Niger Delta
A’Ibom Flags Off Planting Of 300,000 Coconut Trees

Governor Udom Emmanuel, Saturday flagged off the planting of 300,000 special breeds of coconut seedlings in Akwa Ibom, announcing September 18 as the annual state coconut day in the state.
This follows the government’s target of cultivating two million coconut seedlings in the State to serve as raw materials for the just-completed St. AGabriel’s Coconut Oil Factory at Mkpat-Enin.
Performing the flag-off, Governor Emmanuel who led other top government officials by example himself, planted 50 seedlings at the Government Coconut Plantation, Ekeya, Okobo, saying coconut which is of high yielding value in the international market, has the potentials to replace crude oil.
He said the coconut planting exercise was being performed simultaneously across all the local government areas in the state, adding that planting coconuts in schools were also being targeted in the scheme to ensure that the state coconut oil refinery was fully supplied with coconut fruits.
He called on the federal government and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to partner with the State in coconut investment.
“Today is a very special day. It is the day that is borne out of vision.
“The At Gabriel’s Coconut Oil Virgin Refinery we have in the state is first in Africa. We want to create a future for our young ones. Coconut has 365 uses which means that every single day that God created has a use for coconut”
“The Coconut refinery has been completed. What is next is a test run and knowledge transfer.
“Coconut is of high value and can serve as an alternative to crude oil. This is a great investment for CBN and the Federal government”
“We have a much bigger plantation in Mkpat-Enin, Eastern Obolo, and Ikot Abasi.
We are embarking on a campaign to cut down trees without economic values in schools, to replace them with coconut. Each student in public schools will be given a coconut seedling to plant.
In one day, one million students of secondary school would have planted one million coconut seedlings.
This will create competition among the youngsters. These are high-breed seedlings we’ve been able to acquire across the world. The refinery is going to be a master economic breakthrough”, said the Governor.
He appealed to the host communities to ensure the coconut plantation is nurtured and protected.
“This is the resource of 7.2 million people. We believe that you will nurture, protect and sustain it”
Earlier in her speech, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Glory Emmanuel Edet said God had blessed the state with fertile soil, and hailed the Governor for paying a premium to agriculture and food security.
She noted that the massive investments in coconut plantation were part of measures to further diversify the economy of the state, adding that Akwa Ibom is set to take over the International coconut oil market in Nigeria.
“Coconut oil is taking over the crude oil market, Governor Emmanuel is a visionary leader for planting coconut across the state and building the coconut refinery at Mkpat Enin.”
She further lauded Governor Udom Emmanuel’s numerous developmental strides in the agricultural sector.
The State Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Uyobong Uko commended Governor Emmanuel for spreading the coconut planting initiative like wildfire across the state, adding that he has witnessed several farm inputs shared to farmers across the state on a regular basis through the Governor’s initiative.
He reiterated the support of the Federal Government towards the coconut initiative and said that they would continue providing rural infrastructure to farmers across the state.
Speaking also, the Chairman of Okobo Local Government Area, Sylvester Attah described the Governor as a visionary and creative leader whose creativity has brought great development in the Agricultural sector of the state.
He further appreciated Governor Emmanuel for having the interest of Okobo people at heart by intervening in a communal war in the area, as well as the construction of a major road in the area, and pledged their undying support towards his administration’s Completion Agenda.
Niger Delta
PIA: Bayelsa Engages Oil Firms, Dev Trusts On Transparency …Set To Issue New Operation Guidelines
The Bayelsa State Government has charged oil companies and host Communities Development Trusts (HCDTs) to be transparent and accountable in the implementation of policies and projects in oil bearing communities as spelt out in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Deputy Governor of the State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, stated this recently while presiding over a meeting between representatives of Egbema-Angalabiri, Agbidiama Communities and Renaissance Africa Energy Company, formerly SPDC, at his office in Government House, Yenagoa.
He expressed concern over the incessant cases of intra-community conflicts and threats to shut down the operations of oil companies.
Ewhrudjakpo identified lack of transparency in the award of contracts, mismanagement of funds and employment opportunities in most communities.
To checkmate this, he said the state government has directed that henceforth all oil companies operating in the State should disclose the full content of the Free to Operate (FTO) agreements signed with the leadership of any community or its representatives to the entire community.
According to the Deputy Governor, government has equally directed the oil firms to make available copies of the FTOs to the State Ministry of Mineral Resources within two weeks of signing such documents to enable it keep track of the firms’ engagements with their host communities.
Commenting on the Egbema-Angalabiri internal conflict, he cautioned the youths against shutting down the operations of Renaissance Africa Energy Company, describing the problem in the community as self-inflicted.
He also advised the community to open and operate a central community account with three officials, including the Amananawei, Community Development Committee Chairman and the women leader, as signatories to check embezzlement of community funds.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who warned the communities against subletting contracts, especially when they have the local capacity and competency to handle such jobs, also directed the PIA management and host communities development trust boards to render periodic accounts to their various communities.
“Every FTO signed, a copy of it should be deposited with the Ministry of Mineral Resources within two weeks. Once an FTO is signed, those who signed it must disclose the full content of the FTO to the entire community. All jobs, unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled, must be announced to the community and the community takes the decision as to who should be employed.
“All companies operating must disclose fully the prevailing contract sum for any contract that is being awarded, and no contract should be subsidized, except at the request of the community.
“PIA members must report periodically, preferably monthly, to their communities. You must give account of what is happening to your communities.
“Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs) shall not award contracts without reference or recourse to the communities.
“These are some of the operational guidelines we have decided to take to the Governor for approval. Thereafter, a circular will be issued by the Ministry of Mineral Resources and all oil companies will comply.
“We are doing this to complement the PIA, and most importantly, to checkmate the recurring cases of internal conflicts in almost all the oil bearing communities across our state. We want to ensure peace by all lawful means”, he said.
Speaking earlier, a stakeholder of Egbema-Angalabiri Community, Hon Selekebina Saboh, expressed total support for the proposed operational guidelines of the state government.
While thanking government for its effort towards restoring peace in the community and industrial harmony for companies operating in the area, Hon Saboh said the issue of embezzling community funds would have been avoided if the community had supported him in kicking against the use of the personal account of successive CDC chairmen.
While giving account of his stewardship, the immediate past CDC Chairman of Egbema-Angalabiri, Mr. Timadi Sambo, who was alleged to have mismanaged about N40 million belonging to the community, described the allegation as spurious and unfounded.
The meeting was attended by the paramount rulers, CDC chairmen and women and youth leaders of Egbema-Angalabiri and Agbidiama communities, as well as representatives of Renaissance Africa Energy Limited, and top government functionaries.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa
Niger Delta
Aide Lauds Oborevwori On Infrastructure, Educational Dev
As Delta State marks the second anniversary of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration, renowned administrator and education strategist, Mr. Clement Siakpere, has commended the Governor for what he described as remarkable strides in infrastructure and educational development across the state.
Siakpere, who is Executive Assistant to the Governor on Education Monitoring, in a statement, noted that Governor Oborevwori has demonstrated uncommon commitment to the delivery of good governance through his administration’s MORE Agenda, which prioritises meaningful development, opportunities for all, realistic reforms, and enhanced peace and security.
“Two years into his administration, Governor Oborevwori has proven his critics wrong. From the commissioning of key road projects to the rehabilitation, the construction of schools and the recruitment of qualified teachers, the Governor has shown great leadership with a human face”, Siakpere said.
The former Registrar of the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, commended Governor Oborevwori on the multiple road projects and medical equipment inaugurated in Warri, such as the construction and dualisation of major roads in urban and rural communities, as well as the upgrade of educational facilities across the three senatorial districts.
According to him, these projects are not only improving the quality of life for residents, but also laying the foundation for long-term socio-economic growth.
Siakpere also praised the administration’s investments in technical education and youth empowerment, describing the recently completed Omadino Technical College, Omadino, in Warri South Local Government Area, as “bold steps toward reducing unemployment and improving skill acquisition among the younger population.”
He urged Deltans to continue supporting the Oborevwori administration, adding that sustainable development requires collective effort and consistent leadership.
“Governor Oborevwori’s performance within just two years offers a glimpse into what is possible with purposeful governance. If this pace is sustained, Delta State will certainly witness a new era of prosperity and inclusion”, he said.
Governor Oborevwori, who took office on May 29, 2023, has consistently emphasised his resolve to build on the achievements of past administrations while charting a new course for inclusive development in the State.
Niger Delta
PDP Chieftain Lauds Tinubu Over Ogbuku’s Appointment …Thumbs Up MD’s Strides

The Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Bayelsa State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party/Acting Zonal Scribe, South-South of the party, Barrister George Turnah, has commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing Dr. Samuel Ogbuku as Managing-Director/ Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Turnah, who described the President as visionary, said Ogbuku’s appointment has again shown his love for the Niger Delta region, noting that it has brought tremendous developmental programmes and projects to the oil rich region.
He described the current management team of the agency as an assemblage of the most effective and visionary leadership team from the inception of the commission.
Making the commendation when he visited Ogbuku at his residence in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during the week, he specifically expressed satisfaction with the developmental projects carried out by the agency in Bayelsa State.
“The PDP under my leadership and Bayelsans in general are particularly proud of your initiatives, projects and achievements, MD.
“Thank you for lighting up the Niger Delta with the programme, ‘Operation Light Up the Niger Delta’ with solar-powered lights.
“Thank you for the completion of the 132/33KVA power sub-station in Ondo State, the completion and commissioning of the Ogbia-Nembe Road in Bayelsa State, and other numerous projects and programmes ongoing under your leadership of the NDDC across the Niger Delta”, Turnah said.
The party chieftain, who also praised Ogbuku for successfully kick-starting the NDDC Youth Internship Scheme, said another milestone achievement by the NDDC boss was the successful hosting of the Niger Delta Summit.
“President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is visible, the impact is seen in all the Niger Delta States through several fora, particularly with Ogbuku at the helm of affairs in the NDDC”, the PDP chairman added.
In his remarks, the NDDC, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer said he was delighted over Turnah’s visit, calling for greater collaboration among political leaders of the region, noting also that the region’s political and economic interests would be better protected if leaders worked together not minding their political leanings and party affiliations.
“Turnah, my brother and friend, I want to thank you for the visit. I must be honest to say that this visit has again underscored my consistent call for synergy amongst political leaders in the Niger Delta region irrespective of party differences and ideological leanings.
“With collaboration and partnership the Niger Delta region will be better for it”, Ogbuku said.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa
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