Niger Delta

59 Ex-Agitators Graduate From BIU 12 Bag First Class

Published

8 years ago

July 14, 2017

The Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh (rtd), has said that 12 out of 59 ex-militants, who graduated from the Benson Idahosa University, bagged First Class Honours.
Boroh, also Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, said this in an interview with newsmen.
“Four out of the 59 beneficiaries, came out as best graduating students in their various departments.
“I just have to state their names here, Mr Bolei Gideon, First Class Honours Department of Agronomy and Environmental Management, Mr Azebi Marcodinho, First Class Honours, Geopphysics.
“Ms Febaide Ebiere, First Class Honours, Banking and Finance, and Ms Guwor Williams, First Class Honours, Sociology and Anthropology. They have all made the people of the region and the Nation proud,” he said.
According to him, the graduation of the 59 delegates of the Amnesty Programme fitted perfectly into the Amnesty Exit Strategic Plan.
He said that 20 out of the graduates made Second Upper Division in their various departments, while 22 of them graduated with Second Lower Division.
Boroh said the amnesty programme would continue to contribute to human capital development in the Niger Delta region and the nation at large.
He described the development as heart-warming, adding that President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to sustain the programme showed his sincere commitment to ensure peace, stability and rapid socio-economic development in the region.
Boroh commended the beneficiaries for their exemplary performance in their academic pursuits.
According to the coordinator, people who are educated are better informed and can differentiate from what is right and what is wrong.
“Educated people are united by the sense of right and wrong”. And since they are aware of the situation in their environment, they can be relied upon.
He said that the education of the youth would enable them have the sense of fulfilment in life and achieve their dreams.
He, however, urged authorities of institutions where amnesty beneficiaries have broken academic records through their high performance to find ways of absorbing such high flying beneficiaries.
He said that the amnesty educational empowerment programme has given hope to the youth in the region, and urged them not to allow anyone to short-change and mortgage their lives.
It would be recalled that 45 of its beneficiaries graduated from two universities in Belarus with three of them clinching first class honours in Information Technology from the Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics.

Niger Delta

Uyo High Court Awards Damages To Masquerade Over Arrest

Published

5 days ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

A High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has awarded damages to a masquerade who was arrested by the State Police Command for allegedly disturbing public peace during traditional worship rites.

The arrest followed an executive order reportedly issued by the State Governor, directing the Commissioner of Police to detain any masquerade seen performing during the Yuletide period.

Acting on this directive, a masquerade, identified as Mr. Effiong, a practitioner of traditional worship, was arrested and subsequently charged to court.

In a landmark ruling, the court sided with Mr. Effiong and his custodian, affirming that Ekpo, a recognised traditional religious practice in Akwa Ibom State, is protected under the law, and that its adherents are entitled to the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

The judge held that Mr. Effiong’s arrest and detention violated his rights to personal liberty and freedom of religion.

The court ordered his immediate and unconditional release and directed the Akwa Ibom State Government to pay damages for the infringement of his fundamental human rights and freedom of worship.

Human rights experts have hailed the judgment as a significant affirmation of Nigeria’s constitutional protection of traditional religious practices, emphasising the importance of respecting the country’s cultural and religious diversity.

By: Enoch Epelle

Niger Delta

MOSIEND Seeks Water Projects In Buguma From NDDC … Urges RSG To Revamp Fish Farm

Published

5 days ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Management of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to embark on water projects in Buguma city in Asari Toru Local Government Area (ASALGA), Rivers State

The Group also called on the Rivers State government to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths.

On the water project in Buguma, MOSIEND said the population of Buguma has increased tremendously and that the residents need more water projects to enhance the daily livelihood of the people.

The Group also appealed to the Chairman of the LGA to assist in making the project a reality and also attract more developmental projects to the LGA.

MOSIEND’s Eastern Zonal Coordinator, Half Hour, Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn, made the call on a radio programme in Rhythm 93.7fm, “Talk of the Town”.

LongJohn, who made the call alongside the Chairman of MOSIEND in Buguma, Mark Ojuka, and his counterpart in Obuama, Hon. Sandra Owunari, also called on the Management of Nigeria Liquidifed Natural Gas (NLNG) to embark on a free medical outreach in all Kalabari communities to improve their health status.

He appealed to NLNG to award scholarship to indigens of Kalabari communities in tertiary institutions to better their education, noting that the company is doing same in Bonny, while abandoning Kalabari communities

“We need contracts, free medicals, scholarships and employment, including skill acquisition programmes for our teeming youths in Kalabari extractions”, LongJohn stated.

On Security, Mark Ojuka said security in Buguma is at zero level with the help of the Amama soldiers, saying “the city is more peaceful and investor-friendly as the youths of the area have cordial relationship with the security agencies in the area.

“Security is very secured in Buguma clan”

On revamping the Buguma fish farm, he said, “The youths are asking for human capacity building in the area to reduce unemployment.

“The revamping of the Buguma fish farm will also reduce youth violence.”

By: Chinedu Wosu

Niger Delta

Make God Your Anchor To Fulfill Destiny, Cleric Charges Christians … As Jaja Marks 70th Birthday

Published

1 week ago

December 5, 2025

The Tide

The Lead Pastor at Jesus Appointed People’s Bible Church, Ozogbe, Ikwerrengwo-Etche, in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Pastor Promise Nwaelele, has urged Christians to make God the anchor of their lives in whatever position they find themselves, in order to attain the destinies set for them by God.

Pastor Nwaelele, who gave the charge recently in a sermon he preached at the 70th birthday anniversary thanksgiving service of Sir Donald Michael Jaja, a veteran journalist in Rivers State, said this is because any genuine child of God is a permanent target for destabilization and destruction by the devil.

Taking his text from the Bible book of Mark 4:16-17, the preacher stated that fulfilment in life for a child of God required faith, obedience to God’s word, humility and grace to withstand trials and temptations.

According to him, temptations and afflictions are bound to happen in the lives of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

“No wonder the Bible said that those that endure till the end shall be saved”, he said.

The Clergyman said God prospers believers who are humble, not proud and conceited, and leads them to destiny fulfilment.

“David said in Psalm 51:17, that the sacrifices acceptable to God are a broken spirit, not an impatient or proud spirit”, the preacher said.

He called on Christians not to allow persecutions and afflictions to sway them from the love and blessings of Jesus Christ.

On his part, Jaja, a seasoned Journalist who retired as an Acting Editor of the Rivers State Government-owned The Tide Newspaper, gave thanks to God for honouring him by giving him the grace of attaining 70 years.

“I cannot capture what the good Lord has done for me in my entire life in this fleeting moment of thanksgiving. But, I know that without Him, I wouldn’t have been who I am today, in all spheres. Therefore, my joy knows no bounds as I give thanks to my creator today, alongside my family. Praise be His holy name”, Jaja said.