Niger Delta
Again, More Communities Eulogise Diri Over Projects Execution
Residents of Diezani Street of Bebelebiri Two Community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have expressed appreciation to the administration of Governor Douye Diri for the successful completion of a rural electricity project in the community, even as the state government had recently reiterated its commitment to continue with more impactful infrastructural projects across all the local government areas of the state.
The Tide reports that the message of appreciation was delivered by a delegation of residents of the area also known as Minister’s Street of Bebelebiri during a thank you visit to the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo in Government House, Yenagoa.
Spokesman of the delegation, Mr Allen Enemotimi, commended the administration for swiftly responding to their appeal to provide electrification of the street through the office of the Commissioner in charge of Special Duties in Bayelsa Central.
Narrating their ordeal, Allen said the area had, for so many years, been without public power supply, stressing that efforts to get it connected to the national grid proved abortive until recently when the present administration heard their cries and responded swiftly.
He said the electricity project no doubt speaks volumes of the Senator Douye Diri-led administration’s determination to develop the state without sentiments and discrimination.
Allen informed that the people of Bebelebiri 2 were overwhelmed with joy and would do everything within their reach to support the government to succeed.
Responding, the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, said the number one priority of the administration was to lift burdens off the shoulders of the people as much as possible.
He maintained that government had made an irrevocable commitment to embark on more people-oriented and capital-intensive infrastructural projects in all the eight local government areas across the state for the people to feel the impact of prosperity.
The Deputy Governor, who thanked the residents of Minister’s Street of Bebelebiri Community for their show of maturity, good sense of responsibility and gratitude, urged them to sustain the prevailing peace in the area.
While calling on government functionaries to be responsive to the needs of the people, Senator Ewhrudjakpo also appreciated the Commissioner for Special Duties, Bayelsa Central, Mr. Flint George, for diligently coordinating the execution of the electricity project.
Highpoint of the visit was a special prayer offered by an octogenarian resident of the area, Madam Mabel David from Amassoma, asking for God’s protection and blessings upon Governor Diri, his deputy and the entire prosperity government.
Similarly, the people of Etegwe Communitiy of Epie clan of Yenagoa council area of the state have also expressed their gratitude to the state government for the construction of no fewer than two new internal concrete roads in the community.
The paramount ruler of the community, HRH Ile Gard who conveyed the community’s appreciation to the government while speaking with The Tide in Yenagoa mentioned that save for the Diri’s administration all successive administrations hitherto neglected the community on the provision of infrastructure.
The royal father appealed to the government to also put into consideration the construction of the alternative internal road from Etegwe to Okutukutu Communitiy, saying that it would be a bypass for motorists as it would decongest the newly remodel and redesigned Etegwe round,Melford Okilo and Isaac Boro express roads, respectively as the state promises to increase in traffic overtime.
“Before the coming of Governor Douye Diri,no Government remembered this Communitiy in infrastructural projects. But look at today, the difference is clear, Governor Diri has awarded and since completed two internal concrete road projects in this Communitiy.
Infact,the dualisation of the Isaac Boro express way and the redesigned and expansion works at the Etegwe round about have given this Communitiy a facelift.This governor has a listening ear”, the Etegwe Monarch stated.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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
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.
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.