Niger Delta

Diri Wants Establishment Of Sports Varsity In Bayelsa

Published

5 years ago

July 12, 2021

Bayelsa State Government has called on the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development to site its proposed University of Sports at Asoama in the Kolokuma/ Opokuma council area of the state.
The State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, made the call while playing host to the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Sunday Dare,at the weekend in Government House, Yenagoa.
He urged the ministry to take advantage of the world class facilities available at the state owned Sports Academy by locating the proposed sports university by the federal government in the state.
Represented by his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the governor assured the minister of his administration’s preparedness to contribute its part in implementing the already existing agreement (MoU) between Bayelsa and the Federal ministry on sports development.
He maintained that the facilities at Asoama could be used to groom young Nigerians both in academics and sports in line with the Minister’s three “Is” policy of infrastructure, incentives and investment, targeted at harnessing potentialities in the sports sector.
According to Governor Diri, the institution could begin with the diploma and certificate awarding programmes, in addition to short term in-service courses for Nigerian coaches to enhance their professional know-how.
”I want us to look at the specifics in that MoU we entered into. Now that we have an academy, which you have fallen in love with, we believe that if there is an idea of having a federal university of sports in the country, then it can actually start from Asoama,
“We have almost all the facilities on ground. The place is safe and good for studies. We can collaborate and start with diploma awarding programmes and grow to become a full fledged university.
“On our part, we are ready to do everything within our powers to realize this because it is going to help our country and economy. We also believe people from outside the country, particularly from the African continent will also come here when it kicks off”, he said.
Earlier, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, said he was in the state to visit and inspire the five wrestlers who are qualified to represent the country at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics which will commence in few days time.
Mr Dare lauded the state government for its commitment to the development of sports in terms of supporting its contingents to national sport meets and building of infrastructure.
He particularly commended the government for building a sports Academy at Asoama and indicated readiness to partner the state to upgrade the facility for use in no distant future.
The Minister expressed satisfaction with the ongoing construction of a wrestling gym, describing it as world class,just as he promised working with the present administration to build a national swimming pool in the state.
”Bayelsa is a sporting state. It is noted for the support you are giving to the growth of wrestling in this country. I dare say that, Bayelsa is the wrestling capital of Nigeria and indeed the African continent because our wrestlers dominate the continent,
“This morning I visited your wrestling gym that is under construction and I was excited that it met international standards. It shows a government that has foresight and really committed to sports development, which is rare”, the Minister said.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Stakeholders In Delta Seek Stronger GBV Action, Women’s Leadership

Published

19 hours ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Stakeholders in Delta State convened in Asaba for a leadership workshop organised by Otdel Health Heritage and Environmental Initiative (OHHEI), focusing on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and women’s participation in decision-making processes.

OHHEI Project Director, Mr. Peter Olayinka, represented by a consultant, Juliet Obiajulu, urged participants to contribute meaningfully toward advancing women’s leadership and combating GBV across communities in the state.

He said the workshop aimed to strengthen participants’ capacity to influence policies, challenge harmful cultural norms, and reinforce initiatives designed to prevent and respond to GBV.

Olayinka said women often faced bias even when they occupied leadership positions, and stressed that gender diversity improved the quality of decision-making and promoted innovation and accountability in governance structures.

Speaking, the Chairperson of the Association Against Child Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Mr Eris Jewo-Ibi, identified cultural norms, domestic responsibilities, political resistance, and grassroots barriers as constraints to women’s participation.

Delta State GBV Desk Officer, Mrs. Rosemary Okpuno, emphasised that effective decision-making required women’s perspectives, adding that inclusion remained critical to addressing persistent gender-based challenges.

Voke Angbagh of the Delta State Ministry of Justice outlined penalties for rape and called for the establishment of special courts to handle sexual offences cases.

Angbagh said frequent adjournments delayed justice for survivors, stressing that dedicated sexual offences courts would ensure timely trials and stronger protection for victims in Delta State.

The Tide’s source reports that facilitators identified cultural acceptance of violence, unequal power relations, discrimination, poverty, limited education, and low self-esteem as major drivers of GBV.

They emphasised that violence and exclusion resulted in social, physical and emotional harm, imposed economic costs, reinforced harmful stereotypes, and widened existing gender inequalities.

The source also reports that OHHEI, a local non-profit organisation, focuses on education, health, environment, and social justice, promoting sustainable development initiatives with gender equality at the centre of its interventions.

Niger Delta

C’River Suspends Taskforce Activities Over Drivers’ Protest

Published

19 hours ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Cross River State Government has suspended all taskforce activities connected to commercial transportation and ticketing across the state.

The State Governor, Bassey Otu, announced the suspension at an emergency stakeholders meeting on Friday in Calabar.

It would be recalled that commercial drivers in Calabar metropolis took to streets on Thursday to protest alleged multiple taxation and extortion by government agencies.

During the protest, the drivers alleged that taskforce groups claiming to represent the state government openly harassed and extorted them.

Represented at the meeting by Ekpenyong Akiba, his Special Adviser on General Duties, Otu said the suspension would subsist pending further review of the situation.

The Governor stated that the state government did not commission anyone to extort drivers in the name of task force.

He urged commercial drivers and other road users to remain law-abiding while government worked out a lasting solution.

On his part, the Chairman, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, Calabar Metropolis, Mr. Sunday Dennis, expressed optimism that the dialogue would yield positive results.

He said the meeting had provided an opportunity for the aggrieved commercial drivers to present their concerns directly to the state government.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Unified Drivers Association, Mr. Nta Henshaw, described the harassment on drivers as worrisome, and urged the state government to be decisive in resolving the matter.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Assembly Urges More Private Investments In Agriculture

Published

19 hours ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Nutrition and Food Security has called for more private sector investments in agriculture.

The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Moses Essien, made the call when the committee visited Aviclaire Farms, a private establishment in Usung Idem, Uruk Usoh in Abak Local Government Area.

Essien, who represents Ibiono Ibom in the Assembly, commended the Management of the farm for partnering an NGO, ECEWS, to promote private investment in agriculture.

He commended the partners for adopting climate-smart agriculture initiatives in their operations, adding that such move would promote food security.

“Your interest in using transformative intervention to promote food security is a veritable way of complementing the efforts of the state government,” he said.

The lawmaker continued that adopting practical climate-smart agriculture model would help to generate employment, improve nutrition outcomes, and strengthen food sufficiency.

He further said he was impressed with the strides recorded by the partners, saying, “your investment has created jobs for no fewer than 2,000 youths.

”You are an example of an environment-friendly investor. I urge Akwa Ibom residents to embrace environment-friendly and technology-driven agriculture models,” he said.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, ECEWS, Dr. Andy Eyo, who conducted the committee round the farm, said the collaboration was conceived to demonstrate the viability of climate-smart farming in ensuring food sufficiency.

Eyo said the farm, which commenced operations with four greenhouses, had expanded to 14 within two years, and currently supplying high-quality produce to major markets in Uyo and neighbouring communities.

He said ECEWS was exploring cooperative frameworks to enable rural farmers and women’s groups to adopt greenhouse technology for sustainable livelihoods.

In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Aviclaire Farms, Mrs. Victoria Eyo, said the controlled-environment ensured precision cultivation and consistent yields.

She further said the farm served as a capacity-building centre for students, interns, and agri-business trainees.