Niger Delta

Diri To Complete Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie Road Project

Published

3 years ago

October 18, 2023

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said by next year when the Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie Road is completed, the people of Southern Ijaw will drive cars to their local government headquarters, Oporoma, for the first time.
He stated this, last Thursday, at Ekowe Community when he paid courtesy visit on the Ibenanawei of Bomo Clan, King Joshua Igbugburu, and other paramount rulers of the kingdom who gathered at the palace.
He also said his administration would award the contract for the construction of the next phase of the project from Aguobiri to Eniwari community.
“For us, Bomo Clan is our home because this is not the first time we are coming for your royal blessings. You have been very kind to us. We came to receive your blessings as usual. You are one king who has held on to God firmly and we want to continue to wish you a successful reign.
“In almost four years of our administration, we have embarked on projects that touch lives, particularly the Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie road, which everyone is happy about. We needed to fast-track development of the state.
“When you give me your mandate for a second term, by next year we will drive to Oporoma because that is the target given to us. Thereafter, we will also award the next phase of the project from Aguobiri to Eniwari community”, he said.
The Governor said his passion for providing road infrastructure was borne out of the need to accelerate the pace of development of the state, particularly in the rural areas and improve the living standards of the people.
At the palace, Diri offered scholarship to Princess Diseye Tombie to university level after the young girl did a beautiful presentation on the Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie Road and other projects of the Prosperity Administration.
In his remarks, spokesman of the Bomo Council of Chiefs, Dr Sample Koko, commended the Governor for his developmental strides and assured him and his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, of victory in the November 11 polls.
Governor Diri and his Deputy received royal blessings from King Igbugburu, just as they were each presented a copy of the Bible.
Diri also laid the foundation of a new palace for the monarch.
Addressing a mammoth crowd at the campaign rally ground, the state’s helmsman expressed gratitude to the people for the warm reception accorded him and his entourage.
He disclosed that as part of the constituency’s projects for Ekowe, a 500KVA generator set was provided to light up the community.
“We are interested in your development and we have demonstrated that through our legacy projects and programmes.
“During last year’s flood, we came here to sympathise with you and gave you support to alleviate your plight. But members of the opposition that are campaigning now, did you see them here?
“For five years that Timipre Sylva was Governor of this state and his four years as Minister of State for Petroleum, did he think about you or the Central Senatorial Road?
“Instead he was in his comfort zone while we were there for you. So we expect you to reciprocate our gesture by giving us your mandate for another term”, he said.
Also, Director General of the Bayelsa PDP Governorship Campaign Council, Hon. Mitema Obordor, urged the people to support the Diri and Ewhrudjakpo ticket because the Governor has introduced a new political order that brought about peace, unity and development in the state.
Addressing chiefs, elders, women and youths of Igbomotoru Federated Communities 1 and 2, Diri said he had directed that solar lights be installed in the communities.
He further stated that the community’s town hall accommodating flood victims be completed before the end of this month and that work on the approved concrete roads would commence soon.
Former House of Representatives member for Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency, Henry Ofongo, Technical Adviser to the Governor on Local Government, Nigeria Kia, and the Bayelsa Central PDP Vice Chairman, Wisdom Nathan, said the community had always supported PDP and it will be the same on November 11.
At Peremabiri, Diri stressed the need for the people to work with government to promote peace and good governance.
The campaign trail also visited Opuama and Eniwari Communities.

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.