Niger Delta

91 Bag First Class, As NDU Holds 5th Convocation

Published

6 years ago

January 27, 2020

A total of 91 graduands of the Niger Delta University,Wilberforce Island in Bayelsa State bagged first class.
This was revealed to newsmen by the Vice Chancellor,Prof. Samuel Edoumiekumo at the 5th combined convocation ceremony of the university held last Saturday at the Amassoma Campus of the institution.
According to the don, the 5th combined convocation featured a total of 15,811graduands comprising 2014/15, 2015/16 and the 2016/17 academic sessions.
Other academic sessions involved in the convocation were the 2017/18 and the 2018/19.
Edoumiekumo said among the 15,811 graduands,619 bagged post graduate degrees, comprising 145 Masters degrees and 15 Doctors of Philosophy while 14,892 are to bagged various first degrees.
A total of 459 graduands bagged post graduate Diplomas just as 2,818 graduated with Second Class Upper Division, 8,100 graduated with Second Class Lower Division while 3,939 made Third Class and a total of 244 graduands finished with a pass.
Professor Edoumiekumo commended the state Governor,Seriake Dickson for giving the institution and education a boost by funding infrastructural projects and others, pleading with him to do more within his remaining weeks in office as Governor to give the school backup in its academic programmes and developmental needs.
While re-interating his commitment to continue building on achievements recorded from his inception into office as the Vice Chancellor, Edoumiekumo noted that following the contributions of the present Governor and all former Governors of the state to the institution, some infrastructure in the school had been named after them.
In his remarks, the Bayelsa State Governor and Visitor to the school, Seriake Dickson charged the graduands to look beyond the abundant oil and gas resources in the Niger Delta, stressing that it is expected that rather than being job seekers they should be providers.
The Governor promised that within his remaining days in office, he would look into the issues confronting the university with a view to solving them before leaving office just as he approved automatic employment for all first class graduands of the institution.
“Vice chancellor I’ve heard your almost myriads of complains, as the visitor to the university and Governor ,like I said the problems of a university can not be all solved just in one day or by a single administration, but I want to specially invite you through the Honourable Commissioner for Education and the Chairman, Governing Council to a meeting before I leave office so that together we can solve some of the issues you have raised. But the NDU is the premier university of this greate state, so you must continue to play the role of mentorship to other institutions of learning owned by our great state.” he said.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Uyo High Court Awards Damages To Masquerade Over Arrest

Published

1 week ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

A High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has awarded damages to a masquerade who was arrested by the State Police Command for allegedly disturbing public peace during traditional worship rites.

The arrest followed an executive order reportedly issued by the State Governor, directing the Commissioner of Police to detain any masquerade seen performing during the Yuletide period.

Acting on this directive, a masquerade, identified as Mr. Effiong, a practitioner of traditional worship, was arrested and subsequently charged to court.

In a landmark ruling, the court sided with Mr. Effiong and his custodian, affirming that Ekpo, a recognised traditional religious practice in Akwa Ibom State, is protected under the law, and that its adherents are entitled to the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

The judge held that Mr. Effiong’s arrest and detention violated his rights to personal liberty and freedom of religion.

The court ordered his immediate and unconditional release and directed the Akwa Ibom State Government to pay damages for the infringement of his fundamental human rights and freedom of worship.

Human rights experts have hailed the judgment as a significant affirmation of Nigeria’s constitutional protection of traditional religious practices, emphasising the importance of respecting the country’s cultural and religious diversity.

By: Enoch Epelle

Niger Delta

MOSIEND Seeks Water Projects In Buguma From NDDC … Urges RSG To Revamp Fish Farm

Published

1 week ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Management of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to embark on water projects in Buguma city in Asari Toru Local Government Area (ASALGA), Rivers State

The Group also called on the Rivers State government to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths.

On the water project in Buguma, MOSIEND said the population of Buguma has increased tremendously and that the residents need more water projects to enhance the daily livelihood of the people.

The Group also appealed to the Chairman of the LGA to assist in making the project a reality and also attract more developmental projects to the LGA.

MOSIEND’s Eastern Zonal Coordinator, Half Hour, Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn, made the call on a radio programme in Rhythm 93.7fm, “Talk of the Town”.

LongJohn, who made the call alongside the Chairman of MOSIEND in Buguma, Mark Ojuka, and his counterpart in Obuama, Hon. Sandra Owunari, also called on the Management of Nigeria Liquidifed Natural Gas (NLNG) to embark on a free medical outreach in all Kalabari communities to improve their health status.

He appealed to NLNG to award scholarship to indigens of Kalabari communities in tertiary institutions to better their education, noting that the company is doing same in Bonny, while abandoning Kalabari communities

“We need contracts, free medicals, scholarships and employment, including skill acquisition programmes for our teeming youths in Kalabari extractions”, LongJohn stated.

On Security, Mark Ojuka said security in Buguma is at zero level with the help of the Amama soldiers, saying “the city is more peaceful and investor-friendly as the youths of the area have cordial relationship with the security agencies in the area.

“Security is very secured in Buguma clan”

On revamping the Buguma fish farm, he said, “The youths are asking for human capacity building in the area to reduce unemployment.

“The revamping of the Buguma fish farm will also reduce youth violence.”

By: Chinedu Wosu

Niger Delta

Make God Your Anchor To Fulfill Destiny, Cleric Charges Christians … As Jaja Marks 70th Birthday

Published

1 week ago

December 5, 2025

The Tide

The Lead Pastor at Jesus Appointed People’s Bible Church, Ozogbe, Ikwerrengwo-Etche, in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Pastor Promise Nwaelele, has urged Christians to make God the anchor of their lives in whatever position they find themselves, in order to attain the destinies set for them by God.

Pastor Nwaelele, who gave the charge recently in a sermon he preached at the 70th birthday anniversary thanksgiving service of Sir Donald Michael Jaja, a veteran journalist in Rivers State, said this is because any genuine child of God is a permanent target for destabilization and destruction by the devil.

Taking his text from the Bible book of Mark 4:16-17, the preacher stated that fulfilment in life for a child of God required faith, obedience to God’s word, humility and grace to withstand trials and temptations.

According to him, temptations and afflictions are bound to happen in the lives of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

“No wonder the Bible said that those that endure till the end shall be saved”, he said.

The Clergyman said God prospers believers who are humble, not proud and conceited, and leads them to destiny fulfilment.

“David said in Psalm 51:17, that the sacrifices acceptable to God are a broken spirit, not an impatient or proud spirit”, the preacher said.

He called on Christians not to allow persecutions and afflictions to sway them from the love and blessings of Jesus Christ.

On his part, Jaja, a seasoned Journalist who retired as an Acting Editor of the Rivers State Government-owned The Tide Newspaper, gave thanks to God for honouring him by giving him the grace of attaining 70 years.

“I cannot capture what the good Lord has done for me in my entire life in this fleeting moment of thanksgiving. But, I know that without Him, I wouldn’t have been who I am today, in all spheres. Therefore, my joy knows no bounds as I give thanks to my creator today, alongside my family. Praise be His holy name”, Jaja said.