Akwa Ibom State Government has concluded plans to establish a naval base at the disputed Stubb Creek in Ibeno Local Government Area to tackle security breaches along the coastal communities in the state.
Speaking during a ministerial briefing at Government House, Uyo, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Waterways, General Koko Essien, stated that Pastor Umo Eno was committed to maintaining security across the 31 local government areas in the state and coastal communities.
Essien, who was with the Commissioner of Information, Hon Aniekan Umanah, disclosed that the Governor has also established a Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area to prepare for any emerging security challenges in the state.
“Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) is a specialised branch of the Nigeria Police created to combat terrorism, insurgency, and violent crime across the country, including prevention of terrorist plots, protection of critical infrastructures, handling of hostage situations.
“In recognition of the emerging threats across the country as it relates to these vices, the administration sought an approval from Force headquarters to establish a CTU Base in the state. Construction of the Base is ongoing”, he said.
According to the Commissioner, other security institutions established by Governor Eno to boost internal security in the state include Air Force Base, Ibom Community Watch, informal integration of Village youth presidents 2273 villages and expansion of existing security apparatus.
“Pastor Umo Eno recently approved the addition of the Village Youth Presidents across the 2272 gazetted villages to the informal security architecture of the state.
“This structure will support with intelligence, early warning, and protection of critical public assets within the communities, understanding that they manage the youth of their communities, and have visibility on arrivals and departures within their communities”, Umanah said.

Former President, Goodluck Jonathan, and the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri have underscored the need for true fiscal federalism as the key to resolving the national question of sustainable unity and development in the country.
The two leaders made the assertion during the public presentation of Elder Braeyi Ekiye’s book titled, “Redefining Nigeria: Essays on State, Nation, Leadership and Democracy”, at the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall in Government House, Yenagoa on Thursday.
The Tide gathered that the author, Elder Ekiye was Speech Writer to Second Republic Governor of Old Rivers State, the late Senator Melford Obienne Okilo between 1979-1983.
In his remarks, Jonathan described the book as a bold and timely contribution to the national discourse, emphasizing that the work was a testimony of a life dedicated to service and the development of the nation.
Jonathan, who was represented by the former Governor of Adamawa State, Hon. Boni Haruna, said Elder Braeyi Ekiye had served Bayelsa and the country in various capacities with integrity, humility, wisdom, diligence and distinction, noting that the book was a product of experience, and pivotal to national discourse.
“Since independence, the nation has been in search of a true definition of who we are and what we want to be and how we want to live together as a people”, Jonathan said.
He noted that the footprints of the book, which revolves around state, nation, leadership and democracy, were the exact issues Nigeria has been grappling with today as a nation, maintaining that no nation could grow beyond the quality of the conversations it has about itself.
“This book represents a bold and timely contribution to our national discourse. At his age, if Elder Braeyi Ekiye could still find the energy and clarity to write and publish a book such as this, it is a testimony of a life dedicated to service and national development.
“He has served this state and this nation in various capacities with integrity, humility, wisdom and distinction. This book, therefore, is a product of experience and not just theory.
“The title, Redefining Nigeria, is profound and timely. We are gathered here to discuss how to redefine the Nigerian state. Of course, since independence, Nigeria has been in search of a definition – who we are, what we want to be and how we want to live together as a people.
“The state we have is not yet the nation we desire, and the nation we desire cannot emerge without a purposeful leadership, and a purposeful leadership cannot thrive without deepening our democracy”, the ex-President added.
Diri, who spoke at the event through his Deputy, Dr. Peter Akpe, stressed that Brayi Ekiye’s book asked questions every serious-minded citizen should ask, noting that the questions of state, nation, leadership and democracy were fundamental to building a just, equitable and progressive nation every patriotic Nigerian deeply yearns for. According to the Bayelsa helmsman, the issues raised by the book resonated in the findings of the Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission, which stands as a reference point for justice for the Niger Delta that continues to carry much of the nation’s economic burden.
He described the evolution of the book as quite timely, and maintained that engagements which strengthens democracy, good governance and nation-building were always encouraged by his administration.
“Redefining Nigeria asks questions that every serious-minded citizen must confront. What binds us together as a nation? How should power and resources be shared among the various units of our federation? What does a citizen owe the state and what do leaders owe the people who entrust them with power?
“These are the questions of state, nation, leadership and democracy that the subtitle promises, and the author approaches them not as an outsider but as one who has watched our national journey closely and cared about where it leads.
“For us in the Niger Delta, these are not idle questions. Our region has carried much of the nation’s economic weight while bearing its heaviest environmental cost. Our creeks, farmlands and fishing waters tell that story more eloquently than any statistic.
“We have insisted that the restoration of our environment and the dignity of our communities must be at the centre of any honest conversation about the future of Nigeria, and why the findings of the Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission remain a reference point for justice in our region. Our people have earned a voice in shaping the federation, and books such as this one help to make that voice heard”, he said.
In his presentation, the book Reviewer, Prof. Godini Darah, described Elder Ekiye’s 413-page work as encyclopedic and thought-provoking and emphasized the need for people to document their experiences and knowledge to guide others.
According to him, the 413-page book, which has three sections, highlight issues arising from petroleum resources in the Niger Delta, examines Nigeria’s democracy and managing the polity in the interest of the people.
Making reference to a comparison drawn by the author between political elites of the South East Asian countries and those of Nigeria, Prof. Darah opined that the nation has failed to make appreciable progress due to lack of real patriots and nationalistic leaders.
“The Asian elites are developing their countries to meet up the standard of America, Canada, Britain, Belgium, Germany, Italy and so on. So, their politics is concerned about how their own multinational companies can match Julius Berger, Coca-Cola.
“In contrast, the Nigerian political elites are not struggling to put our products in the world market. They are rather struggling to be agents of Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, and they are ready to sell this country for nothing”, he alleged.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of Pan Niger Delta Forum, Amb. Godknows Igali, praised the author for translating his reflections about the country into a book which will outlive him and benefit posterity.
While underscoring the deprivations the Niger Delta region has suffered despite its huge contributions to the national coffers over the years, Amb. Igali expressed hope that Nigeria could be built as a united and prosperous country on the basis of equity, fairness and justice.
The Chairman of the Bayelsa Elders Forum, who doubled as Chairman of the occasion, also congratulated Elder Ekiye on his efforts and stressed the importance of books towards the development of individuals and nation-building.
In his remarks, the author of the book described his work as part of ongoing efforts to chart a progressive course of the evolution of a new Nigeria that could proudly stand as a united, secured and prosperous nation in the world.
The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Dr. Fred Agbedi, represented by Chief Kelvin Tawari, the Pere of Kabowei Kingdom, His Majesty Peremobowei Erebulu, the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Political Matters, High Chief Collins Cocodia, were among notable figures that launched the book.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

The Wife of the Delta State Governor, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, has reiterated her commitment to supporting vulnerable women and families through the third edition of the Delta State Food Bank Initiative, organised by the Office of the First Lady.
Deaconess Oborevwori made the commitment while speaking at the 3rd edition of the Delta State Food Bank Initiative, held at the event centre, Asaba, on Wednesday.
The initiative, aimed at alleviating food insecurity and improving the welfare of vulnerable households, impacted 2,500 women across the 25 Local Government Areas (LGA) of the state, with 100 beneficiaries drawn from each of the LGAs.
In her address, the First Lady emphasised the importance of supporting women, noting that they often bear the responsibility of ensuring that food was available for their families.
She explained that the food bank initiative was introduced out of her passion for improving the welfare of women and families, particularly those facing economic hardship.
According to her, supporting women has a wider impact on society because of their central role in family welfare and development.
She said the initiative was designed to put smiles on the faces of women across Delta State while providing practical support to those struggling to meet their families’ basic needs.
The First Lady also stressed that development goes beyond the construction of roads and other physical infrastructure to include human capital development and programmes that directly improve people’s lives.
She called on individuals to extend a hand of compassion to the less privileged by offering support within their means, while urging beneficiaries to utilise the assistance judiciously to meet their families’ essential needs.
Beyond the food bank initiative, the First Lady highlighted her commitment to supporting vulnerable residents through the You Matter Charity Foundation, which also conducted free medical outreaches across the federal constituencies in Delta State.
She said efforts must be made to create opportunities for all residents to benefit from government programmes and social intervention initiatives.
In her welcome address, the wife of the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Ezinne Kathrine Onyeme, spoke on the importance of compassion and care for women and families.
She acknowledged the entire families. enormous responsibilities women carry in providing food and meeting the needs of their households, stressing that supporting women ultimately means supporting entire families.
She commended the initiative for reaching out to women in need and providing assistance that could ease some of the challenges they face in caring for their loved ones.
Delivering a message on the theme, “Whatever You Do for Others, You Do for Christ”, Pastor Solomon Nathaniel highlighted the importance of compassion, generosity and service to humanity.
He encouraged participants to extend kindness to others, particularly vulnerable members of society, noting that acts of service and assistance to those in need reflect the values of Christian faith.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Princess Pat Ajudua, commended the First Lady for sustaining the food bank initiative and remembering women across the state through programmes designed to improve their welfare.
She acknowledged the importance of interventions that address the needs of vulnerable women and their families, describing the initiative as a demonstration of concern for their well-being.
A major highlight of the event was the symbolic handover of food items to the chairpersons representing the 25 local government areas of Delta State which were distributed to the beneficiaries at the venue.
Through the third Delta State Food Bank Initiative and the activities of the You Matter Charity Foundation, the Office of the First Lady has continued to emphasise the importance of addressing the needs of vulnerable residents through practical social intervention programmes.
The initiative highlights the role of community support and targeted assistance in strengthening families and improving the well-being of women across Delta State.