Connect with us

Niger Delta

Stakeholders Fault Selection Of New Eleme Monarch

Published

7 years ago

on

Less than a week after the emergence of HRM Philip Osaro Obele as the new king of Eleme in Rivers State, stakeholders, including some traditional rulers have faulted his selection, saying due process was not followed.
The Tide recalled that some clan heads in Eleme had reportedly elected Obele as new king of the area, claiming that the monarch was chosen by consensus at the Eleme town square, last Wednesday.
Paramount Ruler of Ogale in Eleme, HRH Godwin Bebe Okpabi who himself was a contender to the stool of Eleme land, had told newsmen that the monarch’s (king) selection was peaceful; describing it as a ‘total display of that ancient tradition of the people of Eleme by ten clan heads”.
But a contender to the stool and Paramount Ruler of Okori Kingdom in Eleme, HRH Appolus Chu described Obele’s declaration as null and void, pointing out that the kingship position is not hereditary, saying all interested parties, key stakeholders should be notified and allowed to particpate in the selection.
Addressing newsmen in company of some elites, chiefs and traditional rulers at his palace weekend, Dr. Chu expressed surprise over news of the selection and coronation of Sir Obelle as Eleme king.
Dr. Chu who is the Egbere Emere 1, Okori, Eleme Kingdom expressed displeasure that as one of the candidates for the exalted stool of Eleme Kingdom, he was not informed of the selection, noting that such development was capable of causing disunity in the area.
“What happened two or three days ago (last Wednesday), although I have been briefed when stakeholders, chiefs, most members of the Eleme Council of Chiefs were here to express their bitterness and grievances over what has happened.
“They (the stakeholders) were not here because they are against HRM Dr. Philip Obele, the one they said was chosen as King. They are not against him, but everyone is getting bored and angry because something is missing and not going right. That is the custom, the culture and the value of Eleme people.
“I was not informed in any way that they are selecting, or choosing or electing the king of Eleme. I am one of the highest Yam title holders in Eleme kingdom and as a candidate or interested candidate of the stool of the king of Eleme I am just surprised that those I expected to protect the custom and culture of our people are the ones violating the custom, the culture, process or where one or two will seat and say they have chosen the king of Eleme,” he stated.
The monarch described the selection process as an effort in futility; pointing out that the people of Eleme were yet to select their King.
“We have former Ministers in Eleme, we have an ambassador here, serving local government chairman and former council chairmen, we also have serving and former Commissioners. We have Bishops, and Arch Bishops and so on.
“Are all these personalities not supposed to be a part of the meeting to deliberate on the process of selection of who becomes their king? We have culture, values and traditions and then one or two people make up themselves to say that they have chosen.
“I am really disappointed that our values which is our culture and tradition is being destroyed in the hands of some traditional rulers that are supposed to hold this customs and culture very well and protect because it is sacred stool. What do we pass on to our children if everything is being turned into politics?
“In Eleme today, people need to rise up and condemn what is wrong. I am one to the aspirants of this stool. So I believe things should be done right. I was denied my right of participation. Eleme people have not selected their king because the stool is not hereditary. What this will cause is disunity. This is not politics. We should not force ourselves on our people so that we can earn their respect,” the monarch said.

 

Dennis Naku

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Niger Delta

24 Nigerian Universities Make 2026 THE Rankings  … 4 S’South Versitieis Pull Through 

Published

3 weeks ago

on

July 3, 2026

By

Nigeria has recorded its strongest-ever outing in global university rankings, with 24 institutions earning places in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings and Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings.
 However, only four universities from the South-South geopolitical zone made the prestigious list.
The South-South institutions that secured places in the rankings are Delta State University, Abraka (12th), University of Benin (22nd), University of Calabar (23rd), and University of Port Harcourt (24th).
The rankings, which represent Nigeria’s highest-ever participation, reinforces the country’s growing influence in higher education across Sub-Saharan Africa, with 24 universities listed, up from 21 in both the 2024 and 2025 editions.
The University of Ibadan retained its position as Nigeria’s highest-ranked institution, followed by the University of Lagos, while Bayero University, Kano, emerged as the third-best performing university in the country.
Of the 24 institutions, 17 are federal universities, four are state-owned, and three are private universities, reflecting broad improvements in teaching, research, and institutional performance across the country’s tertiary education sector.
The rankings also underscore the growing global recognition of Nigeria’s specialised universities of technology and agriculture, while state-owned institutions continue to improve their academic profiles through enhanced research output and governance reforms.
The full list of Nigeria’s universities in the 2026 THE rankings are: University of Ibadan; University of Lagos; Bayero University, Kano; Covenant University; Landmark University; Ahmadu Bello University; Federal University of Technology, Minna; University of Ilorin; University of Jos; University of Nigeria; Babcock University; and Delta State University, Abraka.
Others are: Ekiti State University; Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; Federal University of Technology, Akure; Federal University of Technology, Owerri; Federal University, Oye-Ekiti; Ladoke Akintola University of Technology; Lagos State University; Nnamdi Azikiwe University; Obafemi Awolowo University; University of Benin; University of Calabar; and University of Port Harcourt.
The rankings highlight both Nigeria’s expanding presence on the global academic stage and the need for greater investment in higher education across regions, particularly in the South-South, where only four universities made the country’s top 24 list.
Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Continue Reading

Niger Delta

‘Ogbolo ’26’: Bayelsa Community Revives Heritage, Strengthens Unity 

Published

3 weeks ago

on

July 3, 2026

By

The Ogu Community in Otubo-Atissa, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, has stated its commitment to preserving its culture, peace and community development through the celebration of the annual “Uge Adiafa” New Yam Festival, tagged “Ogbolo ’26.”
Held at St. John’s Primary School Field, Ogu, the colourful festival served not only as the traditional commencement of the yam harvest season, but also as a tribute to the community’s illustrious son and founder of the Uge Adiafa Festival, His Majesty, Late King Fedrick Aduku Simangi Ogbotom-Edede IV.
The celebration brought together sons and daughters of the community, traditional rulers, academics, youths and other guests in a display of thanksgiving, cultural performances and renewed communal solidarity.
Addressing the gathering, the traditional head of the community, HRH Bishop Akuegbe Paul, expressed delight at the massive turnout, describing the festival as a symbol of thanksgiving to God, cultural identity and unity among the people.
He noted that beyond celebrating a successful farming season, the festival honours the enduring legacy of the late monarch, whose vision established the Uge Adiafa Festival as a platform for preserving the community’s rich cultural heritage and promoting peaceful coexistence.
Guest of Honour, Professor Nedie Patience Akani, of Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, commended the community for embracing reconciliation and unity.
Professor Akani, who is of the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, of the university and a daughter of the soil, said, “This is my first time attending this New Yam Festival. I came because of the good things happening in this community.
“Before now, there were quarrels in the community, with court cases here and there, brother fighting against brother. But today, God has united us. It is a wonderful thing to be united because where there is no unity, there can be no progress in the home, family or community.
“I thank the head of Ogu Community, HRH, Bishop Akuege Paul, for making today’s celebration a reality”, she stated.
The event also featured inter-compound cultural competitions, with Yenikabu II Compound emerging overall winner, while Bongata Compound and Abrima Compound finished first d second runners-up respectively.
Also, eleven Compound Chiefs alongside their respective Head Compound Women Chiefs were coronated. The Woman Chief of Ogu Community, HH, Dare Tiebiri and her Deputy, Chief Stella Jordan Mark, were also coronated.
Dignitaries that graced the occasion included the Ebenanawei of Akamabubu Kingdom, Southern Ijaw LGA, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, HRM, King J. Olotu Erepamo; the Paramount Ruler, Ikibiri Community, Yenagoa LGA, Bayelsa State, HRH, Barrister Morris Lagos; and the Ebeni-Isisibo of Atissa Kingdom, HRH, God’swill Arab Simeon.
Other are: the Ebeni-Otubo, Atissa Kingdom, HRH, Sir Anderson J. Olumo, and his wife, Mrs. Tarila Anderson Olumo; the Deputy Head of Ogu Community, HH, Mission Obugu, and wife of the Ebeni-Ibe of Atissa Kingdom, Mrs. Diemeze Victor Awala.
For the people of Ogu, the festival was more than a celebration of the first harvest, it underscored the importance of preserving cultural traditions, strengthening communal bonds, promoting reconciliation and passing cherished values from one generation to another, while also ensuring that the legacy of their forebears continue to inspire future generations.
Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Continue Reading

Niger Delta

SEEPCO Collaborates Delta, Others In Voluntary Blood Donation Campaign

Published

3 weeks ago

on

July 3, 2026

By

Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) has partnered the Delta State Government, Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF) and the Nigerian Red Cross Society to promote voluntary blood donation as part of efforts to strengthen the state’s blood supply and save lives.
The initiative, which forms part of SEEPCO’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme for its host communities, aligns with activities marking the 2026 World Blood Donor Day with the theme, “One Drop of Humanity: Give Blood, Save Lives.”
The campaign was conducted across Delta State’s three senatorial districts — Asaba, Ughelli and Warri — where stakeholders sensitised residents on the importance of voluntary, regular and unpaid blood donation as the most sustainable means of ensuring adequate blood supply for healthcare facilities.
The exercise followed a similar campaign in Lagos State, where SEEPCO, in partnership with the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS) and the Nigerian Red Cross Society, mobilised about 550 pints of blood within two days.
VCDF also highlighted the steady growth of its annual blood donation drive, with the number of donors increasing from 98 in 2022 to 147 in 2023, 268 in 2024 and 341 in 2025.
Before the Delta campaign, the foundation had recorded a cumulative total of 1,404 voluntary donors, a feat that earned it the Blood Donation Champion Award from the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service.
At the Central Hospital, Ughelli, the hospital’s management and Blood Transfusion Committee commended SEEPCO, VCDF, the Delta State Ministry of Health and other partners for supporting initiatives aimed at improving access to safe blood for patients.
Speaking during the campaign, Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, described voluntary blood donation as critical to responding to public health emergencies and saving lives during accidents, childbirth and other medical emergencies.
He said: “Voluntary blood donation is important for public health emergencies and to save lives during accidents and childbirth. We are deeply grateful to VCDF and its partners for their commitment to promoting voluntary blood donation and supporting life-saving healthcare initiatives.”
Participants said the awareness campaign had increased public understanding of the importance of blood donation, with many first-time donors expressing willingness to become regular donors after learning about the safety, benefits and life-saving impact of donating blood.
Stakeholders also stressed the need for sustained public enlightenment, noting that a single blood donation could save multiple lives, as the campaign recorded impressive community participation across the three senatorial districts.
Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Continue Reading

Trending