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Niger Delta

Peterside Assures Of Independent Judiciary

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11 years ago

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Director of Publication, Rivers State Newspaper Corproation, Mrs Juliet Njiowhor (middle), Chairman, Editorial Board, Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mr Dagogo Clinton (left) and Mrs Iwo Anucha, Director, Publication, Ministry of Informationand Communications during the familiarisation visit to the Corporation in Port Harcourt by the Permanent Secretary, recently. Photo: Chris Monyanaga

Director of Publication, Rivers State Newspaper Corproation, Mrs Juliet Njiowhor (middle), Chairman, Editorial Board, Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mr Dagogo Clinton (left) and Mrs Iwo Anucha, Director, Publication, Ministry of Informationand Communications during the familiarisation visit to the Corporation in Port Harcourt by the Permanent Secretary, recently. Photo: Chris Monyanaga

The governorship can
didate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Rivers State Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has vowed to defend the independence of the judiciary, Dr. Dauku Peterside and provide effective justice administration system in Rivers State.
He made the pledge in Port Harcourt at a one-day interactive session with members of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA Rivers State branch.
Peterside who spoke extensively on justice administration and alternative dispute resolution, assured the bar that his government would put in place, measures to ensure smooth and speedy dispensation of justice. He also promised to provide modern infrastructure by ensuring that Rivers State courts were technology driven and compliant.
He described the law and lawyers as critical stakeholders in his resolve to build a modern state that would be a reference point in Nigeria and beyond.
“Justice administration is important because every other thing rests on the law. Security is one of our most important programmes and it rests solidly on the law. And if we are looking for a Rivers State that will be prosperous, then we must be looking at a Rivers State that will run on rule of law.
“In our road map, the judiciary as an arm of government will play an important role. We recognise and will guard its independence as already enshrined in the Constitution”.
Responding, the lawyers commended APC and the Greater Together Campaign Organisation for providing a platform for exchange of ideas. Barrister Vincent Chukwu who described the interactive forum as excellent, called on Peterside to continually engage opinions in course of  campaign.
He said “lawyers are expectant of the in-coming administration, adding that the candidate’s presence has further strengthened their hope of a better Rivers come May 29. He however pleaded with Peterside to help young lawyers by instituting interest-free loans and facilities that would ameliorate the challenge of practising law in today’s Nigeria.
In their presentations, Barrister Joseph Dents asked Peterside and the APC to keep to their promise of ensuring speedy dispensation of justice across the state while, Barrister Jessica Muga Mene called for employment opportunities for lawyers in public service, while  in his own contribution, Honourable Asita, a lawyer and Dr Peterside’s running mate promised to work with lawyers towards building a better Rivers State.
In conclusion, the APC candidate assured the lawyers that the crisis rocking the Rivers State judiciary would soon be over.
He promised to do everything possible to resolve the crisis which has seriously affected the livelihood of lawyers and other judicial officers.

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Niger Delta

Chief Hails Ogbuku On Enthronement Victory, Performance

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1 week ago

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June 17, 2026

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Deputy Chief of the Abidewari Compound of Ayakoro Community and former Leader of the Ogbia Local Government Legislative Assembly,  Bayelsa State, Chief Sisomom Francis, has applauded the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, for winning the Chieftaincy election conducted to install a new paramount ruler of his home town, Ayakoro.
The ex-lawmaker also lauded Ogbuku for the numerous transformational projects and impacts he has continued to make in the NDDC, noting that the Niger Delta region has experienced tremendous development in both infrastructure and human capital development under his leadership.
Chief Francis spoke with newsmen shortly after the chieftaincy polls held at the weekend in the community, calling on stakeholders of the oil-rich Niger Delta region to consolidate their synergy with the Ogbuku-led management of the commission to attract more development to their communities.
Speaking on the NDDC’s boss’s relationship with community folks before and now the erstwhile lawmaker, who is also the Deputy Chief of the Abidewari Compound of the community, noted that Ogbuku does not discriminate against age and background in his relationship with members of the community.
“Ogbuku is Godsent to our community, Ayakoro, and the Niger Delta region. He knows the problems of his immediate community, and indeed knew the problems and challenges of the Niger Delta region.
“Since his inception in office as MD/CEO, the Niger Delta has seen a new and better NDDC. Ogbuku has done well and will continue to do well for the Niger Delta region.
“He has executed projects in every community of the Niger Delta, and that’s why the people are happy with him. We thank God for his election today as the substantive paramount ruler of the Ayakoro Community.
“Before now Ogbuku was the Deputy Paramount ruler of this community. But you’ll recall that we lost our Paramount ruler and so because of the MD’s special place in the life of this community, where he has since been serving meritoriously,  today we’ve elected him as our substantive paramount ruler”, he said.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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Niger Delta

Delta’s Top 2 Governance Ranking, Reflection Of Oborevwori’s Preparedness – Ifeajika 

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1 week ago

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June 17, 2026

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Following the emergence of Delta State as the second-best governed state in Nigeria in the 2025 Governance Performance Index released by the Commonwealth Institute of Advanced and Professional Studies, the Executive Assistant to the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Public Enlightenment (Projects and Policies), Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, has credited the success to prudent financial management, grassroots-focused development and effective project execution by the Governor.
Speaking during an interview on Niger Delta Today on ADBN Television, Ifeajika said the ranking was a reflection of the governor’s preparedness for leadership and his commitment to delivering tangible development across Delta State.
According to Ifeajika, Oborevwori’s emergence as a high-performing governor did not come as a surprise to many Deltans who had closely followed his political career, particularly his tenure as Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly.
He described the Governor as a “prepared leader” who came into office with a clear understanding of governance and the needs of the people, unlike politicians who only seek public office during election periods.
“Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was prepared for the job of governing Delta State. His leadership style is not accidental. It is a reflection of years of experience in public service and a deep understanding of the state’s developmental needs”, Ifeajika said.
The Governor’s aide recalled that Oborevwori served as Speaker of the State Assembly for six years, the longest-serving speaker in the state’s history, and was widely commended for his prudent management of public resources.
He noted that Oborevwori’s reputation for fiscal discipline was demonstrated when he reportedly returned over N500 million in unspent funds to the state treasury at the end of his tenure as Speaker.
Ifeajika said the same culture of accountability and prudent resource management now defines the governor’s administration, stressing that every project undertaken by the government is subjected to rigorous needs assessment to ensure value for money.
“Every kobo spent by the government must attract value. The Governor insists that public funds must be deployed for meaningful development. Projects are not awarded arbitrarily; they are based on the actual needs of communities”, he stated.
Highlighting the administration’s commitment to equitable development, Ifeajika disclosed that the Governor introduced a deliberate policy of allocating dedicated funds for infrastructure projects in each of the state’s 25 local government areas.
He explained that the administration earmarked N1 billion for projects in each local government area in its first budget in 2023, increased the allocation to N2 billion in the following year and further raised it to N4 billion in the current fiscal year.
According to him, the policy ensures that development is spread across the state rather than concentrated in a few locations.
“There is a deliberate intention to touch every local government almost simultaneously. Funds are already provided in the budget, and government only identifies the most pressing needs of the people before executing projects” he said.
The governor’s aide also emphasized that Oborevwori personally monitors projects across the state through regular inspection visits to ensure contractors deliver quality work and that projects are completed according to specifications.
Responding to concerns that the latest governance ranking may have been influenced by lobbying, Ifeajika dismissed such claims, insisting that the recognition was earned through measurable achievements.
He noted that the Governor had received several awards and recognitions from both public and private organisations within the last two years, describing the latest ranking as another independent validation of the administration’s performance.
“This cannot be dismissed as a fluke or something that was lobbied for. It reflects the reality on the ground in Delta State. The governor’s achievements are visible and have been acknowledged by different organisations”, he said.
Ifeajika further revealed that the administration had strengthened transparency in project execution by encouraging whistleblowing and public monitoring of government projects.
He expressed confidence that residents across the state would corroborate the positive assessment of the administration, maintaining that the impact of government projects and policies was evident in communities throughout Delta.
Delta State was ranked second in the 2025 Governance Performance Index with a score of 70 per cent, behind Kaduna State’s 73 per cent, and ahead of 34 other states in the federation.
The assessment evaluated governance outcomes, public service delivery, infrastructure development and the effectiveness of public administration across Nigeria’s 36 states.
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Niger Delta

S’South APC Elects New Zonal Executive Ahead 2027

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1 week ago

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June 17, 2026

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-South  has elected a new Zonal Executive Committee, following a successful congress held on Wednesday in Asaba, the Delta State.
The congress, which drew top party leaders, including the Senate President, Governors, lawmakers, and delegates from across the region, was conducted through a consensus arrangement, reinforcing the party’s commitment to unity and internal cohesion.
Proceedings commenced with a motion for the dissolution of the outgoing Zonal Executive Committee, moved by the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, and seconded by his Bayelsa State counterpart, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, and was unanimously adopted.
Subsequently, a motion adopting consensus as the mode of electing new officers was moved by Senator Essien Williams of Cross River State and seconded by Senator Aniekan Bassey of Akwa Ibom North East and was also unanimously adopted by all delegates.
At the end of the exercise, Chief Victor Giadom emerged as National Vice Chairman (South-South); Dr. Ita Udosen, Zonal Secretary; Barr. Neworld Safugha, Legal Adviser; Dr. Samuel Nwanosike, Publicity Secretary; Prince Urhoro Koyoyo, Youth Leader; Hon. Suobankuo Omoni, Women Leader; Hon. Prince Edward, Organising Secretary; and Prince Ayo Peter as representative of Persons with Disabilities.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks, conveyed the goodwill of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and commended the South-South for its growing unity and political consolidation within the APC.
He noted that the region had witnessed remarkable transformation, moving from minimal APC presence to becoming a strong political bloc with increased alignment from governors and stakeholders.
Akpabio challenged party faithful to position the South-South as the highest vote-delivering region for the APC in the 2027 general elections, stressing that such a goal was both achievable and necessary.
Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, in his goodwill message, welcomed delegates to Asaba and described the congress as a demonstration of the party’s strength, unity, and readiness for future political engagements.
Oborevwori emphasized the need for sustained grassroots mobilization and urged party members to deepen internal cohesion, strengthen structures across all levels, and maintain strong connections with the people.
Chairman of the South-South Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, also underscored the importance of unity, describing the adoption of consensus as a major step in reducing internal conflicts and fostering collective ownership within the party.
He noted that for the first time in recent political history, the South-South was speaking with one voice, adding that the full attendance of governors at the congress demonstrated their shared commitment to the region’s progress.
Governors  Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), and Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers) in their separate remarks, spoke in the same vein, stressing the importance of the zone aligning with the Government at the centre.
Earlier in his welcome address, Chief Victor Giadom thanked party leaders and stakeholders for their support during his tenure and highlighted the progress made by the APC in the region, including electoral victories and increased political alignment.
In his acceptance speech, Giadom, who was relelected, expressed optimism that the party would continue to expand its influence ahead of the 2027 elections and position itself for agreater success.
The congress was also attended by members of the National and State Houses of Assembly, Ministers, other top government functionaries, party leaders and stakeholders from across the zone.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment by party leaders and members to strengthen unity, expand grassroots support, and consolidate the APC’s growing influence in the South-South region.
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