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Niger Delta

New CP Unveils Policing Plan In A’Ibom

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7 years ago

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The newly appointed Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom, Edgal Imohimi  has unfolded a new policing plan for the state.
Imohimi gave the hint while inaugurating a new Divisional Police Station in Ikot Udota village in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom at the weekend.
The commissioner also inaugurated a community vigilance group that would aid the Nigerian Police Force spread their security tentacles to the remotest areas in Eket.
Imohimi, who was on a familiarisation tour to Eket Senatorial District, added that the reasons for his visit was to introduce his policing plan to the people that would  curb criminal activities in the state.
He said that his policing plan was powered by the strategy and philosophy of community policing and community partnership, which he said was a guide to police as a process and not as a function.
“My policing plan is powered by the strategy and philosophy of community policing and community safety partnership, “ he said.
The commissioner described policing as a grassroot item that begins and ends with the people and it is the people that can best police the community hence, the need for  the police to  communicate and partner with the people to have first hand information on security challenges in the community.
“Policing is a grassroot item and it is the people that can do that effectively, so the police has to partner with the people to get it right, “ he added.
Imohimi said he was aware that each local government in the state was being greeted with different security challenges and since the police could not  be everywhere in the remote areas, there was  need to invoke the clause of partnership in community policing and community safety to ensure that policing was pushed to the remotest of the grassroots.
He said that the vigilance group would be at the direct supervision of the Divisional Police Officer and it would be their responsibility to go ahead of the police under strict supervision.
. of the police, gather information and form a part of police operations in the remote areas.
The commissioner said that in forming the vigilance group, the modalities must be based on what were obtainable under the laws of the federation, which meant that they must operate without firearms or any lethal weapon and must not establish any detention center in their area of jurisdiction.
“We want to establish in Akwa Ibom, the people’s police and not the state police, a police force that belongs to the people, that partners with the people to find solution to their policing challenges, “ imohimi said.
He urged the communities to setup a Community Development Association that would create the needed room for interaction between the people and the police.
Earlier in his remark, the Eket Local Government Chairman, Frank Archibong,  said the visit of the commissioner was timely, owing to the fact that Eket was one region that needed security attention in terms of population, crime rate after Uyo Local Government.
He said that from the antecedents of the commissioner of police in service, he would not have difficulty fighting crime in Akwa Ibom, having been a commissioner in a state like Lagos.
“Security is everyone’s business, so everyone must rise up in collaboration with the police to ensure that in his or her community lives and property are protected,” he said.
Archibong, who is also the ALGON Chairman in Akwa’Ibom , said that the coastal nature of Eket had subjected the people to some sort of disadvantages as the waterways now served as an alternate and ready escape routes to criminals.
Archibong, who presented security gadgets to the vigilance group, appealed to the youths to rise in unison to address the trend of criminality in the area.  (NAN)

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Niger Delta

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

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3 weeks ago

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July 3, 2026

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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.
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Niger Delta

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

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3 weeks ago

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July 3, 2026

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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.
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Niger Delta

SEEPCO Collaborates Delta, Others In Voluntary Blood Donation Campaign

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3 weeks ago

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July 3, 2026

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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.
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