Niger Delta

Bayelsa Dep Gov Visits Inmates, Less Privileged On Birthday

Published

4 years ago

September 10, 2021

The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, on Wednesday, explained why he always identifies with the less privileged on his birthdays, saying it will be uncharitable to throw lavish parties in the midst of misery and hunger.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo stated this while speaking with newsmen at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, shortly after visiting the sick, prison inmates and special children as part of activities to mark his birthday.
The Deputy Governor, who visited the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Okaka, the Diete Koki Memorial Hospital and Gloryland Children’s Home all in Opolo, was accompanied by some House of Assembly members, commissioners, local government chairmen, and other top government functionaries.
While appreciating the place of celebration in human life, he however, maintained that it would be morally wrong for him to organise loud birthday parties that would not touch the lives of the less privileged in society.
He said a true reflection on the socio-economic situation of the country would challenge every well meaning Nigerian to think more of how to reduce the level of hunger and poverty than to engage in self-glorification and revelry.
“What are you celebrating when there are so many persons who lack? As you see today, we have visited the correctional centre, the orphanage, and some hospitals.You cannot celebrate lavishly when a lot of people are not in a position to have something to eat. That will be very uncharitable. Thousands of people around you are hungry. So, what joy do you actually derive in celebrating in that manner?”, he said.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo appealed to the political class and other well placed citizens to always reach out to the needy, especially in their moment of celebrations as part of service to God and humanity.
According to the Deputy Governor, his birthday on the 5th of September coincided with the yearly celebration of the International Day of Charity, which inspires him to carry out philanthropic activities to justify the day and his belief.
At the Gloryland Children Home, Opolo, Senator Ewhrudjakpo sang and danced with the special children and assured that government would soon build a more befitting centre for them.
Highpoint of the celebration was cutting of his birthday cake with the children as well as donation of food items and cash for their upkeep.
At the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Okaka, the Deputy Governor donated food items and cash to the management of the facility even as he directed the Management of FMC Yenagoa to distribute his little financial gift to all the wards in the facility.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo also made a cash donation and offered to foot the bills of Wednesday 8th September for all registered expectant mothers who turned up for antenatal healthcare at the Diete Koki Memorial Hospital.
Receiving the items, the Commissioner for Women, Children Affairs, Empowerment and Social Development, Mrs. Faith Opene, and Deputy Comptroller of Corrections, Okaka, Mr Emeka Ogbuji, thanked the Deputy Governor for his show of magnanimity towards the needy
Mrs. Opene, who described Senator Ewhrudjakpo as a loving and caring father, prayed God to bless him with more wisdom and resources to cater to the needs of the less privileged.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

INC Polls: Ogoriba Pledges To Continuously Stand For N’Delta Rights … Picks Presidential Form

Published

14 hours ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

Human Rights Activist and founding father of the Movement for the Survival of the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality of the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), Elder Timi Kaiser Ogoriba, has said he would continue to advocate for the environmental and human rights of the people of the Niger Delta, especially his Ijaw kinsmen.

Ogoriba who doubles as the current Vice-Chairman of the Bayelsa State founding fathers forum made the pledge at the Ijaw House, headquarters of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), in Yenagoa, capital of the State, while fielding questions from newsmen shortly after picking his interest form for the position of president in the 2026 polls of the national executive council of the body.

The Odi-born activist who described the foremost Pan-Ijaw umbrella parent body as the envy of many sister ethnic groups in the nation, noted that he played pivotal roles in the formative stages of both the INC and its youth body, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC).

He expressed confidence in the activities of the body, saying he would continue to work with all relevant stakeholders to reposition the Pan-Ijaw group for greater achievements when elected as President come February, 2026.

“I’m still ready to go to trenches because of Ijaw nation. For those who knew me before now, you’ll recall that I have gone to trenches several times because of my love for the Ijaw people.

“Today as an ethnic group, we’re the envy of every other tribe. And that’s because we’ve all it takes for others to envy us. Today the INC has become the pride of everyone, including many who don’t know how we started it. And I’m not detered by the propaganda against my candidacy. I’m determined to win and continue my service to the Ijaw nation.

“I was part of the struggle in 1991 when the INC was formed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. I’ve all it takes to lead the INC as President. But the INC under my leadership will not be a ‘T. K. Ogoriba thing alone’. I’ll need all of you and every Son and daughter of Ijaw nation to lead us well when elected”, he said.

The Presidential hopeful, who also bared his mind on issues of Resource control and true-federalism, restated his commitment towards ensuring that the Niger Delta region was given fair treatment by Government.

He stressed the need for the INC to synergize with other ethnic nationalities of the Niger Delta region for positive results, saying he would also ensure that there is mutual respect and understanding amongst and between stakeholders of the Ijaw nation and other sister ethnic groups to fast track the processes of growth and development of the region.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Edo Partners Stakeholders For Better Land, Housing Services

Published

16 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

16 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.