Niger Delta

RSG ’ll Continue To Support UNIPORT, Wike Assures

Published

6 years ago

September 13, 2019

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has stated that the state government would continue to support the University of Port Harcourt to deliver on its core mandate.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Governing Council of the University of Port Harcourt, at the Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday, Wike said that the University of Port Harcourt has played a key role in human capital development of the country.
“I had my foundation at the University of Port Harcourt. I owe it a duty to contribute to the development of my alma mater.
“I will release the sum of N200million to the university to complete the Faculty of Law building at the school. That faculty was initiated when I was a minister. I will ensure that the facility is delivered”, he said.
The governor directed the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Special Projects to liaise with the university management for the commencement of the Convocation Arena of the institution to be funded by the Rivers State Government.
Commenting on the issue of the university land, Wike directed the Surveyor General of the state to work with the university authorities to map out the land belonging to the institution.
The governor, however, advised federal agencies not to acquire land that they cannot use for development purposes.
He said many communities are denied access to land because some federal agencies acquire land they cannot put to use.
“I am not in support of federal agencies taking land without using same. I am discouraging the non-usage of such land”, he said.
He said the state government would install electricity and water facilities at the Faculty of Humanities building at the institution.
The governor said though that faculty was approved by the immediate past administration, it was his administration that funded its construction with over N400million.
Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof Mvendaga Jibo congratulated the Rivers State governor on his victory at the polls.
He said though the contest was tough, the governor emerged victorious through planning and the grace of God.
He said: “As a political scientist, I closely followed the contest. I knew that it was very tough. It required good planning; it required foresight to achieve the victory you won. I think God was on your side.
“We appreciate what you stand for in this country’s politics, even if now and again you make statements that people may not immediately understand. Nevertheless, I think you are in the right direction of nation building”.
He praised the Rivers State governor for contributing to the infrastructural development of the school and improving the relationship between the school and its host communities.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof Ndowa Lale thanked the governor for delivering on the Faculty of Humanities in the institution and starting work on the Convocation Arena of the university.
Lale said that the University of Port Harcourt remains eternally grateful to the governor for his contributions to the development of projects in the school.
He said such projects would remain worthy legacies.
The VC appealed to the Rivers State governor to assist the university to stop the encroachment on its land by the host communities.

Niger Delta

Navy Pledges Improved Patrols, Welfare Boost For Personnel

Published

9 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has pledged to ensure improved welfare for personnel and more patrols on the maritime corridors of the nation.

He disclosed this during an on the spot assessment of things at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Calabar, on Wednesday.

According to him, there is the need for officers to always be ready, by improving on their welfare, in a bid to keep the country secured.

“I am here for an on the spot assessment of our operations and like you have seen, I have also gone round to check the ongoing buildings.

”These are welfare issues and for us to be able to have our men ready and keep us secured, their welfare needs to be catered for.

“So, we are here to kill two birds with one stone, which are basically operations and welfare issues.

”I am happy with what the command is doing; it is doing well in terms of keeping the maritime environment safe.

“We will continue doing what we are doing and improve on that, which is patrol of the waters and increase in the area of surveillance”, he stated.

As part of his visit, Abbas commissioned the 12×1 Junior Rates Accommodation Block A and B, at the Navy Barracks at Atimbo in Calabar.

The naval chief also inspected other ongoing projects in the Akim Barracks, 1006 flats and the Navy hotel, all within Calabar.

Niger Delta

Delta Begins Uromi Junction Flyover Construction

Published

12 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State Government says it has began construction work on the long-awaited Uromi Junction Flyover Bridge in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of the state.

Director-General (DG) of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr. Fred Oghenesivbe, confirmed the development to newsme in Asaba.

According to him, heavy-duty construction equipment have arrived the site, a project which is being handled by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, one of the country’s leading construction firms.

Oghenesivbe, described the flyover as a massive infrastructure project with far-reaching socio-economic benefits for the area.

He said the project would significantly transform the Agbor metropolis by easing traffic congestion, improving the city’s aesthetics, and boosting commercial activities within the local government area.

He described the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, as a promise-keeper and pragmatic leader whose administration remains committed to infrastructure development and economic growth across the state.

The DG expressed confidence in Julius Berger’s capacity to deliver the project within record time and according to the highest construction standards.

“The Uromi Junction serves as a major link between different parts of the country but has recently been plagued by severe traffic congestion, making vehicular movement increasingly difficult”, he noted.

He urged residents to cooperate with the contractor and safeguard construction materials and equipment to ensure the timely completion of the project.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Rejects Ekid Ownership Claim Of Stubbs Creek

Published

12 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State Government has rejected claims by the Ekid People’s Union that it owns land within the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, describing such assertions as “false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

In a recent statement, signed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, the state government said it was compelled to respond in the “overriding public interest,” despite a pending court case instituted by the same group.

The government stated that contrary to claims circulating in the media, the historic case of Ntiaro and Ikpak vs. Ibok Etok Akpan and Edoho Ekid, decided by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in 1918, did not vest ownership of Stubbs Creek land in any ethnic group or community.

“The final judgement merely dismissed the claims before the court and granted title to no party whatsoever”, the government stated, adding that “any assertion to the contrary is false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

According to the statement, the land was lawfully reserved by the colonial government under Forest Reserve Order No. 45 of 1930, later amended in 1941, 1955 and 1962, with “the principal rights of the land forfeited to the Government upon the change of status.”

It said the area has since been administered under applicable laws by the Akwa Ibom State Government, which “has at all times acted within its lawful authority in the management and allocation of land in the area for legitimate public and economic purposes.”

Citing the 1999 Constitution and the Land Use Act, the government stated that all land in the state is vested in the governor to be held in trust for the common benefit of Nigerians, noting that claims of absolute ancestral ownership are subject to existing laws.

The government “categorically denies allegations of fraud or misrepresentation” regarding Stubbs Creek or investments there and warned it would take “appropriate legal steps” against any individual or group publishing false or defamatory material capable of undermining public confidence or discouraging investment

The statement also assured the federal government of “full access and Right of Way” for the proposed Coastal Highway through any part of the state.

The government statement followed an earlier report in which the Ekid People’s Union accused Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State of making comments that allegedly linked the community to terrorism, while he was defending the Coastal Highway project passing through the Stubbs Creek.

Ekid People’s Union maintained that the people of Ekid are the original owners of the land known as Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, arguing that their ancestral ownership predates colonial rule.

The group cited historical occupation, customary ownership and a 1918 Privy Council case, which it claimed affirmed Ekid rights over the territory.

The union also accused the Akwa Ibom State Government of misrepresenting history to justify taking over the land for commercial interests and the proposed Coastal Highway, an allegation the state government has denied.

The group rejected any suggestion linking the Ekid people to criminality or terrorism, insisting they were peaceful citizens defending their ancestral land through lawful and civic means.