the navy for effective protection of the waterways.

Otu stated this when the Commandant, Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Victory, Commodore Shuaib Ahmed, visited him in Calabar.

The Governor described the visit as critical to consolidating the partnership between Cross River State and the navy.

“Peace and stability remain non-negotiable prerequisites for the progress of the state.

“So, this visit reaffirms our shared resolve to keep the state safe and secured through sustained collaboration,” he said.

Otu stated that security remained the foundation for meaningful development in every society.

“No society prospers in the midst of insecurity. As a state, our development vision depends on peace, order and collective vigilance,” he said.

The Governor commended the Navy for the level of professionalism being exuded by its personnel in the discharge of their duties.

He said the Navy’s efforts had hugely boosted investor confidence and strengthened the state’s economic environment.

The Governor assured the Navy of the state government’s continued support towards enhanced operation.

Earlier, Ahmed explained that the visit followed the military tradition of familiarizing with authorities upon assumption of duties.

He stated that it was crucial to align naval operations with the strategic priorities of the state government.

The naval chief thanked the state government for its support to the force, saying, “your support has helped us immensely in achieving targets”

The Commandant further said there was need to strengthen infrastructure and communication systems in order to address evolving security challenges.

“Operationalising key naval facilities will improve our capacity to tackle maritime crimes.

“The Navy is committed to supporting the state in ensuring the safety and security of the waterways.

“We shall continue to promote peace while enabling the residents to carry out their lawful activities without fear,” he said.

Niger Delta

Community Praises Diri, Ogbuku On Projects Execution … Prioritises Security, Dev

Published

2 days ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

The Agbura Community of Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, has again lauded the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, and the Managing-Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, over infrastructure projects executed in the community.

Speaking with newsmen midweek in Yenagoa, its Chairman, Community Development Committee, Mr. Tribunal Egba, hailed the Governor for the successful completion of the abandoned Oxbow lake-Agbura Road project and others within the Community.

He also eulogized the NDDC MD for the construction of new lodge in the community for serving Corps members as well as plans to execute other projects.

Mr. Egba added that the completion of the Oxbow Lake-Agbura Road has given the community facelift, while also pleading with the government and the interventionist agency to award shore protection contract in the community to save it from the perennial floodings experienced in the fast urbanizing town.

Similarly, the community’s leadership has given assurances that it will continue to give priority to development and security of lives and property.

The CDC helmsman promised to strengthen the existing community vigilante group, while also stressing that the age-long synergy between the community and security agencies would be improved upon to get rid of crime and criminalities in the area.

“As a community, we’re so thankful to Governor Diri for constructing the abandoned Oxbow Lake-Agbura Road project. We’re also glad with the level of infrastructural development ongoing in other parts of the state, courtesy of the Diri-led administration.

“We also like to laud the MD/CEO, NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku for the construction of a befitting Corpers lodge for Corps members serving in this community.

“Our priority as a community now is to protect these infrastructure projects. We’ll continue to work in synergy with all security agencies to make sure there’s peace and development”, the CDC leadership said.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Delta Shocked Over Death Of Chief Protocol Officer

Published

2 days ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

Delta State Government has expressed deep sadness over the sudden death of Mr. Sunny Kotor, Senior Special Assistant on Protocol to the State Government.

Kotor, a renowned Master of Ceremony at state functions, reportedly slumped and passed away last Friday.

In a statement signed by the Delta State Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, in Warri on Saturday, his passing was described as “a profound loss; not only to his family, but to the Government and people of Delta State who benefited immensely from his professionalism, composure, and unmistakable presence at official engagements.

“He brought dignity, structure, and excellence to every function he handled, leaving behind a standard that will be difficult to forget,” the statement added.

The Commissioner noted that “every passing is indeed a sobering reminder of how fragile and fleeting life can be,” extending heartfelt condolences to Kotor’s family, colleagues, and all who had the privilege of working with him.

The statement prayed that God would grant them the strength to bear the irreparable loss.