Niger Delta
Otuokpoti’s New Monarch Breaks Silence …As Diri’s Appointed CDC Chairman Resigns

Newly enthroned Acting paramount ruler of Otuokpoti Community of Ogbia Council Area of Bayelsa State, Chief Rescue Orisa Abi, has revealed why the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, dethroned the community’s former monarch and enthroned him in acting capacity.
The traditional ruler, who spoke with The Tide in the community at the weekend denied the insinuations making the rounds that his proxies in government lobbied for him to become a royal father.
He stated that against the allegations that he lobbied for the position,he was not interested in politics, noting however that his leadership trajectory as one time acting paramount ruler between 1988 -1989, and one time vice chairman of the Ogbia Kingdom Council of Chiefs, as well as his former positions as chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Ogbia Local Government Area, and one time Secretary of the Otuokpoti Community Council of Chiefs as well as his current position as Chairman of the Community’s Council of Chiefs prior to his elevation as acting monarch would have informed the state governor’s decision in making him the community’s acting royal father.
The Tide reports that a second-class paramount ruler of Otuokpoti Community in Ogbia Council area of the state, A.C.T. Wongo, was deposed by the state governor, following security reports which implicated him and others in an alleged illegal oil refinery business which security investigations further revealed, led to the kidnap of the state Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Mr Federal Otokito, whom reports said was against the illegal oil bunkering, popularly referred to as ‘kpo fire’ in the community.
Chief R.O. Abi who also reeled out his blueprint informed The Tide that though the government has not communicated him, the duration for which he would be in acting capacity pending when the community would have a substantive monarch, he intends to collaborate with the government and its security operatives to strengthen the security situation in the community, just as he also hinted that in line with government’s directive, plans have reached advanced stage for the community to have a database of all non-indigenes living in the community and their sources of livelihood, respectively.
“I never knew the state governor would appoint me as acting paramount ruler any day, I was surprised myself when I first saw it in the social media, so I called on the governor’s chief of staff to confirm. He told me he would get back to me and truely called me back later with the confirmation of the story. I’m not a politician and don’t intend to be one any day, anytime. I’m a retired teacher”.
“The Governor is called ‘miracle governor’ and so God has performed another miracle in this community through him. Like the governor, I’m also a ‘miracle’ acting paramount ruler.
Meanwhile there were palpable fears in the community as reports have it that security operatives during the week foiled attempts to stage protest by some members of the community believed to be relatives and sympathizers of the dethroned monarch, A.C.T Wongo during the commissioning ceremony of the newly upgraded Otuokpoti police post to station by the state governor.
The foiled protest, The Tide, gathered may not be unconnected to the resignation of the governor’s appointed CDC chairman, Mr Jerry Ofor, as either him and the protesters declined audience with newsmen.
However, The Tide gathered from the acting monarch that the failed protest was carried out by no fewer than 12 people.
He said the resignation of Mr Jerry Ofor earlier appointed by governor Diri to replace the sacked former CDC chairman, Mr Azibalua Amon would not threaten the peaceful coexistence of the community as the council of chiefs has since filled the vacancy created by the resignation with a replacement by one Mr Godspower Parapa.
The royal highness described the new CDC helmsman as one who is willing to work with the new community leadership, noting that the community has since kept the government and security agencies abreast of the new development.
“The CDC Chairman appointed by the governor came to me one day, saying that his inner man was telling him not to be the chairman and that he was resigning. I summoned a meeting of the council of chiefs and informed them so he tendered his resignation and has since been replaced by one Mr Godspower Parapa as new CDC Chairman. I’ve informed the government and security agencies”, the monarch said.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Niger Delta
GoG Crucial To Bayelsa’s Dev, Growth – Diri
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said the location of the state around the resource-rich Gulf of Guinea (GoG) region presents unique opportunities for investment for its growth and development.
He also stated that his administration was ready to deepen collaboration to enhance the security of the contiguous maritime area.
The Governor stated this recently while speaking at the Nigerian Mission House in New York, during a High-Level Discourse on the Gulf of Guinea, with the theme: “Unlocking Energy, Oil/Gas, Mineral Resources, Aviation and Maritime Opportunities in the Gulf of Guinea: A Roadmap for Peace and Security”, on the margins of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The Tide gathered that the event was convened by a policy think tank, “The New Diplomat”, in collaboration with Angola-based Gulf of Guinea Commission.
The State’s Chief Executive noted that Bayelsa, being the ancestral homeland of the Ijaw people, shares historical affiliation and geographical similarities with the Gulf of Guinea, saying that the huge economic potentialities of the area were yet to be fully exploited.
He said the State’s longest coastline in the country of over 200km offers opportunities in tourism, oil, gas and energy development as well as investments in glass, ceramics, fisheries, maritime and aviation, among others.
“The Gulf of Guinea, stretching approximately 6,000 kilometers from Cape Lopez in Gabon to Cape Palmas in Liberia, is one of the world’s most strategic maritime basins.
“It anchors nearly 60 per cent of Africa’s oil production, holds 4.5 per cent of global proven oil reserves, and 2.7 per cent of global gas, and supports seaborne trade expanding at unprecedented pace.
“Surrounding this basin is a vast market of over 500 million people across West and Central Africa, making the Gulf not only a lifeline for energy, but also a growth engine for trade, jobs, and food security.
“Bayelsa’s unique geography grants us unmatched prospects for oil and gas exports, maritime logistics, fisheries, and coastal trade. Our dual identity as an energy powerhouse and custodian of delicate ecosystems defines both our responsibilities and opportunities”, the Governor said.
He stressed that the objective of his administration was to create a safe and transparent environment where private investment, local enterprise and international partners can deliver shared prosperity for communities in the region.
He, however, noted that insecurity had been a serious challenge in the Gulf, particularly piracy, which he said required concerted effort among stakeholders to effectively tackle.
“As a government, we have pioneered a community-based crime prevention strategy – the first among Nigeria’s coastal states. We couple this with formal enforcement in partnership with the Nigerian Navy, Joint Task Force, Police and other agencies.
“We have re tooled local security outfits, established the Bayelsa Community Safety Corps, and deployed technological surveillance mechanisms.
“Bayelsa State’s partnership with United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Government of Germany to launch a community-based crime-prevention programme has shown promising results, including the rescue of seven kidnapped victims in 2022″, the Governor added.
The UNODC Executive Director and Director-General of the United Nations Office in Vienna, Austria, Amb. Ghada Waly, said the Gulf of Guinea is an important economic powerhouse of the African continent.
Waly re-echoed the significance of shoring up security in the Gulf, saying the region had become a transit route for illicit financial flows, drugs and organised crime.
“According to the 2024 Nigerian Corruption Survey reported by the UNODC, over $40 billion had been lost in the last one decade through illicit financial flows and embezzlement. Corruption opens the door for criminal networks to infiltrate supply chain and erode the rule of law.
“With global demand for critical minerals set to rise, the risks will only grow. Without concrete action and sustained support, these threats will hold the region back from reaching its full potential.
“At the UNODC, we are working with our partners to curb organised crime in Nigeria and in the Gulf of Guinea”, she said.
In a welcome address, Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Thailand, who is the convener and Director of The New Diplomat, Oma Djebah, said the roundtable was organised to bring together global thought leaders, policy makers, private sector icons and the civil society “to advance pragmatic, enduring partnerships and a bright future for the Gulf of Guinea.”
He also stated that the proposed Gulf of Guinea Business Council (GoGBC) would foster collaboration between the private sector and governments in the Gulf of Guinea and development partners, saying that it would create jobs, improve infrastructure and unlock the region’s full economic potential.
The event was chaired by former Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister and erstwhile United Nations Under-Secretary-General, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, and had in attendance Governor of Zamfara State, Dr. Dauda Lawal; Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi; his Solid Minerals Development counterpart, Dr. Dele Alake; and Nigeria’s 21st Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Awwal Gambo.
Others were former France Ambassador to Nigeria and currently, Head, Africa Division at France’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Emmanuella Blatmann; Portugal’s Special Envoy to Africa and former Ambassador to Denmark, Rita Laranjinha; and the Charge d’ Affaires, Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations, Amb. Samson Itegboje, among others.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Niger Delta
IYC Lauds Police Over Real Estate Agent Killer’s Arrest
President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Worldwide, Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr., has applauded the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Bayelsa State Command, for the timely investigation and arrest of Mr George Idumangi, suspected killer of a Real Estate agent in Yenagoa, Mr. Richard Ekpebu.
Lokpobiri gave the commendation at the Ijaw House, headquarters of the Council, while speaking with Journalists shortly after a monitoring tour of some ongoing projects being executed by the IYC.
He condemned crime and criminality and dissociated the umbrella Ijaw Youth body from nefarious activities, noting that the suspect, Mr. Idumangi, popularly called Pastor Brandy, once served in one of the adhoc committees of the Council and worked closely with a former Zonal Executive of the Council, but that it does not make the IYC an association of criminal-minded individuals.
“I want to commend the Nigerian Police for the timely investigation and subsequent arrest of Mr. George Idumangi, the prime suspect in the murder of Mr. Richard Ekpebu.
“I like to sound it very clear that though Mr. Idumangi, who is popularly called Pst. Brandy, has previously served in a committee of one of the former executive of the central zone of the IYC, that doesn’t make the IYC, which many of us have struggled to build, a criminal organisation.
“I sympathise with the bereaved families of Mr. Ekpebu. He’s one of us. Both Idumangi and Ekpebu are Ijaw youths. We’re against crime of any sort. We’ve responsible and well behaved members of the IYC in all walks of life doing Ijaw nation and Nigeria very proud.
“How on earth will you take another man’s life because of money? How much is the money in question? No man has the right to wrongfully take another’s life no matter what”, the Youth leader said.
Lopkpobiri, who also said under his leadership of the Council a number of youth developmental initiatives were being carried out, said one of such programmes is the ongoing construction of a Youth vocational centre alongside other projects to train and retrain Ijaw Youths in various skills and vocations.
He also called on the Nigerian Police and sister security agencies to apprehend and question the authenticity of any body seen using the number plate and insignia of the IYC in vehicles, saying the Ijaw Youth Council number plates and insignia we’re exclusively reserved for serving executive members of the Council.
“People can’t use the IYC logo, plate number and council insignia to be fomenting trouble.
“Henceforth I call on the Police and sister security outfits to arrest suspected members of the public, who aren’t executive members of the IYC, using our insignia and plate numbers to commit crime and criminality”, the IYC President added.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Niger Delta
No Hiding Place For Erring Motorists In Delta – FRSC
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Delta State Sector Command, has warned motorists against violating traffic regulations, saying there will be no hiding place for them.
The new FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Mrs. Joyce Alexander, who gave the warning recently at a news conference in Asaba, said the era of impunity is over.
“The roads must be safe, and the corps will pursue that goal relentlessly. No individual, no matter how highly placed, will be shielded from the consequences of breaking the law”, she said.
According to her, “strict adherence to traffic rules and regulations would reduce crashes and improve safety on the roads.
“We are urging Nigerians to adhere to traffic rules and regulations to ensure safer roads.
“Motorists must ensure that they drive at recommended speed limit such as 35km/h in built-up areas.
“This is to minimise the risks of crashes while guaranteeing their safety and that of others.
“All hands must be on deck to stop the carnage; every road user must ensure safety whenever they are on the road.”
The Sector Commander also called for stakeholders’ support to reduce the rate of road accident.
“My coming here is to rejig and reposition the corps operation with our stakeholders, the people, government, unions, as well as all road users.
“We need to ensure that, at the end of the day, we have safe roads, and people can move from one point to another to transact their businesses”, she said.
She reiterated the commitment of the corps to ensuring safe, passable, seamless and crash-free roads.
Alexander appealed to parents and guardians not to allow their underage children to drive.
She warned that minors found driving would be arrested and sanctioned.
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