Niger Delta

Osinbajo Flags Off Angiama- Oporoma Bridge Project

Published

4 years ago

February 21, 2022

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

No fewer than six decades after its conceptualisation,the far-flung communities of Southern Ijaw council area of Bayelsa state might have just started heaving a sigh of relief as Nigeria’s Vice President,Yemi Osinbajo at the weekend flagged-off the Angia-Ibe(Angiama Communitiy – Oporoma link bridge project.
The Tide correspondent reports that the Southern-Ijaw council area of the state is more than ninety percent riverine and that Oporoma Communitiy, where the flagged-off bridge was expected to link is its headquarters,just as reports have added that Southern -Ijaw might probably be the largest local government area in Nigeria.
The flag-off by the Vice President was preceded by a historic drive on the Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie road, which construction has reached Angiama Communitiy,just as Vice President Osinbajo commended Governor Diri for continuing projects that predated his administration, noting that the 36km Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie road was significant as it will improve the economy of the people and reduce the incidences of sea piracy in the area.
The nation’s number two citizen restated that the partnership between the federal and state governments was working as was evidenced in the refunds of money earlier spent on federal roads by state governments, assuring that the federal government will continue to support Bayelsa state to enable it meet its developmental aspirations.
He said the rural communities in Southern Ijaw were hosts to oil and gas wealth,which he identified as Nigeria’s economic mainstay, saying that as a result the council area like every other area with these economic contributions, deserves developmental projects.
The Vice President mentioned that no inclusive prosperity can thrive without linking communities by road,charging the people of the area to take ownership of the project,just as he also called on the people of the state to support the Diri’s administration to enable it deliver on its mandate.
Osinbajo expressed the optimism that the project would be completed by the governor and urged him to continue to serve the people of the state diligently.
“Let me thank my brother, Governor Diri, for inviting me to be part of the second anniversary celebrations and the traditional rulers for the title conferred on me. I also bring you warm greetings from President, Muuhammadu Buhari GCFR.
“I am, of course, very excited to join you for this project. Driving through the road, I appreciate the wonderful gift that nature has bestowed on the state.There will be no inclusive prosperity without linking communities by road. So this project is very important. We must commend our dear brother, Governor Diri and his team for continuing with this project that has been on the drawing board for over 60 years”, he said.
“The partnership between the federal and state government is working as evidenced in the refunds of money used by the states for federal roads. We are confident that what your administration has started will be completed at the highest quality. I assure you of the support of the federal government and that you have not been forgotten. Once more, I congratulate Governor Diri and the beneficiary communities”, the Vice President added.
In his remarks, Governor Douye Diri described the flag- off of the link bridge as significant to the people of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, given the fact that it has been on the drawing board for over 60 years, saying despite the daunting hurdles and notwithstanding the lean financial situation of the state, his administration decided to prioritise the completion of the Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie road in furtherance of a strategic government master plan.
Diri described the project as a Trunk A federal road, expressing the readiness of the state government to partner the federal government to ensure the speedy completion of the project.
The governor while commending the China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC) for doing a good job so far, directed the Ministries of Finance and Works and Infrastructure to release not less than seventy(70%) percent of the contract sum to the firm to enhance its job, thanking the Vice President for finding time out of his tight schedules to flag-off the project,describing him as a lover of the state and a friend of the Niger Delta region.
A statement made available to Newsmen by the Chief Press Secretary to the Bayelsa state Governor,Mr Daniel Alabrah quoted Governor Diri to have said: “That we are here today is the culmination of the collective prayers, resoluteness and singlemindedness of the people of Bayelsa State and a demonstration of the fact that determination and perseverance can make the most unlikely dream come true. Thank you for joining us to change the trajectory of development of Bayelsa State.Interestingly, this bridge project evokes a symbolism that is compelling. When the wonderful story of how a bridge changed the destiny of a people would be told, Your Excellency, your name will be conspicuously mentioned.
“Mr. Vice President, there is a particular symbolism in today’s event. In the same way that physical bridges connect places, collaboration is a ‘bridge’ that connects people and interests. Your presence exemplifies the bridge of cooperation that endures between this Government of Prosperity and the Federal Government. And similarly, it takes time, effort and planning to build cooperation, as it does a physical bridge. We are greatly encouraged by your attendance.This Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie road project is only one of the few projects by the federal government in Bayelsa State. That this project has been ongoing for 60 long years is a sad parable of the lack of attention that successive federal governments have paid to the region that continues to provide the bulk of the nation’s resources, at severe and sacrificial cost”, Governor Diri said.
In a welcome address, the chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Chief Nigeria Kia, described the ceremony as one of the happiest days in the lives of all Southern Ijaw people given the significance of the project, noting that the local government, which has over 200 communities, has only about five connected by road.
The Council chairman thanked Governor Diri for prioritising the project while, assuring that the people of the area will continue to support him.
Also speaking,the state’s Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Moses Teibowei, said the road was one of the three senatorial road projects aimed at opening up the state and boosting economic activities while also decongesting Yenagoa and reducing sea piracy, lauding CCECC and expressed optimism that the road will be completed within the specified time.
The Tide reports that other high points of the flag-off ceremony was the conferement of the chieftaincy title, ‘Ebi-akubowei 1’ (one who seeks good or progress) of Angiama Kingdom on the Vice President by the Angia-Ibe (Angiama) traditional institution.
The Tide also learnt that the Vice President prior to doing the flag-off had earlier paid a courtesy visit on the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council where he thanked custodians of the Ijaw tradition for the warm reception accorded him,while the Vice Chairman of the state’s Traditional Rulers Council, King Malla Sasime, had also thanked Osinbajo for recognising the traditional stool by his visit to them.

Niger Delta

Bayelsa Inaugurates Cttees For 30th Creation Anniversary

Published

11 hours ago

August 3, 2026

The Tide

The Bayelsa State Government has inaugurated six sub-committees, as it begins preparations for the 30th Anniversary celebration of the creation of the state on 1st October.

Inaugurating the sub-committees in Government House, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, explained that Bayelsa has countless reasons to appreciate God for what He has done for its land and people in the 30 years of its existence, especially in development.

He charged the sub-committees to come up with proposals for the various activities and events for the celebration within the next two weeks in line with their respective terms of reference, stressing that strategic things had to be done to make the anniversary significant and historic.

According to him, the three-day programme of activities for the anniversary celebration, which will commence on the 29th of September, will be preceded by two weeks of commissioning of public infrastructural projects completed by the Prosperity Administration.

The Bayelsa Number Two Man further clarified that events penciled down for the celebration include a cultural carnival, boat regatta, anniversary lecture, sporting events, state banquet and awards night.

The sub-committees are: the Awards Sub-Committee, chaired by His Majesty, King Bubaraye Dakolo; the Sports Sub-Committee, headed by Hon. Daniel Igali; and the Lecture Sub-Committee, with Prof. Stephen Olali as its Chairman.

Others are: the Mega Praise Sub-Committee, jointly chaired by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, and the Managing Director of Premium Trust Bank, Dr. Emmanuel Emiefenim; the Cultural Sub-Committee, headed by Rt. Hon. Monday Bubou-Obolo; and the Publicity Sub-Committee, with the Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, as Chairman.

by: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

NDDC Backs Federal Drive To Cut Maternal, Newborn Deaths … Trains Traditional Birth Attendants

Published

11 hours ago

August 3, 2026

The Tide

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has stated its commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), with a renewed push to tackle the persistently high rate of preventable maternal and newborn deaths across the Niger Delta.

The Commission made the pledge during workshops for traditional birth attendants held in Delta and Bayelsa states, where it stressed the need for stronger collaboration between traditional birth attendants and the orthodox healthcare system to improve maternal and child health outcomes.

Speaking at the training, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, urged women to embrace modern medical care while leveraging the trusted role of traditional birth attendants in their communities.

Represented by the Principal Manager, Education, Health and Social Services (EHSS), Mrs. Dare-Oloko Kuami, Ogbuku described maternal and child mortality as an alarming public health challenge that requires urgent and collective action.

“The rate of death among women and children is alarming and must be eradicated. This training is designed to enlighten our women and should not be taken for granted”, he said.

According to him, the workshop was organised to strengthen the knowledge and capacity of traditional birth attendants in providing safe maternal and newborn care, identifying pregnancy-related complications early, and referring high-risk cases promptly to hospitals and health centres.

Also speaking, the Director of Education, Health and Social Services, Dr. Patience Ezugu, called on women to take issues relating to childbirth seriously, stressing that improved knowledge and adherence to safe delivery practices would help save lives.

Represented by the Principal Manager, EHSS, Dr. Otokolo Fidelis, Ezugu disclosed that more than 300 women from Delta and Bayelsa states participated in the training and were provided with medical equipment and cash support to enhance their services.

One of the resource persons, Mrs. Gift Akitiri, underscored the vital role traditional birth attendants continue to play in many rural communities, noting that regular capacity building would improve the quality of maternal healthcare delivery.

“Traditional birth attendants are trusted members of many communities. By equipping them with updated knowledge, we are helping to ensure that mothers and newborns receive timely and appropriate care, thereby improving health outcomes”, she said.

A participant, Mrs. Franscica Odiakosa, commended the NDDC for organising the workshop, describing it as timely and impactful.

“I have gained valuable knowledge that will improve the quality of healthcare I provide in my community. I have also learnt the importance of referring expectant mothers to health centres and hospitals whenever a case is beyond my capacity”, she said, while urging the Commission to sustain the initiative.

Niger Delta

Uyo Club Inaugurates New Executive … Tasks Members On Service, Community Impact

Published

11 hours ago

August 3, 2026

The Tide

One of Nigeria’s oldest and most prestigious social clubs, Uyo Club, has inaugurated its full Executive Council to oversee the affairs of the association for the next two years, with a charge to provide purposeful leadership and make meaningful contributions to society.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony at the club’s headquarters on Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo, the President of the club, Prof. Sahm Etuk, urged the newly elected executive members to bring their wealth of experience and professionalism to bear in the discharge of their responsibilities.

He said members of the club expected the new leadership not only to strengthen the institution, but to also extend its impact beyond the clubhouse through service to the wider community.

“You have voluntarily presented yourselves for service, and we expect that you will make yourselves available at all times to offer the service required of you”, Etuk said.

The inauguration followed the April 2026 bye-election conducted to fill vacant positions in the Executive Council.

Among those inaugurated was renowned broadcast administrator and Executive Managing Consultant of Comfort 95.1 FM, Uyo, Samuel Enoh Akpan, who was elected Public Relations Officer. Akpan is also a member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).

Other members of the Executive Council are Barrister Eno Inyang (Treasurer), Anthony Etim (Social Secretary), Christian Daniel (Welfare Secretary), Friday Ekpa (Legal Adviser), Christian Chukwu (Provost), Mmenye Udofa (Assistant Secretary), Otu Otu (Maintenance Secretary) and Macaulay Udom (Ex-Officio).

Prof. Etuk, a Professor of Strategic Marketing, Director of the School of Continuing Education at the University of Uyo, and Chairman of the institution’s Sports Committee, had earlier been inaugurated as President on January 10, 2026, alongside the Vice President, Dr. Nestor Udoh, a retired Permanent Secretary.

Other officials inaugurated at the time include Ndi Aquaisua (General Secretary), TPL Dr. Emmanuel Etuk (Financial Secretary), Dr. Imbur Terfa (Auditor), and Dr. Anietie Ekong (General Games Captain).

The President also inaugurated the Board of Past Presidents, made up of all living former presidents of the club, urging them to continue providing guidance and institutional support to the Executive Council in line with the club’s constitution.

Former presidents present at the event included Dr. Emem Umoh, Dr. Bassey Etuknwa, Engr. Mbosowo Orok, Prof. Ini Jonah, and Akparawa Ikpong Essien-Udom, a member of the Standing Committee of the Nigerian Guild of Editors.

Etuk called on members to unite in pursuit of the club’s founding ideals of recreation, service and development, expressing confidence that the newly constituted organs of the club would strengthen its operations and reposition it for greater relevance.

Founded in 1935, Uyo Club remains one of Nigeria’s foremost recreational associations, with a membership that cuts across diverse professions and sectors of society.