Niger Delta

Tambuwal Unveils Projects In Bayelsa, Eulogises Diri On Political Inclusiveness

Published

4 years ago

April 11, 2022

Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, has commended his Bayelsa State counterpart, Senator Douye Diri’s approach to governance, saying his leadership has positively impacted his state.
Tambuwal gave the commendation while inaugurating the New Yenagoa City link bridge and road projects at Onopa,Yenagoa in the state capital.
The Tide reports that the inauguration was in continuation of activities marking Governor Diri’s second anniversary, which was held in February.
Applauding Diri for his examplary leadership and developmental strides, Tambuwal said it was incumbent on Bayelsans to support him to provide good governance.
He said Diri has displayed sterling leadership qualities, particularly in the area of completion of projects initiated by his predecessor as well as running an inclusive government regardless of party affiliation.
“This link road and bridge project signify a lot. Continuity in governance is very important. When some governors come in, they abandon existing unfinished projects. Governor Diri, I commend you for completing projects started by the previous government because that is the way to go.
“You are also bringing back together everyone and it is important to close ranks to provide leadership to our people. So it behoves on us to support good governance as examplified by Governor Diri. Development is for everyone irrespective of political party”, he said.
The Sokoto governor, who is also chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum, urged politicians to play issue-based politics rather than attack personalities in order not to heat up the polity.
“Yiu must play decent politics and go for issues. Talk about failures at the centre, which include insecurity, failing economy and development of our people and not personality. Our differences should be resolved through dialogue and not raising tempers and emotions”, Tambuwal added.
Describing Nigeria as a special blessing to Africa, Tambuwal said the people need to take advantage of the country’s diversity and commit towards making it great.
Earlier, Governor Diri explained that the projects serve as gateway to the new Yenagoa city and help provide security around the Government House area,just as he added that in no distant time, the new city would be one of the modern urban cities in the country.
According to him, his administration was striving to construct another dual carriage road from the Ecumenical Centre at Igbogene to the new city.
“This project opens up Bayelsa to the new capital city. I like to thank the traditional rulers, communities associated with this project and all who supported and ensured that this road and bridge were completed”, Diri said.
The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr Moses Teibowei, explained that the road was a dual carriage way linking the Glory Drive at Igbogene.
He said with the road in place, there would no longer be a thoroughfare through the Government House to the new city, which already accommodates an 18-hole golf course, polo field and a 3-Star hotel.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Stakeholders In Delta Seek Stronger GBV Action, Women’s Leadership

Published

18 hours ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Stakeholders in Delta State convened in Asaba for a leadership workshop organised by Otdel Health Heritage and Environmental Initiative (OHHEI), focusing on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and women’s participation in decision-making processes.

OHHEI Project Director, Mr. Peter Olayinka, represented by a consultant, Juliet Obiajulu, urged participants to contribute meaningfully toward advancing women’s leadership and combating GBV across communities in the state.

He said the workshop aimed to strengthen participants’ capacity to influence policies, challenge harmful cultural norms, and reinforce initiatives designed to prevent and respond to GBV.

Olayinka said women often faced bias even when they occupied leadership positions, and stressed that gender diversity improved the quality of decision-making and promoted innovation and accountability in governance structures.

Speaking, the Chairperson of the Association Against Child Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Mr Eris Jewo-Ibi, identified cultural norms, domestic responsibilities, political resistance, and grassroots barriers as constraints to women’s participation.

Delta State GBV Desk Officer, Mrs. Rosemary Okpuno, emphasised that effective decision-making required women’s perspectives, adding that inclusion remained critical to addressing persistent gender-based challenges.

Voke Angbagh of the Delta State Ministry of Justice outlined penalties for rape and called for the establishment of special courts to handle sexual offences cases.

Angbagh said frequent adjournments delayed justice for survivors, stressing that dedicated sexual offences courts would ensure timely trials and stronger protection for victims in Delta State.

The Tide’s source reports that facilitators identified cultural acceptance of violence, unequal power relations, discrimination, poverty, limited education, and low self-esteem as major drivers of GBV.

They emphasised that violence and exclusion resulted in social, physical and emotional harm, imposed economic costs, reinforced harmful stereotypes, and widened existing gender inequalities.

The source also reports that OHHEI, a local non-profit organisation, focuses on education, health, environment, and social justice, promoting sustainable development initiatives with gender equality at the centre of its interventions.

Niger Delta

C’River Suspends Taskforce Activities Over Drivers’ Protest

Published

18 hours ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Cross River State Government has suspended all taskforce activities connected to commercial transportation and ticketing across the state.

The State Governor, Bassey Otu, announced the suspension at an emergency stakeholders meeting on Friday in Calabar.

It would be recalled that commercial drivers in Calabar metropolis took to streets on Thursday to protest alleged multiple taxation and extortion by government agencies.

During the protest, the drivers alleged that taskforce groups claiming to represent the state government openly harassed and extorted them.

Represented at the meeting by Ekpenyong Akiba, his Special Adviser on General Duties, Otu said the suspension would subsist pending further review of the situation.

The Governor stated that the state government did not commission anyone to extort drivers in the name of task force.

He urged commercial drivers and other road users to remain law-abiding while government worked out a lasting solution.

On his part, the Chairman, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, Calabar Metropolis, Mr. Sunday Dennis, expressed optimism that the dialogue would yield positive results.

He said the meeting had provided an opportunity for the aggrieved commercial drivers to present their concerns directly to the state government.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Unified Drivers Association, Mr. Nta Henshaw, described the harassment on drivers as worrisome, and urged the state government to be decisive in resolving the matter.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Assembly Urges More Private Investments In Agriculture

Published

18 hours ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Nutrition and Food Security has called for more private sector investments in agriculture.

The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Moses Essien, made the call when the committee visited Aviclaire Farms, a private establishment in Usung Idem, Uruk Usoh in Abak Local Government Area.

Essien, who represents Ibiono Ibom in the Assembly, commended the Management of the farm for partnering an NGO, ECEWS, to promote private investment in agriculture.

He commended the partners for adopting climate-smart agriculture initiatives in their operations, adding that such move would promote food security.

“Your interest in using transformative intervention to promote food security is a veritable way of complementing the efforts of the state government,” he said.

The lawmaker continued that adopting practical climate-smart agriculture model would help to generate employment, improve nutrition outcomes, and strengthen food sufficiency.

He further said he was impressed with the strides recorded by the partners, saying, “your investment has created jobs for no fewer than 2,000 youths.

”You are an example of an environment-friendly investor. I urge Akwa Ibom residents to embrace environment-friendly and technology-driven agriculture models,” he said.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, ECEWS, Dr. Andy Eyo, who conducted the committee round the farm, said the collaboration was conceived to demonstrate the viability of climate-smart farming in ensuring food sufficiency.

Eyo said the farm, which commenced operations with four greenhouses, had expanded to 14 within two years, and currently supplying high-quality produce to major markets in Uyo and neighbouring communities.

He said ECEWS was exploring cooperative frameworks to enable rural farmers and women’s groups to adopt greenhouse technology for sustainable livelihoods.

In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Aviclaire Farms, Mrs. Victoria Eyo, said the controlled-environment ensured precision cultivation and consistent yields.

She further said the farm served as a capacity-building centre for students, interns, and agri-business trainees.