Niger Delta

PDP Caucus Unites To Boost Party’s Fortunes In 2015

Published

13 years ago

May 17, 2013

Leaders of the Peoples’

Democratic Party in the South South geo-political zone have resolved to put their differences aside and put their house in order ahead of the 2015 general elections in the country.

Speaking at a meeting of its South-South Caucus at Asaba, Delta State, Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees (BOT), Chief Tony Anenih, admitted that all is not well with the ruling party, urging the party’s stalwarts in the zone to be part of the solution to the challenges currently rocking the party, enjoining them to work out how best to forge a common front that would yield maximum benefits for the people.

“This meeting is taking place at a very critical period in the political history of the South-South zone and indeed in Nigeria. It must have been prompted by certain social and political events of recent which has brought to the fore the issues concerning the political future of our country.

That 2015 is already in the national consciousness can no longer be hidden. It is therefore the duty of our zone to work out how best to partake in the enterprise of charting the course that will bring maximum benefits for our people”.

Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Obong Godswill Akpabio, expressed optimism that the party would grow stronger, assuring that “as the new Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, I assure you that come 2015 our rank and file will not be depleted,” noting that “this kind of meeting will afford us the opportunity to put our house in order before we go to the elections in 2015. So I’m assuring you that once we put our house in order I believe strongly that the PDP governors in Nigeria will increase”.

Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, observed that “this meeting is very timely because there are so many issues confronting the nation in general and the zone in particular that require our very deep thoughts and analysis,” expressing the hope that “we can find solution to these challenges not only in the interest of the zone but in the interest of the nation at large”.

Acknowledging that “the challenges that we have are unprecedented, and, therefore, I will urge that as we address them, we think outside the box, and be as strong as possible,” Senator Ndoma-Egba, stated that “we can find true solutions so that Nigeria can realize her full potentials,” assuring the party of the support of the National Assembly, pointing out that “the National Assembly like any other parliament is a very peculiar institution. We are usually torn between several loyalties.

But I want to assure you all that inspite of the peculiarities of our institution we remain true party men and true patriots and everything we do, think, or say is in the best interest of Nigeria and Nigerians. I want to reassure you of our loyalty to the party. We assure you of our loyalty to our government and we assure you of our loyalty to the Nigerian people”.

Also speaking, the member representing Isoko Federal Constituency and Deputy Majority Leader in the House of Representatives, Hon. Leo Okuweh, appreciated the essence of the meeting as according to him “this is one event that would foster wonderful relationships among leaders of this zone,” saying that “it is important we keep such a concept going on a continuous basis”.

Elder statesman and former Federal Commissioner for Information, Chief Edwin Clarke, enjoined the party faithful to “trust one another,” saying “let us be truthful,” adding that “it is important for us to meet to agree and disagree. Let us come together to discuss our issues and resolve them”.

Speaking, Chairman of the South-South Governors’ Forum and Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, expressed gratitude to the leaders of the party from the zone for making the event a success, noting that their contributions have bolstered the essence of the meeting, reiterating that the zone which has produced the President would continue to stand fully behind him.

Niger Delta

Stakeholders In Delta Seek Stronger GBV Action, Women’s Leadership

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Stakeholders in Delta State convened in Asaba for a leadership workshop organised by Otdel Health Heritage and Environmental Initiative (OHHEI), focusing on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and women’s participation in decision-making processes.

OHHEI Project Director, Mr. Peter Olayinka, represented by a consultant, Juliet Obiajulu, urged participants to contribute meaningfully toward advancing women’s leadership and combating GBV across communities in the state.

He said the workshop aimed to strengthen participants’ capacity to influence policies, challenge harmful cultural norms, and reinforce initiatives designed to prevent and respond to GBV.

Olayinka said women often faced bias even when they occupied leadership positions, and stressed that gender diversity improved the quality of decision-making and promoted innovation and accountability in governance structures.

Speaking, the Chairperson of the Association Against Child Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Mr Eris Jewo-Ibi, identified cultural norms, domestic responsibilities, political resistance, and grassroots barriers as constraints to women’s participation.

Delta State GBV Desk Officer, Mrs. Rosemary Okpuno, emphasised that effective decision-making required women’s perspectives, adding that inclusion remained critical to addressing persistent gender-based challenges.

Voke Angbagh of the Delta State Ministry of Justice outlined penalties for rape and called for the establishment of special courts to handle sexual offences cases.

Angbagh said frequent adjournments delayed justice for survivors, stressing that dedicated sexual offences courts would ensure timely trials and stronger protection for victims in Delta State.

The Tide’s source reports that facilitators identified cultural acceptance of violence, unequal power relations, discrimination, poverty, limited education, and low self-esteem as major drivers of GBV.

They emphasised that violence and exclusion resulted in social, physical and emotional harm, imposed economic costs, reinforced harmful stereotypes, and widened existing gender inequalities.

The source also reports that OHHEI, a local non-profit organisation, focuses on education, health, environment, and social justice, promoting sustainable development initiatives with gender equality at the centre of its interventions.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Assembly Urges More Private Investments In Agriculture

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Nutrition and Food Security has called for more private sector investments in agriculture.

The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Moses Essien, made the call when the committee visited Aviclaire Farms, a private establishment in Usung Idem, Uruk Usoh in Abak Local Government Area.

Essien, who represents Ibiono Ibom in the Assembly, commended the Management of the farm for partnering an NGO, ECEWS, to promote private investment in agriculture.

He commended the partners for adopting climate-smart agriculture initiatives in their operations, adding that such move would promote food security.

“Your interest in using transformative intervention to promote food security is a veritable way of complementing the efforts of the state government,” he said.

The lawmaker continued that adopting practical climate-smart agriculture model would help to generate employment, improve nutrition outcomes, and strengthen food sufficiency.

He further said he was impressed with the strides recorded by the partners, saying, “your investment has created jobs for no fewer than 2,000 youths.

”You are an example of an environment-friendly investor. I urge Akwa Ibom residents to embrace environment-friendly and technology-driven agriculture models,” he said.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, ECEWS, Dr. Andy Eyo, who conducted the committee round the farm, said the collaboration was conceived to demonstrate the viability of climate-smart farming in ensuring food sufficiency.

Eyo said the farm, which commenced operations with four greenhouses, had expanded to 14 within two years, and currently supplying high-quality produce to major markets in Uyo and neighbouring communities.

He said ECEWS was exploring cooperative frameworks to enable rural farmers and women’s groups to adopt greenhouse technology for sustainable livelihoods.

In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Aviclaire Farms, Mrs. Victoria Eyo, said the controlled-environment ensured precision cultivation and consistent yields.

She further said the farm served as a capacity-building centre for students, interns, and agri-business trainees.

Niger Delta

C’River Suspends Taskforce Activities Over Drivers’ Protest

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Cross River State Government has suspended all taskforce activities connected to commercial transportation and ticketing across the state.

The State Governor, Bassey Otu, announced the suspension at an emergency stakeholders meeting on Friday in Calabar.

It would be recalled that commercial drivers in Calabar metropolis took to streets on Thursday to protest alleged multiple taxation and extortion by government agencies.

During the protest, the drivers alleged that taskforce groups claiming to represent the state government openly harassed and extorted them.

Represented at the meeting by Ekpenyong Akiba, his Special Adviser on General Duties, Otu said the suspension would subsist pending further review of the situation.

The Governor stated that the state government did not commission anyone to extort drivers in the name of task force.

He urged commercial drivers and other road users to remain law-abiding while government worked out a lasting solution.

On his part, the Chairman, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, Calabar Metropolis, Mr. Sunday Dennis, expressed optimism that the dialogue would yield positive results.

He said the meeting had provided an opportunity for the aggrieved commercial drivers to present their concerns directly to the state government.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Unified Drivers Association, Mr. Nta Henshaw, described the harassment on drivers as worrisome, and urged the state government to be decisive in resolving the matter.