Editorial
Niger Delta And National Conference
As the various stakeholder groups
in Nigeria commence preparations
for the forthcoming National Conference, the people of the Niger Delta should not fail to take advantage of the conference to find solutions to the numerous challenges in the region.
Although leaders of the South-South met in Port Harcourt before the Federal Government released guidelines for the conference, the level of preparation of the people of the region for the conference still appears sketchy.
Even as representation at the National Conference is not based solely on ethnic nationalities as many earlier canvassed, the interest of the Niger Delta needs to be clearly articulated to enable would-be conferees from the region to pursue same with one voice.
Already, the Federal Government has set the stage for the conference and very soon, names of delegates from the various interest groups will emerge. It is also speculated that the 3-month conference may take-off soon. The Niger Delta should do the needful in a painstaking and purposeful manner.
The first hurdle is the selection/election of the persons that will represent the region. While it is already clear to all that this must not be dictated by partisan politics, those to represent the Niger Delta must be capable, experienced and focused. They must be brought out through transparent process.
We expect that such persons would be known to understand the peculiar challenges of the Niger Delta, the socio-economic history of the country and the genuine aspirations of Niger Deltans. They must not be persons that can be intimidated, blackmailed or compromised in anyway. They must drop the toga of minority complex and put across views that would give the region the needed attention.
That is why the first thing that the region should ask for is what has come to be known as true federalism. With this, there will be fiscal federalism, resource development and control, elevated autonomy, self-determination and the production of more revenue sources.
The beauty of this demand is that it would afford all the federating units the opportunity to draw from their natural resources and comparative strength to develop something for themselves. It will open the economy to healthy competition and growth as well as eliminate most of the issues that generate political tension in the country.
With that same demand, some oppressive laws will give way. Clearly, the Land Use Act that vests the land in the President or Governor will go; the Petroleum Act will go and all the laws having to do with sharing of federal allocation, derivation and the like will become history.
For many people in the region, the mere fact that the oil and gas firms may have to answer to the states and the communities is the high point. This is because the firms can be held to operate with utmost safety measures and easily clear pollution when they happen. Also expected is the return of the employment opportunities that had always been hijacked in Lagos and Abuja.
While the adoption of federal principles may appear to serve the lot of the people of the Niger Delta, it serves largely to unlock the potentials of the country. Nigeria must resist the temptation to perpetually skew the country towards stagnation, corruption and avoidable political wrangling. That the country and its peoples are not fulfilled is only self-inflicted.
That is why the Niger Delta must be clear on what it is taking to the conference. The rights of the communities and states on the seas are still issues. Also critical is the proper demarcation of states and delineation of electoral wards. There are more that only the people can bring up.
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Addressing Unruly Behaviours At The Airports

It began as a seemingly minor in- flight disagreement. Comfort Emmason, a passenger on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos, reportedly failed to switch off her mobile phone when instructed by the cabin crew. What should have been a routine enforcement of safety regulations spiralled into a physical confrontation, sparking a national debate on the limits of airline authority and the rights of passengers.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) wasted no time in condemning the treatment meted out to Emmason. In a strongly worded statement, the body described the incident as “a flagrant violation of her fundamental human rights” and called for a thorough investigation into the conduct of the airline staff. The NBA stressed that while passengers must adhere to safety rules, such compliance should never be extracted through intimidation, violence, or humiliation.
Following the altercation, Emmason found herself arraigned before a Magistrate’s Court and remanded at Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison, a location more commonly associated with hardened criminals than with errant passengers. In a surprising turn of events, the Federal Government later dropped all charges against her, citing “overriding public interest” and concerns about due process.
Compounding her woes, Ibom Air initially imposed a lifetime ban preventing her from boarding its aircraft. That ban has now been lifted, following mounting public pressure and calls from rights groups for a more measured approach. The reversal has been welcomed by many as a step towards restoring fairness and proportionality in handling such disputes.
While her refusal to comply with crew instructions was undeniably inappropriate, questions linger about whether the punishment fit the offence. Was the swift escalation from verbal reminder to physical ejection a proportionate response, or an abuse of authority? The incident has reignited debate over how airlines balance safety enforcement with respect for passenger rights.
The Tide unequivocally condemns the brutal and degrading treatment the young Nigerian woman received from the airline’s staff. No regulation, however vital, justifies the use of physical force or the public shaming of a passenger. Such behaviour is antithetical to the principles of customer service, human dignity, and the rule of law.
Emmason’s own defiance warrants reproach. Cabin crew instructions, especially during boarding or take-off preparations, are not mere suggestions; they are safety mandates. Reports suggest she may have been unable to comply because of a malfunctioning power button on her device, but even so, she could have communicated this clearly to the crew. Rules exist to safeguard everyone on board, and passengers must treat them with due seriousness.
Nigerians, whether flying domestically or abroad, would do well to internalise the importance of orderliness in public spaces. Adherence to instructions, patience in queues, and courteous engagement with officials are hallmarks of civilised society. Disregard for these norms not only undermines safety but also projects a damaging image of the nation to the wider world.
The Emmason affair is not an isolated case. Former Edo State Governor and current Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, once found himself grounded after arriving late for an Air Peace flight. Witnesses alleged that he assaulted airline staff and ordered the closure of the terminal’s main entrance. This is hardly the conduct expected of a statesman.
More recently, a Nollywood-worthy episode unfolded at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, involving Fuji icon “King”, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM1. In a viral video, he was seen exchanging heated words with officials after being prevented from boarding an aircraft.
Events took a dangerous turn when the aircraft, moving at near take-off speed, nearly clipped the 68-year-old musician’s head with its wing. Such an occurrence points to a serious breach of airport safety protocols, raising uncomfortable questions about operational discipline at Nigeria’s gateways.
According to accounts circulating online, Wasiu had attempted to board an aircraft while he was carrying an alcoholic drink and refused to relinquish it when challenged. His refusal led to de-boarding, after which the Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, imposed a six-month “no-fly” ban, citing “unacceptable” conduct.
It is deeply concerning that individuals of such prominence, including Emmason’s pilot adversary, whose careers have exposed them to some of the most disciplined aviation environments in the world, should exhibit conduct that diminishes the nation’s reputation. True leadership, whether in politics, culture, or professional life, calls for restraint and decorum, all the more when exercised under public scrutiny.
Most egregiously, in Emmason’s case, reports that she was forcibly stripped in public and filmed for online circulation are deeply disturbing. This was an act of humiliation and a gross invasion of privacy, violating her right to dignity and falling short of the standards expected in modern aviation. No person, regardless of the circumstances, should be subjected to such degrading treatment.
Ibom Air must ensure its staff are trained to treat passengers with proper decorum at all times. If Emmason had broken the law, security personnel could have been called in to handle the matter lawfully. Instead, her ordeal turned into a public spectacle. Those responsible for assaulting her should face prosecution, and the airline should be compelled to compensate her. Emmason, for her part, should pursue legal redress to reinforce the principle that justice and civility must prevail in Nigeria’s skies.
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