News

Ebocha Threatens Agip Operations

Published

12 years ago

June 7, 2013

Ebocha community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State seems likely to be the next stop for insecurity arising from a simmering oil company/host community relationship.

This time, it is due to alleged neglect by the Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) to dialogue with their host, Ebocha community, for the purpose of producing an implementable Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that would redress what the community tagged “sustained neglect” of the people.

In an exclusive interview, President of Ebocha Youth Association (EYA), Comrade Ernest Onwuadi, revealed that the community’s bone of contention with NAOC is the company’s reluctance to recognise Ebocha as a distinct community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA and accord it due respect, particularly in terms of treating the community as host and according them due benefits accruable from the company’s oil exploration and exploitation activities.

Consequently, all stakeholders in the community, “the traditional stool, Community Development Committee (CDC) and EYA” have resolved to give the company an additional seven days ultimatum, following the expiration of an initial 14 days ultimatum, to dialogue with the community or face stoppage of all activities in the community.

“We are calling for peace now and begging NAOC in order to avoid unpleasant consequences that may arise if the management of NAOC refuses to recognize Ebocha as an entity, and dialogue with us. We have made our position known to all stakeholders on this matter, he said.

“Ebocha is a well recognised community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA. The traditional stool, CDC and EYA are certified by the Rivers State Government, but for no just reason, NAOC and its subsidiaries have not only refused to accord us recognition, but also ignored us and ensured that we do not get our due from their oil activities on our land”, he added.

Comrade Onwuadi explained that “the company has insistently refused to recognize and negotiate with us in sustainable development programmes as host community suffering from the adverse effects of their activities in the area.

“This particular matter has been reported to the state Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and other state government authorities which subsequently led the government to visit Ebocha community and recommended that NAOC reaches a Memorandum of Understanding or General Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) with the community.

“NAOC subsequently requested for information about the community for documentation in the records of the company’s host community profile, for which details of Ebocha community was forwarded to the management of NAOC since April 2009 for necessary action”, emphasised.

“But since then, the company has not only refused to call us for discussion, but has continued to deprive us of our due, while diverting our rights, entitlements and privileges”, Onwuadi pointed out.

Attempts to reach the Divisional Manager, Public Affairs, Mr. Bari Nwibani through two of his telephone numbers proved abortive as he neither picked calls made to him, nor responded to text message sent to him.

Further attempts to get comments from the Community Relations Manager, Chief Franklyn Okoromah via telephone also came to naught as his line was switched off.

News

198 UNIBEN Students Bag First Class

Published

1 day ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

A total of 198 students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN ) Edo State, bagged a First Class degree out of 14,083 students to be awarded first degree at the institution’s 51st Convocation and Founder’s Day ceremony.

Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, disclosed this on Monday in Benin at a pre-convocation press briefing.

He said 4,217 students bagged a Second Class Upper, 7, 928 got a Second Class Lower, while 578 bagged a Third Class degree.

He said 15 new approved programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC) would commence in the 2025/2026 academic session.

According to him, “The wheel of progress is on course and moving steadily in the University of Benin. This administration is poised to deliver on its mandate of effective, practical teaching, sound learning, result-oriented research and impactful community service.

“We must applaud the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for establishing NELFUND, and by so doing significantly reducing the financial stress of students in the process of acquiring tertiary education. We enjoin students and their parents to take full advantage of the federal government’s benevolence in instituting the fund.”

Prof. Omoregie disclosed that Nigeria’s Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, would deliver the Founders’ Day lecture with the topic, “Reforms for a Shared Prosperity”.

The UNIBEN VC said Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and Former Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, would deliver the Convocation Lecture on the theme, “Making Our Universities Great”.

News

Bayelsa Education Fund, British Council trains tra 1,000 teachers

Published

1 day ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The last batch of 400 public school teachers in Bayelsa State on Monday commenced training under the sponsorship of Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) and the British Council.

This batch will bring to 1000 the number of public school teachers in the state who have benefited in the partnership arrangement.School supplies

The EDTF, British Council and Teachers Training, Registration and Certification Board collaborated in the capacity development programme.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the five day capacity building program, Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah reiterated the commitment of the Bayelsa government to training and capacity of teachers in the state.

He noted that the improved teaching methodology in the state was responsible for the state producing the best student in the 2025 West African School Certificate Examinations.

Prof Ebimiowei, Executive Secretary at EDTF, noted that the collaboration is aimed at improving learning outcomes for pupils and students of public primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa.

“You will agree with me that until the cutlass is sharpened, it will have no impact on the hands of the farmer and so it is with our teachers., you need to be sharpened very well to give good delivery in your various classes and schools.

“Let me at this juncture appreciate the British Council for accepting to train 1,000 teachers, 50 education managers and 60 trainers for Bayelsa,” he said.

On his part, Chairman of the EDTF board, High Chief Fidelis Agbiki expressed appreciation to the Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah for his supportive role to the fund.

Agbiki urged the beneficiaries to justify the enormous resources invested by the government of Bayelsa by being dedicated within the five days the exercise would last.

He said; “This board will not operate on business as usual but on business unusual as we will push the frontiers outside the box to ensure that we get value for money,” Agbiki said.

Chairman of Development Partners Committee of the EDTF applauded the commitment of the partners for the successful completion of the programme, urging them to sustain the tempo

Speaking on the programme, Mr Fwanshishak Daniel, Head, English and Schools, British Council noted that the Bayelsa government had shown exemplary commitment to educational development.

He explained that the commitment has enabled the British Council and Bayelsa government to achieve within one year greater milestones that took other states three years to achieve.

He explained that the resources of the British Council have been made available to Bayelsa with the training of 60 resource persons from the state who will in turn train other teachers to improve education.

According to Daniel, the training will lay emphasis on new teaching methods, use of digital tools for self development and access to school amongst others.

Dr Peremoboere Ogola, Acting Chairman of TTRC, which facilitated training, thanked the EDTF for supporting training of teachers in Bayelsa with world class resources of the British Council.

She noted that another batch of newly recruited teachers are currently undergoing training at State government owned University of Africa, Toru Orua, Sagbama LGA in Bayelsa

News

RSG INAUGURATES ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY COMMITTEE

Published

1 day ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has inaugurated a Central Planning Committee to organize the celebration of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) in the State.

The committee was formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.

Dr Anabraba who also serves as Chairman of the Committee

highlighted the State Government’s deep appreciation for the sacrifices of Nigeria’s fallen heroes who laid down their lives for the nation’s peace and unity.

“These heroes have given their lives for the security and peace of our nation and deserve to be celebrated. The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an opportunity to show our gratitude for their sacrifice,” he said.

Dr. Anabraba further extended recognition to all Security Agencies in the State, emphasizing the importance of the event in appreciating their contributions to national security and sovereignty.

The annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day, observed on January 15 across the country is dedicated to remember Nigeria’s departed soldiers and honouring the nation’s veterans.