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Niger Delta

Gov’s Aide Urges N’Delta Govs To Integrate Tourism In Development

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3 years ago

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Facilitator of the South-South Tourism Roundtable, Dr Piroye Kiyaramo, on Monday urged governors of the Niger Delta region to factor in the tourism sector in their development blueprints.
Kiyaramo made the call when the Chairman of Akwa Ibom Tourism and Hospitality Practitioners’ Association (AKTHOPA) and Managing Director of Legacy Tourism Services Uyo, Mr. Usen Udoh, visited him in his office in Yenagoa.
Kiyaramo, a renowned tourism practitioner, observed that sustainable tourism practice had proven to be veritable tool for socio-economic development.
According to Kiyaramo, who is also the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State on Tourism, mainstreaming of the tourism sector in their development agenda will go a long way in creating jobs and wealth at the rural areas in line with global best practices.
He explained that communities around the world, had benefitted immensely from tourism.
While advocating for the urgent need to give tourism due attention, he said tourism, as the driver of socio-economic growth and development, would create a level playing field for investors in the sector.
The SSA added that tourism could be a positive force that would bring economic, social and environmental benefits to the oil rich south south geographical zone.
The governor’s aide further explained that prioritising tourism in the development blueprints of the state governors in the region would propel the states to pay attention to the untapped potentials, particularly the maritime economy corridors.
He said tourism accounted for an estimated 26 per cent of ocean-based economic activities, making it a key driver of the blue economy by enhancing the value of marine conservation, increased revenue, job opportunities and investments.
He said this was contributing positively to rural development, protection of cultural heritage and conservation of the natural habitats.
Earlier, Udoh said the visit to the governor’s aide was to interface with him on critical issues regarding the holistic development of tourism and hospitality sector across South-South region.
Udoh highlighted the importance of connecting the Niger Delta region through tourism activities and research with a view to promoting the region as an economic bloc in line with global best practices.
He said Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State was already taking steps to meanstream the tourism and hospitality sector in his “Arise Development Agenda”, incorporating pro-poor tourism initiatives to create wealth at the grassroots.
He noted that the region, being so rich in ecological tourism potentials, made the area an ideal destination for eco-tourism.
He reiterated that nature-based tourism, which was in high demand, would not only increase the value placed on the unspoiled nature and wildlife, but would also generate funds for conservation of the rich biodiversity.
“Tourism is often an innovator of sustainable consumption and production in promoting climate change awareness.
“Tourism can protect or revive intangible cultural heritage, music, performing arts, and oral traditions.
“It offers great opportunities for emerging economies and developing countries.
“Tourism creates jobs, strengthens the local economy, contributes to local infrastructure development and helps to conserve the natural environment, cultural assets and traditions, and reduces poverty and inequality.
“This can be achieved if local people are able to benefit from the income opportunities arising from tourism,” Udoh said.

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Niger Delta

CSOs, Bille Community Urge Solution To Persistent Underwater Gas Eruption

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2 weeks ago

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April 10, 2026

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Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the people of Bille Kingdom in Degema Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State have called for government’s urgent intervention to end the suspected underwater gas eruption in the community.
The groups, under the aegis of the Environmental Rights Action and Social Action, made the call during their advocacy visit to the Port Harcourt Zonal Head of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), in Port Harcourt.
The Programme Manager of Environmental Rights Action, Mr. Kentebe Ebiaridor, said the visit was to seek clarity on the response efforts of the regulators to the development in the community.
Ebiaridor expressed concern over what he described as “inadequate response from regulatory agencies and the government concerning the incident”.
He said discussions with some officials revealed that there was still no clear timeline for action to address the situation.
According to him, in the absence of clear ownership of the facility linked to the incident, companies operating within Oil Mining Lease (OML) 18 should be held accountable.
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) had in a statement issued on March 20 by its Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, said the commission had commenced an investigation into a gas bubbling incident in Bille Community.
Eyesan said the commission expressed concern over the development and assured residents of its ongoing efforts to address the situation.
Also, the Resource Justice Manager of Social Action, Dr. Prince Edegbuo, warned that the situation could escalate into a public health emergency, if urgent steps were not taken.
Edegbuo called on relevant authorities to release the results of the tests reportedly conducted in the area, stressing that residents had the right to know the condition of their environment.
He also said CSOs were prepared to intensify advocacy on the matter, urging the development of emergency response measures, including possible evacuation plans.
A legal practitioner and community stakeholder, Mr. Commission Deinbo, had, on March 20, said residents had continued to witness unusual signs on the waterways in the area.
Deinbo said the signs included boiling and bubbling from the ground and river, sometimes within residential areas, as well as fire outbreaks, which the residents had always managed to contain.
He appealed to relevant authorities to come to their aid and find a lasting solution to the problem.
In a response, the Port Harcourt Zonal Head of NOSDRA, Mr. Bello Augustin, assured the community that he would relate its concerns to the appropriate quarters.
Augustin also commended the CSOs for their advocacy and concerns to community development in the state.
By: Wokoma Emmanuel & Theresa Frederick
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Niger Delta

Police Detain 7, Recover Arms In A’Ibom 

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2 weeks ago

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April 10, 2026

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The Police Command in Akwa Ibom State has detained seven suspects and recovered firearms after raiding a criminal hideout in Ndiya Mfia, Ikono Local Government Area.of the State.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, made the disclosure in a statement in Uyo on Wednesday.
John said that the breakthrough which occurred at about 6.00a.m on Wednesday, followed credible intelligence from members of the public.
“We reliably gathered that criminal suspects were hibernating in a compound disguised as worshippers.
“In a decisive operation, our personnel conducted a thorough search of the premises which led to the detention and recovery of arms,” she said.
According to her, the operation was in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police to decisively combat crime in the country.
The police spokesman further said that two locally made double-barrel guns, five expended cartridges, four motorcycles and three generators were recovered during the operation.
She also listed 10 mobile phones, one police crest, four jungle boots, one peak cap, saw blade, spanner, number plates, machetes, a special force vest as other items recovered.
“We also found bottles of suspected spiritual oil and one enlarged photograph linked to an ongoing investigation,” she said.
John said that preliminary investigation suggested that the location was being used as cover for criminal operations.
She said the State’s Commissioner of Police,  CP Baba Azare, has directed a comprehensive investigation on the matter in order to apprehend the principal suspect.
John expressed the commitment of the Command to rid the state of crime, and urged members of the public to always support the police with timely and credible information.
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Niger Delta

Otu Launches Grassroot Security Network In C’River

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2 weeks ago

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April 10, 2026

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Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has launched a grassroots security intelligence network, named, ”Homeland Safety and Security Agency,” to strengthen community-based surveillance and enhance safety across the state.
Otu, who inaugurated the agency’s office in the Southern Senatorial District of the state on Monday, in Calabar, said similar offices were being inaugurated in the Central and Northern Senatorial Districts.
The Governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Emmanuel Ironbar, said the officials of the agency would serve as first point of call before matters would be escalated to main security architecture in the state.
He described Homeland Security as an intelligence-driven structure focused on neighbourhood monitoring and early threat detection through coordinated local efforts.
He said the initiative constituted the directors and field operatives, tasked with gathering and forwarding intelligence to relevant security agencies for prompt action.
Otu noted that the network would serve as a first point of contact before intervention by conventional security agencies.
“It is important that we enhance monitoring of movements across our communities, border areas, and riverine zones to identify suspicious activities and enhance security response.
“The state government will provide necessary gadgets and communication tools to improve efficiency and real-time intelligence sharing,” he said.
Otu called for public cooperation, stressing that ‘’security is a collective responsibility requiring timely information from residents.’’
He said, ‘’to ensure that the security outfit works like a model unit, proper screening would be conducted on the volunteers to weed out undesirable elements from the system.’’
The Tide’s source reports that the Governor handed over 14 motor bikes to the agency’s southern Senatorial district office to enhance their efficiency.
On his part, the Director-General, South of the agency, Mr. Michael Nsan, said the volunteers had played key roles in reducing crime through coordinated patrols and intelligence sharing.
Nsan said over 1,300 volunteers currently supported the operations with additional informants providing critical information across communities.
“Crime rates dropped significantly during the last festive period due to our collaboration with law enforcement agencies in the state,” he said.
The Director-General said volunteers would undergo training and screening, with plans underway for formal recruitment through a government employment portal.
According to him, communication tools, including walkie-talkies, and patrol motorcycles had improved rapid response to security incidents.
He commended the governor’s commitment, noting that the initiative would further strengthen security architecture and community safety across the state.
The source reports that some of the dignitaries who graced the occasion were traditional rulers and government officials.
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