Niger Delta
Abua/Odual Assembly Rep Prepares For Post COVID-19 Era
After coming to the aid of his constituency through the provision of food and monetary palliatives to the vulnerable and needy in his Constituency, the member representing Abua/Odual in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Honourable Sokolo Solomon, says his target is to empower members of his Constituency with skills that would see them through the post COVID-19 hardship and beyond.
Honourable, Solomon, who made this known in an interview with the newsmen in his office, said the reason of his focus beyond the period of the COVID-19 pandemic, to after the virus is based on the realisation that society is more likely to experience one of the worst economic hardships after the pandemic.
Consequently, he has two key empowerment projects for members of his constituency, particularly for the less privileged and vulnerable.
The first is the setting up of cooperative societies in the Local Government “with a Board of Trustee that will supervise” them.
Towards this, he said, modalities are being put in place to introduce the people, who are mostly farmers, into mechanised farming.
“I, as part of my constituency projects, am in charge of tractors, which we will give to them (farmers) to manage, so that they can be introduced to mechanised farming. I’ve even started negotiations with the producers of the machinery”, he said.
The second is the establishment of a general skills acquisition project, saying that, “Immediately the lockdown eases off, I’ll travel and meet them for the skills acquisition. I have already gotten a place.
“I have already started thinking ahead, and part of what I submitted as my constituency projects are all geared towards empowerment”, he said, noting that he has secured a location where to site an all round skills acquisition establishment.
“The nature of my skills acquisition is that I want to see how Abua/Odual LGA will be the hub of tailoring in Rivers State, and I’m seeing my catchment areas as Bayelsa, Emohua, Ahoada, Degema, Abonnema, etc.”, he explained.
To achieve this, he stated that, “I intend getting machines and very good tailors. They’ll come in, I’ll give them everything: space etc. They will come and train people innAbua/Odual on tailoring.
“We already have somebody who’s willing to teach our people plumbing for free, and be part of the skill acquisition centre.
“The idea is that the people will learn such basics skills of plumbing, welding, electricals, etc in the centre, which will be self-financing. The only thing is that I’ll provide the structure and equipment. The resource persons will be resident in the centre”, he said.
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Niger Delta
INC Polls: Ogoriba Pledges To Continuously Stand For N’Delta Rights … Picks Presidential Form
Human Rights Activist and founding father of the Movement for the Survival of the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality of the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), Elder Timi Kaiser Ogoriba, has said he would continue to advocate for the environmental and human rights of the people of the Niger Delta, especially his Ijaw kinsmen.
Ogoriba who doubles as the current Vice-Chairman of the Bayelsa State founding fathers forum made the pledge at the Ijaw House, headquarters of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), in Yenagoa, capital of the State, while fielding questions from newsmen shortly after picking his interest form for the position of president in the 2026 polls of the national executive council of the body.
The Odi-born activist who described the foremost Pan-Ijaw umbrella parent body as the envy of many sister ethnic groups in the nation, noted that he played pivotal roles in the formative stages of both the INC and its youth body, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC).
He expressed confidence in the activities of the body, saying he would continue to work with all relevant stakeholders to reposition the Pan-Ijaw group for greater achievements when elected as President come February, 2026.
“I’m still ready to go to trenches because of Ijaw nation. For those who knew me before now, you’ll recall that I have gone to trenches several times because of my love for the Ijaw people.
“Today as an ethnic group, we’re the envy of every other tribe. And that’s because we’ve all it takes for others to envy us. Today the INC has become the pride of everyone, including many who don’t know how we started it. And I’m not detered by the propaganda against my candidacy. I’m determined to win and continue my service to the Ijaw nation.
“I was part of the struggle in 1991 when the INC was formed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. I’ve all it takes to lead the INC as President. But the INC under my leadership will not be a ‘T. K. Ogoriba thing alone’. I’ll need all of you and every Son and daughter of Ijaw nation to lead us well when elected”, he said.
The Presidential hopeful, who also bared his mind on issues of Resource control and true-federalism, restated his commitment towards ensuring that the Niger Delta region was given fair treatment by Government.
He stressed the need for the INC to synergize with other ethnic nationalities of the Niger Delta region for positive results, saying he would also ensure that there is mutual respect and understanding amongst and between stakeholders of the Ijaw nation and other sister ethnic groups to fast track the processes of growth and development of the region.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
The Edo State government has reaffirmed its commitment to strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to enhance effective service delivery in the lands and housing sector across the state.
Commissioner for Ministry of Lands and Housing, Mr. Yakubu Musa, made this known on Thursday, when he met with members of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in Benin.
Musa emphasised the importance of synergy and collaboration to drive sustainable development in the state.
He said, ‘’The ministry is taking steps to sanitise and regulate the real estate industry to make sure Edo citizens get maximum satisfaction from the lands and housing sector.’’
Earlier, the Chairman of the Association, Mr. Roger Isiokhere, said the visit was to formally acquaint the commissioner with the institution’s activities.
Isiokhere expressed the institution’s readiness to work closely with the ministry in achieving its mandate, offering professional advisory services and other forms of support.
The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Joy Akhigbe, also stressed the importance of collaboration.
In attendance at the meeting were the Surveyor-General of the State, Directors, and other management staff of the Ministry of Lands and Housing.
Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of military veterans and their families.
Otu, who spoke at the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Calabar on Thursday, said his administration would not forget the contributions of fallen heroes.
Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Peter Odey, the Governor described the armed forces remembrance day as a reminder of the sacrifices made by military veterans to keep Nigeria united and peaceful.
“The lesson is to remember our fallen heroes, people who sacrificed for the country, many of them paid with their lives to protect this nation”, he said.
Otu further said widows of late military officers would continue to be part of his government’s programmes and interventions.
“All widows are being carried along, the Commissioner for Social Welfare ensures their inclusion in every programme”, he said.
Earlier, the Cross River State Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Daniel Ojugbo, said the ceremony was not only an honour for fallen heroes, but a time to reflect on the challenges being faced by military veterans and their families.
Ojugbo said families of fallen military officers faced delayed welfare benefits, limited medical care and unemployment for their widows and other dependants.
He commended Otu for his support, saying that his administration had shown genuine and remarkable concerns for the legion and its members.
Also speaking, the Coordinator, Military Widows in the state, Mrs. Miriam Orok, thanked the Governor for improved treatment and inclusion in welfare interventions.
“We are actually seeing better changes under our Governor. He has been carrying us along, and we are very grateful. We also thank the governor’s wife for her sense of compassion”, she said.
The Tide’s source reports that the event featured prayers, wreath-laying, and tributes to the fallen heroes.
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