Niger Delta

‘We’re Ready To Partner Judiciary, Others On NBA House Project’

Published

4 years ago

April 1, 2022

The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo has said the state was willing to partner the Judiciary and the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA) in making them better and more productive.
He stated this in Yenagoa,the state capital at the official groundbreaking ceremony of the Law House and research centre of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yenagoa branch.
Ewhrudjakpo noted that as a lawyer himself he was aware of the onerous job of a lawyer,saying that for any legal practitioner to be grounded in the profession,research was inevitable.
He lauded the Yenagoa branch of the Bar for the team spirit on the commencement of the project, promising that he would be personally making monthly contributions to ensure the Completion of the project.
“I commend the Yenagoa branch of the NBA for kick-starting this project. It’s good that as a body we’ve commenced the processes of having a house of our own where we can be carrying out our activities as a profession.Other times we’ve had our law weeks and other activities of the NBA in places that doesn’t belong to us as a profession. And so we must remember that as a tenant whenever your landlord is coming to take his rent from you,even you the tenant wouldn’t be at rest.
“This Law House as we’re made to understand would have a research centre where Lawyers can come and acquire additional knowledge to what they already know. And it would also be a place where as Lawyers we can also use for our activities as a profession. It’s a good project that all hands must contribute towards its success”, he said.
Also speaking,the Chief Judge of the state,Justice Kate Abiri reiterated her commitment and that of the entire state Judiciary towards the timely completion of the project,noting that the project was dear to her heart,just as she lauded the NBA for the initiating the project.
“As Judges and members of the Judiciary,we’re all going to play our various roles to see that this project is completed on time. Every Judge, Magistrates and chairmen of the customary courts of the state would all give their support. No matter how small it’s, we would be part of those whose names would be written down in gold when this Law House is completed”, she said.
In their separate good will messages,the state Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General,DiriyaiDambo,SAN and a presidential Aspirant in the forthcoming election of the Nigerian Bar Association,Chief Joe Gadzama,SAN commended the Yenagoa branch of the NBA for the initiative,adding that the project was apt, just as the SANs made donations and as well pledged their continuous support towards the completion of the project.
Meanwhile,the chairman of the Yenagoa branch of the Nigerian Bar Association,Barr. UkumbirioweiSaiyou,has lauded the chief Judge of the state and other Judges of the state Judiciary for their cordial relationship with the bar.
Saiyou added that the groundbreaking ceremony of the NBA house was partly made possible by the commitment of the state Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri whom he described as mother of the NBA and state judiciary in ensuring that the project becomes a reality, appealing to lawyers and the entire body of benchers to make their free will donations towards the realization and completion of the project in a record time.

By: AriweraIbibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Okpebholo Assures Corps Members Of Improved Welfare

Published

14 hours ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has assured corps members deployed to the state of improved welfare and a supportive service year.

Okpebholo gave the assurance at the swearing-in ceremony of the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream I corps members last Friday at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Permanent Orientation Camp in Okada.

The Governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, safety and entrepreneurship.

Represented by the Commissioner for Youth Affairs, Mrs. Charity Amayaenvbo, the Governor urged corps members to embrace innovation, community service and self-reliance rather than wait for white-collar jobs.

“Edo is committed to supporting youth empowerment, entrepreneurship and incentives that turn ideas into enterprises.

“Do not wait for jobs, create value. Wherever you are posted, serve your host community with humility, dedication and compassion.

“Have a positive footprint and let your service contribute to unity, productivity and progress,” he said.

Okpebholo assured the corps members that the state government was attentive to their welfare and had started addressing key concerns raised by the NYSC leadership.

“On behalf of the state government, I assure you of our support in terms of safety, an enabling environment and a rewarding service year.

“I listened carefully to the requests highlighted by the state coordinator, and I am glad to inform you that some of them have already been captured in the 2026 budget, which has been approved and signed into law,” he said.

The Governor noted that provisions for accommodation, meal subsidies, logistics and the construction of a multipurpose hall at the camp were included in the budget.

Earlier in her address, the Edo State Coordinator of the NYSC, Dr. Frances Ben-Ushie, described the ceremony as a reflection of the state government’s commitment to youth development and national integration.

Ben-Ushie said as of midnight on Thursday, a total of 1,235 prospective corps members, comprising 531 males and over 700 females, had been duly registered.

She congratulated the corps members on their enlistment into what she described as a “noble scheme,” urging them to embrace discipline, learning and active participation throughout the orientation course.

“The NYSC platform provides a unique avenue to meet people from diverse backgrounds, build lifelong friendships and create networks that can open doors to greater opportunities,” she said.

Ben-Ushie also highlighted the contributions of the NYSC to the state’s development, noting that the scheme had consistently provided skilled manpower, promoted labour mobility and strengthened national unity.

She cited initiatives such as the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers and the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme as key interventions benefiting communities across the state.

The NYSC coordinator commended the state government for its support, including the provision of buses for corps members, and appealed for further intervention to address lingering operational challenges at the orientation camp.

She expressed confidence that resolving the issues would enhance the effectiveness of NYSC programmes in the state and thanked the Governor for prioritising the welfare, security and growth of corps members.

Niger Delta

PDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority

Published

15 hours ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

The Edo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday condemned the state government’s reported plan to establish a state-owned airline.

The party, in a statement by its Edo State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dan Osa-Ogbegie, described the proposal as a misplaced priority and evidence of poor, disconnected governance.

The Tide’s source reports that the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, unveiled the airline plan during a meeting with Aviation Minister, Mr. Festus Keyamo, in Abuja.

Osa-Ogbegie said the proposal showed a government out of touch with the pressing challenges confronting Edo State residents.

“At a time of decaying infrastructure and stalled projects, establishing an airline is unrealistic and profoundly insensitive”, he said.

He argued that airlines were capital-intensive and technically demanding, noting that similar state-owned ventures in Nigeria had largely failed.

According to him, Benin has become a shadow of what a modern state capital should be.

He decried poor roads, collapsed urban planning, neglected drainage systems and weak municipal services across the state capital.

“This is a crying shame for a city of Benin’s history, heritage and enormous potential”, he said.

Osa-Ogbegie said several inherited projects had stalled or deteriorated, eroding investor confidence and undermining economic growth.

He accused the governor of pursuing “white elephant projects that offer optics without substance.”

He also cited ongoing flyover projects in parts of Benin as examples of poor prioritisation.

Against this background, he described the airline proposal as diversionary and lacking economic sense.

“When roads are barely motorable and services overstretched, proposing an airline betrays an absence of judgment,” he said.

He urged the government to abandon the plan and focus on people-centred priorities that would improve living conditions and spur growth.

“Edo does not need an airline to fly above its problems. It needs a government ready to confront them on the ground,” he said.

He warned that failure to refocus would deepen perceptions of an administration lacking direction, competence and a coherent development agenda.

Niger Delta

Students Protest Non-indigene Appointment As Rector in C’River

Published

15 hours ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

Students of Federal Polytechnic, Ugep, Cross River State, have protested to the Governor’s Office in Calabar over an alleged plan to appoint a non-indigene as Rector for the institution.

Carrying placards with various inscriptions, the students demanded respect for catchment area policy, local content, and the appointment of an indigene of the state as Rector of the institution.

Speaking on behalf of the students in Calabar, Stephen Etem said the protest sought to alert the Federal and Cross River State Governments to an alleged deviation from the established rectorial selection process.

Etem said a Governing Council, chaired by Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa, was constituted by the Federal Government to conduct the Rector selection exercise.

“The screening, which began last year, reportedly produced a Cross River State indigene as highest scorer and recommended candidate.

“Information available to us suggests that the alleged recommended candidate’s name might be substituted at the Federal Ministry of Education.

“We urge the Federal Government to uphold the council’s recommendation because altering the process could threaten peace in the institution,” he noted.

Responding at the Government House, Mr. Goddie Akpama, the Special Adviser on Intelligence to the State Governor, Bassey Otu, appealed for calm, saying the Governor was away but would be briefed.

Akpama advised the students to submit written petitions through appropriate channels, avoid inflammatory language, and engage authorities to ensure stability and uninterrupted academic activities.