Niger Delta

Ekpeye Monarch Admits Eze Igbu Orlukwo Into Council

Published

3 years ago

July 26, 2023

His Imperial Majesty Eze Kelvin Ngozi Anugwo, Eze Ekpeye Logbo III of Ekpeye land has admitted His Royal Highness Eze, Frederick B. Uwame, regent of Eze Igbu Orlukwor into the fold of Ekpeye Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs.
The ceremony took place, last Saturday, at his palace in Ula–Upata Community in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The monarch stated that Orlukwor clan had already existed, and he, as the Eze Ekpeye Logbo III, as the Chairman, Ekpeye Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, owed the people the blessings needed to accomplish any lofty ideas.
“It is a great day for the people of Ekpeye ethnic nation to gather at the palace of Eze Ekpeye Logbo III for the warm reception of Igbu Orlukwor.
“Igbu Orlukwor had already been received to the Supreme Council by my predecessor, Late His Imperial Majesty Eze Flt. Leut. Robinson O. Robinson, the Crocodile of Africa, in his life time.
“By the Ekpeye bye-law of 10th August 2010, Igbu Orlukwor was among the seven Igbus in Ekpeye Kingdom that signed the bye-law which is yet the working document of the traditional institution in Ekpeye today”, he noted.
He reiterated the need for people to put aside their personal interests for the common good of the generality, adding that the issue of autonomy should not be misconstrued to tear apart Ekpeye Kingdom.
According to him, Ekpeye craved for peace and development, and his reign could not divide Ekpeye Kingdom, and that it would rather put structures that engender peace and development of Ekpeye Kingdom.
He, therefore, seized the opportunity to call on irate youths of Ekpeye to lay down their arms for peace and development to thrive.
Speaking, the Igbu Orlukwor people, who were popularly known as O’ group, in their address, expressed gratitude to His Imperial Majesty and Ekpeye Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs for the opportunity granted them to introduce the regent of Orlukwor Kingdom.
“Igbu Orlukwor has great respect for Ekpeye throne and had keyed into Ekpeye Social Structure by adopting the Eze Igbu, Eze Emene, Eze Nwe Ula, and Eze Nwe Obodo hierarchy, and accordingly sub-divided Igbu Orlukwor into four groups, comprising Emene Owu Orlukwor, Emene Ugbokor Orlukwor, Emene Egbeleta Orlukwor, and Emene Ikega Orlukwor.
“Before the advent of colonialism in Ekpeye land, the seven O’ group villages in South East of Upata district: Obumeze, Odiabidi, Ogbele, Okomoma I, Okoma II, Okporowo, and Oshiugbokor had formed a joint community government for the purpose of defending themselves against external aggression and for resolving inter community conflict”, they stated.
The group said Igbu Orlukwor was long ago in the organogram during the recognition of the various clans of Ekpeye Kingdom by the first and foremost Ekpeye monarch, His Majesty Eze Ashirim Unoshi in 1974, which included Ahoada, Akoh, Upata I (U group), Upata II (O’ group), Igbuduya, and Ubie.
They noted further that HRH Eze Williams E. Unugboji was the incumbent leader of the Igbu Orlukwor when the kingship stools were created by Ekpeye and later recognised and classified by the Rivers State Government.
The O’ group noted that the Kingdom’s leadership provided the incumbency platform on which HRH Eze Unugboji was accorded recognition, adding that his domain, however, transversed the whole of Upata clan.
Speakers at the occasion included His Majesty Eze Cassidy W.O Ikebhidhi, Eze Igbu Akoh II of Ekpeye land; and His Majesty Eze Arc. Nnamdi Obuzor, Eze Odiokwu I of Ekpeye Kingdom.

By: Agimo Emenike Benson

Niger Delta

Royal Father Endorses PH Arsenal Community, Pledges To Support

Published

1 day ago

May 29, 2026

The Tide

The Amanyanabo of Koniju town, in Okrika Local Government Area, Rivers State, His Royal Majesty, King Winston Odiye Alamina Oputibeya XII, has expressed satisfaction over the activities of Port Harcourt Arsenal Community.

He further said that bringing Arsenal fans together for a common purpose, which is love, unity, and peace, is commendable and pledges to support the community in his own little way.

HRM Oputibeya said this when some members of the community, led by Ugochukwu Oputa, paid him a courtesy visit in his house in Port Harcourt yesterday.

According to him, he started supporting and following Arsenal Football Club some decades back, saying that anybody who loves good football must love Arsenal because players in Arsenal play good football.

“I was longing to meet leaders of the community to also be part of it because I like their organizational structure and I love Arsenal.

“The activities of the Port Harcourt Arsenal Community for me are satisfactory; that is why I am associating with it.

“I would like members to conduct themselves in a civil manner because football fans all over are the progress of their club and love,” he said.

Earlier, the coordinator of the Port Harcourt community, Ugochukwu Oputa, thanked the royal father for accepting the community, assuring that the group will do her best to get recognition and connection with Arsenal FC in London.

Oputa narrated the activities lined up by the community on Saturday, saying that everything had been put in place for the street procession.

In his vote of thanks, a member of the Arsenal Community, Com. Tonye Orabere also thanked the Amanyanbo for his magnanimity and pledged to assist the community. He prays God to continue to bless him.

Tonye Orabere

Niger Delta

BPP Backs NDDC’s Digital Procurement Reforms

Published

1 day ago

May 29, 2026

The Tide

The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for initiating reforms aimed at digitising its procurement processes to enhance transparency, efficiency and accountability.

Speaking at the NDDC Procurement Policy Reform and Digitisation Stakeholders’ Sensitisation and Training Summit in Port Harcourt, the Director-General of the BPP, Adebowale Adedokun, described the initiative as a significant step towards modernising public sector operations.

Adedokun said the transition to paperless governance had become imperative as government institutions seek to reduce delays, eliminate waste and improve service delivery.

According to him, public procurement remains central to the execution of government policies and must embrace modern technology to boost productivity and strengthen public confidence.

“Procurement lies at the heart of public service delivery. It determines how resources are allocated, how projects are executed, and ultimately, how development reaches our people”, he said.

The BPP boss stressed the importance of inter-agency collaboration in ensuring a seamless transition to digital operations, noting that the reforms align with the broader agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to build a more responsive and citizen-focused public sector.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Samuel Ogbuku, said the sensitisation workshop formed part of the Commission’s efforts to strengthen institutional capacity and adopt innovative solutions in line with global best practices in governance and service delivery.

He stated that the Commission was implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration in the Niger Delta region, while commending the BPP for supporting the Commission and facilitating the speedy completion of projects.

Ogbuku noted that the workshop came at a critical period when public institutions across the country were embracing reforms aimed at improving governance systems, eliminating inefficiencies and rebuilding public trust.

He said empowering stakeholders, contractors and service providers with the required knowledge would accelerate development and create sustainable value across the Niger Delta.

“We are not only reforming, but we are also transforming the Niger Delta region”, he stated.

Ogbuku explained that the Commission’s reforms would move procurement processes from manual, paper-based operations to a fully digital platform designed to improve accessibility, reduce delays and minimise opportunities for corruption.

According to him, digitisation of procurement processes goes beyond technological advancement and represents a critical governance reform aimed at promoting transparency, improving service delivery and ensuring responsible management of public resources.

Earlier, the NDDC Director of Procurement, Chuks Osuji, said the policy reform and digitisation initiative would improve workflow, eliminate inefficiencies and strengthen accountability in the Commission’s procurement system.

He added that all contractors engaging with the Commission would henceforth operate through the online procurement platform, which would also provide an effective feedback mechanism for stakeholders.

Speaking on behalf of contractors and consultants, Maraizu Uche lauded the initiative and pledged their cooperation towards ensuring a seamless transition to the digital platform.

He, however, appealed to the Commission to review its payment system to address delays in settling executed contracts.

The workshop, themed “Promoting Best Procurement Practices and Digital System for the NDDC”, was held across the nine states of the Niger Delta region.

Niger Delta

Navy Inaugurates 8 Housing Units In Calabar

Published

1 day ago

May 29, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Navy has inaugurated eight units of two-bedroom flats at the Ikot Ansa Senior Staff Quarters as part of efforts to boost personnel welfare and operational efficiency.

Speaking at the event in Calabar on Monday, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, said similar housing projects would be inaugurated in Port Harcourt and Uyo.

Represented by Rear Adm. Chidozie Okehie, the Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Abbas said the navy would always give priority attention to personnel welfare.

He stated that the housing units would not only translate to decent homes for officers, but boost their morale for greater efficiency.

“I have repeatedly tied welfare projects to better operational readiness against maritime crimes.

“We are very deliberate about closing the accommodation gaps for officers and ratings”, he said.

The CNS charged recipients of the housing units to ensure good maintenance culture while in occupation.

Abbass reiterated the commitment of the navy to initiate new housing projects while taking steps to complete all pending ones.

“The newly inaugurated units of flats are part of the projects that we inherited from our predecessors”, he said.