Niger Delta

NYSC To Strengthen Ties With INEC, Security Agencies

Published

10 years ago

April 1, 2016

The National Youths Ser
vice Corps (NYSC) says the scheme would strengthen ties with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to protect the lives of corps members on national assignments.
Brig.-Gen. Johnson Olawumi, the Director-General of NYSC, made this known to newsmen in Illah, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State.
Olawumi was in Illah on a condolence visit to late Chukwudumabi Okonta’s family, a serving corps member who was killed in Rivers during the recent re-run elections for the National and State Assemblies.
“What needs to be done is to block all loopholes, straighten ties with INEC, intensify collaboration with security agencies and take advantage of technology to drive what we do to guarantee security.
“At any point in time, Nigerians must take part in the election duties, so our concern should be to protect the life of every Nigerian, irrespective of whether or not he or she is a Corps member,” he declared.
He said that most people had raised issues and questioned why Corps members should continue to take part in elections in the country.
“When this incident happened, I have heard a lot of people saying that may be we should not commit Corps members into electoral duties.
“But let me give you a little background, in 2011 we lost some Corps members.
“I came in January 2014 and in that year we had elections in Anambra, Edo, Ekiti and later we had in Osun and in each of these elections, we committed over 6,000 Corps members.
“In the general elections of 2015, we committed about 134,000 Corps members, even early this year, we had elections in Bayelsa, where we committed 2,600 Corps members.
“And in Rivers State election that led to the unfortunate death of this my Corps member, we committed about 6,800 Corps members and in all this, we are unfortunate to have this case of Dumebi,” Olawumi said.
He said that the death of one Corps member participating in the electoral duties was not sufficient to stop Corps members from taking part in an election process.
On the contrary, the director-general said allowing the corps members to participate in an election process was to give them opportunity to understand what elections were in the country.
He said that the financial support given to them by INEC meant a lot to most Corps members, particularly those from not too comfortable background.
“If Corps members do not take part in the elections, it is also Nigerians that will fill the gap, so if anything happens to them it is not because they are not Corps members.
“In Abuja election was postponed because we could not muster enough Corps members but what we usually say is that if you are not convinced, don’t take part.
“They needed about 9,000 ad hoc staff, but the Corps members that registered that wants to take part were just about 3,000.
“Now, FCT has gone to the University of Abuja to get students to fill that gap, those students, are they not Nigerians?’’, Olawumi asked.
However, he urged Nigerians to protect Corps members serving in their respective communities because they are on national assignment and that they needed to be supported and protected.

Niger Delta

Navy Pledges Improved Patrols, Welfare Boost For Personnel

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has pledged to ensure improved welfare for personnel and more patrols on the maritime corridors of the nation.

He disclosed this during an on the spot assessment of things at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Calabar, on Wednesday.

According to him, there is the need for officers to always be ready, by improving on their welfare, in a bid to keep the country secured.

“I am here for an on the spot assessment of our operations and like you have seen, I have also gone round to check the ongoing buildings.

”These are welfare issues and for us to be able to have our men ready and keep us secured, their welfare needs to be catered for.

“So, we are here to kill two birds with one stone, which are basically operations and welfare issues.

”I am happy with what the command is doing; it is doing well in terms of keeping the maritime environment safe.

“We will continue doing what we are doing and improve on that, which is patrol of the waters and increase in the area of surveillance”, he stated.

As part of his visit, Abbas commissioned the 12×1 Junior Rates Accommodation Block A and B, at the Navy Barracks at Atimbo in Calabar.

The naval chief also inspected other ongoing projects in the Akim Barracks, 1006 flats and the Navy hotel, all within Calabar.

Niger Delta

Delta Begins Uromi Junction Flyover Construction

Published

2 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State Government says it has began construction work on the long-awaited Uromi Junction Flyover Bridge in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of the state.

Director-General (DG) of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr. Fred Oghenesivbe, confirmed the development to newsme in Asaba.

According to him, heavy-duty construction equipment have arrived the site, a project which is being handled by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, one of the country’s leading construction firms.

Oghenesivbe, described the flyover as a massive infrastructure project with far-reaching socio-economic benefits for the area.

He said the project would significantly transform the Agbor metropolis by easing traffic congestion, improving the city’s aesthetics, and boosting commercial activities within the local government area.

He described the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, as a promise-keeper and pragmatic leader whose administration remains committed to infrastructure development and economic growth across the state.

The DG expressed confidence in Julius Berger’s capacity to deliver the project within record time and according to the highest construction standards.

“The Uromi Junction serves as a major link between different parts of the country but has recently been plagued by severe traffic congestion, making vehicular movement increasingly difficult”, he noted.

He urged residents to cooperate with the contractor and safeguard construction materials and equipment to ensure the timely completion of the project.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Rejects Ekid Ownership Claim Of Stubbs Creek

Published

2 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State Government has rejected claims by the Ekid People’s Union that it owns land within the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, describing such assertions as “false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

In a recent statement, signed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, the state government said it was compelled to respond in the “overriding public interest,” despite a pending court case instituted by the same group.

The government stated that contrary to claims circulating in the media, the historic case of Ntiaro and Ikpak vs. Ibok Etok Akpan and Edoho Ekid, decided by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in 1918, did not vest ownership of Stubbs Creek land in any ethnic group or community.

“The final judgement merely dismissed the claims before the court and granted title to no party whatsoever”, the government stated, adding that “any assertion to the contrary is false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

According to the statement, the land was lawfully reserved by the colonial government under Forest Reserve Order No. 45 of 1930, later amended in 1941, 1955 and 1962, with “the principal rights of the land forfeited to the Government upon the change of status.”

It said the area has since been administered under applicable laws by the Akwa Ibom State Government, which “has at all times acted within its lawful authority in the management and allocation of land in the area for legitimate public and economic purposes.”

Citing the 1999 Constitution and the Land Use Act, the government stated that all land in the state is vested in the governor to be held in trust for the common benefit of Nigerians, noting that claims of absolute ancestral ownership are subject to existing laws.

The government “categorically denies allegations of fraud or misrepresentation” regarding Stubbs Creek or investments there and warned it would take “appropriate legal steps” against any individual or group publishing false or defamatory material capable of undermining public confidence or discouraging investment

The statement also assured the federal government of “full access and Right of Way” for the proposed Coastal Highway through any part of the state.

The government statement followed an earlier report in which the Ekid People’s Union accused Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State of making comments that allegedly linked the community to terrorism, while he was defending the Coastal Highway project passing through the Stubbs Creek.

Ekid People’s Union maintained that the people of Ekid are the original owners of the land known as Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, arguing that their ancestral ownership predates colonial rule.

The group cited historical occupation, customary ownership and a 1918 Privy Council case, which it claimed affirmed Ekid rights over the territory.

The union also accused the Akwa Ibom State Government of misrepresenting history to justify taking over the land for commercial interests and the proposed Coastal Highway, an allegation the state government has denied.

The group rejected any suggestion linking the Ekid people to criminality or terrorism, insisting they were peaceful citizens defending their ancestral land through lawful and civic means.