Niger Delta

Diri Pays Tributes To Ex-Commissioner, Wife

Published

4 years ago

June 13, 2022

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, last Saturday, paid glowing tributes to the pioneer Commissioner for Finance in Bayelsa State, late Dr. Frederick Wariebi, and his wife, Amanda.
The Tide gathered that the late elder statesman, Wariebi, who hails from Adule-Ama in Amassoma Community, in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the State, was appointed by the first Military Administrator of Bayelsa, the late Navy Capt. Philip Ayeni, as Commissioner for Finance, Economic Planning and Budget in 1996 when the State was created.
Speaking at their funeral at the Amassoma Secondary School field, Diri said it was rare to find a husband and wife laid to rest same day and time, describing it as unique.
Diri said although the late Wariebi was wealthy, he had a humble background, stating that it was very rare to find a billionaire of Ijaw extraction decades ago.
The Governor noted that the deceased exemplified selflessness when he had the opportunity of becoming the first civilian Governor of Bayelsa but declined and gave his support to the late Chief Diepriye Alamieyeseigha.
He said the singular act was a strong message to many that when they preached love, the late Wariebi expressed it.
“We join the Wariebi families to mourn and, more importantly, to celebrate the passage of their patriarch and matriarch. It is very rare to find a husband and wife lying-in-state the same time and the same day. To the children, you are blessed because you had a father and mother from a very rich but yet humble background.
“We all know the story of a billionaire of Ijaw extraction from Amassoma. In those good old days, it was rare to find a billionaire of Ijaw extraction. Yet we had a Jones Wariebi that was a billionaire in faraway Liberia and his children were so humble that when they came back home, they served their state and country. Today, we have one of them as a serving Commissioner for Water Resources.
“You heard from our leader and father, the former National Chairman of the PDP who Elder Wariebi was, a man that was tested and overcame. It is very rare to find any of us today having that kind of test and opportunity to become governor of a state with a serving military government behind you and yet you will say give it to my brother, Alamieyeseigha.
“That is a massage to all of us that we must at all times be our brother’s keeper. When we preach love, Fred Wariebi has shown love. It is not enough that you preach, it is enough that you practice it”, he said.
The Governor said henceforth, anyone who served in the State Executive Council as Commissioner will be honoured with a valedictory session in the Executive Chambers.
While commiserating with the children of the deceased, Senator Diri urged them to live by their parents’ examples and contribute more to the development of their family, community, state and country.
Speaking earlier, Prince Uche Secondus described the late Wariebi as a very straight-forward and upright politician, who was instrumental to the emergence of late Chief Alamieyeseigha as the first civilian Governor of the State.
Secondus promised to continue the legacies of the deceased whom he said he worked closely with in the old Rivers State.
In a sermon, Pastor of the Amazing Grace Model Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Port Harcourt, Gilbert Lysias, said death is by divine decree and that no matter the power one wields, no man can stop it.
Pastor Lysias said life continues after death but noted that there was no second chance after death, this was even as he advised the living to give their lives to Christ as there is no opportunity for repentance after death.
In his remarks, the eldest son of the deceased and the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Water Resources, Mr. Kemebradikumo Wariebi, thanked Governor Diri for honouring the memories of their parents with the full presence of the state government.
He described his father and mother as shining examples not only to himself and his siblings but the society at large, promising to live by their principles in his relationship with others.
The Tide reports that the late Wariebi died at the age of 77.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

24 Nigerian Universities Make 2026 THE Rankings … 4 S’South Versitieis Pull Through

Published

4 days ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

Nigeria has recorded its strongest-ever outing in global university rankings, with 24 institutions earning places in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings and Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings.

However, only four universities from the South-South geopolitical zone made the prestigious list.

The South-South institutions that secured places in the rankings are Delta State University, Abraka (12th), University of Benin (22nd), University of Calabar (23rd), and University of Port Harcourt (24th).

The rankings, which represent Nigeria’s highest-ever participation, reinforces the country’s growing influence in higher education across Sub-Saharan Africa, with 24 universities listed, up from 21 in both the 2024 and 2025 editions.

The University of Ibadan retained its position as Nigeria’s highest-ranked institution, followed by the University of Lagos, while Bayero University, Kano, emerged as the third-best performing university in the country.

Of the 24 institutions, 17 are federal universities, four are state-owned, and three are private universities, reflecting broad improvements in teaching, research, and institutional performance across the country’s tertiary education sector.

The rankings also underscore the growing global recognition of Nigeria’s specialised universities of technology and agriculture, while state-owned institutions continue to improve their academic profiles through enhanced research output and governance reforms.

The full list of Nigeria’s universities in the 2026 THE rankings are: University of Ibadan; University of Lagos; Bayero University, Kano; Covenant University; Landmark University; Ahmadu Bello University; Federal University of Technology, Minna; University of Ilorin; University of Jos; University of Nigeria; Babcock University; and Delta State University, Abraka.

Others are: Ekiti State University; Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; Federal University of Technology, Akure; Federal University of Technology, Owerri; Federal University, Oye-Ekiti; Ladoke Akintola University of Technology; Lagos State University; Nnamdi Azikiwe University; Obafemi Awolowo University; University of Benin; University of Calabar; and University of Port Harcourt.

The rankings highlight both Nigeria’s expanding presence on the global academic stage and the need for greater investment in higher education across regions, particularly in the South-South, where only four universities made the country’s top 24 list.

Niger Delta

‘Ogbolo ’26’: Bayelsa Community Revives Heritage, Strengthens Unity

Published

4 days ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

The Ogu Community in Otubo-Atissa, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, has stated its commitment to preserving its culture, peace and community development through the celebration of the annual “Uge Adiafa” New Yam Festival, tagged “Ogbolo ’26.”

Held at St. John’s Primary School Field, Ogu, the colourful festival served not only as the traditional commencement of the yam harvest season, but also as a tribute to the community’s illustrious son and founder of the Uge Adiafa Festival, His Majesty, Late King Fedrick Aduku Simangi Ogbotom-Edede IV.

The celebration brought together sons and daughters of the community, traditional rulers, academics, youths and other guests in a display of thanksgiving, cultural performances and renewed communal solidarity.

Addressing the gathering, the traditional head of the community, HRH Bishop Akuegbe Paul, expressed delight at the massive turnout, describing the festival as a symbol of thanksgiving to God, cultural identity and unity among the people.

He noted that beyond celebrating a successful farming season, the festival honours the enduring legacy of the late monarch, whose vision established the Uge Adiafa Festival as a platform for preserving the community’s rich cultural heritage and promoting peaceful coexistence.

Guest of Honour, Professor Nedie Patience Akani, of Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, commended the community for embracing reconciliation and unity.

Professor Akani, who is of the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, of the university and a daughter of the soil, said, “This is my first time attending this New Yam Festival. I came because of the good things happening in this community.

“Before now, there were quarrels in the community, with court cases here and there, brother fighting against brother. But today, God has united us. It is a wonderful thing to be united because where there is no unity, there can be no progress in the home, family or community.

“I thank the head of Ogu Community, HRH, Bishop Akuege Paul, for making today’s celebration a reality”, she stated.

The event also featured inter-compound cultural competitions, with Yenikabu II Compound emerging overall winner, while Bongata Compound and Abrima Compound finished first d second runners-up respectively.

Also, eleven Compound Chiefs alongside their respective Head Compound Women Chiefs were coronated. The Woman Chief of Ogu Community, HH, Dare Tiebiri and her Deputy, Chief Stella Jordan Mark, were also coronated.

Dignitaries that graced the occasion included the Ebenanawei of Akamabubu Kingdom, Southern Ijaw LGA, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, HRM, King J. Olotu Erepamo; the Paramount Ruler, Ikibiri Community, Yenagoa LGA, Bayelsa State, HRH, Barrister Morris Lagos; and the Ebeni-Isisibo of Atissa Kingdom, HRH, God’swill Arab Simeon.

Other are: the Ebeni-Otubo, Atissa Kingdom, HRH, Sir Anderson J. Olumo, and his wife, Mrs. Tarila Anderson Olumo; the Deputy Head of Ogu Community, HH, Mission Obugu, and wife of the Ebeni-Ibe of Atissa Kingdom, Mrs. Diemeze Victor Awala.

For the people of Ogu, the festival was more than a celebration of the first harvest, it underscored the importance of preserving cultural traditions, strengthening communal bonds, promoting reconciliation and passing cherished values from one generation to another, while also ensuring that the legacy of their forebears continue to inspire future generations.

Niger Delta

SEEPCO Collaborates Delta, Others In Voluntary Blood Donation Campaign

Published

4 days ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) has partnered the Delta State Government, Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF) and the Nigerian Red Cross Society to promote voluntary blood donation as part of efforts to strengthen the state’s blood supply and save lives.

The initiative, which forms part of SEEPCO’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme for its host communities, aligns with activities marking the 2026 World Blood Donor Day with the theme, “One Drop of Humanity: Give Blood, Save Lives.”

The campaign was conducted across Delta State’s three senatorial districts — Asaba, Ughelli and Warri — where stakeholders sensitised residents on the importance of voluntary, regular and unpaid blood donation as the most sustainable means of ensuring adequate blood supply for healthcare facilities.

The exercise followed a similar campaign in Lagos State, where SEEPCO, in partnership with the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS) and the Nigerian Red Cross Society, mobilised about 550 pints of blood within two days.

VCDF also highlighted the steady growth of its annual blood donation drive, with the number of donors increasing from 98 in 2022 to 147 in 2023, 268 in 2024 and 341 in 2025.

Before the Delta campaign, the foundation had recorded a cumulative total of 1,404 voluntary donors, a feat that earned it the Blood Donation Champion Award from the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service.

At the Central Hospital, Ughelli, the hospital’s management and Blood Transfusion Committee commended SEEPCO, VCDF, the Delta State Ministry of Health and other partners for supporting initiatives aimed at improving access to safe blood for patients.

Speaking during the campaign, Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, described voluntary blood donation as critical to responding to public health emergencies and saving lives during accidents, childbirth and other medical emergencies.

He said: “Voluntary blood donation is important for public health emergencies and to save lives during accidents and childbirth. We are deeply grateful to VCDF and its partners for their commitment to promoting voluntary blood donation and supporting life-saving healthcare initiatives.”

Participants said the awareness campaign had increased public understanding of the importance of blood donation, with many first-time donors expressing willingness to become regular donors after learning about the safety, benefits and life-saving impact of donating blood.

Stakeholders also stressed the need for sustained public enlightenment, noting that a single blood donation could save multiple lives, as the campaign recorded impressive community participation across the three senatorial districts.