Niger Delta
Oil-Producing States: Don’t Delist C’River, Ebri Tells FG
Former governor of Cross Rivers State, Mr Clement David Ebri, has advised the federal government against driving wedge between Cross Rivers and Akwa Ibom States on the contentious ceding of oil wells.
“The precipitated action of delisting Cross River State from the league of oil producing states and awarding the 76 oil wells which hitherto belonged to her to Akwa Ibom State smacks of political and economic insensitivity”.
Ebri said in his reaction on the matter in Abuja that such an action was capable of jeopardising peaceful co-existence between the two sister states.
The former governor maintained that from all available evidence to him, he believes the action was taken in bad faith which posed great security threat in the South-South region.
“It is certainly difficult to explain the rationale for attempting to stoke the fire of discontent among a people who are yet to fully recover from the deep sense of loss in terms of ceding Bakassi territory to Cameroun by the federal government” the statement said.
The former governor wondered if the current action of the federal government was a “deliberate ploy to aggravate the very serious civil strife which has engulfed the region resulting from perceived political and economic injustice”.
He urged President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to intervene as a matter of urgency and begin a process of promoting a political solution to the conflict.
Mr Ebri, who is currently the national chairman of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) advised that the 76 oil wells should be returned to Cross Rivers State, while appealing to Akwa Ibom to “demonstrate without straining the spirit of brotherhood.”
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The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, has raised concerns over the increasing influx of individuals into Eket Local Government Area, particularly those engaged in commercial motorcycle transportation, scrap metal trading, and scavenging activities.
Arising from its June congress on Thursday, the union urged local authorities and security agencies to ensure proper profiling and monitoring of persons and activities within the area in the interest of public safety and security.
In a communique endorsed by the Chairman and Secretary of the NUJ Council, Comrade Nsibiet John, and Nsikak Esenowo, respectively, the union also called on regulatory agencies, including the Nigerian Immigration Service, to strengthen monitoring and verification processes to ensure compliance with extant laws and regulations.
While recognizing the constitutional rights of citizens to reside and work in any part of the country, the union stated that the recent development had more to be worried about.
“Congress expressed concern over the increasing influx of individuals into Eket Local Government Area, particularly those engaged in commercial motorcycle transportation, scrap metal trading, and scavenging activities”, the communique read in part.
Congress also expressed concern over the overcrowded condition of correctional facilities, particularly the high number of awaiting-trial inmates at the Ikot Ekpene Custodial Centre.
It urged the judiciary and other stakeholders in the criminal justice system to expedite the trial of pending cases in order to decongest custodial centres and promote the efficient administration of justice.
On environmental sanitation and public health, Congress called on the Eket Local Government Council and relevant environmental agencies to regulate the open processing of cow skin and related activities within the area, noting that the practice poses environmental, public health, and sanitation concerns for affected communities.
Congress also condemned the recent harassment of journalists while carrying out their lawful duties within court premises and reaffirmed that journalists must be allowed to perform their constitutional role without intimidation, obstruction, or undue interference.
It called on relevant authorities to uphold press freedom and protect media practitioners at all times.
Enoch Epelle
Deputy Chief of the Abidewari Compound of Ayakoro Community and former Leader of the Ogbia Local Government Legislative Assembly, Bayelsa State, Chief Sisomom Francis, has applauded the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, for winning the Chieftaincy election conducted to install a new paramount ruler of his home town, Ayakoro.
The ex-lawmaker also lauded Ogbuku for the numerous transformational projects and impacts he has continued to make in the NDDC, noting that the Niger Delta region has experienced tremendous development in both infrastructure and human capital development under his leadership.
Chief Francis spoke with newsmen shortly after the chieftaincy polls held at the weekend in the community, calling on stakeholders of the oil-rich Niger Delta region to consolidate their synergy with the Ogbuku-led management of the commission to attract more development to their communities.
Speaking on the NDDC’s boss’s relationship with community folks before and now the erstwhile lawmaker, who is also the Deputy Chief of the Abidewari Compound of the community, noted that Ogbuku does not discriminate against age and background in his relationship with members of the community.
“Ogbuku is Godsent to our community, Ayakoro, and the Niger Delta region. He knows the problems of his immediate community, and indeed knew the problems and challenges of the Niger Delta region.
“Since his inception in office as MD/CEO, the Niger Delta has seen a new and better NDDC. Ogbuku has done well and will continue to do well for the Niger Delta region.
“He has executed projects in every community of the Niger Delta, and that’s why the people are happy with him. We thank God for his election today as the substantive paramount ruler of the Ayakoro Community.
“Before now Ogbuku was the Deputy Paramount ruler of this community. But you’ll recall that we lost our Paramount ruler and so because of the MD’s special place in the life of this community, where he has since been serving meritoriously, today we’ve elected him as our substantive paramount ruler”, he said.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Following the emergence of Delta State as the second-best governed state in Nigeria in the 2025 Governance Performance Index released by the Commonwealth Institute of Advanced and Professional Studies, the Executive Assistant to the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Public Enlightenment (Projects and Policies), Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, has credited the success to prudent financial management, grassroots-focused development and effective project execution by the Governor.
Speaking during an interview on Niger Delta Today on ADBN Television, Ifeajika said the ranking was a reflection of the governor’s preparedness for leadership and his commitment to delivering tangible development across Delta State.
According to Ifeajika, Oborevwori’s emergence as a high-performing governor did not come as a surprise to many Deltans who had closely followed his political career, particularly his tenure as Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly.
He described the Governor as a “prepared leader” who came into office with a clear understanding of governance and the needs of the people, unlike politicians who only seek public office during election periods.
“Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was prepared for the job of governing Delta State. His leadership style is not accidental. It is a reflection of years of experience in public service and a deep understanding of the state’s developmental needs”, Ifeajika said.
The Governor’s aide recalled that Oborevwori served as Speaker of the State Assembly for six years, the longest-serving speaker in the state’s history, and was widely commended for his prudent management of public resources.
He noted that Oborevwori’s reputation for fiscal discipline was demonstrated when he reportedly returned over N500 million in unspent funds to the state treasury at the end of his tenure as Speaker.
Ifeajika said the same culture of accountability and prudent resource management now defines the governor’s administration, stressing that every project undertaken by the government is subjected to rigorous needs assessment to ensure value for money.
“Every kobo spent by the government must attract value. The Governor insists that public funds must be deployed for meaningful development. Projects are not awarded arbitrarily; they are based on the actual needs of communities”, he stated.
Highlighting the administration’s commitment to equitable development, Ifeajika disclosed that the Governor introduced a deliberate policy of allocating dedicated funds for infrastructure projects in each of the state’s 25 local government areas.
He explained that the administration earmarked N1 billion for projects in each local government area in its first budget in 2023, increased the allocation to N2 billion in the following year and further raised it to N4 billion in the current fiscal year.
According to him, the policy ensures that development is spread across the state rather than concentrated in a few locations.
“There is a deliberate intention to touch every local government almost simultaneously. Funds are already provided in the budget, and government only identifies the most pressing needs of the people before executing projects” he said.
The governor’s aide also emphasized that Oborevwori personally monitors projects across the state through regular inspection visits to ensure contractors deliver quality work and that projects are completed according to specifications.
Responding to concerns that the latest governance ranking may have been influenced by lobbying, Ifeajika dismissed such claims, insisting that the recognition was earned through measurable achievements.
He noted that the Governor had received several awards and recognitions from both public and private organisations within the last two years, describing the latest ranking as another independent validation of the administration’s performance.
“This cannot be dismissed as a fluke or something that was lobbied for. It reflects the reality on the ground in Delta State. The governor’s achievements are visible and have been acknowledged by different organisations”, he said.
Ifeajika further revealed that the administration had strengthened transparency in project execution by encouraging whistleblowing and public monitoring of government projects.
He expressed confidence that residents across the state would corroborate the positive assessment of the administration, maintaining that the impact of government projects and policies was evident in communities throughout Delta.
Delta State was ranked second in the 2025 Governance Performance Index with a score of 70 per cent, behind Kaduna State’s 73 per cent, and ahead of 34 other states in the federation.
The assessment evaluated governance outcomes, public service delivery, infrastructure development and the effectiveness of public administration across Nigeria’s 36 states.
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