Niger Delta

Olu Of Warri’s Wife Makes Case For Healthcare Services

Published

3 years ago

August 22, 2022

Wife of the Olu of Warri, Olori Atuwatse III, has urged the three tiers of government to provide adequate healthcare services to the people
The Olori made the plea, Friday, at the third edition of the “Wuwu Ore Initiative”, a medical outreach in Koko, headquarters of Warri North Local Government Area of Delta.
The Tide’s source reports that “Wuwu Ore Initiative” (Mother’s Love) is a pep project of the wife of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III.
The initiative was flagged-off on December 11, 2021 at Ode-Itsekiri, Warri South, with about 500 beneficiaries from the riverine communities.
The second edition was held at Ugbolokposo Community in Uvwie Local Government Area.
The third edition of the medical outreach was part of the activities lined up to mark the first Coronation anniversary of the traditional ruler, who was crowned on August 21, 2021 at Ode-Itsekiri.
She said the initiative was borne out of the desire to promote wellness and wellbeing of the people in the riverine areas where healthcare was not easily accessible.
The Olu of Warri’s wife also urged the government to begin to look toward the direction of providing healthcare services to Itsekiri nation.
“We decided to hold the third edition of the medical outreach to celebrate the first coronation anniversary of our king.
“We thought it is important to do it with a bit of difference.
“It is to my knowledge that most of our children do not have birth certificates, which is very important for their future.
“As part of Wuwu Ore Initiative, we are giving birth certificates to 600 of our children in Koko Community. We want to do that in all other communities we will visit.This is the first step to ensuring the Itsekiris have future and a voice under our great king Ogiame Atuwatse III.
“We are here to promote the future of Itsekiri, which is the future of our children,” Olori said.
In his remarks, Ogiame Atuwatse III urged the people to continue to sustain the existing peace in the kingdom, assuring them of more development initiatives.
The traditional ruler assured the people of more development, saying that growth could only be attained in an atmosphere of peace.
“We look beyond health; we are also looking at the social initiatives for our people. There is so much coming to the direction of Koko.
“I want you to continue with the peace. I know there are grievances, many feel hurt, assaulted and disrespected. I want to appeal that you embrace discussion,” Ogiame pleaded.
Responding, Mr Smart Asekutu, the Chairman, Warri North Local Government Area, thanked the Olu of Warri and his wife for the health initiative.
Asekutu prayed that God would continue to strengthen them in all directions.
The source reports that activities for the coronation anniversary, which commenced on Wednesday, was rounded up yesterday with thanksgiving at the Palace Church.

Niger Delta

Navy Pledges Improved Patrols, Welfare Boost For Personnel

Published

14 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

17 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

17 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.