Niger Delta

Ekpeye Monarch Admits Eze Igbu Orlukwo Into Council

Published

2 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

INC Polls: Ogoriba Pledges To Continuously Stand For N’Delta Rights … Picks Presidential Form

Published

1 day ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

Human Rights Activist and founding father of the Movement for the Survival of the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality of the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), Elder Timi Kaiser Ogoriba, has said he would continue to advocate for the environmental and human rights of the people of the Niger Delta, especially his Ijaw kinsmen.

Ogoriba who doubles as the current Vice-Chairman of the Bayelsa State founding fathers forum made the pledge at the Ijaw House, headquarters of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), in Yenagoa, capital of the State, while fielding questions from newsmen shortly after picking his interest form for the position of president in the 2026 polls of the national executive council of the body.

The Odi-born activist who described the foremost Pan-Ijaw umbrella parent body as the envy of many sister ethnic groups in the nation, noted that he played pivotal roles in the formative stages of both the INC and its youth body, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC).

He expressed confidence in the activities of the body, saying he would continue to work with all relevant stakeholders to reposition the Pan-Ijaw group for greater achievements when elected as President come February, 2026.

“I’m still ready to go to trenches because of Ijaw nation. For those who knew me before now, you’ll recall that I have gone to trenches several times because of my love for the Ijaw people.

“Today as an ethnic group, we’re the envy of every other tribe. And that’s because we’ve all it takes for others to envy us. Today the INC has become the pride of everyone, including many who don’t know how we started it. And I’m not detered by the propaganda against my candidacy. I’m determined to win and continue my service to the Ijaw nation.

“I was part of the struggle in 1991 when the INC was formed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. I’ve all it takes to lead the INC as President. But the INC under my leadership will not be a ‘T. K. Ogoriba thing alone’. I’ll need all of you and every Son and daughter of Ijaw nation to lead us well when elected”, he said.

The Presidential hopeful, who also bared his mind on issues of Resource control and true-federalism, restated his commitment towards ensuring that the Niger Delta region was given fair treatment by Government.

He stressed the need for the INC to synergize with other ethnic nationalities of the Niger Delta region for positive results, saying he would also ensure that there is mutual respect and understanding amongst and between stakeholders of the Ijaw nation and other sister ethnic groups to fast track the processes of growth and development of the region.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Edo Partners Stakeholders For Better Land, Housing Services

Published

1 day ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

The Edo State government has reaffirmed its commitment to strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to enhance effective service delivery in the lands and housing sector across the state.

Commissioner for Ministry of Lands and Housing, Mr. Yakubu Musa, made this known on Thursday, when he met with members of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in Benin.

Musa emphasised the importance of synergy and collaboration to drive sustainable development in the state.

He said, ‘’The ministry is taking steps to sanitise and regulate the real estate industry to make sure Edo citizens get maximum satisfaction from the lands and housing sector.’’

Earlier, the Chairman of the Association, Mr. Roger Isiokhere, said the visit was to formally acquaint the commissioner with the institution’s activities.

Isiokhere expressed the institution’s readiness to work closely with the ministry in achieving its mandate, offering professional advisory services and other forms of support.

The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Joy Akhigbe, also stressed the importance of collaboration.

In attendance at the meeting were the Surveyor-General of the State, Directors, and other management staff of the Ministry of Lands and Housing.

Niger Delta

Otu Reiterates Commitment To Support Military Veterans, Families

Published

1 day ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of military veterans and their families.

Otu, who spoke at the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Calabar on Thursday, said his administration would not forget the contributions of fallen heroes.

Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Peter Odey, the Governor described the armed forces remembrance day as a reminder of the sacrifices made by military veterans to keep Nigeria united and peaceful.

“The lesson is to remember our fallen heroes, people who sacrificed for the country, many of them paid with their lives to protect this nation”, he said.

Otu further said widows of late military officers would continue to be part of his government’s programmes and interventions.

“All widows are being carried along, the Commissioner for Social Welfare ensures their inclusion in every programme”, he said.

Earlier, the Cross River State Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Daniel Ojugbo, said the ceremony was not only an honour for fallen heroes, but a time to reflect on the challenges being faced by military veterans and their families.

Ojugbo said families of fallen military officers faced delayed welfare benefits, limited medical care and unemployment for their widows and other dependants.

He commended Otu for his support, saying that his administration had shown genuine and remarkable concerns for the legion and its members.

Also speaking, the Coordinator, Military Widows in the state, Mrs. Miriam Orok, thanked the Governor for improved treatment and inclusion in welfare interventions.

“We are actually seeing better changes under our Governor. He has been carrying us along, and we are very grateful. We also thank the governor’s wife for her sense of compassion”, she said.

The Tide’s source reports that the event featured prayers, wreath-laying, and tributes to the fallen heroes.