Niger Delta

NCDMB Partners Varsities, Others On Research, Development

Published

4 years ago

December 8, 2021

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB has said it is willing to partner with more universities and other research institutions towards the development of the nation’s hydrocarbon industry.
This, the board stated yesterday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital at a workshop it organised for media stakeholders.
The Tide which monitored the exercise reports that the NCDMB Director for Research, Planning and Statistics, Patrick Daziba Obah stated this during his paper presentation tagged: ‘R&D As Pathway for Deepening Nigerian Content Implementation.”
The 2021 NCDMB capacity building workshop for media stakeholders had as its theme, ‘Sustaining Nigerian Content Amidst Shifting Energy Landscape: The Role Of The Media”.
Obah noted that no oil producing country could maximise its energy potentials without research and planning, saying that following the importance the board attaches to the development of the oil and gas sector, the board has set aside USD50,000,000 for research and development in the industry.
He expressed worry that though the research fund was depleting due to the figures already deployed for Research in various institutions, the NCDMB was confident that the harvest obtainable from the deployment of the funds was enormous.
“The NCDMB has set up research centres through partnership with various universities in Nigeria in partnership with some of the IOCs. We’ve partnered with the federal universities of Technology Owerri, FUTO, Akure and Minna. We’ve other centres of excellence in the University of Port Harcourt, the Niger Delta University and we hope to add more to our list of partnership”.
“But we needed more partnership with other organisations in terms of increasing the depleting research funds”, he said.
Earlier in an opening remark, the General Manager, Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination of the NCDMB, Dr Ginah Ginah scored the board high on its achievements, saying that the rationale behind the setting up of the content board is being achieved gradually.
He noted that the various oil and gas infrastructure under execution in different parts of the country, some inaugurated and others at various phases of completion were a direct result of the board’s willingness to change the narrative of the oil and gas sector for the better, commending the media for its roles and partnership with the board towards the development of the oil and gas industry.
Highpoints of the programme were presentations by two academics of the University of Port Harcourt, Professors Aniefiok Udoudo of the Department of Linguistics and Communication Studies and Chijioke Nwaozuzu of the university’s Emerald Energy Institute, which were tagged, ‘Retooling Competencies for the Changing Media Landscape’ and Dissecting the Petroleum Industry Act(PIA), respectively.
Meanwhile, in a recap of the presentations at the event, the Manager, Corporate Communications of the NCDMB, Barr. Naboth Onyesoh commended the lead presenters and other participants for making the event meaningful.
He added that the importance of the media to ensuring a stronger and virile content board cannot be over emphasized, noting that the board was headed towards better partnership with the media and other stakeholders in the oil and gas sector.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

INC Polls: Ogoriba Pledges To Continuously Stand For N’Delta Rights … Picks Presidential Form

Published

3 days ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

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

Niger Delta

Edo Partners Stakeholders For Better Land, Housing Services

Published

3 days ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

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.

Niger Delta

Otu Reiterates Commitment To Support Military Veterans, Families

Published

3 days ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

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.