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Mrs Jonathan, Ogbuku Task Ogbia Community On Unity, Collaboration …As Bayelsa Kingdom Holds Maiden Summit

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Former First lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has called on the people of Ogbia Kingdom to be united for development.
She made the call, recently, in Ogbia Town, Headquarters of Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, during the maiden “Ogbia non-violence, peace building and sustainable development summit”, with the theme, “Collaborative actions for peace and sustainable development”.
The former First Lady noted that without unity and peace, development was elusive, emphasizing the need for sustainable development.
She also the youths and people of Ogbia Kingdom must put the kingdom above their “individualistic tendencies” first in their dealings.
“In 1999, when my husband, your son and brother, contested the elections as Alamieyeseigha’s running mate to be Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Alamieyeseigha lost in his Local Government Area, Southern Ijaw. But when the Ogbia votes came, we won the elections because of the power and block vote of the Ogbia people.
“Before I married your Son and brother, I’ve heard how powerful the Ogbia people were. In the old Rivers State, Ogbia was known and respected by other tribes.
“In every election in the old Rivers State, they’d be waiting for the Ogbia votes, because they knew that Ogbia has one block vote and spoke in unity. It’s the Ogbia vote that determines who would win elections in the old Rivers State.
“Without unity and peace, development can’t come to any area. Ogbia people must collaborate with each other and those in authorities to bring sustainable development, peace and unity to this Kingdom”, she said.
The Tide learnt that though Ogbia Kingdom is predominantly in the Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa, it has communities in both Nembe LGA of the State and also has some Ogbia speaking communities in the Ahoada-West and Abua-Odual LGAs of Rivers State.
She thanked the Ogbia Brotherhood Youth Council (OBYC) Worldwide, for organizing the event, saying that periodic events as this be organized, and Ogbia people in positions of authorities be invited so they could grace the occasion and come up with developmental strategies and modalities for the development of the Kingdom.
In his keynote address, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Samuel Ogbuku, tasked the Ogbia people on collaborations and partnership for the development of the kingdom.
Ogbuku expressed regrets that for years there have been visible retrogression in the kingdom due to distrust, disunity and selfish thinking on the part of some in the kingdom.
He reiterated his commitment towards fostering collaborations with stakeholders and other well-meaning individuals of Ogbia extraction in working out modalities for the rebuilding of the kingdom, saying “Ogbia first” should be the thinking of every Ogbia person before the “self first” mentality.
“Ogbia Kingdom must learn how to collaborate and partner others and their sons and daughters in positions to develop this Kingdom. We must not politicize everything.
“We may belong to different political parties, but in our thoughts and dealings, we must put the general interest of Ogbia first above our own personal interest.
“We must not stay far from each other because we’re not in the same party, or say we’re not close. We’re all brothers and sisters. But first of all, we’re all Ogbia people before political parties.
“Let’s go back to the drawing board like our fathers did in the past to again attract development to this Kingdom. Ogbia can’t continue playing the fiddle in the politics of this state.
“We must be united to take our rightful positions and places in the scheme of things. We must love ourselves as a kingdom like the Ogbia Brotherhood slogan suggests: ‘’Each for all, and All for each”, he said.
Also speaking, the Royal father of the day and Obanobhan (Monarch) of Anyama Clan, HRM, King Omie Theophilus, lauded the umbrella Ogbia youth body for putting the event together.
He also commended participants and all “special invitees” for showing up for the summit, noting that the kingdom shall rise again.
Earlier in his opening remarks, President, Ogbia Brotherhood Youth Council (OBYC), Amb. Johnny Jonathan, said the reason for the programme was for the Ogbia people to fashion out developmental strategies and look at their challenges in the past and future prospects.
He eulogized the NDDC MD, the former First Lady, the royal fathers, youths and all others for gracing the occasion.
Highpoints of the event was the unveiling of the Ogbia Kingdom website and the Ogbia technical and skills hub, as well as panel discussions.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa

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Ibom Developers Provides Healthcare Support To 1,200 Residents

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Discovering happiness in life is closely connected to our health. Hence, prioritising health becomes essential for attaining a well-balanced life. Providing accessible, high-quality healthcare to communities not only enhances their quality of life but also encourages them to thrive.
Recognising this, Ibom Developers has proactively taken steps to promote access to quality health in Akwa Ibom State through its medical outreach programmes. Building upon their ongoing efforts, they organised a two-day medical drive on November 24 and 25, 2023, offering free treatment and medical supplies to 1200 residents, including women, children, and men, at Amazaba and Isiotoyo Community in Eastern Obolo Local Government Area and Ikot Akpan Udo Community in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.
At the event, His Royal Highness Chief Gogonte Luke Nglass – Village Head of Amazaba and Isiotoyo Community; Chief Oscar Abel Paul – Village Head of Ikot Akpan Udo Community; Elder John Obotowo – Spokesperson of Ikot Apkan Udo Community; Comrade Godwin Benson – Chief Liaison Officer of Ikot Akpan Udo Community; Mr. Etong Awaji Christopher John – Chief Liaison Officer of Amazaba and Isiotoyo Community; and Mr. Aja Francis – National Base Manager, SPFL Okopedi, Akwa Ibom State were present.
Chief Oscar Abel Paul, Village Head of Ikot Akpan Udo Community, said, ‘The foundation of a good life is health. A healthy life brings joy and enhances the productivity of an individual that consequently promotes the overall well-being of the communities.’
A healthy society is a prosperous society and to bring progress and harmony to the communities, people should maintain a good health regime.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Etong Awaji Christopher John, Chief Liaison Officer of Amazaba and Isiotoyo Community said, ‘We are immensely thankful to Ibom Developers for this impactful outreach. It has empowered us to offer mutual support to one another and to improve our collective health.’Medical outreach programmes greatly help transform societies by reaching out to individuals and providing them with personalised healthcare solutions. Ibom Developers acknowledges the inherent value of every individual and strive to improve healthcare accessibility in the host communities.

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Niger Delta

Bolt Driver, Female Passenger Abducted In Calabar

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A driver with a company, Bolt, was yesterday reported to have been abducted alongside a female passenger in Calabar, Cross River State.
The incident was said to have occurred at the staff quarters of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), the destination of the  driver.
The driver identified to be Jeremiah Enya, was said to be with three  passengers when the incident occurred.
While he was abducted with a female passenger, the two other occupants in the vehicle were reported to be a male and female passengers.
It was gathered that the kidnappers whisked their two victims away in the car they came with while they abandoned the Bolt drivers car.
Staff of the university have of recent become targets for kidnappers in Calabar.
The university’s Director of Servicom, Prof. Patrick Egaga, was only a fourth night ago, abducted at his residence in the staff quarters.
His abductors reduced their ransom from the earlier N50 million demanded to N15 million, a demand yet to be met by his family.
Meanwhile, spokesperson of the state Police Command, SP Irene Ugbo, declined comment on the matter as she had not been briefed on the incident.

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Niger Delta

Ex-Militant Emerges Best Graduating Student At WDU

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A student under the Presidential Amnesty Scholarship Programme (PASP), Mr. Ebiwari Shadrach, on Saturday emerged the best graduating student of the Western Delta University (WDU), Oghara, Delta State, at its convocation ceremony.
Reports indicate that the environment turned into a field of dreams as Shadrach also bagged a First Class degree in Computer Science.
According to reports, many people in the WDU main Auditorium shed tears of joy when Shadrach, in his speech, thanked the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and his successors, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for continuing with the Amnesty programme.
Thanking God for the Amnesty scholarship, Shadrach said his sojourn in the University has opened many doors which could enable him achieve his academic and career goals.
Shadrach, a member of the 2022/2023 graduating class, challenged his fellow graduates to “work on their weaknesses and proffer solutions to societal problems as they embark on a new journey”.
Eighteen graduating students from the 2020/2021, 2021/2022, 2022/2023 sessions also bagged First Class degrees of the 426 graduating students.At the ceremony, two persons received honorary Doctorate degrees. They are Mr. Oritsedere Otubu, Chairman, Eko Disco (Business Administration), and Mr. Igho Okotete, Chairman of Pioneer Global Resource and Integrated Energy Ltd, (International Affairs and Diplomacy).
Elated by the honour bestowed on them, the two honourary awardees made consequential bequests to WDU, pledging to construct an auditorium and a science laboratory respectively.

Also, the Emir of Zazzau, Mallam Ahmed Nuhu Bamballi, Dr Ajoritsedere Awosika, and the South Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Kim Young Chae, were conferred with Honorary Degrees of Doctor of Public Affairs, Science, International Affairs and Diplomacy and Business Administration, respectively.

In her convocation lecture, Prof. Antonia Okoosi-Simbine, Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), called on the graduands to make good choices that will shape their lives.

In the lecture, titled “A People-Centred Governance Process in Nigeria: The Role of the Youth”, Okoosi-Simbine said “the challenges facing Nigerian youths are multifaceted but interrelated.

“They include limited access to quality education, unemployment, underemployment, poverty, corruption, insecurity, a poor health system, culture, cultism, and drug abuse”.

She noted that the average youth had sought refuge in drugs to “weather the challenge”, saying that while the Nigerian population is predominantly young, the young people have not been adequately catered for over the years.

She, therefore, urged governments at all levels to engage youths in socio-political activities to foster a people-centered, inclusive, accountable, and responsive system.

“Over two-thirds of Nigeria’s population is under 30 years old, so youth involvement would ensure an appreciable degree of representation in political and policy decision-making”, sh said.

Urging the graduands to engage themselves with important things because “the onus lies with you to take the bull by the horns”, Okoosi-Simbine said “the key is responsibility and initiative, deciding what your life is about and prioritizing your life around the most important things.

“The choices you make are pivotal in shaping your future self”, she emphasized.

The University Visitor, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, appreciated the Emir of Zazzau for physically attending the convocation ceremony despite his busy schedule, noting; “your humility is worth emulating”.

Ibori urged the graduates to improve themselves in the face of adversity and called on the University’s management to stick to its academic and educational plan to be a model for other institutions.

In his address, the Chancellor of Western Delta University, Obong Victor Attah, lauded Ibori for his vision and hard work in nurturing the institution.

Attah commended the graduates for their hard work in completing their various courses of study, but warned that the future of Nigeria depends on them and that “Nigeria needs people who can learn, adapt to change, and persuade others to do the same”.

Meanwhile, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof. Emmanuel Eghosa Osaghae, reiterated that the giant strides and accomplishments of the University would not have been achieved without Chief Ibori, saying “we remain grateful for your unwavering support over the years and we pledge to never let you down”.

He also appreciated the host community, Oghara Town, for making the university environment hospitable for the institution to grow since inception.

In his address, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Augustine Ikelegbe, stated that the institution is proud to be a player in the private university system which is leading the way in quality education.

He revealed that the university has significantly expanded its academic colleges from three to six.

He charged the graduates to remember the mission of their alma mater – to produce men and women with capability and a deep sense of responsibility for contribution to development – saying “you have to prove your mettle in the real world where you have to demonstrate the virtues, knowledge, and competence acquired in Western Delta University”.

Also, the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, who was represented by his Deputy, Phillip Shaibu, congratulated Ibori and the management of the institution for their immense contribution to the educational sector of Nigeria.

He urged the graduates to be the catalyst that will boost the economy of the country, saying “let us focus on production for local consumption”.

He called on the State Government to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

In her remarks, the Member of the House of Representatives, representing Ethiope-West Federal Constituency, Mrs Erhitake Ibori-Suenu, urged the graduates to be good products of the institution by contributing to the growth of the society.

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