Niger Delta

Diri Restates Reason For Nembe-Brass Road Project

Published

3 years ago

October 4, 2023

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said construction of the Nembe-Brass Road by his administration was beyond any political consideration, and about the economic benefits to the state and the country.
He also said the decision to embark on the project, which is a Federal road, in the Bayelsa East Senatorial District, was borne out of his strong desire to create access to the Atlantic Ocean in order to harness its abundant natural resources.
Senator Diri stated this on Saturday when he led the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship campaign team on a visit to the palace of the Amayanabo of Okpoama Kingdom, King Ebitimi Banigo (Okpo xxi), at Okpoama in the Brass Local Government Area of the state, ahead of the November 11 governorship election.
The Tide learnt that Okpoama is the hometown of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Timipre Sylva.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, said the Governor, who kicked-off his re-election campaigns from the Brass, weekend, stressed the need to diversify the state’s economy away from crude oil and gas as they were fading assets.
He noted that from his days as pioneer National Organising Secretary of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), he had noticed the level of poverty and under-development in Ijawland and vowed to change the narrative if God gave him the opportunity to serve the people.
According to Senator Diri, “when l became Governor, l wrote to the Federal Government and the Nigeria Agip Oil Company on the need to collaborate with the State Government to construct the three critical senatorial roads. These are not projects that only the Bayelsa Government can handle because the cost runs into hundreds of billions of naira.
“But when l saw that nothing was coming forth, and knowing that my tenure was time-bound, l became very ambitious and had to take the bull by the horns to undertake these projects, which also include the Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie and the Sagbama-Ekeremor-Agge Roads.
“The Nembe-Brass Road is not a political project. It is the major project l have brought to the people of Okpoama and the Bayelsa East Senatorial District”.
Diri, who expressed his administration’s commitment not to abandon any project, assured that even if he had to borrow to complete the three big-ticket senatorial roads he would do so.
“l am here to ask you for a second term. I do not want to leave projects abandoned. This is about the destiny and development of our people.
“You have a Governor that is already doing what you want. As l speak, work is ongoing on the Nembe-Brass Road”, he said.
While thanking the Okpoama monarch, the Council of Chiefs and other stakeholders for their royal blessings and warm reception, the state’s helmsman urged them to sustain the prevailing peace in the state before, during and after the election.
He said people should be allowed to canvass for votes without molestation, and cautioned that any traditional ruler that connives to breach the peace risks being dethroned by his administration.
Responding to the community’s requests, Diri directed coordinator of the Bayelsa State Community Safety Corps to immediately provide a Hilux vehicle for the Okpoama Police Divisional Command.
He also promised to look into the issues surrounding establishment of the Maritime Academy in Okpoama as well as the Okpoama link Road.
Also, in his speech, the Director General, Governor Diri Governorship Campaign Council, Mitema Obordor, said Bayelsans had witnessed peace, meaningful projects and programmes in the almost four years of the Diri administration, which is why the Governor deserved another term.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Okpoama Council of Chiefs, Chief Paul Omubo Suobagha, who represented King Ebitimi Banigo, underscored the importance of the Nembe-Brass Road, saying that they look forward to driving to their home town.
He appealed to the State Government to dredge the Okpoama main creek, provide patrol vehicles for the Police and implement the original plan of the Okpoama Link Road.
The Governor also addressed a PDP rally at the community square where he received scores of APC defectors to his party, inaugurated a 700-metre concrete road, and awarded a technical college scholarship to a young boy, Clement Ayibatonye Young, who built a boat and swamp-buggy using fibre materials.
The campaign trail was also at Twon-Brass where it was received by a large crowd of party members and supporters.
At the palace of the Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, Diri said he would seek partnership to embark on a shoreline protection project for the Local Government Headquarters.
On Friday, the campaign trail was at Ogbokiri and Sangana communities where the people declared their support for the re-election of Senator Diri.
At Sangana, the Governor inaugurated a number of constituency projects executed by Speaker of the House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, which included a landing jetty, internal roads and bridges., police post, market and a one-storey classroom block at the Community Secondary School as well as solar street lights.
He also inspected ongoing road projects among which is the Ogbokiri/Minibie Link Road.
The Governor also inaugurated a concrete road at Egweama Community at the weekend.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa

Niger Delta

24 Nigerian Universities Make 2026 THE Rankings … 4 S’South Versitieis Pull Through

Published

3 days ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

Nigeria has recorded its strongest-ever outing in global university rankings, with 24 institutions earning places in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings and Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings.

However, only four universities from the South-South geopolitical zone made the prestigious list.

The South-South institutions that secured places in the rankings are Delta State University, Abraka (12th), University of Benin (22nd), University of Calabar (23rd), and University of Port Harcourt (24th).

The rankings, which represent Nigeria’s highest-ever participation, reinforces the country’s growing influence in higher education across Sub-Saharan Africa, with 24 universities listed, up from 21 in both the 2024 and 2025 editions.

The University of Ibadan retained its position as Nigeria’s highest-ranked institution, followed by the University of Lagos, while Bayero University, Kano, emerged as the third-best performing university in the country.

Of the 24 institutions, 17 are federal universities, four are state-owned, and three are private universities, reflecting broad improvements in teaching, research, and institutional performance across the country’s tertiary education sector.

The rankings also underscore the growing global recognition of Nigeria’s specialised universities of technology and agriculture, while state-owned institutions continue to improve their academic profiles through enhanced research output and governance reforms.

The full list of Nigeria’s universities in the 2026 THE rankings are: University of Ibadan; University of Lagos; Bayero University, Kano; Covenant University; Landmark University; Ahmadu Bello University; Federal University of Technology, Minna; University of Ilorin; University of Jos; University of Nigeria; Babcock University; and Delta State University, Abraka.

Others are: Ekiti State University; Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; Federal University of Technology, Akure; Federal University of Technology, Owerri; Federal University, Oye-Ekiti; Ladoke Akintola University of Technology; Lagos State University; Nnamdi Azikiwe University; Obafemi Awolowo University; University of Benin; University of Calabar; and University of Port Harcourt.

The rankings highlight both Nigeria’s expanding presence on the global academic stage and the need for greater investment in higher education across regions, particularly in the South-South, where only four universities made the country’s top 24 list.

Niger Delta

‘Ogbolo ’26’: Bayelsa Community Revives Heritage, Strengthens Unity

Published

3 days ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

The Ogu Community in Otubo-Atissa, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, has stated its commitment to preserving its culture, peace and community development through the celebration of the annual “Uge Adiafa” New Yam Festival, tagged “Ogbolo ’26.”

Held at St. John’s Primary School Field, Ogu, the colourful festival served not only as the traditional commencement of the yam harvest season, but also as a tribute to the community’s illustrious son and founder of the Uge Adiafa Festival, His Majesty, Late King Fedrick Aduku Simangi Ogbotom-Edede IV.

The celebration brought together sons and daughters of the community, traditional rulers, academics, youths and other guests in a display of thanksgiving, cultural performances and renewed communal solidarity.

Addressing the gathering, the traditional head of the community, HRH Bishop Akuegbe Paul, expressed delight at the massive turnout, describing the festival as a symbol of thanksgiving to God, cultural identity and unity among the people.

He noted that beyond celebrating a successful farming season, the festival honours the enduring legacy of the late monarch, whose vision established the Uge Adiafa Festival as a platform for preserving the community’s rich cultural heritage and promoting peaceful coexistence.

Guest of Honour, Professor Nedie Patience Akani, of Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, commended the community for embracing reconciliation and unity.

Professor Akani, who is of the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, of the university and a daughter of the soil, said, “This is my first time attending this New Yam Festival. I came because of the good things happening in this community.

“Before now, there were quarrels in the community, with court cases here and there, brother fighting against brother. But today, God has united us. It is a wonderful thing to be united because where there is no unity, there can be no progress in the home, family or community.

“I thank the head of Ogu Community, HRH, Bishop Akuege Paul, for making today’s celebration a reality”, she stated.

The event also featured inter-compound cultural competitions, with Yenikabu II Compound emerging overall winner, while Bongata Compound and Abrima Compound finished first d second runners-up respectively.

Also, eleven Compound Chiefs alongside their respective Head Compound Women Chiefs were coronated. The Woman Chief of Ogu Community, HH, Dare Tiebiri and her Deputy, Chief Stella Jordan Mark, were also coronated.

Dignitaries that graced the occasion included the Ebenanawei of Akamabubu Kingdom, Southern Ijaw LGA, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, HRM, King J. Olotu Erepamo; the Paramount Ruler, Ikibiri Community, Yenagoa LGA, Bayelsa State, HRH, Barrister Morris Lagos; and the Ebeni-Isisibo of Atissa Kingdom, HRH, God’swill Arab Simeon.

Other are: the Ebeni-Otubo, Atissa Kingdom, HRH, Sir Anderson J. Olumo, and his wife, Mrs. Tarila Anderson Olumo; the Deputy Head of Ogu Community, HH, Mission Obugu, and wife of the Ebeni-Ibe of Atissa Kingdom, Mrs. Diemeze Victor Awala.

For the people of Ogu, the festival was more than a celebration of the first harvest, it underscored the importance of preserving cultural traditions, strengthening communal bonds, promoting reconciliation and passing cherished values from one generation to another, while also ensuring that the legacy of their forebears continue to inspire future generations.

Niger Delta

SEEPCO Collaborates Delta, Others In Voluntary Blood Donation Campaign

Published

3 days ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) has partnered the Delta State Government, Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF) and the Nigerian Red Cross Society to promote voluntary blood donation as part of efforts to strengthen the state’s blood supply and save lives.

The initiative, which forms part of SEEPCO’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme for its host communities, aligns with activities marking the 2026 World Blood Donor Day with the theme, “One Drop of Humanity: Give Blood, Save Lives.”

The campaign was conducted across Delta State’s three senatorial districts — Asaba, Ughelli and Warri — where stakeholders sensitised residents on the importance of voluntary, regular and unpaid blood donation as the most sustainable means of ensuring adequate blood supply for healthcare facilities.

The exercise followed a similar campaign in Lagos State, where SEEPCO, in partnership with the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS) and the Nigerian Red Cross Society, mobilised about 550 pints of blood within two days.

VCDF also highlighted the steady growth of its annual blood donation drive, with the number of donors increasing from 98 in 2022 to 147 in 2023, 268 in 2024 and 341 in 2025.

Before the Delta campaign, the foundation had recorded a cumulative total of 1,404 voluntary donors, a feat that earned it the Blood Donation Champion Award from the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service.

At the Central Hospital, Ughelli, the hospital’s management and Blood Transfusion Committee commended SEEPCO, VCDF, the Delta State Ministry of Health and other partners for supporting initiatives aimed at improving access to safe blood for patients.

Speaking during the campaign, Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, described voluntary blood donation as critical to responding to public health emergencies and saving lives during accidents, childbirth and other medical emergencies.

He said: “Voluntary blood donation is important for public health emergencies and to save lives during accidents and childbirth. We are deeply grateful to VCDF and its partners for their commitment to promoting voluntary blood donation and supporting life-saving healthcare initiatives.”

Participants said the awareness campaign had increased public understanding of the importance of blood donation, with many first-time donors expressing willingness to become regular donors after learning about the safety, benefits and life-saving impact of donating blood.

Stakeholders also stressed the need for sustained public enlightenment, noting that a single blood donation could save multiple lives, as the campaign recorded impressive community participation across the three senatorial districts.