Niger Delta
Sultan Wants More Interactions Among Royal Fathers
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammed Abubakar, has called for more interactions among traditional rulers in the country to strengthen national unity and cohesion.
The monarch made the call last Friday in Calabar at the Palace of the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo-Otu, during a courtesy visit.
He said he was in Calabar to promote dialogue on national unity among traditional institutions in Nigeria.
“I am calling on traditional rulers all over the country to visit one another on regular basis.
“This will encourage traditional rulers to understand the culture and the activities of others across the country. “If there is any institution that is really united, it must be the traditional rulers institution. “I am here today to further strengthen the relationship between us. “We must ask ourselves as traditional rulers, how do we use our culture and tradition to further develop our various communities and to make the country a more peaceful place,” he said.
Ekpo-Otu said that it was important for traditional rulers to constantly interact with one another across the country to enhance unity.
“It is certainly our collective responsibility to ensure that peaceful and brotherly co-existence thrive in Nigeria. “We assure you that we shall continue to work harmoniously to preserve and protect our common existence as a nation to our mutual benefit and the good of all Nigerians,” he said.
In an address on behalf of the Etubom Traditional Council at the occasion,its Chairman, Etubom Bassey Duke, appealed to the Federal Government to assign a constitutional role to traditional rulers.
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The outgoing Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UniCal), Prof. Florence Obi, has said she will want to be remembered for fighting sexual harassment and delayed results.
Obi made the remark recently at an event in Calabar, organised by the university to mark the end of her five-year tenure as the 11th substantive Vice Chancellor of the institution.
It would be recalled that Obi, whose tenure expired on November 30, was appointed Vice Chancellor on September 10, 2020, but officially assumed office on December 1, 2020.
She said her commitment to protecting students, especially the female ones, remained one of her greatest achievements as Vice Chancellor.
She said, “I fought against sexual predators and ensured timely release of students’ results to curb frustration within the institution.”
While expressing fulfilment at completing her tenure and thanking God for enabling her finish strong after five years in office, she said she would return to the classroom because teaching remained her passion.
Earlier, she addressed staff and students outside her office during a carnival-like, marching out parade in her honour, thanking them for their support throughout her administration.
She also encouraged them to support her successor to enable him to succeed and take the university to greater heights.
“This institution has recorded significant growth and I am confident that my successor will advance the progress already made”, she said.
The Tide’s source reports that under her leadership, the largest solar power plant in Cross River State was built in UniCal, ensuring stable electricity for the university and its teaching hospital.
Other achievements included upgrading the Faculty of Education to a College, getting Mass Communication accredited and elevated to a Faculty.
Her administration also constructed new hostels, introduced departmental scholarships, built a fire service station, and completed the Law Faculty complex.
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oboreveori, on Wednesday, presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill of N1.664 trillion to the State House of Assembly.
Presenting the bill during plenary of the Assembly in Asaba, Oborevwori said, “I wish to announce a budget proposal of N1.664 trillion for the services of Delta State Government in 2026.”
He said the amount comprised the sum of N499 billion, representing 30 per cent of total budget for Recurrent Expenditure, and N1.165 trillion representing 70 per cent of total budget for Capital Expenditure.
The Governor added that the 2026 budget size indicated an increase of N685 billion, or 70 per cent over the 2025 Appropriation.
He also said sources of funds for the 2026 budget as proposed would be mainly from statutory allocation, internally generated revenue, mineral derivation, and Value Added, Tax among others.
Giving breakdown of the budget proposal, he said the state was earmarking N450 billion for road projects across the state in the 2026 fiscal year.
He said, ”A well-developed road infrastructure is a catalyst for economic growth.
”It facilitates easy movement of goods and services, reduces transportation costs, attracts investment, and improves access to markets and thereby boosting socio-economic development and generating employment opportunities.
”Agriculture is key to economic diversification and sustainable development.
”We shall continue to devote considerable attention and resources to fast-track developments in the agricultural sector towards enhancing food security in Delta State.
”This will also enable economic diversification, promote self-reliance, and generate employment opportunities.”
The Tide’s source reports that the sum of 10 billion has been earmarked for the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources in the 2026 Budget.
Oborevwori, who is the immediate past Speaker of the Assembly, commended the House for its partnership and urged members to expedite consideration and passage of the budget to sustain ongoing development momentum.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building “a prosperous, secure, and stronger Delta where no one is left behind.”
In his remarks, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Dennis Guwor, commended Oborevwori’s administration for the steady strides recorded under the “Renewed Hope for MORE Agenda”.
”Over the past year, we have witnessed sustained investments in critical infrastructure, impactful social interventions, prudent fiscal management of resources, and strategic initiatives aimed at promoting peace, security, and economic stability across the State”, he said.
Guwor also commended the Governor for approving the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) and initiating the construction of permanent offices for the Assembly Service Commission.
He assured the Governor of the Assembly’s resolve to undertake a thorough and timely review of the appropriation bill, stressing that the Legislature remains committed to people-centered governance, accountability, and equitable development.
“Your Excellency, I want to assure you that the entire Members of this 8th Assembly are united behind your vision for the transformation of the State.
”While our roles in government are distinct and protected by the Constitution, our objectives remain aligned; delivering the greatest good to the greatest number of the people of the state”, he stated.
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has described the death of his maternal aunt, late Madam Ogulagha-Ere Egberiwarebo Finikeme, as the loss of another mother.
Speaking at Ayamasa Community in the Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state on Saturday during her funeral, Diri said following the death of his biological mother, the late septuagenarian became a mother to him.
He said she was a loving and caring woman, who prayed for not only her biological children, which included the Government House Director of Transport and Special Duties, High Chief Lucky Youbogha, but for everyone in the family, and expressed sadness that he had no one to call mother anymore.
According to him, the late matriarch, who died at the age of 78, had all the attributes of her sister, who was his biological mother, saying she would be remembered for her good deeds.
Diri recalled how during his first term election campaign in 2019, he promised that the road to Ayamasa would be completed and expressed appreciation to God that vehicles now drive into the community, which hitherto could only be accessed through neighbouring Delta State.
“I thank God for a day like this in Ayamasa. For us from this community, we know how it was before now.
“The immediate past Governor, Senator Seriake Dickson, took the bull by the horn to start construction of the Sagbama-Ekeremor Road. Part of our campaign when he went round with me in 2019 was that we will complete the road. Today we can drive with our eyes closed to Ayamasa.
“I shed tears when I recall the burial of my late mother and how difficult it was to move to Delta State first before entering Ayamasa.
“After the passage of my mother, this woman became a mother to me. We forgot our mother was no more because at all times she was there for us. She was always praying for us. She showed us love.
“Mama had all the attribute of my late mother and we will continue to remember her good works”, he said.
Delivering a sermon, President of the Royal House of Grace Church International, Apostle David Zilly-Aggrey, urged the bereaved to take solace in the fact that very soon, God will make death to cease as promised in His word.
He said Madam Finikeme had victory as she died in Christ and implored those alive to dedicate their lives to the service of God.
Present at the funeral service were the wife of the Governor, Justice Patience Diri, Senator Konbowei Benson, Senator Emmanuel Paulker, Speaker of the Bayelsa House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, and other state legislators.
Also in attendance were Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei; members of the State Executive Council; Managing Director, Niger Delta Basin Development Authority, Ebitimi Amgbare; and President, Azikel Group, Dr. Azibapu Eruani.
Others were a retired Supreme Court jurist and King of Tuomo Kingdom, Justice Francis Tabai, as well as President, Ijaw Youth Council, Jonathan Lokpobiri, among other dignitaries.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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