Niger Delta

Osinbajo To Flag Off Project In Bayelsa, Others Set For Inauguration

Published

4 years ago

February 2, 2022

As the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri and his Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo mark their second year in office, February 14th, 2022, the Bayelsa State Government has said it would commission no fewer than 20 road, educational, health, media and agricultural projects as part of the activities lined up for the celebration
The Tide gathered that projects billed for commissioning include those inherited from the past administration of former governor Seriake Dickson,(now a Senator) and completed in the last one year under the Diri’s administration as well as others initiated by the present government in same period.
A statement from the Chief press secretary to the state governor, Mr Daniel Alabrah, states that the anniversary activities will commence a week earlier before February 14 and will continue till the end of the month due to the number of projects lined up for inauguration.
Alabrah further added that Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo is expected to flag-off a bridge project across River Nun at Angiama linking Oporoma, headquarters of the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
The Tide reports that Governor Diri, last weekend inspected some of the projects at various stages of completion. The projects include the Yenagoa-Oporoma road, Bayelsa State Mega Media Complex for Radio Bayelsa, Niger Delta Television and the Bayelsa Newspaper Corporation.
Others are the Igbedi road, Glory Drive road, Bayelsa Transport Terminal at Igbogene, Phase One of the Igbogene/AIT Ring Road, the Elebele Bridge, the Onopa Bridge and access roads.
Speaking to Journalists shortly after the inspection, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Surveyor Moses Teibowei, disclosed that between 20 and 30 projects in various sectors would be ready for commissioning. He said the contractors have been mobilised and mandated to complete the projects within specified time in readiness for commissioning.
Teibowei said: “Between 20 and 30 projects should be ready, not only in the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure but also in education, health, agriculture and other sectors.
“My target is to complete assigned projects and I strongly believe that some of the projects visited will be completed.”
Governor Diri, who commended the Works Commissioner, described him as a capable hand with a competent team, stating that based on reports received on the progress of work, he decided to have firsthand knowledge of what had been achieved so far, hence the recent inspection.
“What I have seen is quite commendable. You know I have a very capable hand in the Ministry of Works and very competent monitors. I have been receiving reports. I came myself to confirm the reports that I have received so far. What we have seen is very commendable and we are sure that the targets will be kept”, the governor said.
Governor Diri and the inspection team who were welcomed at Angiama (a riverine) Community in the Southern Ijaw council area of the state who saw cars for the first time when the road project got to the community commended the community and the contractors for the peaceful and harmonious working relationship, just as the community commended the governor and his predecessor for their passion to develop the state.
The Tide learnt that inspected Yenagoa-Oproma road, tagged ‘the Bayelsa Central Senatorial District road’ is one of the federal projects in the state that had been on the drawing board for over 50 years before the state government undertook its construction.
Other federal projects are the Nembe-Brass and Sagbama-Ekeremor roads, respectively.
Also in the inspection entourage was the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, and equally expressing satisfaction with the quality of work by the different contractors.
He said it was the Assembly’s duty to approve funds for execution of projects, just as it was in their place to monitor such projects to ascertain value for money, promising that the Assembly would continue to support the executive arm of government to deliver more Infrastructure to Bayelsans.
Others on the inspection team were the leader of the Assembly, Monday Obolo-Bubou, Chief of Staff, Government House, Chief Benson Agadaga, Commissioner of Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mr. Ayibaina Duba amongst other top government functionaries.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

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

Published

2 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

2 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

2 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.