Niger Delta

Rivers Community Confers Chieftaincy Titles On Diri, Dickson

Published

4 years ago

March 11, 2022

The Ataba Kingdom in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State has conferred on Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, the title of ‘Oro-Ata 1’ (one who does good to his people).
Seriake Dickson, Governor Diri’s predecessor and Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial district was also bestowed with the chieftaincy title, the ‘Utoron 1 of Ataba’( the ‘light of the community”), just as the Ataba’ kingdom also named two roads in their kingdom after the illustrious sons of the Ijaw nation.
The Okaan-Ama of Ataba Kingdom, King Benson Mgbowaji Egwenre, Oruk XVII, made the pronouncement at the weekend during the Bayelsa’s Governor and his predecessor’s courtesy visit to his palace.
King Egwenre said the Ataba Divisional Council of Chiefs, on behalf of the kingdom, honoured both leaders for showing uncommon love to its indigenes through appointment in their government in Bayelsa State.
Describing their presence in Ataba as historic, the monarch noted that over the years, Bayelsa had demonstrated an unbroken love for his people from the days of the late Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha as governor of the state.
He said it takes one with a large heart to consider the whole of the Ijaw Nation as his constituency, noting that Diri has kept the legacies he inherited by appointing their son, Mr. Erasmus Patrick, as Commissioner for Ijaw National Affairs as well as seeing to the emergence of another Ataba son, Deacon Timothy Igbifa, as president of the Ijaw Youth Council.
Responding on behalf of himself and Governor Diri, the former Governor, Senator Dickson thanked the king and people of Ataba for the honour, saying that the action and intention of promoting Ijaw nationalism made Bayelsa the centerpiece and that he gave Bayelsa the appellation; ‘the Jerusalem of Ijaw nation’.
He added that the people of Ataba and the entire Andoni believe in the Ijaw cause and have over the years produced sons and daughters that have served and are still serving the Ijaw nation in various capacities.
The Senator described Elder Patrick Erasmus whom he said was a former Ijaw National Congress stalwart, and Prince Uche Secondus, former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, as well as retired Major Lancelot Ayanya, as great friends of Bayelsa and dependable brothers, just as he eulogised Governor Diri, noting that since assuming office, Diri has continued to promote Ijaw nationalism because he understood the imperative of unity and solidarity of the Ijaw nation, being a product of the Ijaw struggle.
Later, at the funeral of Madam Henrietta Fimie Patrick, mother of Erasmus Patrick, Governor Diri thanked God for the life of the matriarch, who lived for 102 years, adding though the gathering was a solemn one, there was need to celebrate a life well spent and rejoice with the Patrick family and the Ataba people.
The Bayelsa chief executive described the late matriarch as the Esther of her time; beautiful not only physically but also in her heart.
“As solemn as today is, it calls for celebration because God gave Mama the grace to live for 102 years. So we are here to join our friend and brother, Erasmus Patrick, the Patrick family and the people of Ataba to celebrate our mother whom God has called home.
“Going through her biography, clearly she was an Esther, a beautiful woman not only physically but also beautiful in her heart. For that reason, everybody calls her the ‘Nma of Ataba’ “.
“Let me on behalf of the government and good people of Bayelsa State extend our condolences to the Patrick family and the people of Ataba Kingdom”, he said.
Highpoint of the event was the unveiling of the Chief Senator DouyeDiri, the ‘Oro-Ata 1’ of Ataba Kingdom road.

By: AriweraIbibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Navy Pledges Improved Patrols, Welfare Boost For Personnel

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has pledged to ensure improved welfare for personnel and more patrols on the maritime corridors of the nation.

He disclosed this during an on the spot assessment of things at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Calabar, on Wednesday.

According to him, there is the need for officers to always be ready, by improving on their welfare, in a bid to keep the country secured.

“I am here for an on the spot assessment of our operations and like you have seen, I have also gone round to check the ongoing buildings.

”These are welfare issues and for us to be able to have our men ready and keep us secured, their welfare needs to be catered for.

“So, we are here to kill two birds with one stone, which are basically operations and welfare issues.

”I am happy with what the command is doing; it is doing well in terms of keeping the maritime environment safe.

“We will continue doing what we are doing and improve on that, which is patrol of the waters and increase in the area of surveillance”, he stated.

As part of his visit, Abbas commissioned the 12×1 Junior Rates Accommodation Block A and B, at the Navy Barracks at Atimbo in Calabar.

The naval chief also inspected other ongoing projects in the Akim Barracks, 1006 flats and the Navy hotel, all within Calabar.

Niger Delta

Delta Begins Uromi Junction Flyover Construction

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State Government says it has began construction work on the long-awaited Uromi Junction Flyover Bridge in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of the state.

Director-General (DG) of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr. Fred Oghenesivbe, confirmed the development to newsme in Asaba.

According to him, heavy-duty construction equipment have arrived the site, a project which is being handled by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, one of the country’s leading construction firms.

Oghenesivbe, described the flyover as a massive infrastructure project with far-reaching socio-economic benefits for the area.

He said the project would significantly transform the Agbor metropolis by easing traffic congestion, improving the city’s aesthetics, and boosting commercial activities within the local government area.

He described the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, as a promise-keeper and pragmatic leader whose administration remains committed to infrastructure development and economic growth across the state.

The DG expressed confidence in Julius Berger’s capacity to deliver the project within record time and according to the highest construction standards.

“The Uromi Junction serves as a major link between different parts of the country but has recently been plagued by severe traffic congestion, making vehicular movement increasingly difficult”, he noted.

He urged residents to cooperate with the contractor and safeguard construction materials and equipment to ensure the timely completion of the project.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Rejects Ekid Ownership Claim Of Stubbs Creek

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State Government has rejected claims by the Ekid People’s Union that it owns land within the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, describing such assertions as “false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

In a recent statement, signed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, the state government said it was compelled to respond in the “overriding public interest,” despite a pending court case instituted by the same group.

The government stated that contrary to claims circulating in the media, the historic case of Ntiaro and Ikpak vs. Ibok Etok Akpan and Edoho Ekid, decided by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in 1918, did not vest ownership of Stubbs Creek land in any ethnic group or community.

“The final judgement merely dismissed the claims before the court and granted title to no party whatsoever”, the government stated, adding that “any assertion to the contrary is false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

According to the statement, the land was lawfully reserved by the colonial government under Forest Reserve Order No. 45 of 1930, later amended in 1941, 1955 and 1962, with “the principal rights of the land forfeited to the Government upon the change of status.”

It said the area has since been administered under applicable laws by the Akwa Ibom State Government, which “has at all times acted within its lawful authority in the management and allocation of land in the area for legitimate public and economic purposes.”

Citing the 1999 Constitution and the Land Use Act, the government stated that all land in the state is vested in the governor to be held in trust for the common benefit of Nigerians, noting that claims of absolute ancestral ownership are subject to existing laws.

The government “categorically denies allegations of fraud or misrepresentation” regarding Stubbs Creek or investments there and warned it would take “appropriate legal steps” against any individual or group publishing false or defamatory material capable of undermining public confidence or discouraging investment

The statement also assured the federal government of “full access and Right of Way” for the proposed Coastal Highway through any part of the state.

The government statement followed an earlier report in which the Ekid People’s Union accused Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State of making comments that allegedly linked the community to terrorism, while he was defending the Coastal Highway project passing through the Stubbs Creek.

Ekid People’s Union maintained that the people of Ekid are the original owners of the land known as Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, arguing that their ancestral ownership predates colonial rule.

The group cited historical occupation, customary ownership and a 1918 Privy Council case, which it claimed affirmed Ekid rights over the territory.

The union also accused the Akwa Ibom State Government of misrepresenting history to justify taking over the land for commercial interests and the proposed Coastal Highway, an allegation the state government has denied.

The group rejected any suggestion linking the Ekid people to criminality or terrorism, insisting they were peaceful citizens defending their ancestral land through lawful and civic means.