Niger Delta

Non-Indigenes Condemn Splinter Group In A’Ibom

Published

4 years ago

May 16, 2022

President-General of Non-Indigenes residing in AKwa Ibom State, Dr. Sunday Nwara Orie, has urged the public to ignore another group that emerged last week to manipulate members for what he called their selfish interest .
Speaking to newsmen in Uyo, Orie expressed shock that some women were misled to “inaugurate an unregistered group under the guise of Non-Indigenes Association” in the State.
Orie, who is the Chief Executive of Ugo Parker Motors, explained that it was dangerous for the public to deal with non registered unions, which, he said, are formed by “selfish people who are out to manipulate non-indigenes in the State for their personal gains”.
Tagging them “dissident group”, he said they broke out from the recognised Non-Indigenes Association, which comprises Igbos, Yorubas, Hausa and other tribes living in the State.
The President-General recalled that trouble started in the association when some greedy members wanted him to adopt some governorship aspirants in the State in order to extort money from them.
“As a leader of the group in the past years, I advised them to shun such attitude, explaining that it was capable of pitching the union against government and other aspirants who may not be comfortable with such development.
“I advised us to wait until after the party primaries to enable us adopt a candidate and work with him, so as to maintain the stability and peace in the state. I reminded them that we are not competent to take decisions in the affairs of the State, but can only partner for peace,” he said.
“Not satisfied with my advise, the group conscripted some of my Exco members, particularly women among us, and formed another group, just to extort money from desperate politicians”, he stated.
Orie continued that, “I disagree with them in this regard, saying they cannot use the name of Non-Indigenes residing in AKwa Ibom to play partisan politics.
“I have lived in this State for many years and have seen how political activities are conducted. I would not allow my members to take side with any politician to avoid rancour”, explained further.
He, therefore, urged security agencies to arrest any other body or group of persons parading themselves as Executive of Non-Indigenes Association in AKwa Ibom state.
“I have sent letters to Governor Udom Emmanuel, the Commisioner of Police, Director of State Security Service and other sister Agencies to be alert for any impostor and bring them to book accordingly”, he concluded.

By: Christopher Tom

Niger Delta

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

Published

38 minutes 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

38 minutes 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

38 minutes 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.