Niger Delta

Yenagoa Law School: Ijaw Group Commends Wike’s Magnanimity

Published

5 years ago

June 9, 2021

The Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), has joined others in commending the Rivers State Governor, Barr. Nyesom Wike, on the flag- off of construction works for hostel blocks and the 1,500 seat auditorium at the Yenagoa law school campus.
The group said the Rivers governor has once again proved himself to be a man who matches words with action.
Recall that Governor Wike, made a pledge on 29th August, 29, 2020 and nine months down the line, he has fully redeemed his pledge to build a 900-student hostel and the 1500 capacity auditorium.
Speaking on behalf of the National President, the Chairman MOSIEND, central zone, Comrade Taribolou Ogboriyo, noted that the revival of MOSIEND was to raise the level of clamour for purposeful infrastructural and human capital development of our people, in the Niger Deltan region.
MOSIEND fully shares the ideals of Governor Wike who has developed infrastructure to a point where he is nicknamed Mr Project and we can all attest to the fact that Governor Wike’s drive for developmental projects knows no bound as he has crisscrossed into his sister state in Bayelsa to showcase the importance he attaches to education in the Niger Delta.
He continued that, “In so doing, MOSIEND is using this auspicious occasion to whisper to the Governor that our Elders council, National and Zonal leadership have already come to firm conclusion that Your Excellency has naturally distinguished yourself as the spokesman of the Niger Delta, similar to the hard work the governor has put in place, that earned him the Mr Project title.
Accordingly, MOSIEND is consulting with other ethnic nationalities on the need to confer a befitting title on him in order to fully establish and authenticate his natural emergence as the voice for the Niger Delta.
MOSIEND also used the opportunity to bring up the NDDC board issues that is hitting up the polity and threatening to conflagrate the entire Niger Delta.
The group stated that amongst other things, the constitution of the Board of NDDC is the responsibility of the president with advice from the governors
“The importance of the appointment cannot be over emphasised, as it is the only prescribed legal body that can always be held accountable by the people of the Niger Delta”.
Furthermore, the zonal chairman, said that the NDDC Act Part III, Section 11(1) also prescribes a Standing Committee made up of the Governors of the NDDC States, known as the Advisory Committee, whose appointment and functions are statutory and beyond the powers of the president. As a matter of fact Section 11(3) states in part:
“The Advisory Committee is charged with advising the board and monitoring the activities of the commission, with a view to achieving the objectives of the commission”.
This section is the key to the expected success story of the NDDC. It has therefore become very necessary to appeal to His Excellency to, without delay, liaise with the South-South Governors, forum chairman to constitute a delegation to once again, visit Mr President, to impress it on him to constitute the board so that the governors can also play their role on the NDDC in ensuring it functions lawfully.
The law requires the governors to advise and monitor the board and not a sole administrator. The people of the Niger Delta will henceforth not allow politicians to toy with the development of the area.
Comrade Ogboriyo, used the occasion to extend hands of fellowship to Wike and also craved his indulgence to grant audience to the Eastern Zone MOSIEND leadership which is domiciled in Rivers State and the National Executive headed by a Rivers State indigene for purposes of working out areas of cooperation on the issue of security.

By: AriweraIbibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Court Declares DESTMA Activities Unconstitutional

Published

3 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State High Court sitting in Warri has declared the power of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA) to arrest traffic offenders and impose fines as illegal and unconstitutional.

In a judgment delivered on Wednesday in Suit No. W/348/2016: Chuks Christian Ofili v. Attorney-General of Delta State & Anor, Hon. Justice Ejiro Emudainowho struck down Section 18(1) of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority Law, 2013, holding that it conflicts with the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The court held that DESTMA and its officials lacked the legal authority to impose fines, penalties or sanctions, or to confiscate vehicle number plates without first charging and securing a conviction before a competent court.

Justice Emudainowho ruled that the seizure of the claimant’s number plate and the imposition of a N30,000 fine without trial amounted to a “flagrant violation” of the claimant’s right to fair hearing and freedom of movement under Sections 36(1) and 41(1) of the constitution.

Among other reliefs, the court set aside the “Notification of New Traffic Offences and Penalties” issued against the claimant, ordered the refund of N30,000 paid for the release of the number plate, awarded N500,000 as legal costs and N300,000 as damages, with 10 percent interest per annum.

Reacting to the judgment, the claimant’s counsel, Olukunle Ogheneovo Edun, said the ruling affirms constitutional supremacy.

“The court was clear that only a competent court of law can impose penalties. Administrative agencies cannot assume judicial powers”, he said.

Niger Delta

COAS Praises Bayelsa On Military Welfare … As Diri Hands Over Residential Quarters To Army Chief

Published

3 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Army has commended the Bayelsa State Government for promoting the welfare of its officers and men as part of efforts to enhance peace and security in the state.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, gave the commendation on Thursday when he led other senior military officers on a courtesy/condolence visit to the State Governor, Douye Diri, in Government House, Yenagoa.

Gen. Shaibu praised the Bayelsa government for constructing and handing over residential accommodation to the Nigerian Army 16 Brigade at Elebele.

The army chief noted that the initiative would greatly ease the brigade’s accommodation challenges.

Shaibu, who explained that he was on a maiden operational visit to the state to assess the combat readiness of men and officers of the Command, also commiserated with the governor and the Ewhrudjakpo family on the passing of the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

“My reason for coming here are two-fold. We are here for my maiden operational visit to the 6th Division area of responsibility, which also covers Bayelsa State.

“I’m also here with a heart of gratitude and appreciation for what you have done for the 16 Brigade, which is the construction and completion of apartments made up of nine units of three bedroom flats for non-commissioned officers and two blocks of nine units of two bedroom apartments for non-commissioned officers.

“This gesture will go a long way in mitigating the accommodation challenges that the Brigade is facing. It will be a great relief for the Nigerian Army”, he said.

Responding, Diri thanked Gen. Shaibu for acknowledging the modest contribution of the state government towards improving the safety of lives and property of the citizenry.

He lauded the various security agencies for exhibiting a high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

“I like to use this opportunity to commend the Nigerian Army and other armed forces for what you are doing to ensure that Nigeria is safe and secure. For us in government, we all appreciate and understand that you are making sacrifices for our public safety.

“I implore you to continue to do what you are doing very well at all times. We are always here to support you in whichever form that we can, so that you will also have a conducive environment to enable you discharge your duties creditably.

“l’m equally happy that we were able to start and complete those buildings. We know that, like you rightly said, it will ease the accommodation demands of the officers in the 16 Brigade”, he said.

By; Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Eno Inaugurates Committees On TSA, International Airport Status

Published

3 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has inaugurated two inter-ministerial committees to supervise the implementation of the International Airport Status for the Victor Attah International Airport, and for the Treasury Single Account for Internally Generated Revenues.

While inaugurating the committees at the Government House, Uyo, Eno expressed confidence in the competence of the members of the committee to achieve the mandate.

“The committees’ establishment marks another strategic step in the administration’s drive to strengthen governance systems.

“It will also ensure the fast-tracking and the completion of major development projects in the state”, the Governor said.

He further said the members of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on International Airport Status Implementation include Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Enobong Uwah, who would serve as the Chairman.

Others are the Commissioner for Finance/Special Duties, Mr. Emem Bob; the Managing Director, Ibom Air, Mr. George Uriesi; and Mr. Ephraim Udosen, Permanent Secretary for Special Duties, among others.

“The Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Implementation of TSA-IGR has Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Emem Bob, as Chairman.

“Others are the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Uko Udom, SAN; Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Frank Archibong; Commissioner for Lands, Dr. Ubong Inyang, among others.”

The Governor noted that the members’ expertise would contribute significantly to the state’s infrastructural growth and financial stability.

He urged them to intensify efforts and ensure that all preparatory works remained on schedule.

“I charge the committee on the state’s airport with the responsibility of ensuring accelerated progress and meeting all required benchmarks ahead of the facility’s operational kick-off in April, 2026.

“I expect this committee to work tirelessly to ensure the realisation and commencement of full operations at the international airport by the first week of April 2026″, he said.

Eno emphasised the need for transparency, fiscal discipline and effective coordination across government agencies, saying that no agency of government was permitted to operate a single independent account.

He reaffirmed the termination of contracts for consultants on revenue generation, adding that all revenue must be generated and expended through a unified treasury account.

The Governor urged all MDAs to work with the Inter-Ministerial Committee, headed by the Commissioner for Finance to ensure that the expected results were achieved and on time.

He maintained that tenement rates would be paid into the treasury single account and urged full compliance from homeowners across the state.