Niger Delta

‘I Was Ordained By God To Govern C`River’

Published

8 years ago

October 10, 2016

The Cross River State Gov
ernor, Prof Ben Ayade, has on his return from Abuja to Calabar, last weekend, stated that the mandate upon which he is governing the people of Cross River State was given to him by God.
Ayade made the remarks while addressing mammoth crowd which came to welcome him on his arrival to Calabar, at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport in Calabar.
The governor, who spoke before his PDP party men and women, who besieged the airport to show solidarity against the impending Supreme Court judgment of December 9, this year.
Ayade’s victory had been brought under scrutiny by the court following a suit filed by one of his party men in the PDP Mr. Joe Agi (SAN), who had gone to court to challenge the validity and eligibility of Ayade as governor of the state.
Apparently referring to his persecutors, he said, “for God is greater than any law or might, you may have the intellect or legal capacity to manipulate everybody, but can never manipulate God”.
The Cross River State governor also state that, it was only God that knows that he is innocent, stressing, “you may have the legal capacity to manipulate all men but cannot manipulate God. For the lion of Judea cannot be conquered”.
Ayade further remarked that what he is now seeing, is strange to him, adding that as a cross Riverian, he has never seen what is happening in the state before now, noting, that the people of Cross River State had been known for being very peaceful and wondered why he is being tossed around by his persecutors.
“Never in the history of Cross River State have brothers fought at this extreme level. Let it be God’s will that He brings peace and brings unity. Let God’s judgment prevail. God is a wonderful God and I believe He will not forsake us at this time as we will take our cry to him”, Ayade lamented.
The former senator for Cross River Northern senatorial district also stated that he went into contesting election as governor under the inspiration of God and not the inspiration of man.
“I was preparing to run elections for senate but God called me to come and run elections for governor,” Ayade stressed.
Hear him, “we have no capacity to appeal at this level, for all appeal goes to God. If I come before the court of man I come with supplication for clemency from God.”

Friday Nwagbara, Calabar

Niger Delta

Diri Restates PDP’s Stance Against Erring Members

Published

1 day ago

March 21, 2025

The Tide

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was bigger than any individual and that its internal challenges would be fixed once the members resolve to tackle them.

He stated this while speaking to journalists at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja recently after the inauguration of the party’s South-South Zonal Caretaker Committee led by Elder Emma Ogidi.

The Governor said the political will to confront those fomenting trouble in the party resided with the members and not solely on the leadership.

Diri, who is also Chairman of the South-South Governors Forum, stated that for the party to be competitive as the oldest in the country, it must look inwards and fix its internal issues.

“For me, we have to look inwards before accusing those outside our party. We have to first fix our internal issues.

“It is very easy to point accusing fingers. But the PDP has to sit back and tackle its internal challenges. That is only when we can stand to compete with others.

“I want the PDP to be competitive with other political parties. We are the oldest political party in Nigeria. So we have no reason to be accusing outsiders”, he said.

On whether the party’s leadership had the political will to discipline those fomenting trouble, Governor Diri said such will resided with the members.

“We are all members of the party. The moment we all resolve that we need to fix our party, there cannot be any one person that is bigger than the party”, he added.

He stressed that the newly inaugurated zonal caretaker committee had the mandate of the National Working Committee to look into every issue affecting the party in the South-South.

The Bayelsa helmsman expressed the hope that the event was a step forward for the party.

“In our zone, which is the only area in the country you have four governors of the party, we have all resolved and are together on this. You can see the Deputy Governor of Delta State, who represented the Governor.

“I’ve also received messages from the governors of Akwa Ibom and Rivers. It shows that we are together and what we need to do is to show leadership and work with the zonal committee so that our zone will again become safe and strong for the PDP”, Diri noted.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Delta Committed To Peace Sustenance In Riverine Communities’

Published

1 day ago

March 21, 2025

The Tide

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, says the State Government was committed to maintaining the existing peace in the riverine communities to sustain oil production, the mainstay of the nation’s economy.

The Governor, who stated this on Monday when the course participants of the Naval War College Nigeria (NWCN), Calabar, visited at Government House, Asaba, said Delta remained highest in oil production.

Represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, Oborevwori said the current administration has constructed several kilometers of roads and drainage channels in the riverine areas of the state.

Oborevwori disclosed that his administration, through the M.O.R.E Agenda, was committed to “fostering inclusive development and enhancing the quality of lives of our people.

“This administration is also committed to maintaining the prevailing peace in the riverine communities as the state is the highest in crude oil production, the mainstay of the economy of Nigeria.

“It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to this courtesy call to kick-start your study tour of the State with effect from today, March 17, 2025.

“I am aware that the tour is a vital aspect of your course curriculum. A delegation of 60 officials under the leadership of Rear Admiral A.O. Olodude and supported by Commodore C.U. Yahaya, Commandant and Deputy-Commandant of the College, respectively.

“This underscores the seriousness of the study and the State Government is pleased to identify with the College.

“Your study theme, ‘Maritime Security: A Panacea for Viable Socio-Economic Development’, holds the pathway to the safety and development of the blue economy of Nigeria.”

The Governor noted that maritime security was critical to the socio-economic development of the people.

According to him, Delta State has an area of 18,050 Square Kilometres; about 60 per cent is Land while 40 per cent is water with a coastline of approximately 163Km along the Atlantic Ocean.

“The M.O.R.E Agenda of this administration is committed to fostering inclusive development and enhancing the quality of lives of our people.

”In spite of the huge cost of riverine infrastructure development, government has taken deliberate step in connecting and transforming the maritime landscape.

“Before the commencement of the construction of the Lagos – Calabar Coastal Highway by the Federal Government, the Delta State Government had gone ahead to construct several length of roads and drainage channels in the riverine areas including seven completed bridges”, he stated.

Oborevwori further said the State Government had leveraged its award-winning Contributory Health Scheme to deliver quality and affordable healthcare services to the Under-five, Pre-Natal and Pregnant Women.

“To improve the health status of the people in the riverine communities, the State Government priotised the enhancement of Primary Healthcare to ensure quality service delivery.

“The present administration has continued with the development of the coastal communities.

“The creation of the Ministry of Riverine Infrastructure Development is calculated at addressing infrastructure deficit in the riverine communities for Rural – Urban integration.

“For your take home, let me mention a few: Trans Warri-Ode-Itsekiri Road and Bridges; Construction of a 18.17km Okerenkoko – Pepeama – Kokodiagbene Roads with a spur to Teiteipor in Warri South-West LGA.

”Also construction of a 2.5km Okerenkoko Township Roads (Phase II) in Warri South-West LGA; Rehabilitation of the 26.61km Bomadi /Gbaregolor Road in Bomadi LGA; Rehabilitation of the 26.34km Ohoro/Bomadi/Gbaregolor Roads in Bomadi LGA.

“The State has continued to collaborate with the Federal Government in the development of the Nigeria Maritime University (NMU), Okerenkoko, a specialized University to enhance Maritime education and research.

“Delta State Government has continued to collaborate with the various Security Agencies through the provision of logistic supports to enhance their operations in the riverine areas and the State in general.

“At an institutional level, the State Government has recruited a significant number of staff to enhance our Waterways Security Network in the coastal communities.

“In addition, Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC) is an interventionist agency with the mandate to provide critical infrastructure in the oil producing Communities of the State.

“Let me assure you that maritime security is a top priority of this administration as the state is determined to maintain the prevailing peace in the riverine communities as the highest in crude oil production, the mainstay of the economy of Nigeria”, Oborevwori said.

He urged the participants to take advantage of the opportunities the tour offers, and had wished the participants a successful tour of the state.

Earlier, Rear Admiral A.O. Olodude, who led the participants said that 60 officials were undertaking the study to access the performance of the military in coastal areas.

Niger Delta

Police Nab Man For Killing Girlfriend

Published

1 day ago

March 21, 2025

The Tide

Akwa Ibom state Police Command has arrested one Ndifreke Nelson for allegedly killing his girlfriend and stealing her mobile phone after committing the crime.

A statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Timfon John, in Uyo stated that the victim, identified as Emem Monday Effanga, was found dead in her apartment under suspicious circumstance.

According to the statement, “Sometime in February 2025, the Command received a report that the deceased was found dead in her apartment under suspicious circumstances.

“Upon arrival at the scene, operatives observed visible marks of violence on her face and neck, suggesting she had been strangled and beaten to death.

“The scene was processed, evidence documented, and the body was evacuated to the hospital, where she was confirmed clinically dead by medical personnel.

“The corpse was thereafter deposited at the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.”

Timfon said the matter was followed up with swift investigations as detectives traced the last person seen with the deceased to be the suspect, Ndifreke Isaiah Nelson, who had visited her residence in the morning of the suspect’s birthday.

She explained that the suspect was later tracked to a church in Uyo, where he attempted to escape upon sighting police operatives but was immediately pursued and apprehended.

According to the police spokesperson, during interrogation, the suspect confessed to visiting the victim that morning and demanded to use the victim’s phone to take pictures for his birthday celebration on social media.

She said when the victim refused, a struggle ensued, during which he overpowered, strangled her with his hands and struck her head on the floor with fist blows, leaving her unconscious before fleeing with her phone.

“One Itel Super Phone, belonging to the deceased was recovered from him at the time of arrest.

“A post-mortem examination has been conducted, and the cause of death has been officially documented by a pathologist. The suspect will be charged to court”, the PPRO stated.

The State’s Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, has assured that justice will be served and warned against all forms of domestic violence and criminal acts.

He urged the public to remain security conscious and report suspicious activities to the Police.

Christopher Tom, Uyo