Niger Delta

Group Trains 300 Hunters To Save Gorillas In C’River

Published

6 years ago

February 20, 2020

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in Nigeria has trained no fewer than 300 local hunters in other economic activities to sway them from hunting critically endangered Cross River gorillas, which are said to be less than 100 now. It has also intensified awareness campaigns in local communities at the three sites where these gorillas live. These sites are the Mbe Mountains, Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Okwangwo Division of Cross River National Park which are all in Boki LGA.
Director of the Cross River Landscape of the WCS Nigeria Programme, Dr. Inaoyom Imong said the purpose of the campaign was to enlighten the locals on why they should rather protect the gorillas instead of killing them for food.
Imong said they were also working with many communities in the forest areas of the sprawling Cross River National Park and other sites where the gorillas and other games are under protection.
Speaking with newsmen in his office, he said since the start of the exercise there were indications that the population of gorillas was increasing or at least stabilided. “Since we embarked on the awareness campaign in 2002 to discourage people from killing gorillas, chimpanzees, and other threatened species, we have so far trained and empowered over 300 local hunters in various economic skills.
“The communities of Afi and Mbe mountains areas of Boki Local Government Area, as well as the Okwangwo division of Cross River National Park have benefitted from training and support for beekeeping, snail farming and goat rearing including support for construction and stocking of snail and goat pens and beehives. “We are also working with local women in communities around the three Cross River gorilla sites to cultivate Bush Mango (Ogbonno) and have helped those formed cooperatives to enable them sell the product profitably,” he said.
Imong said all these efforts have helped reduce pressure on Cross River forests, which still host many endangered species of animals. He noted that to discourage deforestation that exposes the animals to danger, WCS procured improved cocoa seedlings for trained farmers to replant old farms as a way to increase productivity and reduce the need to clear more forest each year.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom NUJ Worries Over Scavenging Activities In Eket

Published

33 minutes ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, has raised concerns over the increasing influx of individuals into Eket Local Government Area, particularly those engaged in commercial motorcycle transportation, scrap metal trading, and scavenging activities.

Arising from its June congress on Thursday, the union urged local authorities and security agencies to ensure proper profiling and monitoring of persons and activities within the area in the interest of public safety and security.

In a communique endorsed by the Chairman and Secretary of the NUJ Council, Comrade Nsibiet John, and Nsikak Esenowo, respectively, the union also called on regulatory agencies, including the Nigerian Immigration Service, to strengthen monitoring and verification processes to ensure compliance with extant laws and regulations.

While recognizing the constitutional rights of citizens to reside and work in any part of the country, the union stated that the recent development had more to be worried about.

“Congress expressed concern over the increasing influx of individuals into Eket Local Government Area, particularly those engaged in commercial motorcycle transportation, scrap metal trading, and scavenging activities”, the communique read in part.

Congress also expressed concern over the overcrowded condition of correctional facilities, particularly the high number of awaiting-trial inmates at the Ikot Ekpene Custodial Centre.

It urged the judiciary and other stakeholders in the criminal justice system to expedite the trial of pending cases in order to decongest custodial centres and promote the efficient administration of justice.

On environmental sanitation and public health, Congress called on the Eket Local Government Council and relevant environmental agencies to regulate the open processing of cow skin and related activities within the area, noting that the practice poses environmental, public health, and sanitation concerns for affected communities.

Congress also condemned the recent harassment of journalists while carrying out their lawful duties within court premises and reaffirmed that journalists must be allowed to perform their constitutional role without intimidation, obstruction, or undue interference.

It called on relevant authorities to uphold press freedom and protect media practitioners at all times.

Enoch Epelle

Niger Delta

Chief Hails Ogbuku On Enthronement Victory, Performance

Published

2 weeks ago

June 17, 2026

The Tide

Deputy Chief of the Abidewari Compound of Ayakoro Community and former Leader of the Ogbia Local Government Legislative Assembly, Bayelsa State, Chief Sisomom Francis, has applauded the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, for winning the Chieftaincy election conducted to install a new paramount ruler of his home town, Ayakoro.

The ex-lawmaker also lauded Ogbuku for the numerous transformational projects and impacts he has continued to make in the NDDC, noting that the Niger Delta region has experienced tremendous development in both infrastructure and human capital development under his leadership.

Chief Francis spoke with newsmen shortly after the chieftaincy polls held at the weekend in the community, calling on stakeholders of the oil-rich Niger Delta region to consolidate their synergy with the Ogbuku-led management of the commission to attract more development to their communities.

Speaking on the NDDC’s boss’s relationship with community folks before and now the erstwhile lawmaker, who is also the Deputy Chief of the Abidewari Compound of the community, noted that Ogbuku does not discriminate against age and background in his relationship with members of the community.

“Ogbuku is Godsent to our community, Ayakoro, and the Niger Delta region. He knows the problems of his immediate community, and indeed knew the problems and challenges of the Niger Delta region.

“Since his inception in office as MD/CEO, the Niger Delta has seen a new and better NDDC. Ogbuku has done well and will continue to do well for the Niger Delta region.

“He has executed projects in every community of the Niger Delta, and that’s why the people are happy with him. We thank God for his election today as the substantive paramount ruler of the Ayakoro Community.

“Before now Ogbuku was the Deputy Paramount ruler of this community. But you’ll recall that we lost our Paramount ruler and so because of the MD’s special place in the life of this community, where he has since been serving meritoriously, today we’ve elected him as our substantive paramount ruler”, he said.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Delta’s Top 2 Governance Ranking, Reflection Of Oborevwori’s Preparedness – Ifeajika

Published

2 weeks ago

June 17, 2026

The Tide

Following the emergence of Delta State as the second-best governed state in Nigeria in the 2025 Governance Performance Index released by the Commonwealth Institute of Advanced and Professional Studies, the Executive Assistant to the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Public Enlightenment (Projects and Policies), Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, has credited the success to prudent financial management, grassroots-focused development and effective project execution by the Governor.

Speaking during an interview on Niger Delta Today on ADBN Television, Ifeajika said the ranking was a reflection of the governor’s preparedness for leadership and his commitment to delivering tangible development across Delta State.

According to Ifeajika, Oborevwori’s emergence as a high-performing governor did not come as a surprise to many Deltans who had closely followed his political career, particularly his tenure as Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly.

He described the Governor as a “prepared leader” who came into office with a clear understanding of governance and the needs of the people, unlike politicians who only seek public office during election periods.

“Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was prepared for the job of governing Delta State. His leadership style is not accidental. It is a reflection of years of experience in public service and a deep understanding of the state’s developmental needs”, Ifeajika said.

The Governor’s aide recalled that Oborevwori served as Speaker of the State Assembly for six years, the longest-serving speaker in the state’s history, and was widely commended for his prudent management of public resources.

He noted that Oborevwori’s reputation for fiscal discipline was demonstrated when he reportedly returned over N500 million in unspent funds to the state treasury at the end of his tenure as Speaker.

Ifeajika said the same culture of accountability and prudent resource management now defines the governor’s administration, stressing that every project undertaken by the government is subjected to rigorous needs assessment to ensure value for money.

“Every kobo spent by the government must attract value. The Governor insists that public funds must be deployed for meaningful development. Projects are not awarded arbitrarily; they are based on the actual needs of communities”, he stated.

Highlighting the administration’s commitment to equitable development, Ifeajika disclosed that the Governor introduced a deliberate policy of allocating dedicated funds for infrastructure projects in each of the state’s 25 local government areas.

He explained that the administration earmarked N1 billion for projects in each local government area in its first budget in 2023, increased the allocation to N2 billion in the following year and further raised it to N4 billion in the current fiscal year.

According to him, the policy ensures that development is spread across the state rather than concentrated in a few locations.

“There is a deliberate intention to touch every local government almost simultaneously. Funds are already provided in the budget, and government only identifies the most pressing needs of the people before executing projects” he said.

The governor’s aide also emphasized that Oborevwori personally monitors projects across the state through regular inspection visits to ensure contractors deliver quality work and that projects are completed according to specifications.

Responding to concerns that the latest governance ranking may have been influenced by lobbying, Ifeajika dismissed such claims, insisting that the recognition was earned through measurable achievements.

He noted that the Governor had received several awards and recognitions from both public and private organisations within the last two years, describing the latest ranking as another independent validation of the administration’s performance.

“This cannot be dismissed as a fluke or something that was lobbied for. It reflects the reality on the ground in Delta State. The governor’s achievements are visible and have been acknowledged by different organisations”, he said.

Ifeajika further revealed that the administration had strengthened transparency in project execution by encouraging whistleblowing and public monitoring of government projects.

He expressed confidence that residents across the state would corroborate the positive assessment of the administration, maintaining that the impact of government projects and policies was evident in communities throughout Delta.

Delta State was ranked second in the 2025 Governance Performance Index with a score of 70 per cent, behind Kaduna State’s 73 per cent, and ahead of 34 other states in the federation.

The assessment evaluated governance outcomes, public service delivery, infrastructure development and the effectiveness of public administration across Nigeria’s 36 states.