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

Stakeholders In Delta Seek Stronger GBV Action, Women’s Leadership

Published

3 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Stakeholders in Delta State convened in Asaba for a leadership workshop organised by Otdel Health Heritage and Environmental Initiative (OHHEI), focusing on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and women’s participation in decision-making processes.

OHHEI Project Director, Mr. Peter Olayinka, represented by a consultant, Juliet Obiajulu, urged participants to contribute meaningfully toward advancing women’s leadership and combating GBV across communities in the state.

He said the workshop aimed to strengthen participants’ capacity to influence policies, challenge harmful cultural norms, and reinforce initiatives designed to prevent and respond to GBV.

Olayinka said women often faced bias even when they occupied leadership positions, and stressed that gender diversity improved the quality of decision-making and promoted innovation and accountability in governance structures.

Speaking, the Chairperson of the Association Against Child Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Mr Eris Jewo-Ibi, identified cultural norms, domestic responsibilities, political resistance, and grassroots barriers as constraints to women’s participation.

Delta State GBV Desk Officer, Mrs. Rosemary Okpuno, emphasised that effective decision-making required women’s perspectives, adding that inclusion remained critical to addressing persistent gender-based challenges.

Voke Angbagh of the Delta State Ministry of Justice outlined penalties for rape and called for the establishment of special courts to handle sexual offences cases.

Angbagh said frequent adjournments delayed justice for survivors, stressing that dedicated sexual offences courts would ensure timely trials and stronger protection for victims in Delta State.

The Tide’s source reports that facilitators identified cultural acceptance of violence, unequal power relations, discrimination, poverty, limited education, and low self-esteem as major drivers of GBV.

They emphasised that violence and exclusion resulted in social, physical and emotional harm, imposed economic costs, reinforced harmful stereotypes, and widened existing gender inequalities.

The source also reports that OHHEI, a local non-profit organisation, focuses on education, health, environment, and social justice, promoting sustainable development initiatives with gender equality at the centre of its interventions.

Niger Delta

C’River Suspends Taskforce Activities Over Drivers’ Protest

Published

3 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Cross River State Government has suspended all taskforce activities connected to commercial transportation and ticketing across the state.

The State Governor, Bassey Otu, announced the suspension at an emergency stakeholders meeting on Friday in Calabar.

It would be recalled that commercial drivers in Calabar metropolis took to streets on Thursday to protest alleged multiple taxation and extortion by government agencies.

During the protest, the drivers alleged that taskforce groups claiming to represent the state government openly harassed and extorted them.

Represented at the meeting by Ekpenyong Akiba, his Special Adviser on General Duties, Otu said the suspension would subsist pending further review of the situation.

The Governor stated that the state government did not commission anyone to extort drivers in the name of task force.

He urged commercial drivers and other road users to remain law-abiding while government worked out a lasting solution.

On his part, the Chairman, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, Calabar Metropolis, Mr. Sunday Dennis, expressed optimism that the dialogue would yield positive results.

He said the meeting had provided an opportunity for the aggrieved commercial drivers to present their concerns directly to the state government.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Unified Drivers Association, Mr. Nta Henshaw, described the harassment on drivers as worrisome, and urged the state government to be decisive in resolving the matter.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Assembly Urges More Private Investments In Agriculture

Published

3 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Nutrition and Food Security has called for more private sector investments in agriculture.

The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Moses Essien, made the call when the committee visited Aviclaire Farms, a private establishment in Usung Idem, Uruk Usoh in Abak Local Government Area.

Essien, who represents Ibiono Ibom in the Assembly, commended the Management of the farm for partnering an NGO, ECEWS, to promote private investment in agriculture.

He commended the partners for adopting climate-smart agriculture initiatives in their operations, adding that such move would promote food security.

“Your interest in using transformative intervention to promote food security is a veritable way of complementing the efforts of the state government,” he said.

The lawmaker continued that adopting practical climate-smart agriculture model would help to generate employment, improve nutrition outcomes, and strengthen food sufficiency.

He further said he was impressed with the strides recorded by the partners, saying, “your investment has created jobs for no fewer than 2,000 youths.

”You are an example of an environment-friendly investor. I urge Akwa Ibom residents to embrace environment-friendly and technology-driven agriculture models,” he said.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, ECEWS, Dr. Andy Eyo, who conducted the committee round the farm, said the collaboration was conceived to demonstrate the viability of climate-smart farming in ensuring food sufficiency.

Eyo said the farm, which commenced operations with four greenhouses, had expanded to 14 within two years, and currently supplying high-quality produce to major markets in Uyo and neighbouring communities.

He said ECEWS was exploring cooperative frameworks to enable rural farmers and women’s groups to adopt greenhouse technology for sustainable livelihoods.

In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Aviclaire Farms, Mrs. Victoria Eyo, said the controlled-environment ensured precision cultivation and consistent yields.

She further said the farm served as a capacity-building centre for students, interns, and agri-business trainees.