Niger Delta

Group Dismisses Report On Oil Exploration Resumption In Ogoni …As Kachukwu Visits Ogoniland, July 9

Published

8 years ago

July 4, 2018

The National Coordinator of Ken Saro-Wiwa Associates (KSWA), Chief Gani Topba has dismissed purported reports that Ogoni stakeholders had agreed with the Federal Government on conditions for the resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland.
Topba reiterated that the one but last meeting of the stakeholders held May 3, 2018 at the NNPC Towers, Abuja, with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu did not agree on resumption of oil production by any company in the area, and warned those peddling such rumours to retrace their steps before they throw Ogoniland into another round of crisis.
He made this clarification while delivering a letter of invitation from the Minister for Petroleum Resources to the family of late Ken Saro-Wiwa in Bane, Khana Local Government Area, last Sunday.
Topba explained that the major reason for attending the meeting in Abuja was to pressure the Federal Government to exonerate the late environmentalist from any murder charges.
He stressed that it was only after the exoneration of Ken Saro-Wiwa from murder charges that the Ogoni people could begin further negotiations with the Federal Government on the way forward for oil exploration in Ogoniland, adding that the letter by the minister calling for an engagement with Ogoni people to secure their understanding for the resumption of oil exploration came as a surprise to the stakeholders who attended the Abuja meeting.
He urged the people of Ogoni not to despair but remain resilient and patient so as to ensure that what Ken Saro-Wiwa died for comes to pass, adding that propaganda spread around by RoboMichael and its cohorts against the state director of Department of State Security (DSS) would not deter the people from standing their ground as non-violent agitators.
Topba berated some traditional rulers in the area for compromising their reputation and integrity in an attempt to enrich themselves at the detriment of the lives of majority of Ogonis, reminding them that Ogoni people would not shirk their confidence and trust in the ability and capacity of security agencies to protect lives and property while maintaining the peace and security in the area.
Topba called on all the security agencies to partner the Rivers State Government to urgently investigate the activities of RoboMichael in Ogoniland and bring those found wanting to justice, adding that Ogonis were ready to resist attempts by any group of persons to forcefully enter their land to explore for crude oil.
Responding to the letter handed over to him by Gani Topba, the head of Ken Saro-Wiwa family, Harry Wiwa called on the Federal Government to change the venue of the meeting from Palace of the Gbenemene of Tai Kingdom to the Suanu Finima Wika Hall, Bori, or Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt, claiming that Ogonis would not be safe attending strategic meeting in the palace of a traditional ruler.
“The meeting slated to take place on July 9, is an important one and the governor of Rivers State knows the calibre of people expected to attend. Therefore, to avoid violence and ensure the safety of all Ogonis, we urge the governor to host the meeting at Government House, if they don’t want to come to Suanu Finima Wika’s Hall.”

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana

Niger Delta

INC Polls: Ogoriba Pledges To Continuously Stand For N’Delta Rights … Picks Presidential Form

Published

2 days ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

Human Rights Activist and founding father of the Movement for the Survival of the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality of the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), Elder Timi Kaiser Ogoriba, has said he would continue to advocate for the environmental and human rights of the people of the Niger Delta, especially his Ijaw kinsmen.

Ogoriba who doubles as the current Vice-Chairman of the Bayelsa State founding fathers forum made the pledge at the Ijaw House, headquarters of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), in Yenagoa, capital of the State, while fielding questions from newsmen shortly after picking his interest form for the position of president in the 2026 polls of the national executive council of the body.

The Odi-born activist who described the foremost Pan-Ijaw umbrella parent body as the envy of many sister ethnic groups in the nation, noted that he played pivotal roles in the formative stages of both the INC and its youth body, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC).

He expressed confidence in the activities of the body, saying he would continue to work with all relevant stakeholders to reposition the Pan-Ijaw group for greater achievements when elected as President come February, 2026.

“I’m still ready to go to trenches because of Ijaw nation. For those who knew me before now, you’ll recall that I have gone to trenches several times because of my love for the Ijaw people.

“Today as an ethnic group, we’re the envy of every other tribe. And that’s because we’ve all it takes for others to envy us. Today the INC has become the pride of everyone, including many who don’t know how we started it. And I’m not detered by the propaganda against my candidacy. I’m determined to win and continue my service to the Ijaw nation.

“I was part of the struggle in 1991 when the INC was formed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. I’ve all it takes to lead the INC as President. But the INC under my leadership will not be a ‘T. K. Ogoriba thing alone’. I’ll need all of you and every Son and daughter of Ijaw nation to lead us well when elected”, he said.

The Presidential hopeful, who also bared his mind on issues of Resource control and true-federalism, restated his commitment towards ensuring that the Niger Delta region was given fair treatment by Government.

He stressed the need for the INC to synergize with other ethnic nationalities of the Niger Delta region for positive results, saying he would also ensure that there is mutual respect and understanding amongst and between stakeholders of the Ijaw nation and other sister ethnic groups to fast track the processes of growth and development of the region.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Edo Partners Stakeholders For Better Land, Housing Services

Published

2 days ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

The Edo State government has reaffirmed its commitment to strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to enhance effective service delivery in the lands and housing sector across the state.

Commissioner for Ministry of Lands and Housing, Mr. Yakubu Musa, made this known on Thursday, when he met with members of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in Benin.

Musa emphasised the importance of synergy and collaboration to drive sustainable development in the state.

He said, ‘’The ministry is taking steps to sanitise and regulate the real estate industry to make sure Edo citizens get maximum satisfaction from the lands and housing sector.’’

Earlier, the Chairman of the Association, Mr. Roger Isiokhere, said the visit was to formally acquaint the commissioner with the institution’s activities.

Isiokhere expressed the institution’s readiness to work closely with the ministry in achieving its mandate, offering professional advisory services and other forms of support.

The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Joy Akhigbe, also stressed the importance of collaboration.

In attendance at the meeting were the Surveyor-General of the State, Directors, and other management staff of the Ministry of Lands and Housing.

Niger Delta

Otu Reiterates Commitment To Support Military Veterans, Families

Published

2 days ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of military veterans and their families.

Otu, who spoke at the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Calabar on Thursday, said his administration would not forget the contributions of fallen heroes.

Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Peter Odey, the Governor described the armed forces remembrance day as a reminder of the sacrifices made by military veterans to keep Nigeria united and peaceful.

“The lesson is to remember our fallen heroes, people who sacrificed for the country, many of them paid with their lives to protect this nation”, he said.

Otu further said widows of late military officers would continue to be part of his government’s programmes and interventions.

“All widows are being carried along, the Commissioner for Social Welfare ensures their inclusion in every programme”, he said.

Earlier, the Cross River State Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Daniel Ojugbo, said the ceremony was not only an honour for fallen heroes, but a time to reflect on the challenges being faced by military veterans and their families.

Ojugbo said families of fallen military officers faced delayed welfare benefits, limited medical care and unemployment for their widows and other dependants.

He commended Otu for his support, saying that his administration had shown genuine and remarkable concerns for the legion and its members.

Also speaking, the Coordinator, Military Widows in the state, Mrs. Miriam Orok, thanked the Governor for improved treatment and inclusion in welfare interventions.

“We are actually seeing better changes under our Governor. He has been carrying us along, and we are very grateful. We also thank the governor’s wife for her sense of compassion”, she said.

The Tide’s source reports that the event featured prayers, wreath-laying, and tributes to the fallen heroes.