Niger Delta

‘Frequent Change Of Security Agencies’ Heads, Increases Insecurity’

Published

10 years ago

May 16, 2016

A Port Harcourt-based non-
governmental organisation, Accord for Development, has expressed regret over the intermittent change of heads of security agencies at the state and local government levels, complaining that the frequent changes were posing serious hitches to efforts to win the war against cult-related violence and killings, and other forms of criminality in the state.
The NGO made the complaint in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, at a capacity building workshop for 30 members of Community Peace Partnerships (CPPs), from Abua/Odual, Gokana, and Port Harcourt City local government areas, on how to identify conflict sensitive issues, and intervention measures to mitigate the rising violence and targeted killings in some parts of the state.
Speaking at the event, state Coordinator, Accord for Development, Anicetus Atakpu, said the essence of the training was to build the capacity of as many Rivers people as possible to help the state government identify conflict-sensitive areas and swiftly intervene to mitigate any anticipated violence and dislocation of the social order while at the same time promoting peaceful co-existence, social integration and economic rejuvenation.
The coordinator solicited the support of the state and local governments to ensure sustainability of policies and programmes that enhance peace, social cohesion and economic empowerment in the communities, as well as the continuity and ownership of already established structures aimed at promoting peace-building.
According to him, the festering violence and cult-related killings in some parts of the state greatly undermine the Governor Nyesom Wike administration’s vision to leave an unparallel developmental footprint in the communities, adding that only a strategic collaboration towards nipping violence and preventable conflicts in the bud can enable government achieve desired goals of good governance and economic prosperity for all.
Also speaking, Deputy Regional Coordinator for Niger Delta, Wynyfred Achu, said the multi-stakeholder groups’ training to manage conflicts and reinforce peace building at the community and local government levels was one of the intervention measures designed to fill the gap in the state’s quest to stem the tide of violence and encourage peace and sustainable development in line with both Governor Nyesom Wike’s vision and NSRP’s national mandate.
Achu harped on the need for members of CPPs in the various LGAs to do more by helping governments at state and LG levels as well as security agencies combat the destabilising forces of violence and conflicts which have negatively affected the pace of development in the state.
Earlier, Programme Manager, NSRP, Dr Ukoha Ukiwo, urged participants to ensure the promotion of sustainable economic development and good governance through actions that support institutional strengthening, empowerment, partnership, participation and advocacy for the common good, and avoid those things that encourage alienation and exclusion of all citizens in community life.
The 30 persons, who were selected from Abua/Odual, Gokana and Port Harcourt City LGAs in the three senatorial districts, completed their three-day capacity building training, with a pledge to work with critical stakeholders, especially government and security agencies to unleash skills gained to curb conflicts and violence, and entrench sustainable peace in the state.
The training series with the theme: “Strengthening Capacity Of Stakeholders Towards Peace Building And Conflict Management,” which began in March 2014 and is expected to run through December 2017, was organised by the United Kingdom Government-funded Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme (NSRP) and a Port Harcourt-based non-governmental organisation, Accord for Development, in partnership with the Rivers State Government and the impacted LGAs in the state.

Niger Delta

Stakeholders In Delta Seek Stronger GBV Action, Women’s Leadership

Published

2 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Stakeholders in Delta State convened in Asaba for a leadership workshop organised by Otdel Health Heritage and Environmental Initiative (OHHEI), focusing on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and women’s participation in decision-making processes.

OHHEI Project Director, Mr. Peter Olayinka, represented by a consultant, Juliet Obiajulu, urged participants to contribute meaningfully toward advancing women’s leadership and combating GBV across communities in the state.

He said the workshop aimed to strengthen participants’ capacity to influence policies, challenge harmful cultural norms, and reinforce initiatives designed to prevent and respond to GBV.

Olayinka said women often faced bias even when they occupied leadership positions, and stressed that gender diversity improved the quality of decision-making and promoted innovation and accountability in governance structures.

Speaking, the Chairperson of the Association Against Child Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Mr Eris Jewo-Ibi, identified cultural norms, domestic responsibilities, political resistance, and grassroots barriers as constraints to women’s participation.

Delta State GBV Desk Officer, Mrs. Rosemary Okpuno, emphasised that effective decision-making required women’s perspectives, adding that inclusion remained critical to addressing persistent gender-based challenges.

Voke Angbagh of the Delta State Ministry of Justice outlined penalties for rape and called for the establishment of special courts to handle sexual offences cases.

Angbagh said frequent adjournments delayed justice for survivors, stressing that dedicated sexual offences courts would ensure timely trials and stronger protection for victims in Delta State.

The Tide’s source reports that facilitators identified cultural acceptance of violence, unequal power relations, discrimination, poverty, limited education, and low self-esteem as major drivers of GBV.

They emphasised that violence and exclusion resulted in social, physical and emotional harm, imposed economic costs, reinforced harmful stereotypes, and widened existing gender inequalities.

The source also reports that OHHEI, a local non-profit organisation, focuses on education, health, environment, and social justice, promoting sustainable development initiatives with gender equality at the centre of its interventions.

Niger Delta

C’River Suspends Taskforce Activities Over Drivers’ Protest

Published

2 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Cross River State Government has suspended all taskforce activities connected to commercial transportation and ticketing across the state.

The State Governor, Bassey Otu, announced the suspension at an emergency stakeholders meeting on Friday in Calabar.

It would be recalled that commercial drivers in Calabar metropolis took to streets on Thursday to protest alleged multiple taxation and extortion by government agencies.

During the protest, the drivers alleged that taskforce groups claiming to represent the state government openly harassed and extorted them.

Represented at the meeting by Ekpenyong Akiba, his Special Adviser on General Duties, Otu said the suspension would subsist pending further review of the situation.

The Governor stated that the state government did not commission anyone to extort drivers in the name of task force.

He urged commercial drivers and other road users to remain law-abiding while government worked out a lasting solution.

On his part, the Chairman, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, Calabar Metropolis, Mr. Sunday Dennis, expressed optimism that the dialogue would yield positive results.

He said the meeting had provided an opportunity for the aggrieved commercial drivers to present their concerns directly to the state government.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Unified Drivers Association, Mr. Nta Henshaw, described the harassment on drivers as worrisome, and urged the state government to be decisive in resolving the matter.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Assembly Urges More Private Investments In Agriculture

Published

2 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Nutrition and Food Security has called for more private sector investments in agriculture.

The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Moses Essien, made the call when the committee visited Aviclaire Farms, a private establishment in Usung Idem, Uruk Usoh in Abak Local Government Area.

Essien, who represents Ibiono Ibom in the Assembly, commended the Management of the farm for partnering an NGO, ECEWS, to promote private investment in agriculture.

He commended the partners for adopting climate-smart agriculture initiatives in their operations, adding that such move would promote food security.

“Your interest in using transformative intervention to promote food security is a veritable way of complementing the efforts of the state government,” he said.

The lawmaker continued that adopting practical climate-smart agriculture model would help to generate employment, improve nutrition outcomes, and strengthen food sufficiency.

He further said he was impressed with the strides recorded by the partners, saying, “your investment has created jobs for no fewer than 2,000 youths.

”You are an example of an environment-friendly investor. I urge Akwa Ibom residents to embrace environment-friendly and technology-driven agriculture models,” he said.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, ECEWS, Dr. Andy Eyo, who conducted the committee round the farm, said the collaboration was conceived to demonstrate the viability of climate-smart farming in ensuring food sufficiency.

Eyo said the farm, which commenced operations with four greenhouses, had expanded to 14 within two years, and currently supplying high-quality produce to major markets in Uyo and neighbouring communities.

He said ECEWS was exploring cooperative frameworks to enable rural farmers and women’s groups to adopt greenhouse technology for sustainable livelihoods.

In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Aviclaire Farms, Mrs. Victoria Eyo, said the controlled-environment ensured precision cultivation and consistent yields.

She further said the farm served as a capacity-building centre for students, interns, and agri-business trainees.