Niger Delta

Udom Gets Kudos Over Road Projects In A’Ibom

Published

4 years ago

November 12, 2021

Ikono leaders and stakeholders have poured encomiums on Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State for his concerted efforts in embarking on several turnkey projects in their communities.
The Ikono people believe that the Governor has performed creditably in their locality, a far departure from the state of abandonment that plagued the area previously.
The latest projects being new roads approved by the State Government on Wednesday.
In a statement he personally signed, Mr Nyakno Uwemedimo Okoibu, the Chairman of Ikono Local Government Area, sincerely appreciated “the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel for the approval of the construction of 21.5KM Ikot Ayan Ediene – Ikot Ntia – Urua Naira – Ikot Nseyen – Nkwot – Nung Ukim road with 45M Span bridge in Ikono Local Government Area.”
The chairman maintained that “Your Excellency, it is clear that you bestrode the saddle with the blueprint of engendering a massive infrastructural renaissance, and this, we the cradle of Ibibio Nation, are very grateful for.”
“We are also very pleased with your revolutionary strides in all facets of the state’s economy.
“Thank you for all you did in times past, what you are doing today and what you will do tomorrow,” Mr. Okoibu said.
On his part, the Immediate Past Chairman of Ikono, Mr. Itoro Columba wrote:
“His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel has graciously approved the construction of the “Ikot Ayan-Urua Naira- Ikot Nseyen- Nkwot-Nung Ukim Road” with 45m-span bridge”.
Mr. Columba said that, ‘Posterity will be eternally grateful to you for the golden era Ikono is enjoying from your government. Glory!.
“It is no doubt that when the righteous are in power, the people rejoice.
When government is able to address the needs of its people, especially at the grassroots, the result is an overwhelming acceptance and support for its programmes and policies.
Another indigene of Nkwot, Ikono, David Akpan took to social media to express his thoughts, saying.
“Governor Nnyin, you have no idea what you’ve done for Nkwot people by giving approval for the construction of the 21.5KM Ikot Ayan Ediene – Ikot Ntia – Urua Naira – Ikot Nseyen – Nung Ukim Road with 45M span bridge in Ikono LGA”.
“You’ll understand better Sir when you finally come to commission that road upon completion.
“Nkwot has been maligned and neglected for ages forcing us to conclude that we’re probably not part of Ikono”.
“Traversing that stretch has been a nightmare for ages due to the deplorable state of that road. For thinking it wise to come to our rescue, bringing to end years of tears and deceit by previous administrations, Nkwot people assure you of our unalloyed loyalty and support to the very end”.
“We are grateful your Excellency, God bless you and grant you grace to finish the project”.
“With more still coming, the State Government is determined to fulfill all of its promises to her people. We should therefore hold fast to the course of the completion agenda without losing faith. God bless Governor Udom Emmanuel”, he added.
Governor Emmanuel had earlier reconstructed and remodeled the General Hospital at Ikono and commissioned a College of Health Technology road that preludes the newly awarded road.

Niger Delta

Okpebholo Assures Corps Members Of Improved Welfare

Published

3 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has assured corps members deployed to the state of improved welfare and a supportive service year.

Okpebholo gave the assurance at the swearing-in ceremony of the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream I corps members last Friday at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Permanent Orientation Camp in Okada.

The Governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, safety and entrepreneurship.

Represented by the Commissioner for Youth Affairs, Mrs. Charity Amayaenvbo, the Governor urged corps members to embrace innovation, community service and self-reliance rather than wait for white-collar jobs.

“Edo is committed to supporting youth empowerment, entrepreneurship and incentives that turn ideas into enterprises.

“Do not wait for jobs, create value. Wherever you are posted, serve your host community with humility, dedication and compassion.

“Have a positive footprint and let your service contribute to unity, productivity and progress,” he said.

Okpebholo assured the corps members that the state government was attentive to their welfare and had started addressing key concerns raised by the NYSC leadership.

“On behalf of the state government, I assure you of our support in terms of safety, an enabling environment and a rewarding service year.

“I listened carefully to the requests highlighted by the state coordinator, and I am glad to inform you that some of them have already been captured in the 2026 budget, which has been approved and signed into law,” he said.

The Governor noted that provisions for accommodation, meal subsidies, logistics and the construction of a multipurpose hall at the camp were included in the budget.

Earlier in her address, the Edo State Coordinator of the NYSC, Dr. Frances Ben-Ushie, described the ceremony as a reflection of the state government’s commitment to youth development and national integration.

Ben-Ushie said as of midnight on Thursday, a total of 1,235 prospective corps members, comprising 531 males and over 700 females, had been duly registered.

She congratulated the corps members on their enlistment into what she described as a “noble scheme,” urging them to embrace discipline, learning and active participation throughout the orientation course.

“The NYSC platform provides a unique avenue to meet people from diverse backgrounds, build lifelong friendships and create networks that can open doors to greater opportunities,” she said.

Ben-Ushie also highlighted the contributions of the NYSC to the state’s development, noting that the scheme had consistently provided skilled manpower, promoted labour mobility and strengthened national unity.

She cited initiatives such as the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers and the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme as key interventions benefiting communities across the state.

The NYSC coordinator commended the state government for its support, including the provision of buses for corps members, and appealed for further intervention to address lingering operational challenges at the orientation camp.

She expressed confidence that resolving the issues would enhance the effectiveness of NYSC programmes in the state and thanked the Governor for prioritising the welfare, security and growth of corps members.

Niger Delta

PDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority

Published

3 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

The Edo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday condemned the state government’s reported plan to establish a state-owned airline.

The party, in a statement by its Edo State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dan Osa-Ogbegie, described the proposal as a misplaced priority and evidence of poor, disconnected governance.

The Tide’s source reports that the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, unveiled the airline plan during a meeting with Aviation Minister, Mr. Festus Keyamo, in Abuja.

Osa-Ogbegie said the proposal showed a government out of touch with the pressing challenges confronting Edo State residents.

“At a time of decaying infrastructure and stalled projects, establishing an airline is unrealistic and profoundly insensitive”, he said.

He argued that airlines were capital-intensive and technically demanding, noting that similar state-owned ventures in Nigeria had largely failed.

According to him, Benin has become a shadow of what a modern state capital should be.

He decried poor roads, collapsed urban planning, neglected drainage systems and weak municipal services across the state capital.

“This is a crying shame for a city of Benin’s history, heritage and enormous potential”, he said.

Osa-Ogbegie said several inherited projects had stalled or deteriorated, eroding investor confidence and undermining economic growth.

He accused the governor of pursuing “white elephant projects that offer optics without substance.”

He also cited ongoing flyover projects in parts of Benin as examples of poor prioritisation.

Against this background, he described the airline proposal as diversionary and lacking economic sense.

“When roads are barely motorable and services overstretched, proposing an airline betrays an absence of judgment,” he said.

He urged the government to abandon the plan and focus on people-centred priorities that would improve living conditions and spur growth.

“Edo does not need an airline to fly above its problems. It needs a government ready to confront them on the ground,” he said.

He warned that failure to refocus would deepen perceptions of an administration lacking direction, competence and a coherent development agenda.

Niger Delta

Students Protest Non-indigene Appointment As Rector in C’River

Published

3 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

Students of Federal Polytechnic, Ugep, Cross River State, have protested to the Governor’s Office in Calabar over an alleged plan to appoint a non-indigene as Rector for the institution.

Carrying placards with various inscriptions, the students demanded respect for catchment area policy, local content, and the appointment of an indigene of the state as Rector of the institution.

Speaking on behalf of the students in Calabar, Stephen Etem said the protest sought to alert the Federal and Cross River State Governments to an alleged deviation from the established rectorial selection process.

Etem said a Governing Council, chaired by Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa, was constituted by the Federal Government to conduct the Rector selection exercise.

“The screening, which began last year, reportedly produced a Cross River State indigene as highest scorer and recommended candidate.

“Information available to us suggests that the alleged recommended candidate’s name might be substituted at the Federal Ministry of Education.

“We urge the Federal Government to uphold the council’s recommendation because altering the process could threaten peace in the institution,” he noted.

Responding at the Government House, Mr. Goddie Akpama, the Special Adviser on Intelligence to the State Governor, Bassey Otu, appealed for calm, saying the Governor was away but would be briefed.

Akpama advised the students to submit written petitions through appropriate channels, avoid inflammatory language, and engage authorities to ensure stability and uninterrupted academic activities.