Niger Delta

Tension Rises In N’Delta Over FG’s N600bn Debt To NDDC

Published

12 years ago

January 31, 2014

Anger is currently brewing in the oil-rich Niger-Delta region over the alleged withholding of N600 billion meant for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The money, allegedly being owed the NDDC by the Federal Government has been a subject of litigation in the last years.

The Association of Traditional Rulers of Oil Mineral Producing Communities of Nigeria (TROMPCON) had instituted a case against Attorney General of the Federation in pursuit of the withheld fund but the suit has suffered series of adjournments.

Again, at yesterday’s hearing, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Justice Ibrahim Auta adjourned to 6th March, 2014, a development which triggered reaction from Niger-Delta Peace and Development Movement (NDPDM).

The NDPDM accused the Federal Government of playing politics with the case even as it threatened that frustrating the traditional rulers could elicit a relapse of the relative peace in the oil-rich region.

At yesterday’s court sitting on behalf of TROMPCON were Eze Akuwueze Raphael Ikegwuruka, the Paramount Ruler of Mgbirichi/Abakuru land of Ohaji Egbema LGA of Imo State who is the current chairman of TROMPCON; Eze Young Ogbonna, a former national chairman of TROMPCON; HRM Pere Stanley Luke Kalanama VIII, the Pere of Akugbene Mein (Delta); Barrister Anthony Ogbogbo, the Ovie of Ozoro (Delta) who is national legal adviser of TROMPCON and Augustine Seibi, national administrative secretary of TROMPCON.

But shortly after the adjournment, NDPDM issued a statement condemning the development, saying the constant adjournment was deliberate. “We have been constrained to draw the attention of the Nigerian Peoples and the international community to the criminal neglect of the development of the Niger Delta Region through all the successive Federal Government from 2001.

It is very provocative that the Federal Government that established the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has been alleged to have refused to comply with the provisions of the NDDC Act 2000 which requires it to contribute an equivalent of 15 per cent of the monthly statutory allocation to the nine NDDC member States.

“This iniquity of the Nigerian State to the region that has shouldered over 80 per cent of the burden of the Nation’s budget for over 40 years moved our traditional rulers in the Niger Delta under the umbrella of TROMPCON to take the Federal Government to court to demand compliance with the law and effect the release of arrears of over N600billion shortfalls in contribution to the NDDC.

“While we do not endorse any act of corruption by officials of the Niger Delta main interventionist agency, the NDDC, we wish to warn that the continued denial of the legal rights of our people can only ignite the instinct to revolt in the youths of the region. If we allow this to happen, Nigeria will contend a new and more sophisticated set of Tompolos, Ateke Toms, Asari Dokubos and Boy Loafs”, the statement signed by Okon Effiong and Oghenetega Okoro, president and secretary, respectively said.

Former acting managing director of the NDDC, Pastor Power Ziakede Aginighan, had stated that the Federal Government was owing the NDDC over N600 billion, saying that Niger Deltans will hold all presidents, who have headed the executive arm of the various administrations from 2001 to date primarily responsible for the underdevelopment of the region if they did not comply with the funding provisions of the NDDC Act 2000.

The NDDC Act provides that: “there shall be paid and credited to the fund established pursuant to subsection (1) of this section – (a) from the Federal Government, the equivalent of 15 per cent of the total monthly statutory allocations due to member states of the commission from the Federation Account.

Niger Delta

24 Nigerian Universities Make 2026 THE Rankings … 4 S’South Versitieis Pull Through

Published

3 days ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

Nigeria has recorded its strongest-ever outing in global university rankings, with 24 institutions earning places in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings and Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings.

However, only four universities from the South-South geopolitical zone made the prestigious list.

The South-South institutions that secured places in the rankings are Delta State University, Abraka (12th), University of Benin (22nd), University of Calabar (23rd), and University of Port Harcourt (24th).

The rankings, which represent Nigeria’s highest-ever participation, reinforces the country’s growing influence in higher education across Sub-Saharan Africa, with 24 universities listed, up from 21 in both the 2024 and 2025 editions.

The University of Ibadan retained its position as Nigeria’s highest-ranked institution, followed by the University of Lagos, while Bayero University, Kano, emerged as the third-best performing university in the country.

Of the 24 institutions, 17 are federal universities, four are state-owned, and three are private universities, reflecting broad improvements in teaching, research, and institutional performance across the country’s tertiary education sector.

The rankings also underscore the growing global recognition of Nigeria’s specialised universities of technology and agriculture, while state-owned institutions continue to improve their academic profiles through enhanced research output and governance reforms.

The full list of Nigeria’s universities in the 2026 THE rankings are: University of Ibadan; University of Lagos; Bayero University, Kano; Covenant University; Landmark University; Ahmadu Bello University; Federal University of Technology, Minna; University of Ilorin; University of Jos; University of Nigeria; Babcock University; and Delta State University, Abraka.

Others are: Ekiti State University; Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; Federal University of Technology, Akure; Federal University of Technology, Owerri; Federal University, Oye-Ekiti; Ladoke Akintola University of Technology; Lagos State University; Nnamdi Azikiwe University; Obafemi Awolowo University; University of Benin; University of Calabar; and University of Port Harcourt.

The rankings highlight both Nigeria’s expanding presence on the global academic stage and the need for greater investment in higher education across regions, particularly in the South-South, where only four universities made the country’s top 24 list.

Niger Delta

‘Ogbolo ’26’: Bayelsa Community Revives Heritage, Strengthens Unity

Published

3 days ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

The Ogu Community in Otubo-Atissa, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, has stated its commitment to preserving its culture, peace and community development through the celebration of the annual “Uge Adiafa” New Yam Festival, tagged “Ogbolo ’26.”

Held at St. John’s Primary School Field, Ogu, the colourful festival served not only as the traditional commencement of the yam harvest season, but also as a tribute to the community’s illustrious son and founder of the Uge Adiafa Festival, His Majesty, Late King Fedrick Aduku Simangi Ogbotom-Edede IV.

The celebration brought together sons and daughters of the community, traditional rulers, academics, youths and other guests in a display of thanksgiving, cultural performances and renewed communal solidarity.

Addressing the gathering, the traditional head of the community, HRH Bishop Akuegbe Paul, expressed delight at the massive turnout, describing the festival as a symbol of thanksgiving to God, cultural identity and unity among the people.

He noted that beyond celebrating a successful farming season, the festival honours the enduring legacy of the late monarch, whose vision established the Uge Adiafa Festival as a platform for preserving the community’s rich cultural heritage and promoting peaceful coexistence.

Guest of Honour, Professor Nedie Patience Akani, of Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, commended the community for embracing reconciliation and unity.

Professor Akani, who is of the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, of the university and a daughter of the soil, said, “This is my first time attending this New Yam Festival. I came because of the good things happening in this community.

“Before now, there were quarrels in the community, with court cases here and there, brother fighting against brother. But today, God has united us. It is a wonderful thing to be united because where there is no unity, there can be no progress in the home, family or community.

“I thank the head of Ogu Community, HRH, Bishop Akuege Paul, for making today’s celebration a reality”, she stated.

The event also featured inter-compound cultural competitions, with Yenikabu II Compound emerging overall winner, while Bongata Compound and Abrima Compound finished first d second runners-up respectively.

Also, eleven Compound Chiefs alongside their respective Head Compound Women Chiefs were coronated. The Woman Chief of Ogu Community, HH, Dare Tiebiri and her Deputy, Chief Stella Jordan Mark, were also coronated.

Dignitaries that graced the occasion included the Ebenanawei of Akamabubu Kingdom, Southern Ijaw LGA, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, HRM, King J. Olotu Erepamo; the Paramount Ruler, Ikibiri Community, Yenagoa LGA, Bayelsa State, HRH, Barrister Morris Lagos; and the Ebeni-Isisibo of Atissa Kingdom, HRH, God’swill Arab Simeon.

Other are: the Ebeni-Otubo, Atissa Kingdom, HRH, Sir Anderson J. Olumo, and his wife, Mrs. Tarila Anderson Olumo; the Deputy Head of Ogu Community, HH, Mission Obugu, and wife of the Ebeni-Ibe of Atissa Kingdom, Mrs. Diemeze Victor Awala.

For the people of Ogu, the festival was more than a celebration of the first harvest, it underscored the importance of preserving cultural traditions, strengthening communal bonds, promoting reconciliation and passing cherished values from one generation to another, while also ensuring that the legacy of their forebears continue to inspire future generations.

Niger Delta

SEEPCO Collaborates Delta, Others In Voluntary Blood Donation Campaign

Published

3 days ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) has partnered the Delta State Government, Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF) and the Nigerian Red Cross Society to promote voluntary blood donation as part of efforts to strengthen the state’s blood supply and save lives.

The initiative, which forms part of SEEPCO’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme for its host communities, aligns with activities marking the 2026 World Blood Donor Day with the theme, “One Drop of Humanity: Give Blood, Save Lives.”

The campaign was conducted across Delta State’s three senatorial districts — Asaba, Ughelli and Warri — where stakeholders sensitised residents on the importance of voluntary, regular and unpaid blood donation as the most sustainable means of ensuring adequate blood supply for healthcare facilities.

The exercise followed a similar campaign in Lagos State, where SEEPCO, in partnership with the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS) and the Nigerian Red Cross Society, mobilised about 550 pints of blood within two days.

VCDF also highlighted the steady growth of its annual blood donation drive, with the number of donors increasing from 98 in 2022 to 147 in 2023, 268 in 2024 and 341 in 2025.

Before the Delta campaign, the foundation had recorded a cumulative total of 1,404 voluntary donors, a feat that earned it the Blood Donation Champion Award from the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service.

At the Central Hospital, Ughelli, the hospital’s management and Blood Transfusion Committee commended SEEPCO, VCDF, the Delta State Ministry of Health and other partners for supporting initiatives aimed at improving access to safe blood for patients.

Speaking during the campaign, Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, described voluntary blood donation as critical to responding to public health emergencies and saving lives during accidents, childbirth and other medical emergencies.

He said: “Voluntary blood donation is important for public health emergencies and to save lives during accidents and childbirth. We are deeply grateful to VCDF and its partners for their commitment to promoting voluntary blood donation and supporting life-saving healthcare initiatives.”

Participants said the awareness campaign had increased public understanding of the importance of blood donation, with many first-time donors expressing willingness to become regular donors after learning about the safety, benefits and life-saving impact of donating blood.

Stakeholders also stressed the need for sustained public enlightenment, noting that a single blood donation could save multiple lives, as the campaign recorded impressive community participation across the three senatorial districts.