News

N’ Delta Activist Defends Wike Slams Biafra Group

Published

3 years ago

August 22, 2022

Elder statesman and renowned activist in the Niger Delta region, Rev(Dr) Sokari Soberekon, has risen stoutly in defence of Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, and debunked recent claims by a Biafra group that the Governor does not know his tribe and origin.
Contrary to insinuations by the group, Soberekon said in Port Harcourt that Governor Wike knows his tribe and origin, as he has remained focused as a leader, who is passionate about the truth, justice and good governance, essentially to improve the wellbeing of Rivers people.
The elder statesman said the Biafra group was only envious of the rising political profile of Governor Wike who, he said is teaching some valuable lessons to other governors and leaders across the country on what it takes to be a performing Governor.
He cited as a case in point the recent flag-off for construction of the 11th and 12th flyover projects by the Wike administration, barely few months to exit office, a record, he said would be difficult to be broken by any government in the country.
While reiterating that Governor Wike, who is a true Rivers son, knows his origin, Soberekon clarified that the Governor is an Aborigene of Biafra.
“Speaking Igbo does not make anyone an Igboman just like speaking English does not make anyone an Englishman”, he said.
On why he said that Governor Wike is an Aborigene of Biafra, the Senior Advocate of Niger Delta(SAND) explained that the word, ‘Biafra’ came from the Bight of Biafra, where the Europeans signed a commercial treaty with Rivers chiefs and the people of Calabar and Ogoja in 1775 before the existence of Nigeria.
“History is so stubborn that it can not be erased. Seafarers are the Europeans who came through the sea to buy slaves while Bayfarers are the residents of the villages, towns and cities at the sea coast or at the shore of the sea who often confronted the slave traders”, he said.
According to him, “ the Igbos are people from the hinterland and so have nothing to do with Biafra. They are not Biafrans but Governor Wike is from Rivers State. So, he is a Biafran. They should stop saying that he does not know where he is from. “If they are still claiming to be Biafrans, he said, by implication that they are the ones who do not know where they come from.
According to him, they can not come from the hinterland to claim what is from the coastal area.
Soberekon said he loves the Igbos because they are hard working people but cautioned them to respect others. “Allowing them to do business in Rivers State does not give them the right to insult our hard working Governor who is known all over the country as Mr Project”, he said.

News

198 UNIBEN Students Bag First Class

Published

11 hours ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

A total of 198 students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN ) Edo State, bagged a First Class degree out of 14,083 students to be awarded first degree at the institution’s 51st Convocation and Founder’s Day ceremony.

Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, disclosed this on Monday in Benin at a pre-convocation press briefing.

He said 4,217 students bagged a Second Class Upper, 7, 928 got a Second Class Lower, while 578 bagged a Third Class degree.

He said 15 new approved programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC) would commence in the 2025/2026 academic session.

According to him, “The wheel of progress is on course and moving steadily in the University of Benin. This administration is poised to deliver on its mandate of effective, practical teaching, sound learning, result-oriented research and impactful community service.

“We must applaud the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for establishing NELFUND, and by so doing significantly reducing the financial stress of students in the process of acquiring tertiary education. We enjoin students and their parents to take full advantage of the federal government’s benevolence in instituting the fund.”

Prof. Omoregie disclosed that Nigeria’s Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, would deliver the Founders’ Day lecture with the topic, “Reforms for a Shared Prosperity”.

The UNIBEN VC said Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and Former Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, would deliver the Convocation Lecture on the theme, “Making Our Universities Great”.

News

Bayelsa Education Fund, British Council trains tra 1,000 teachers

Published

11 hours ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The last batch of 400 public school teachers in Bayelsa State on Monday commenced training under the sponsorship of Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) and the British Council.

This batch will bring to 1000 the number of public school teachers in the state who have benefited in the partnership arrangement.School supplies

The EDTF, British Council and Teachers Training, Registration and Certification Board collaborated in the capacity development programme.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the five day capacity building program, Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah reiterated the commitment of the Bayelsa government to training and capacity of teachers in the state.

He noted that the improved teaching methodology in the state was responsible for the state producing the best student in the 2025 West African School Certificate Examinations.

Prof Ebimiowei, Executive Secretary at EDTF, noted that the collaboration is aimed at improving learning outcomes for pupils and students of public primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa.

“You will agree with me that until the cutlass is sharpened, it will have no impact on the hands of the farmer and so it is with our teachers., you need to be sharpened very well to give good delivery in your various classes and schools.

“Let me at this juncture appreciate the British Council for accepting to train 1,000 teachers, 50 education managers and 60 trainers for Bayelsa,” he said.

On his part, Chairman of the EDTF board, High Chief Fidelis Agbiki expressed appreciation to the Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah for his supportive role to the fund.

Agbiki urged the beneficiaries to justify the enormous resources invested by the government of Bayelsa by being dedicated within the five days the exercise would last.

He said; “This board will not operate on business as usual but on business unusual as we will push the frontiers outside the box to ensure that we get value for money,” Agbiki said.

Chairman of Development Partners Committee of the EDTF applauded the commitment of the partners for the successful completion of the programme, urging them to sustain the tempo

Speaking on the programme, Mr Fwanshishak Daniel, Head, English and Schools, British Council noted that the Bayelsa government had shown exemplary commitment to educational development.

He explained that the commitment has enabled the British Council and Bayelsa government to achieve within one year greater milestones that took other states three years to achieve.

He explained that the resources of the British Council have been made available to Bayelsa with the training of 60 resource persons from the state who will in turn train other teachers to improve education.

According to Daniel, the training will lay emphasis on new teaching methods, use of digital tools for self development and access to school amongst others.

Dr Peremoboere Ogola, Acting Chairman of TTRC, which facilitated training, thanked the EDTF for supporting training of teachers in Bayelsa with world class resources of the British Council.

She noted that another batch of newly recruited teachers are currently undergoing training at State government owned University of Africa, Toru Orua, Sagbama LGA in Bayelsa

News

RSG INAUGURATES ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY COMMITTEE

Published

11 hours ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has inaugurated a Central Planning Committee to organize the celebration of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) in the State.

The committee was formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.

Dr Anabraba who also serves as Chairman of the Committee

highlighted the State Government’s deep appreciation for the sacrifices of Nigeria’s fallen heroes who laid down their lives for the nation’s peace and unity.

“These heroes have given their lives for the security and peace of our nation and deserve to be celebrated. The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an opportunity to show our gratitude for their sacrifice,” he said.

Dr. Anabraba further extended recognition to all Security Agencies in the State, emphasizing the importance of the event in appreciating their contributions to national security and sovereignty.

The annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day, observed on January 15 across the country is dedicated to remember Nigeria’s departed soldiers and honouring the nation’s veterans.