Niger Delta

Father’s Day: Group Donates Borehole, Generator to Correctional Centre

Published

3 years ago

June 20, 2022

The Men’s Fellowship of the University of Calabar Chapel of Redemption has donated a borehole, generator and other items to the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Calabar.
The donation of the generator, which was made to the correctional centre in commemoration of the International Father’s Day, follows an earlier donation of a borehole and water treatment plant to the centre.
During the handover ceremony on Saturday in Calabar, the President of the Men’s Fellowship, Dr Philip Bassey, said after due consultation, they keyed into the need of the centre and embarked on a borehole water project.
He, however, noted that in one of their familiarisation visits to the Deputy Controller, Corrections, Anyamele Don, he placed an urgent need for a generator to power the borehole since power supply had been poor.
“It is with great pleasure that I announce that the fellowship has come today with a new 3.0 kva generator to support our water scheme at this centre.
“Also, we are supporting the scheme with a take-off fuel of over 20 litres and oil. It is our hope that our meagre support will help to alleviate some of the burden in the centre,” he said.
Responding, Don commended the fellowship for its support, adding that God had been helping and sustaining the centre.
He used the opportunity to appeal to other organisations and well meaning Nigerians to support the centre and make it a real reformation centre.
“I wish to thank the fellowship for sowing in the lives of the inmates and for touching God’s heart according to the scripture in Matthew 25 verse 36.
“However, I wish to appeal to churches that we have a chapel here, it needs an amplifier, plastic chairs, mats, mattresses and other items.
“There is also need for television here for the inmates to watch motivating programmes that will lift their spirit.
“Abroad the correctional centres are so equipped that you will just know that we are very far behind,” he stated.
The Tide’s source reports that the Medium Security Custodial Centre Calabar, established in 1890, has 591 inmates out of which 574 are males while 17 are females.

Niger Delta

OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages

Published

48 mins ago

June 27, 2025

The Tide

The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.

Niger Delta

EFCC Praises NDDC’S Performance … Unveils Projects In Bayelsa

Published

3 hours ago

June 27, 2025

The Tide

Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and financial Crimes Commission and related matters (EFCC), has said against its earlier premonition that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was associated with fraud and under performance, the present management of the commission led by Dr. Samuel Ogbuku has proven to be prudent managers and in deployment of its finances to meet the developmental needs of the Niger Delta region.

Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, made this known in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, recently, during the twin inauguration ceremonies of the state-of-the-art multipurpose training centre and new state office of the NDDC.

He stated that during a visit of some officials of the commission to his office to invite him to the ceremonies, he declined obliging them, but that when the Commission’s Managing-Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ogbuku and other management staff of the interventionist agency paid him formal visit, he made up his mind to be part of the event.

“I never wanted to associate myself with anything concerning the NDDC. All we’ve been hearing about the Niger Delta Development before now was corruption, and so when they visited my office to inform and invite me to this ceremony, I initially declined coming.

“However, when the Commission’s MD/CEO and other top management team visited me, within just about 20 minutes I was convinced to be here. The NDDC has proven us wrong on the perception we initially had about their activities.

“Dr. Samuel Ogbuku and his team are doing very well. And I’m honoured and proud to be witness to prudential and accountable management and deployment of the resources and finances of the NDDC”, he said.

Speaking earlier at the new Bayelsa State office of the NDDC, Ogbuku reiterated the commitment of the Commission’s management team under his stewardship to transform the Niger Delta region through impactful and legacy projects and programmes in tandem with the “Renewed Hope” mantra of the President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He noted that prior to his ascension to office, there were only three befitting state offices of the commission, saying they were the Rivers State office in Port Harcourt, the inherited Imo State office from the defunct Oil Mineral Producing Area Development Commission (OMPADEC), and one in Warri, Delta State.

He stated that upon assumption of office, the current management team of the commission, while executing transformational projects, also embarked on the construction and acquisition of three new state offices for the agency, noting that in the coming weeks, additional offices would be inaugurated in other states of the Niger Delta.

In his remarks, Governor of the State, Senator Douye Diri, lauded the commission for the projects, advising the commission to continue its synergy with states of the Niger Delta region for more impactful and rapid socio-economic development of the region.

Governor Diri, who also thanked President Tinubu for the award of the phase two of the Nembe-Brass Road, reiterated his resolve to opening up the state for investment and development.

“Bayelsa is for now the one and only homogeneous Ijaws State. Though there are Ijaws in other states of the Niger Delta, Bayelsa remains the home of all Ijaws, every citizen of this State is an Ijaw person. So wherever we find ourselves we should drive development to the state”, the Governor said.

The Tide reports that the newly acquired Bayelsa State NDDC office is located along the Isaac Boro Express Road in the heart of Yenagoa, the State capital, and named after former Governor of Rivers State, the late Chief Melford Okilo, while the multipurpose training centre is located at Otuokpoti Community, Ogbia Local Government Area of the State.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

ISOPLOT Has No Legitimacy to Speak for Isoko, INYA Warns

Published

3 hours ago

June 27, 2025

The Tide

The Isoko National Youth Assembly, (INYA) has stated that the Isoko Political Youth Leaders of Thought (ISOPLOT) lacks the credibility and recognition to speak for the Isoko youth or the nation at large.

INYA’s President, Comrade Eniwake Orogun, and Secretary-General, Governor Emumena, in a statement, called on the public to disregard the group’s comments on Warri delineation and to treat such statements as self-serving propaganda.

They emphasized that the Isoko people’s legitimate concern lies in the suppression of their state constituency—an issue ISOPLOT conveniently ignores.

In a statement, the INYA said, “It is with profound concern and a necessary sense of duty that the Isoko National Youth Assembly Worldwide (INYA Worldwide), the umbrella body representing Isoko youths globally, is compelled to address a recent publication masquerading as the voice of the Isoko people.

“We categorically denounce and disassociate the entire Isoko Nation from the press statement issued on June 16th, 2025, by an obscure entity called ‘Isoko Political Youth Leaders of Thought’ (ISOPLOT).

“While the Nigerian constitution guarantees freedom of association and expression, this fundamental right does not confer legitimacy or authority upon any random collection of individuals to arrogate to themselves the mantle of speaking for the Isoko youths, let alone the Isoko nation.

“ISOPLOT is unknown to the Isoko socio-political structure. It possesses no mandate, no broad-based membership, and no traceable lineage within our established youth leadership frameworks. It is, at best, an unauthorized and potentially mischievous subgroup operating in the shadows.

“The core subject of the ISOPLOT statement – the INEC ward delineation exercise in Warri Metropolis – is fundamentally NOT an Isoko issue. The Isoko people are not constituents of the Warri Federal Constituency. The delineation exercise primarily concerns the territorial and political dynamics between the Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo ethnic groups within that specific geographical area.

“We are utterly perplexed by ISOPLOT’s motives in dragging the Isoko Nation into this complex inter-ethnic matter. What business does an Isoko group have dictating terms or stoking fears about ward allocations in Warri, a territory far removed from our ancestral lands and political jurisdiction? This unwarranted interference raises serious questions about ISOPLOT’s true sponsors and intentions.

“While ISOPLOT fabricates outrage over Warri, the Isoko nation has a legitimate and pressing grievance with INEC that they conveniently ignore. Prior to the last statewide delineation exercise, Isoko North Local Government Area had TWO State Constituencies. This was in recognition of our population and contribution. Shockingly and unjustly, INEC reduced Isoko North to just ONE constituency.

“This reduction is a blatant injustice, particularly for a people who contribute significantly to the national coffers, notably producing the largest volume of onshore crude oil in Nigeria. We demand the immediate restoration of our second State Constituency in Isoko North. This is the INEC and judicial matter that rightfully commands the attention and advocacy of genuine Isoko representatives, not meddling in Warri’s affairs.

“Despite our categorical rejection of ISOPLOT’s unauthorized statement and its inflammatory undertones, we recognize that heightened tensions in Warri or anywhere in Delta South have the potential for negative spillover effects. We, therefore, urge all parties directly involved in the Warri delineation issue – the Ijaw, Itsekiri, Urhobo communities, INEC, and relevant state and federal authorities – to engage in dialogue, exercise maximum restraint, and act with utmost caution.

“The paramount objectives must be equity, fairness, inclusion, and the preservation of the hard-won peace and progress of our dear Delta State. We stand against any actions or rhetoric that threaten this stability”.

Albert Ograka, Asaba