Niger Delta

Diri Lauds Cleric On Legacies

Published

4 years ago

August 26, 2022

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has lauded the immediate past Bishop of the Diocese of Niger Delta West, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, at a special sent-forth service held at Saint Peter’s Deanery, Yenagoa.
Diri said he received the news about Bishop Oko-Jaja’s transfer from Bayelsa to the Niger Delta Diocese in Rivers State with mixed feelings because of the impactful services he rendered to the Christian community and the state in general.
Represented by his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Governor Diri said that the former Bishop had, in his 12 years stay in Bayelsa, succeeded in leaving behind positive footprints that are worthy of emulation.
He charged the Christian faithful to make themselves valuable to society, and not strive for personal success only, stressing that value was much more important than success
The Bayelsa Chief Executive noted that the government and people of the State would greatly miss Oko-Jaja for his contributions to development and spiritual growth of not just the Niger Delta West Diocese of the Anglican Communion, but also the entire body of Christ.
He noted that the bishop’s transfer was part of God’s plan to give an opportunity to develop the other part of the Ijaw nation and wished him well in his new place of assignment.
He said: “Your life has been a life of work. All of us are meant to walk a path. It depends on how you walk on the road.
There is a way you will walk and your footprints would not be seen, and there is also a way you walk that your footprints can be seen.
“Clearly we don’t need to tell anybody that our Lord Bishop has left positive footprints for us to see.
“The government and people of Bayelsa State are moody because you are leaving us for another diocese. We are really going to miss you. But we are consoled because God is moving you to another place to also contribute to His work.
“Your transfer is another call to develop the other part of the Ijaw nation. You have spent the most productive years of your bishopship in developing this part of the Ijaw land.”
In his valedictory sermon, Oko-Jaja, said he had never thought of becoming a pastor someday, let alone being a bishop, noting that it was God who conscripted him to His service.
He, however, noted that he had no cause to regret his 12 years stewardship as Bishop of the Niger Delta West Diocese, and thanked the Church, government and people of the state for their support.
He listed some of the achievements of the Diocese under him to include organizing annual mega evangelism crusade, establishment of several new churches, church infrastructure projects, and sustenance of cordial relationship with government.
Oko-Jaja, who was elected and consecrated as Bishop by Primate Emeritus, Most Reverend Peter Jasper Akinola in 2010, was translated and enthroned as the 7th Bishop of the Niger Delta Diocese on the 31st of July this year at Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, Bonny in Rivers State.
He has since assumed his episcopal duties at his new post while the Archbishop, Province of Niger Delta, His Grace, Most Revd Blessing Chinyere Enyindah now holds sway as the supervising Bishop of the Diocese of the Niger Delta West.
Among dignitaries that attended the program were the state Head of Service, Dame Biobelemoye Charles-Onyeama; the Amayanabo of Nembe, His Eminence King Edmund Daukoru, the Ibenanaowei of Bomo Clan, King Joshua Igbugburu.
Others in attendance included Wife of the outgone Bishop, Dr Mrs Chinyere Oko-Jaja and their children, Knights and several clerics, including the State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Joseph Opelema.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

CSOs, Bille Community Urge Solution To Persistent Underwater Gas Eruption

Published

6 hours ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the people of Bille Kingdom in Degema Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State have called for government’s urgent intervention to end the suspected underwater gas eruption in the community.

The groups, under the aegis of the Environmental Rights Action and Social Action, made the call during their advocacy visit to the Port Harcourt Zonal Head of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), in Port Harcourt.

The Programme Manager of Environmental Rights Action, Mr. Kentebe Ebiaridor, said the visit was to seek clarity on the response efforts of the regulators to the development in the community.

Ebiaridor expressed concern over what he described as “inadequate response from regulatory agencies and the government concerning the incident”.

He said discussions with some officials revealed that there was still no clear timeline for action to address the situation.

According to him, in the absence of clear ownership of the facility linked to the incident, companies operating within Oil Mining Lease (OML) 18 should be held accountable.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) had in a statement issued on March 20 by its Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, said the commission had commenced an investigation into a gas bubbling incident in Bille Community.

Eyesan said the commission expressed concern over the development and assured residents of its ongoing efforts to address the situation.

Also, the Resource Justice Manager of Social Action, Dr. Prince Edegbuo, warned that the situation could escalate into a public health emergency, if urgent steps were not taken.

Edegbuo called on relevant authorities to release the results of the tests reportedly conducted in the area, stressing that residents had the right to know the condition of their environment.

He also said CSOs were prepared to intensify advocacy on the matter, urging the development of emergency response measures, including possible evacuation plans.

A legal practitioner and community stakeholder, Mr. Commission Deinbo, had, on March 20, said residents had continued to witness unusual signs on the waterways in the area.

Deinbo said the signs included boiling and bubbling from the ground and river, sometimes within residential areas, as well as fire outbreaks, which the residents had always managed to contain.

He appealed to relevant authorities to come to their aid and find a lasting solution to the problem.

In a response, the Port Harcourt Zonal Head of NOSDRA, Mr. Bello Augustin, assured the community that he would relate its concerns to the appropriate quarters.

Augustin also commended the CSOs for their advocacy and concerns to community development in the state.

By: Wokoma Emmanuel & Theresa Frederick

Niger Delta

Police Detain 7, Recover Arms In A’Ibom

Published

10 hours ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom State has detained seven suspects and recovered firearms after raiding a criminal hideout in Ndiya Mfia, Ikono Local Government Area.of the State.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, made the disclosure in a statement in Uyo on Wednesday.

John said that the breakthrough which occurred at about 6.00a.m on Wednesday, followed credible intelligence from members of the public.

“We reliably gathered that criminal suspects were hibernating in a compound disguised as worshippers.

“In a decisive operation, our personnel conducted a thorough search of the premises which led to the detention and recovery of arms,” she said.

According to her, the operation was in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police to decisively combat crime in the country.

The police spokesman further said that two locally made double-barrel guns, five expended cartridges, four motorcycles and three generators were recovered during the operation.

She also listed 10 mobile phones, one police crest, four jungle boots, one peak cap, saw blade, spanner, number plates, machetes, a special force vest as other items recovered.

“We also found bottles of suspected spiritual oil and one enlarged photograph linked to an ongoing investigation,” she said.

John said that preliminary investigation suggested that the location was being used as cover for criminal operations.

She said the State’s Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, has directed a comprehensive investigation on the matter in order to apprehend the principal suspect.

John expressed the commitment of the Command to rid the state of crime, and urged members of the public to always support the police with timely and credible information.

Niger Delta

Otu Launches Grassroot Security Network In C’River

Published

11 hours ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has launched a grassroots security intelligence network, named, ”Homeland Safety and Security Agency,” to strengthen community-based surveillance and enhance safety across the state.

Otu, who inaugurated the agency’s office in the Southern Senatorial District of the state on Monday, in Calabar, said similar offices were being inaugurated in the Central and Northern Senatorial Districts.

The Governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Emmanuel Ironbar, said the officials of the agency would serve as first point of call before matters would be escalated to main security architecture in the state.

He described Homeland Security as an intelligence-driven structure focused on neighbourhood monitoring and early threat detection through coordinated local efforts.

He said the initiative constituted the directors and field operatives, tasked with gathering and forwarding intelligence to relevant security agencies for prompt action.

Otu noted that the network would serve as a first point of contact before intervention by conventional security agencies.

“It is important that we enhance monitoring of movements across our communities, border areas, and riverine zones to identify suspicious activities and enhance security response.

“The state government will provide necessary gadgets and communication tools to improve efficiency and real-time intelligence sharing,” he said.

Otu called for public cooperation, stressing that ‘’security is a collective responsibility requiring timely information from residents.’’

He said, ‘’to ensure that the security outfit works like a model unit, proper screening would be conducted on the volunteers to weed out undesirable elements from the system.’’

The Tide’s source reports that the Governor handed over 14 motor bikes to the agency’s southern Senatorial district office to enhance their efficiency.

On his part, the Director-General, South of the agency, Mr. Michael Nsan, said the volunteers had played key roles in reducing crime through coordinated patrols and intelligence sharing.

Nsan said over 1,300 volunteers currently supported the operations with additional informants providing critical information across communities.

“Crime rates dropped significantly during the last festive period due to our collaboration with law enforcement agencies in the state,” he said.

The Director-General said volunteers would undergo training and screening, with plans underway for formal recruitment through a government employment portal.

According to him, communication tools, including walkie-talkies, and patrol motorcycles had improved rapid response to security incidents.

He commended the governor’s commitment, noting that the initiative would further strengthen security architecture and community safety across the state.

The source reports that some of the dignitaries who graced the occasion were traditional rulers and government officials.