Niger Delta
Famine Scare: Ruler Raises Alarm
The Eze Ahia-Orie of Erema a in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, His Royal Highness, Eze Macaulay Ebide, has raised alarm over the steady disappearance of traditional food crops such as cocoyam, yam and cassava, while plantain and banana stems no longer bear fruits.
Eze Ebide while addressing the mammoth crowd that graced a ceremony in his palace to mark the formal eating of new yam, said except some urgent steps are taken to check the trend, famine would be inevitable in the area in the next few months.
“Local food crop known as Coco India’ has disappeared, while plantain and banana, which ordinarily should not be seasonal food, are now becoming scarce and costly in the market, as they are no longer available’, he lamented.
Ebide challenged Nigerian soil scientists to take up the challenge to find the cause of the situation “before it becomes a national calamity.”
Towards this end, he urged oil firms, government at all levels and their agencies to formulate policies that would restore local farmers’ confidence in food production, and also provide the necessary incentives for them.
He described the day’s ceremony as a heritage from his ancestors saying “because, in Africa, yam is regarded as king of all crops, it is institutional that certain rites be performed befored it starts to come out and princes and royal families eat it.”
The traditional ruler used the occasion to preach peace and unity among the people as a way to sustain an enduring development which, according to him, had been made possible through the efforts of some of the community’s illustrious sons.
Such sons include Chief Godpower Ake, Mr. Cbibuzor Ugwuoha, Dr Cheta Williams, Dr Harcourt Ukomadu and Senator Wilson Ake.
He appealed to the youths to uphold the peoples’ custom of respecting elders, and also avoid anti social behaviors that could paint the community in bad light.
Hights of the occasion were customary paying way of homage to the EzeAhia Orie, masquerade display and cultural dances.
Niger Delta
NDDC Begins N50,000 Monthly Payment To 10,000 N’Delta Youths

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has begun the payment of N50,000 monthly stipends to 10,000 indigenous youths from the Niger Delta under its Youths Internship Scheme.
The Director of Corporate Affairs at the NDDC, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, disclosed this to journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, yesterday.
She explained that the beneficiaries would undergo practical, hands-on training across the various organisations for 12 months to develop critical skills.
Recall that during the inauguration of the scheme on July 31, 2024, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, had announced the Federal Government’s approval of a N50,000 monthly stipend for the trainees.
According to Thompson-Wakama, the commission has successfully completed the selection process and has begun placing trainees in organisations to gain practical experience.
“Consequently, with the completion of these phases, the payment of the monthly stipends has also commenced,” she announced.
She revealed that the 10,000 beneficiaries were transparently selected from over 3.2 million youths who registered for the empowerment programme.
“This unprecedented response highlights the immense potential and aspirations of our youths to improve themselves.
“NDDC remains steadfast in ensuring this life-changing opportunity reaches the most deserving candidates, creating a lasting impact and paving the way for a brighter future,” she stated.
Thompson-Wakama explained that the scheme had enabled the commission to collate essential data, including the qualifications, skills, interests, needs, and employment status of the youths in the region.
The data, she explained, would guide the commission in designing programmes tailored to address the unique challenges faced by young people.
She disclosed that the NDDC partnered with KPMG, a global audit and consultancy firm, to enhance the commission’s corporate governance framework.
“KPMG has produced a Governance Advisory Report that will serve as a tool to support the commission’s transition from a transaction-based to a transformation-focussed policy,” Thompson-Wakama added.
The director commended the youths for their patience and cooperation during the selection process for the scheme.
Niger Delta
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