Niger Delta

Dikio, CBN Controller, Others Bag Awards As Monarch Renders Account Of Stewardship

Published

4 years ago

December 31, 2021

The interim Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Col. Milland Dixon Dikio(rtd), branch controller, Central bank of Nigeria,Calabar, Mr Chuks Sokari and former caretaker committee (CTC) chairman,Ahoada West Council area of Rivers state, Karibo Wilson, during the week received awards from their home town,Mbiama Communitiy.
Presenting the awards during a reception held by the communitiy in honour of her illustrious sons and daughters, the paramount ruler, HRH Otovie Smith Sylvanus, noted that the recipients deserved the awards following their track record of achievements and support towards the growth and development of the community.
The royal father, who also relived his achievements in the past one year mentioned some of his achievements as, restoring peace and curbing insecurity to the barest minimum, naming of streets after illustrious sons and daughters of the community, solving the problem of near total power blackout and monthly compulsory environmental sanitation as well as reinventing football competition which he said the community was noted for, amongst others.
The Tide reports that the presidential Amnesty coordinator was represented by his brother who himself was an award recipient, Professor Ezekiel Dikio of the Niger Delta University, just as the CBN branch controller, Chuks Sokari and the ex-CTC chairman, Karibo Wilson were among nine illustrious sons and daughters of the fast urbanising communitiy noted as the commercial nerve centre of the Ahoada West local government area.
The awards ceremony which was held as part of events to commemorate the first anniversary of the reign of the Mbiama monarch was christened ‘meritorious award of achievements and excellence/support for community growth and development’.
In his opening remarks, chairman of the occasion, ESV Ogah George, lauded the community for their harmonious living, stating that Mbiama is a good example and worthy of emulation by other Engenni speaking communities.
He added that reports at his disposal show that the feat the community has achieved was made possible by the consultative leadership they have in the person of Sylvanus as paramount ruler, supported by a committed Community Development Committee (CDC) membership as well as a peaceful and loyal youth leadership.
Also speaking, the Guest of Honour, an awardee and CBN Branch Controller, Calabar, Mr Chuks Sokari, thanked the leadership of the community for finding him and others worthy for the awards.
Sokari restated the need for continuous unity and peace in the community, noting that even before he was born decades ago the community has been a melting point of commerce where people from all walks of life had lived peacefully, eking out a living irrespective of tribe and languages, emphasising that the awards would spur the recipients to do more for the community.
Others who bagged awards were, Professors Ezekiel Dikio of the Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island,Amassoma, Bayelsa State,and Amalo Dibofori-Orji of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education,Port Harcourt, Comrade Inime Karibo Wilson, CEO, Chris-Nime Global Services Ltd.
Also receiving awards were, Hon. Ayanate Dikio, former councilor,Ahoada West LGA,Ward two, who also doubles as the chairman, Mbiama Communitiy revenue generation committee, Mr Simon Boma, Mr Tayo Olu, as well as football stars who garnered various categories of award after an inter-street football competition which was held earlier.
Meanwhile,in a welcome address presented by the community through their CDC chairman, Engr. Moore Sokari,the community have called on the Government and other interventionist agency to help fast track the pace of the community’s Development through the construction of pave roads, development of manpower and the provision of other social amenities to improve on their living conditions.
The community hinted that the absence of infrastructure has impeded its quest for genuine transformation from a semi-urban nomenclature to an urban centre.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

C’River Bans VIOs From Road Operations

Published

18 hours ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

The Cross River State Government has banned the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) from road operations across the state.

The State Governor, Bassey Out, who made the announcement in Calabar on Saturday, restricted activities of the VIO to office duties.

According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Linus Obogo, the directive followed protests by commercial bus drivers and tricycle operators over high tickets, excessive fines and alleged harassment by enforcement teams.

The Governor, who made other announcements in the sector, said the measures were approved after a meeting with key transport stakeholders.

According to the statement, other announcements made was the reduction of daily ticket fee from N850 to N500, while the penalty for failure to purchase the ticket had also been reduced to N10,000.

“All traffic-related fines be slashed by 50 per cent and must be paid only into designated Cross River State Government accounts.

“Daily ticket for tricycle riders have been reduced from N1,200 to N500. However, every activity of commercial tricycle operators ends at 6 p.m. daily, night operations are permanently banned,” Otu asserted.

He said the review was aimed to ease the burden on drivers and restore order in the state’s transport system.

Speaking further, the Governor said the Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency (CTRA) would now focus on vehicle registration and sale of tickets at approved rates.

He noted that enforcement officers must operate only in proper uniforms and with verifiable identification.

He directed the Traffic Management and Regulatory Agency (TRAMRA) to restrict its activities to statutory traffic management duties.

In addition, the Governor announced that “commercial bus drivers and tricycle riders will no longer purchase tickets on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

“These directives will take effect from March 9, and I urge all residents and transport operators to cooperate with relevant authorities.”

Speaking to The Tide’s source, some commercial drivers said the statement did not address some activities of TRAMRA such as the illegal “no parking order” for drivers who only pick and drop passengers.

For Johnson Ade, a commercial driver, there should be an official release stating the traffic infractions in the state and the fine for each of them.

He said slashing the fines by 50 per cent was ambiguous, adding that the amounts to be paid for each crime should be clearly stated to prevent criminal elements who posed as government traffic regulatory officials from abusing the directive.

On his part, Mr. Sunday Dennis, Metropolitan Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), said they would convene a meeting immediately to critically look at the governor’s statement.

It would be recalled that series of protests by commercial bus drivers and tricycle operators had led to the suspension of all forms of transport tickets in the state by the government.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Community Seeks Govt Recognition For Elected Village Head

Published

18 hours ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

Some indigenes of Mbiabong Ikpe Village, in Ikpe Annang Clan, Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, have called on the State Government to recognize Chief Samuel James Udo as the authentic Village Head of the community by according him a Certificate of Recognition.

According to them, the call is necessitated by the fact that Chief Udo has won the first and second election processes on 1st May, 2021 and 15th July 2025.

The indigenes said in addition to his emergence after the two election processes, Chief Udo’s emergence has been confirmed by Chief Akpan Akpa Inyang (Okuku Ikpa Isong Annang), who has handed him (Udo) to “UDAK” as stipulated by the custom and tradition of Annang Land.

They said Udo’s emergence marked the end of every struggle by individuals or groups of persons on the issue of headship of Mbiabong Ikpe Village, Ikpe Annang Land, in Essien Udim Local Government Area.

According to them, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Frank Archibong, should call for the recognition of the Village Head-elect of Mbiabong Ikpe Village in accordance with the Traditional Rulers Council Law of Akwa Ibom State, CAP 134.

This, they said, is because he has been duly and rightly selected by the kingmakers as the village Head-elect and have satisfied all requirements in the extant law for the said selection.

“We are informing the Akwa Ibom State Government of the development, because any imposition of any other name to the Governor will not be accepted by the community”, they said.

Meanwhile, they have alleged that some “enemies of progress are causing problem over the Chieftaincy issue after the winner has emerged and accepted by the entire Kingmakers.”

When contacted the Village Head-elect, Chief Samuel James Udo, advised the people not to cause any crises, saying that their mandate will not be denied.

“I will continue to respect the law. My people are law abiding citizens and God will surely stand for true justice and the certificate will be given to me, not through fighting, causing unrest, or violence, but by our faith in God, and the belief that the relevant authorities will do the needful”, he said.

By: Christopher Tom, Uyo

Niger Delta

Delta Unveils World Book Day Festival

Published

18 hours ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State government on Saturday unveiled the LightRay! Distortion World Book Day Festival.

The festival, themed “That Which Bends, Transcends,” is a major celebration of literature, storytelling, and cultural advocacy in the state.

It was unveiled at the office of the Head of Service, Mrs. Mininim Oseji, in Asaba.

The event was organised by LightRay! Media, in partnership with the Committee for Relevant Arts (CORA) and Unchained Vibes Africa.

Founder and President of the media group, Ejiro Umukoro, described the event as the first large-scale literary festival in the state.

She explained that the initiative aims to engage both marginalised and privileged communities in dialogue on resilience, hope, and social change through literature.

Highlighting the transformative power of storytelling, Umukoro said literature can inspire action, reshape perspectives, and drive social change within communities.

According to her, the festival builds on the impact of the Distortion novel series produced by LightRay! Media, which explores themes of human resilience, personal agency, and renewal.

She noted that the book has supported social awareness campaigns and legislative advocacy, contributing to the abolition of the Osu caste system in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo.

“The novel has also received literary recognition, including the TYB Young Adult Literature Prize in 2024,” she added.

Umukoro further revealed that the Delta Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has approved Distortion as a recommended literature text for students.

She expressed concern over the poor condition of public libraries across the state, noting that many remain inactive or non-functional.

”Urban libraries also struggle with outdated collections, inadequate infrastructure, and limited professional staffing”, she said.

Umukoro urged stakeholders to rebuild libraries, strengthen reading communities, and equip facilities with modern learning resources.

“The three-month festival will feature competitions, workshops, creative showcases, and professional development programmes, Umukoro said.

The Permanent Secretary in the office of the Head of Service, Mr. Wilson Chukwuka, commended the initiative.

The leader of the National Association of Seadogs, Mr. Michael Nwaidei, said the project aligns with efforts to encourage critical thinking and knowledge acquisition among young people.

Nwaidei was represented by a member of the association, Mr. Uche Egbuche.

The Tide’s source reports that guests, educators, creatives, and literary enthusiasts from across the state and diaspora communities attended the festival.