Niger Delta
NGO Wants Laws To Protect IDPs In S’South
A non-governmental organisation under the aegis of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has called on governors of the South South zone to make laws that will protect persons in their states who are Internally Displaced.
Executive Director for CISLAC, Auwal Ibrahim Musa made the call at the end of a media round table discussion which ended in Calabar yesterday morning.
Musa who spoke on the topic “ internal displacement in Nigeria” said that development of phenomenon of returnee migrant in the region with particular focus in Cross River State has no doubt become a source of concern to humanitarian actors operating in the region.
CISLAC, an organization that receives support from embassy of the Netherland in Nigeria is noted for fighting for the rights and privileges of persons who are internally displace either by war or natural calamity.
CISLAC’s Executive Director said that thought the organisation is not aware of any existing law in the region that makes it possible for persons concern to be adequately catered for adding that a situation where the governors wait until crises erupt in the region before they begin to run helter-skelter looking for where to lay their hands to salvage the situation was not a welcome development.
He called for the leadership of the various state houses of assemblies in the region to come up with a law if there was none in their state to ensure that people internally displaced are taken care of before they constitute a problem to the society.
“Agreed that bags of rice, cartons of indomies, kilos of sugar, packets of toilet tissues were at regular intervals distributed to the IDPs, what happens after the receipt of these items, when the persons concerned are allowed to be on their own. Are those items sustainable? No! The items cannot sustain them and their families.
He urged the South South governors not to wait until there is outbreak of IDPs before they begin to look for “where to scratch” to solve the problem suggesting for workability of a solution before problem crops up.
“While the state still plays host to internally displaced persons(IDPs) that emanated from the ruling of the International Court of Justice(ICJ) which ceded the Bakassi region to Cameroun, other conflict and environmentally induced displacement cases have further exacerbated the need for a multi-pronged approach for protection and assistance to persons of concern in the region,” CISLAC executive director stressed.
The NGO called for the collaboration of stakeholders to generate a policy frame work that can help humanitarian actors in the region provide assistance to the IDPs.
The executive director asked, “As state governors, what have you done in terms of legislation to address all the humanitarian crises concerns to tackle humanitarian crises”?
According to him, states still lack policies that take care of humanitarian crises which arises as a result of IDPs stressing that unless that is done states will still continue to fail in its responsibilities of tackling humanitarian crises in states.
He said, “Something has to be put in black and white to tackle the IDPs’ problems before they become a security risk.” Whether they are IDPs or refugees they may make you join them when they burn down your house”
The non-governmental organisation decried state governments’ inability to do something tangibly to better the lots of the internally displaced.
In a brief interview shortly after the media chat came to an end, one of the participants, Mrs. Linda Tambe recounted her ordeal in the hands of the IDPs in one of the camps in Bakassi, saying that the IDPs almost got her beaten up if not for the security agents close to the camp who rescued her.
According to her, her friend and her had gome to one of the IDPs’s camps in Cross River State to do a little empowerment, and equip the IDPS with some skills, unknown to them that the IDP,s have now become enraged because of neglect from the society. On getting to the camps the IDPs held them hostage saying that they were tire with the ill treatment meted on them by the government and the society.
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The Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, has called on all court users to collaborate with the state judiciary in its fight against corruption.
Okungbowa made the call on Friday during a special court session held in Benin to mark the opening of the 2025/2026 Legal Year.
He commended the “Bail Is Free Campaign Organisation” for its continued support of the judiciary’s efforts to rid the system of corruption.
The opening ceremony provided an opportunity for the judiciary to reflect on the achievements of the past legal year and to outline goals for the year ahead.
According to the Chief Judge, key focus areas in the previous year included capacity building, administration of criminal justice, and staff welfare.
As the new legal year begins, Okungbowa emphasised the judiciary’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and transparency in the discharge of its duties.
In recognition of exemplary service, ten members of the state judiciary received the Chief Judge’s Award for being outstanding ambassadors of the institution.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Benin Branch, Mr. Idemudia Osifo, urged the Edo State judiciary to continue upholding the principles of justice, fairness, and judicial independence.
Osifo praised the judiciary for its industry, resilience, and steadfastness under the leadership of the Chief Judge, and also highlighted several persistent challenges.
He noted that many courts in Edo State still operated in dilapidated conditions and lacked modern facilities needed for effective justice delivery.
He lamented the prolonged duration of many court cases, which continued to erode public confidence in the system, and stressed the urgent need to improve the working conditions of judicial officers and support staff.
“The safety of judicial officers, lawyers, litigants, and witnesses must be ensured”, he said.
The NBA urged the judiciary to invest in ICT infrastructure to enhance justice delivery, reduce delays, and increase transparency.
It also pledged its commitment to promoting access to justice and defending the sanctity of the legal profession.
As the new legal year begins, the association urged the judiciary to uphold the noble ideals of justice, fairness, and independence.
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has congratulated the Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Obi, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, on the occasion of his first year coronation anniversary.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, Oborevwori lauded the monarch’s dedication to peace, unity, and the cultural advancement of Asaba.
He described Obi Azinge as a revered traditional ruler and academic whose leadership over the past year has brought renewed pride to the Asaba Kingdom and inspired confidence in traditional institutions across the State.
Oborevwori said: “On behalf of the Government and people of Delta State, I warmly congratulate Your Majesty, Obi, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, SAN, OON, the Asagba of Asaba, on the joyous celebration of your first coronation anniversary.
“Your reign has already demonstrated a deep commitment to the values of peace, inclusiveness, and development.
“As an accomplished academic and respected traditional ruler, you have brought honour not only to the Asaba Kingdom, but also to the entire Delta State.”
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s support for traditional institutions and assured the Asagba of continued partnership in advancing the interests of the Asaba people.
He wished the monarch long life, wisdom, and a peaceful and prosperous reign.
Obi Prof. Azinge ascended the throne as the Asagba of Asaba in 2024, succeeding the late Obi Prof. Chike Edozien, and has since been recognised for his efforts in promoting cultural heritage, peace and community development.
By: Albert Ograka, Asaba
The Akwa Ibom State Government has launched the Nigeria Solar for Health Project (NISHP) to tackle the challenges of epileptic power supply to the health sector.
The State Governor, Umo Eno, stated this in his keynote address during the state launch on Friday in Uyo, saying that the project would be in collaboration with the EU.
According to the Governor, the project is to strengthen the state’s vision of universal, reliable and sustainable energy access for all communities, especially in rural and peri-urban areas.
Eno, represented by the Deputy Governor, Sen. Akon Enyaenyi, stated that Akwa Ibom State has taken bold steps to domesticate the Electricity Act 2023 through its own Electricity Policy (2024) and Electricity Law (2024).
He said those two instruments mark a turning point in its journey toward a fully-fledged Akwa Ibom State Electricity Market (AKSEM), one that is state-led, private-sector-driven.
According to him, it will be inclusive in all ramifications and acutely focused on developing and sustaining the all-important off-grid sub-sector of the State Electricity Market.
“Electricity is not just a commodity, it is the foundation of healthcare, education, security, and prosperity.
“By establishing a credible electricity market and regulatory framework, we are creating a platform where on-grid and off-grid solutions can coexist, complementing each other to deliver reliable power to all sectors, including our hospitals and health centres”, Eno said.
The Governor further said the project would provide clean, reliable solar energy to healthcare facilities across the state; enhance healthcare delivery, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
He added that it would reduce dependency on diesel and improve environmental sustainability; create local jobs and build technical capacity in solar maintenance and energy services.
Eno commended the state steering committee for taking up the important responsibility.
He said the committee, drawn from both the Ministries of Power and Health, would serve as the vital bridge between policy, implementation and progressive community outcomes.
“Let me assure our development partners, the EU, NTU International, and the REA, that the Akwa Ibom State Government will provide all necessary supports to ensure that this project becomes a model for sustainable energy access in healthcare, not just in our State but across Nigeria.
“This launch is more than a ceremony, it is a statement of intent”, he said.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Power, Mr. Robson Iniobong, said electricity is the very thing that guarantees and announces the functionality of every other sector.
Iniobong stated that the Governor had prioritised his interest in power and health sectors to provide quality services to the people.
In his remarks, Mr. Tinyan Ogiehor, Senior Stakeholders Engagement Manager of NISHP, said the project would establish solar mini-grids at approximately 19 Public Health Centres (PHCs) across the state.
Ogiehor added that the solar project would also reach the state central cold store, with a view to positively impacting healthcare delivery and boosting economic activities.
“Beyond powering the PHCs, this project will enhance the operations of about 75 small businesses located within these facilities”, he said.