Niger Delta

Emu, Other Communities Join CBN’s Oil Palm Programme In Delta

Published

2 years ago

September 13, 2023

Emu Kingdom in Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State, has joined other 67 communities in the State to enroll in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) oil palm plantation development initiative in the country.
The Secretary General, Delta State Commercial Oil Palm Plantation Growers Cooperative Society Limited (DELCOM COOP), Chief Felix Okonti, disclosed this when HRM, Johnson Ullu, EzeEmu of Emu Kingdom led his subjects to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the programme in Asaba.
According to Okonti, the MoU with Emu Kingdom brings the total number of participating communities to 68 across the state that have keyed into the CBN oil palm plantation programme in the country.
He said the communities would be allocating over 100,000 hectares of land for the programme which was a prerequisite of the CBN to enable each state harness the full potential of the programme.
He stated that the programme would be a win win for all participants, adding that the oil palm plantation ensures great returns on investment, particularly when the programme would be deploying the best and fast yielding varieties for cultivation.
Okonti noted that unlike the local variety of oil palm seedlings, 150 stands of improved seedlings per hectares has capacity to produce 48 tonnes to 60 tonnes of palm oil per hectare annually which guarantees great earnings after each harvest.
He said that every participating community or individual land owner, has three options; to sale the land, give it out on lease or participate in the venture and earn 22 per cent of the profit after tax as returns on investment annually.
According to Okonti, the programme is a partnership between the Delta State government (Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources), CBN, and Group of Investors.
“This is the first phase of the programme being anchored by the CBN and 14 states, including Delta that have been selected to benefit in this pilot stage.
”Also, each state is expected to provide 100, 000 hectares of land as the bank has earmarked N800 billion to finance the 1.4 million hectares.
“We missed the track during the advent of the crude oil money in the 70’s from being the leading producer of palm oil.
“But this MoU is looking back and if the country can actualise the target of cultivating 1.4 million hectares, Nigeria will regain its position as number one or at least number two in palm oil production in the world.
“It is regrettable that the CBN in 2018 budgeted about N500 billion to pay for products of oil palm produced imports, commodities that we have comparative advantage to produce in the country”, Okonti stated.
He further said of the total of about 76 million metric tonnes of worlds palm oil production, Malaysia produces about 37 per cent, while Nigeria produces only two per cent.
He thanked the monarch and people of Emu Kingdom for signing into the programme while encouraging individuals, groups and various communities to make lands available and key into the programme.
On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Ben Agamah, lauded the Emu Kingdom for their collective decision to participate in the programme.
According to him, oil palm is an endowed crop and palm oil is twice as expensive in the international market than the crude oil.
He urges more participation in the state to harness the potentials of jobs creation, wealth and economic development of the state and the country at large.
On his part, HRM, Johnson Ullu, EzeEmu of Emu Kingdom, who spoke through a Palace Chief, Chief Godday Mgbaego, said they were keying into partnership to cultivate about 93 hectares of land in the Emu Kingdom.
He thanked the State Government for giving them opportunity to participate in the programme.
The Tide’s source reports that the MoU is between Emu Kingdom and Group of Oil Palm Plantation Development Investors, who are all members of DELCOM COOP, for the acquisition of 93.7 hectares of land for oil palm plantation development in Emu Kingdom under the CBN Oil Palm Development initiative.
HRM Ullu, led the signatories of the MoU for the community, while Secretary General, Okonti, signed for DELCOM COOP.

Niger Delta

Uyo High Court Awards Damages To Masquerade Over Arrest

Published

5 days ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

A High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has awarded damages to a masquerade who was arrested by the State Police Command for allegedly disturbing public peace during traditional worship rites.

The arrest followed an executive order reportedly issued by the State Governor, directing the Commissioner of Police to detain any masquerade seen performing during the Yuletide period.

Acting on this directive, a masquerade, identified as Mr. Effiong, a practitioner of traditional worship, was arrested and subsequently charged to court.

In a landmark ruling, the court sided with Mr. Effiong and his custodian, affirming that Ekpo, a recognised traditional religious practice in Akwa Ibom State, is protected under the law, and that its adherents are entitled to the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

The judge held that Mr. Effiong’s arrest and detention violated his rights to personal liberty and freedom of religion.

The court ordered his immediate and unconditional release and directed the Akwa Ibom State Government to pay damages for the infringement of his fundamental human rights and freedom of worship.

Human rights experts have hailed the judgment as a significant affirmation of Nigeria’s constitutional protection of traditional religious practices, emphasising the importance of respecting the country’s cultural and religious diversity.

By: Enoch Epelle

Niger Delta

MOSIEND Seeks Water Projects In Buguma From NDDC … Urges RSG To Revamp Fish Farm

Published

5 days ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Management of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to embark on water projects in Buguma city in Asari Toru Local Government Area (ASALGA), Rivers State

The Group also called on the Rivers State government to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths.

On the water project in Buguma, MOSIEND said the population of Buguma has increased tremendously and that the residents need more water projects to enhance the daily livelihood of the people.

The Group also appealed to the Chairman of the LGA to assist in making the project a reality and also attract more developmental projects to the LGA.

MOSIEND’s Eastern Zonal Coordinator, Half Hour, Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn, made the call on a radio programme in Rhythm 93.7fm, “Talk of the Town”.

LongJohn, who made the call alongside the Chairman of MOSIEND in Buguma, Mark Ojuka, and his counterpart in Obuama, Hon. Sandra Owunari, also called on the Management of Nigeria Liquidifed Natural Gas (NLNG) to embark on a free medical outreach in all Kalabari communities to improve their health status.

He appealed to NLNG to award scholarship to indigens of Kalabari communities in tertiary institutions to better their education, noting that the company is doing same in Bonny, while abandoning Kalabari communities

“We need contracts, free medicals, scholarships and employment, including skill acquisition programmes for our teeming youths in Kalabari extractions”, LongJohn stated.

On Security, Mark Ojuka said security in Buguma is at zero level with the help of the Amama soldiers, saying “the city is more peaceful and investor-friendly as the youths of the area have cordial relationship with the security agencies in the area.

“Security is very secured in Buguma clan”

On revamping the Buguma fish farm, he said, “The youths are asking for human capacity building in the area to reduce unemployment.

“The revamping of the Buguma fish farm will also reduce youth violence.”

By: Chinedu Wosu

Niger Delta

Make God Your Anchor To Fulfill Destiny, Cleric Charges Christians … As Jaja Marks 70th Birthday

Published

1 week ago

December 5, 2025

The Tide

The Lead Pastor at Jesus Appointed People’s Bible Church, Ozogbe, Ikwerrengwo-Etche, in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Pastor Promise Nwaelele, has urged Christians to make God the anchor of their lives in whatever position they find themselves, in order to attain the destinies set for them by God.

Pastor Nwaelele, who gave the charge recently in a sermon he preached at the 70th birthday anniversary thanksgiving service of Sir Donald Michael Jaja, a veteran journalist in Rivers State, said this is because any genuine child of God is a permanent target for destabilization and destruction by the devil.

Taking his text from the Bible book of Mark 4:16-17, the preacher stated that fulfilment in life for a child of God required faith, obedience to God’s word, humility and grace to withstand trials and temptations.

According to him, temptations and afflictions are bound to happen in the lives of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

“No wonder the Bible said that those that endure till the end shall be saved”, he said.

The Clergyman said God prospers believers who are humble, not proud and conceited, and leads them to destiny fulfilment.

“David said in Psalm 51:17, that the sacrifices acceptable to God are a broken spirit, not an impatient or proud spirit”, the preacher said.

He called on Christians not to allow persecutions and afflictions to sway them from the love and blessings of Jesus Christ.

On his part, Jaja, a seasoned Journalist who retired as an Acting Editor of the Rivers State Government-owned The Tide Newspaper, gave thanks to God for honouring him by giving him the grace of attaining 70 years.

“I cannot capture what the good Lord has done for me in my entire life in this fleeting moment of thanksgiving. But, I know that without Him, I wouldn’t have been who I am today, in all spheres. Therefore, my joy knows no bounds as I give thanks to my creator today, alongside my family. Praise be His holy name”, Jaja said.