Niger Delta

Okowa Rates WAEC High In Assessment Of Students

Published

3 years ago

November 25, 2022

The Delta State Government (DTSG) has commended the West African Examination Council (WAEC) for the effective conduct of examination and proper assessment of students.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa gave the commendations during a courtesy visit by members of the Nigeria National Committe (NNC) of the West African Examinations Council for its 60th Meeting in Asaba.
Okowa, represented by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Patrick Ukah, said the State Government understood the vital role WAEC played in the development of a child.
“The Governor is a lover of education. If you interact with the Commissioner for Education, you will see the giant strides the government has taken in education in Delta State.
“I am sure your coming to the state is not just to discuss the subject matter but you see the level of knowledge we have here, we do not lack in giving information as it concerns national bodies,” he said.
The Asagba of Asaba, Prof Chike Edoziem, said special attention should be paid to the quality of secondary schools as well as the educational standards.
“I had the opportunity to be worried about the quality of secondary education in Nigeria 20 years ago while i was a Professor in the United States.
“There was an issue about continual education of Nigerian students in the American universities based on their WAEC, that the quality of performance of students is low.
“I advised that I believe that Nigerian students may not be intellectually inferior to any race in the world.
“I advised they should continue admitting Nigerians, if possible give them special attention.
“Few years later, the report was that they perform badly in the first year but subsequently they become very good,” he said.
Commissioner for Secondary Education in the State, Mrs Rose Ezewu, said the State Government had continued to prioritise the education system, adding that WAEC had proven to be reliable in the conduct of its examinations.
She pledged the Delta State government’s support for the council through the state’s Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Augustine Oghoro, said WAEC was a foremost examination body saddled with the responsibility of providing quality and reliable educational assessment.
Oghoro said certificates issued by the council was equivalent to those issued internationally, adding that the council had formidable structures that ensured smooth conduct of its examination.
“The council is a major contributor to regional integration and revival of values and we commend the council for its proposed merit award for some Secondary schools in Delta State”.
Also speaking, Chairman of the National Committee Meeting of WAEC, Mrs Binta Abdulkadir, said they were in the state for the 60th Meeting of the Nigerian National Committee Meeting of the council .
Abdulkadir, also the Director of Secondary School Education in the Federal Ministry of Education, commended Delta State for its achievements in the education system, saying that the state had performed creditably.
“WAEC is an important assessment body that is committed to ensuring the realisation of its mandates.
“WAEC carries out its functions with utmost integrity and the council is exceptional in assessing Nigerian child.
On his part, the Director of Examination and Standard, Mr Sunday Egomagwuna, said the meeting would have multiplier effect on the conduct of examinations in the state.
He lauded stakeholders for the contributions to the growth of the sector.

Niger Delta

Navy Pledges Improved Patrols, Welfare Boost For Personnel

Published

11 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

14 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

14 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.