News

East-West Road At 80% Completion, FG Claims

Published

4 years ago

April 1, 2022

Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has said since his inception in office as the minister, he has been able to scale up completion of the East-West Road construction from 8per cent to 80per cent.
Akpabio disclosed this at the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs handover/update on the East-West Road section i – iv construction to the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing in Abuja.
According to Akpabio, the 80per cent completion of the road, covers sections i – iv, noting that the ministry awaits the payment of N10.4billion, which he said will be handled by the Ministry of Works and Housing.
He said, “The Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs took over the construction of the East-West Road in 2009 from the then Ministry of Works at about 8per cent. The road was awarded in 2006 by the then President, Olusegun Obasanjo. The road is about 338 kilometres in length and starts from Effurun in Warri and ends up in Oron, Akwa Ibom State.
“As at the time I came into office and took over in August, 2019, we were able to scale up the completion of the construction of the road from 8per cent to 80per cent.
“The sum of N10.4billion is awaiting release to the Niger Delta, but I have directed that it should be paid to the East-West Road account that will be controlled by the Ministry of Works. We agreed that we will not touch any part of the money, and I also directed that no amount will be removed from the money to upset any old debts, we will ensure we would transfer the N10.4billion as it is.”
He further addressed the issue of the 18-kilometre road from Eleme junction to Port Harcourt, saying that the section was not part of the contracts awarded in 2006, and no money was released, but he noted that with the takeover by the Ministry of Works, work will continue, also noting that it accounts for the remaining 20per cent of the completion of the East-West Road.
“Section 0 -15 which starts from Eleme junction to Port Harcourt is about 18 kilometres, this is the section that affects the people of Ogoni directly. That section was not part of the original contract in 2006, because at that time, the section was already dualised into functional bridges.
“But because of wear and tear as of 2018, they noticed cracks in one of the bridges and the road had suffered depreciation and then the Federal Executive Council awarded a new contact for the reconstruction of the 18-kilometre road.
“However, no money was released, but from the money, the Federal Government released to us in 2019, by 2020, we mobilised RCC to begin that section with N4.9billion, we became worried but they came back to us that there were some impediments on the road and it needed a redesign. It is this section we will focus on and I am positive the Ministry of Works and Housing will see to this,” he stated.
Also speaking, Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, SAN, said his team of engineers would continue to work with the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to ensure effective and speedy work.
He warned communities around the East-West Road like the Ogoni to live in communal peace, stressing that the Federal Government cannot do much if there is no cooperation and collaboration from the communities.

News

198 UNIBEN Students Bag First Class

Published

4 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

A total of 198 students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN ) Edo State, bagged a First Class degree out of 14,083 students to be awarded first degree at the institution’s 51st Convocation and Founder’s Day ceremony.

Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, disclosed this on Monday in Benin at a pre-convocation press briefing.

He said 4,217 students bagged a Second Class Upper, 7, 928 got a Second Class Lower, while 578 bagged a Third Class degree.

He said 15 new approved programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC) would commence in the 2025/2026 academic session.

According to him, “The wheel of progress is on course and moving steadily in the University of Benin. This administration is poised to deliver on its mandate of effective, practical teaching, sound learning, result-oriented research and impactful community service.

“We must applaud the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for establishing NELFUND, and by so doing significantly reducing the financial stress of students in the process of acquiring tertiary education. We enjoin students and their parents to take full advantage of the federal government’s benevolence in instituting the fund.”

Prof. Omoregie disclosed that Nigeria’s Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, would deliver the Founders’ Day lecture with the topic, “Reforms for a Shared Prosperity”.

The UNIBEN VC said Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and Former Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, would deliver the Convocation Lecture on the theme, “Making Our Universities Great”.

News

Bayelsa Education Fund, British Council trains tra 1,000 teachers

Published

4 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The last batch of 400 public school teachers in Bayelsa State on Monday commenced training under the sponsorship of Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) and the British Council.

This batch will bring to 1000 the number of public school teachers in the state who have benefited in the partnership arrangement.School supplies

The EDTF, British Council and Teachers Training, Registration and Certification Board collaborated in the capacity development programme.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the five day capacity building program, Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah reiterated the commitment of the Bayelsa government to training and capacity of teachers in the state.

He noted that the improved teaching methodology in the state was responsible for the state producing the best student in the 2025 West African School Certificate Examinations.

Prof Ebimiowei, Executive Secretary at EDTF, noted that the collaboration is aimed at improving learning outcomes for pupils and students of public primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa.

“You will agree with me that until the cutlass is sharpened, it will have no impact on the hands of the farmer and so it is with our teachers., you need to be sharpened very well to give good delivery in your various classes and schools.

“Let me at this juncture appreciate the British Council for accepting to train 1,000 teachers, 50 education managers and 60 trainers for Bayelsa,” he said.

On his part, Chairman of the EDTF board, High Chief Fidelis Agbiki expressed appreciation to the Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah for his supportive role to the fund.

Agbiki urged the beneficiaries to justify the enormous resources invested by the government of Bayelsa by being dedicated within the five days the exercise would last.

He said; “This board will not operate on business as usual but on business unusual as we will push the frontiers outside the box to ensure that we get value for money,” Agbiki said.

Chairman of Development Partners Committee of the EDTF applauded the commitment of the partners for the successful completion of the programme, urging them to sustain the tempo

Speaking on the programme, Mr Fwanshishak Daniel, Head, English and Schools, British Council noted that the Bayelsa government had shown exemplary commitment to educational development.

He explained that the commitment has enabled the British Council and Bayelsa government to achieve within one year greater milestones that took other states three years to achieve.

He explained that the resources of the British Council have been made available to Bayelsa with the training of 60 resource persons from the state who will in turn train other teachers to improve education.

According to Daniel, the training will lay emphasis on new teaching methods, use of digital tools for self development and access to school amongst others.

Dr Peremoboere Ogola, Acting Chairman of TTRC, which facilitated training, thanked the EDTF for supporting training of teachers in Bayelsa with world class resources of the British Council.

She noted that another batch of newly recruited teachers are currently undergoing training at State government owned University of Africa, Toru Orua, Sagbama LGA in Bayelsa

News

RSG INAUGURATES ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY COMMITTEE

Published

4 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has inaugurated a Central Planning Committee to organize the celebration of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) in the State.

The committee was formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.

Dr Anabraba who also serves as Chairman of the Committee

highlighted the State Government’s deep appreciation for the sacrifices of Nigeria’s fallen heroes who laid down their lives for the nation’s peace and unity.

“These heroes have given their lives for the security and peace of our nation and deserve to be celebrated. The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an opportunity to show our gratitude for their sacrifice,” he said.

Dr. Anabraba further extended recognition to all Security Agencies in the State, emphasizing the importance of the event in appreciating their contributions to national security and sovereignty.

The annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day, observed on January 15 across the country is dedicated to remember Nigeria’s departed soldiers and honouring the nation’s veterans.