Niger Delta
Bayelsa Set To Overhaul, Upgrade Memorial Park -Says INC, Ijaws Now More United, Stronger
The Bayelsa State Government has said it is prepared to upgrade the Ijaw heroes’ memorial park in Yenagoa, capital of the state to an international standard.
The Tide learnt this during an interview with the Commissioner for Ijaw National Affairs, Elder Erasmus Uche Owaji Patrick.
He described the State Governor, Douye Diri as a pan-Ijaw leader, saying he was conversant not only with issues concerning the development of the state, but the entire Ijaw ethnic nationality.
Patrick hinted that following governor Diri’s resolve to completing all projects inherited from previous administrations of the state, the governor during the 44th state executive council meeting held sometime in August, this year has approved the reconstruction and overhaul of the park to a more befitting standard for late Ijaw heroes, irrespective of state of origin, sex and clan.
He noted however, that the prerogative of who qualifies to be interred at the park solely lies with the governor, stating further that such persons must have attained the peak of their chosen careers with proven integrity.
“We’ve not abandoned the Ijaw heroes’ memorial park. Soon you ‘ld see us remodelling that project to international standard.
“The governor during the 44th state exco meeting has approved the remodelling and overhaul of the heroes’ memorial park at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa.
“It would be reconstructed with the state-of-the-art facilities. a football field would be there, a gallary for events would be there, a car park and lots of other recreational facilities. And so, very soon you would see us working there”, he said.
Meanwhile following the recent visit of the executives of the Ijaw national Congress (INC) and a other prominent Sons and daughters of Ijaw extraction to president Muhammadu Buhari, the Commissioner has said that the absence of the state governor, Diri in that delegation was due to other important state functions that he had had to attend to.
He however, described the visit as historic, saying as against insinuations that the governor’s absent at the visit was a sign that he was not willing to support the INC was just figment of imagination from those who envy the cordial relationship between the governor and the INC exco.
The Commissioner noted that governor Diri has more than ever demonstrated his commitment towards the peace, prosperity, unity and development of the Ijaw nation, saying that it was because of the governor’s believe in the dreams and aspirations of the founding fathers of the INC which made him not to interfere in the Congress’ affairs before, during and after the elections of the extant executives.
“Governor Diri himself was a member of Congress. He was the INC’s National organizing Secretary, So he understands what it means to have a stronger, better united INC and Ijaw nation.
“And that is what he has done by not interfering in the conduct of the election that produced the current exco of the congress.
“To tell you how much the governor was committed to building a stronger and more united INC and Ijaw nation, just recently and he has since been doing, he approved and released funds for the running of the INC”, the Commissioner added.
By: AriweraIbibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Akpan, who died on August 2 at the age of 63, was buried after a funeral and thanksgiving service attended by journalists, family members, friends and community leaders.
The Tide’s source reports that the service was held at the community playground in Ekpeneobo, Esit Eket Local Government Area.
The State Governor, Bassey Otu, described the deceased as a thoroughbred professional whose contributions to journalism and the state would remain indelible.
Otu, represented by his Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Mr. Nsa Gill, spoke at the funeral, highlighting Akpan’s years of professional service in Cross River.
He said the journalist, an indigene of Akwa Ibom, had lived and worked in Cross River for years, making Calabar his second home.
The Governor’ commended Akpan for upholding journalistic ethics and maintaining balance, objectivity and fairness when sensationalism was becoming increasingly common.
“His reports gave voice to the Niger Delta, projected our developmental challenges and celebrated our people.
“Cross River has lost a friend, a bridge between the state and the media, and a patriotic citizen who used his pen to promote good governance”, he said.
Otu urged the bereaved family to alists. draw comfort from Akpan’s enduring legacy, which he said would continue to inspire younger journalists.
He also prayed for strength for the family to bear the loss.
Similarly, the President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Alhassan Abdullahi, described Akpan’s death as a painful loss to the journalism profession.
Abdullahi, represented by the Chairman of the NUJ Cross River Council, Mr. Archibong Bassey, said the deceased was a dedicated professional committed to information dissemination.
He said Akpan’s dedication to keeping the public informed remained an important part of his professional legacy.
In his sermon, Pastor Tunde Olaghende of Living Faith e positive legacies.
Church, Akwa Ibom State, urged Christians to live meaningful lives and leave positive legacies.
Olaghende encouraged people to be remembered for their good deeds, stressing the importance of making meaningful contributions to society while alive.
A former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Commissioner, Mr. Aniedi Ikoiwak, also described Akpan as a balanced reporter whose objectivity earned him widespread respect.
Some of Akpan’s former secondary school classmates recalled their lifelong friendship with him, praising his humility and professionalism.
Akpan retired from The Guardian Newspapers before establishing his own media platform. He was based in Calabar until his death.
The council chairman, Hon. Elder Prince Godwin Ogorugba, announced the curfew in a statement issued on Friday after a security council meeting.
The development follows recent violent clashes between rival cult groups in the area, which have resulted in renewed security concerns.
Ogorugba said the decision was necessary to restore peace and order, protect lives and property, and enable security agencies to conduct thorough operations to bring the situation under control.
According to the statement, all motorists, commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as Okada riders, and residents of Ozoro and its environs are directed to remain indoors between 7:00pm and 6:00am daily, effective Friday, October 23, 2026, until further notice.
The council chairman appealed to residents to comply with the curfew and provide security agencies with useful information about suspected security threats.
He also directed security agencies to ensure that those involved in the cult-related violence are apprehended and brought to justice.
Ogorugba assured residents that the council was working closely with the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to restore normalcy as soon as possible.
“I am using this opportunity to appeal for calm and I urge parents and community leaders to caution their wards to desist from all forms of criminality and cult-related activities”, he said.
The governor’s approval is contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) in Asaba, Dr. Kingsley Emu, Friday.
Ehimen’s appointment was sequel to the retirement of Mrs. Minimim Oseji, who would be out of the State Civil Service on October 28.
Until her appointment, Ehimen was the Permanent Secretary attached to the Office of the Head of Service, and was previously Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Renewal.
According to Emu, the swearing-in of the new HoS will be announced in due course.
Earlier, the State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, during his post State Executive Council meeting briefing, conveyed Oborevwori’s appreciation for the outgoing HoS, Dr. Minimim Oseji.
According to Aniagwu, the Governor, who presided over the council meeting, announced a new succession policy for the office of the HoS.
He said the policy was aimed at repositioning and to bring about institutional understanding and experience in the appointment of HoS.
“Oborevwori lauded the outgoing HoS for her reforms and tenacity.
“Henceforth, whoever will succeed the HoS must spend a minimum of six months in that office as Permanent Secretary (PS) to understudy the processes and procedures in the management of the career of public officers”, Aniagwu said.
The outgoing HoS succeeded Mr. Reginald Bayoko, who occupied the office for almost nine years.
Oseji was sworn-in as the 12th Head of Service on April 10, 2025.
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