Niger Delta

Diri Condoles Families Of Late Police Officer

Published

4 years ago

June 15, 2022

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has described the departed Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration, Bayelsa State Command, late ACP Emmanuel Idowu Asufi, as a man of integrity who carved a niche for himself in his distinguished career in the Nigerian Police Force.
Diri gave the commendation, last Saturday, at a funeral service of the departed Assistant Commissioner of Police held at Obinomba in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State.
Paying glowing tributes to the Ukwuani-born police officer, Diri said the late Asufi worked diligently to the admiration of so many people, noting that the deceased could have contested and convincingly won an election in Bayelsa State because of his good reputation and upright bearing.
Represented by his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the Bayelsa Chief Executive encouraged members of the Asufi family and well-wishers to always appreciate God for His goodness and particularly for the impactful life the late Asufi lived.
He sermonised that life was not about how long a man lived, but how well, stressing that human beings shall be remembered for what they did in their earthly sojourn, which also determines where they would spend eternity.
Diri enjoined the Asufi family, especially the children of the late Assistant Commissioner of Police, to emulate the good virtues of their father.
He pledged the continued support of the Bayelsa State Government to the bereaved family, and prayed God to strengthen and protect the family.
Anchoring his exhortation on John chapter 15, verse 2, Pastor Samuel of the Deeper Life Christian Ministry said the most important thing about man’s existence on earth is fruit bearing.
The clergyman explained that the type of fruit a man brings forth determines his eternal destination.
He admonished his audience to examine themselves if they were bearing the right fruit that would guarantee them a place in heaven.
Pastor Samuel, who described ACP Idowu Asufi as a highly dedicated and devout Christian while he lived, said everyone should learn a lesson from the illustrious life of service exemplified by the deceased.
It would be recalled that before the demise of the late ACP Emmanuel Idowu Asufi on the 19th April this year, he served the Nigeria Police in different capacities, including Chief Security Officer, Government House, Yenagoa.
He also served as Operational Commander of the Bayelsa State security outfit, Operation Doo Akpo.
The Bayelsa delegation to the funeral programme also had some Honourable Members of the Bayelsa State House Assembly, led by the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Mike Ogbere; members of the State Executive Council, other top government functionaries and some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Navy Pledges Improved Patrols, Welfare Boost For Personnel

Published

7 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has pledged to ensure improved welfare for personnel and more patrols on the maritime corridors of the nation.

He disclosed this during an on the spot assessment of things at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Calabar, on Wednesday.

According to him, there is the need for officers to always be ready, by improving on their welfare, in a bid to keep the country secured.

“I am here for an on the spot assessment of our operations and like you have seen, I have also gone round to check the ongoing buildings.

”These are welfare issues and for us to be able to have our men ready and keep us secured, their welfare needs to be catered for.

“So, we are here to kill two birds with one stone, which are basically operations and welfare issues.

”I am happy with what the command is doing; it is doing well in terms of keeping the maritime environment safe.

“We will continue doing what we are doing and improve on that, which is patrol of the waters and increase in the area of surveillance”, he stated.

As part of his visit, Abbas commissioned the 12×1 Junior Rates Accommodation Block A and B, at the Navy Barracks at Atimbo in Calabar.

The naval chief also inspected other ongoing projects in the Akim Barracks, 1006 flats and the Navy hotel, all within Calabar.

Niger Delta

Delta Begins Uromi Junction Flyover Construction

Published

10 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State Government says it has began construction work on the long-awaited Uromi Junction Flyover Bridge in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of the state.

Director-General (DG) of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr. Fred Oghenesivbe, confirmed the development to newsme in Asaba.

According to him, heavy-duty construction equipment have arrived the site, a project which is being handled by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, one of the country’s leading construction firms.

Oghenesivbe, described the flyover as a massive infrastructure project with far-reaching socio-economic benefits for the area.

He said the project would significantly transform the Agbor metropolis by easing traffic congestion, improving the city’s aesthetics, and boosting commercial activities within the local government area.

He described the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, as a promise-keeper and pragmatic leader whose administration remains committed to infrastructure development and economic growth across the state.

The DG expressed confidence in Julius Berger’s capacity to deliver the project within record time and according to the highest construction standards.

“The Uromi Junction serves as a major link between different parts of the country but has recently been plagued by severe traffic congestion, making vehicular movement increasingly difficult”, he noted.

He urged residents to cooperate with the contractor and safeguard construction materials and equipment to ensure the timely completion of the project.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Rejects Ekid Ownership Claim Of Stubbs Creek

Published

10 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State Government has rejected claims by the Ekid People’s Union that it owns land within the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, describing such assertions as “false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

In a recent statement, signed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, the state government said it was compelled to respond in the “overriding public interest,” despite a pending court case instituted by the same group.

The government stated that contrary to claims circulating in the media, the historic case of Ntiaro and Ikpak vs. Ibok Etok Akpan and Edoho Ekid, decided by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in 1918, did not vest ownership of Stubbs Creek land in any ethnic group or community.

“The final judgement merely dismissed the claims before the court and granted title to no party whatsoever”, the government stated, adding that “any assertion to the contrary is false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

According to the statement, the land was lawfully reserved by the colonial government under Forest Reserve Order No. 45 of 1930, later amended in 1941, 1955 and 1962, with “the principal rights of the land forfeited to the Government upon the change of status.”

It said the area has since been administered under applicable laws by the Akwa Ibom State Government, which “has at all times acted within its lawful authority in the management and allocation of land in the area for legitimate public and economic purposes.”

Citing the 1999 Constitution and the Land Use Act, the government stated that all land in the state is vested in the governor to be held in trust for the common benefit of Nigerians, noting that claims of absolute ancestral ownership are subject to existing laws.

The government “categorically denies allegations of fraud or misrepresentation” regarding Stubbs Creek or investments there and warned it would take “appropriate legal steps” against any individual or group publishing false or defamatory material capable of undermining public confidence or discouraging investment

The statement also assured the federal government of “full access and Right of Way” for the proposed Coastal Highway through any part of the state.

The government statement followed an earlier report in which the Ekid People’s Union accused Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State of making comments that allegedly linked the community to terrorism, while he was defending the Coastal Highway project passing through the Stubbs Creek.

Ekid People’s Union maintained that the people of Ekid are the original owners of the land known as Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, arguing that their ancestral ownership predates colonial rule.

The group cited historical occupation, customary ownership and a 1918 Privy Council case, which it claimed affirmed Ekid rights over the territory.

The union also accused the Akwa Ibom State Government of misrepresenting history to justify taking over the land for commercial interests and the proposed Coastal Highway, an allegation the state government has denied.

The group rejected any suggestion linking the Ekid people to criminality or terrorism, insisting they were peaceful citizens defending their ancestral land through lawful and civic means.