Rivers

MOSIEND Urges N’Delta Govs To Emulate Tinubu, Revamp Seaports

Published

3 years ago

September 29, 2023

Sequel to the establishment of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration, the Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on Governors of the Niger Delta extraction to replicate same Ministry in their States to increase wealth creation.
MOSIEND said the creation of the ministry in the region would enhance revenue generation and employment to the teeming youths.
National President, MOSIEND, Comrade Kennedy Tonjo West, stated this in a statement made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
“The establishment of Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has opened the eyes of the people of the Niger Delta to know that our marine potentials have been poorly or inadequately harnessed and that this novel idea will boost the nation’s dwindling economy in the nearest future, if States, especially the Niger Delta, are able to think smart and explore it to their advantage.
“The Niger Delta region is richly blessed with untaped resources that can rapidly upscale revenue generation and economic growth, and we want the governors not to waste any time further.
“The opportunities in the marine and blue economy abound, hence, we should delve and explore, because across the globe, countries with littoral topography are consciously taking advantage of immense derivatives.
“This ministry at the centre is an open door to welcome yet another vista of boundless opportunities inherent in our region.
He insisted that the truth is, beyond oil and gas, Niger Delta communities are blessed, so in this harsh economic situation there is an urgent need for diversification and looking beyond oil and gas. The marine and blue economy is a promising outlook.
“What we really mean when we talk about diversification is that when people in the upland are talking about agriculture, we in the riverine should be talking about the maritime, as we call on Niger Delta governors to close ranks for the purpose of cohesion and regional growth to invest massively in the marine sector as this is the only way forward”, West said.
He noted that President Bola Tinubu’s approach looks promising to support any smart thinking region, and it is expedient for politicians and leaders of the Niger Delta to work together in achieving better results in the overall interest of the people of the region, especially now that there is a President who has good intentions for the region.
MOSIEND said creating the ministry at the state level is also a means through which the Federal Government can channel funds to develop the states through these ministries in the various Niger Delta states.
According to him, separating Marine from the Ministry of Transportation will make the states to focus on developing the potentials in the maritime domain and achieve great results.
“Go to Bayelsa and other Niger Delta states, they don’t have any activity to develop the maritime sector, and we need to now think outside the box to change the narratives; building the seaports and reviving the already existing ones are the only way forward.
“We are impressed with the appointment of our illustrious kinsmen and women into the federal cabinet, and we urge them to work with the Governors and Legislators to improve the infrastructures and well-being of the people.
“We, as MOSIEND, have, at several times, kicked against the continued concession of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) in Rivers State to Dangote and other users.
“It is not a wise decision as it makes no economic sense in terms of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), or employment opportunities when compared with when the Federal Government was managing it.
“NPA used to be a beehive of activities, generating huge revenue for government and creating employment for thousands of unemployed youths. But today, the reverse is the case.
“The concession of NPA to Dangote crippled the economy of Rivers State. Look at the place, it is underdeveloped. It has become a graveyard where nothing is happening.
“If you see the place now, you will cry, even the bay has become dilapidated. Why is Dubai thriving, Is it not because of the sea? So, why are we concentrating on only Lagos State? Why don’t we develop the other seaports to generate revenue for the states and create employment for the masses?”
Comrade West insisted that reviving NPA, Port Harcourt, Warri Port, Calabar seaport and building the Agge Deep Seaport in Bayelsa and the Akwa-Ibom seaport will change the narratives in the Niger Delta, especially now that the Federal Government is rehabilitating Nigerian refineries to help the economy bounce back.
The Public, Privately Partnership (PPP) will be a best approach to reviving the seaports in order not to waste any more time, he declared.

By: Chinedu Wosu

Rivers

Delta CP Seeks More Support From Traditional Institutions

Published

3 days ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

The Commissioner of Police (CP) Delta State Command, Mr. Yemi Oyeniyi, has urged traditional institutions to continue to support law enforcement in the country.

Oyeniyi gave the advice on Tuesday at the palace of the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Dr. Emmanuel Sideso, Abe 1, in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner, who was on a familiarisation tour of police formations across the state, including the Effurun area command, solicited continued partnership of the Uvwie domain in strengthening intelligence gathering and promoting peaceful co-existence.

He commended the Ovie of Uvwie for his unwavering commitment to peace, security, and community development.

“I acknowledge the invaluable role of traditional institutions in supporting law enforcement in the country.

“I equally solicit continuous partnership of the Uvwie domain in strengthening intelligence gathering and promoting peaceful co-existence among the people”, he said.

In his remarks, the Ovie of Uvwie, welcomed the Commissioner and his entourage to the domain.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the people to supporting the Nigeria Police and other security agencies.

The royal father urged his subjects to continue to cooperate with the security agencies by way of providing timely and credible information.

The Commissioner, thereafter, proceeded to perform the groundbreaking of the Effurun area command at the instance of the Insp.-Gen. of Police, Mr. Olatunji Disu.

Rivers

IAUE Senate Approves Leadership, Language Center Establishment

Published

3 days ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

The Senate of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, has approved the establishment of a University Leadership Assessment Centre as proposed by Professor Veronica Okogbaa of the Department of Educational Management.

A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the university, Dr. Ngozi Okiridu, said the centre will, among other things, identify and develop high potential skilled leaders and talents.

It will also evaluate participants through multi dimensional approach rather than rely on subjective perceptions, indulge in leadership trainings, and generate income from services with succession planning.

Similarly, Senate also approved the establishment of a centre for languages, digital Humanities and intercultural studies as proposed by the Dean of Faculty of Humanities, Professor Ibiere Ken-Maduako.

The proposed centre, according to he statement, will have seven units namely language teaching unit, where French, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, German, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and Rivers State indigenous languages will be taught.

It will also have Translation and interpretation unit, indigenous languages documentation unit, Digital Humanities Laboratory, Artificial intelligence and language teaching unit, professional certification unit, as well as Research and Publication unit..

The statement quoted the Dean, Faculty of Humanities, Professor Ken-Maduako, the centre will offer certificate in language proficiency for beginners, intermediate, advanced Diploma programme, translation and interpretation courses, Digital Humanities certification programme, Artificial intelligence and language technology workshops, online and Hybrid learning programmes, weekend and evening public classes, indigenous languages documentation training and Business and professional communication courses.

Professor Ken-Maduako firther said the center “will increase visibility of the University nationally and internationally, generate sustainable internally generated revenue, increase opportunities for grants and donor funded projects, enhance interdisciplinary research output, promote cultural preservation and community engagement, strengthen the University”s profile in innovation and digital transformation, attract research collaboration and international partnerships, and improve graduate employability and digital competence.”

In his speech, the Chairman of Senate and Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, encouraged sponsors of the centre to source for funds for the take off of the centre.

He explained that Directors will be appointed for the self-sponsored centres and reiterated that his administration will continue to support all proposals geared towards the growth of the University as long as they are consistent with the academic brief of the Ivory Tower.

Earlier, Professor Samuel Otamiri commended Professor Veronica Okogbaa for the proposed centre which, he said, is a remarkable development, amd described it as a robust programme that would attract the necessary patronage .

In another development, the Senate welcomed a suggestion by Professor Priye Iyalla-Amadi that Valedictory Senate sessions be introduced and held for retired Professors.

Results from the Postgraduate School as presented by the Dean of the School, Professor Chibuzor Chile Nwobueze, was approved by Senate.

Senate also approved that presented by the Director of the Centre for Continuing Education (CCE), Professor Goddey Wilson, and that of the Graduate School of Business by Dr. Florence Ironawusi.

Sogbeba Dokubo

Rivers

Group Tasks School Proprietors, Parents On Early Preparation

Published

3 days ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

The National President, Forum of Inclusive Educators and Readers (FIER), Mr. Onyeka Innocent, has admonished school owners and parents alike to learn how to prepare their children/wards ahead time in order to beat challenges irrespective of the angle they may spring up from.

Innocent made this known at the Forum’s meeting held partly in honour of the Spelling B, 2025 winners, in Port Harcourt.

“Soldiers are not trained during war, rather, they are trained and kept in the Barracks, waiting for war”, he said.

He said students must be provided with the necessary educational tools capable of boosting their academic pursuit.

According to him, proprietors of schools must conform with the Government’s authorities and guidance if they are determined to succeed in the project.

Another solution to educational management, he said, is the availability of Education Committees in schools, saying that it will improve the quality of its learning process.

Though he did not rule out decay in the society, he said there are few that still hold fast to determination and sincerity.

The FIER leader said his association was one of the bodies with the zeal to right wrongs in the society, especially in the Education sector.

He noted that his group was also prepared to reduce the number of out-of-school children by ensuring that education was taken to all parts of the Country.

On registration of private schools as directed by the State Government, he said his members are in compliance and assured of a cordial relationship between the Government and his Association.

Meanwhile, the winners of the Competition were Master Fredrick Jeffrey of Daisy Dan School, who emerged first; Badubulachi Maryan of Fertile Vineyard Academy, 2nd; and Itode Samuel of Baridoo Sam Joel School, 3rd.

They winners where rewarded with cash prices of N100,000, N50,000 and N30, 000 respectively.

King Onunwor