Niger Delta

A’Ibom Commits To Educational Advancement

Published

2 years ago

November 17, 2023

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has stated that his government will continue to prioritise investment in educational development.
The Governor gave the assurance at the combined convocation ceremonies of the University of Uyo, at the TETFund Auditorium, Main Campus of the university.
He noted that education is one of the pillars of the ARISE Agenda, and that government is investing in education beginning from the foundation to tertiary.
Eno, an alumnus of the University of Uyo and a Ph.D candidate, stated that as part of his administration’s commitment to actualise the educational advancement component of the ARISE Agenda, the state government will continue to support UNIUYO to enhance its pursuit of academic excellence, expressing hope that products of the institution will continue to contribute to the development of the State and society in general.
The Governor congratulated the university on its successful combined convocation and felicitated with the 14,866 graduating students of the university, and those conferred with Honorary Doctorate Degrees.
He also expressed the gratitude of the government and people of the State to the Chief Visitor of the university, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; the university’s Chancellor, Emir of Hadejia; Chairman, Jigawa State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Abubakar Adamu Maje; Vice Chancellor, Professor Nyaudo Ndaeyo; Senate and Management of the University of Uyo, for their contributions to the advancement of education in the State through the university.
Eno commended the strides recorded by Professor Ndaeyo since his assumption of office as Vice Chancellor, especially for successfully hosting the combined convocation to formally celebrate the graduation of the 26th, 27th and current 28th sets who were caught in the web of the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected the institution’s academic calendar.
“I commend you on the successful hosting of this joint convocation. Let me particularly pay special tribute to the Vice Chancellor, Professor Nyaudoh Ndaeyo, on his strides since assumption of office. You’re not just a pacesetter, but a shinning and worthy ambassador of all of us, and as the saying goes, a good job done means more jobs to be done. We know and trust that you will excel.
“Our administration will continue to work with the University of Uyo and indeed all other universities and tertiary institutions in the State.
“We will support them, because education is one of the pillars of our ARISE Agenda and we’ll continue to demonstrate good faith working with you and supporting you as much as possible,” the Governor assured.
On his part, the Chancellor of the university, Alhaji Abubakar Adamu Maje, CON, also felicitated with the graduands and charged them not to see their academic attainment as an end, but a means to an end, and challenged them to think out of the box of white collar jobs and launch themselves into the present world of innovation, resourcefulness and creativity.
The Jigawa Royal Father congratulated Governor Eno on his emergence as Governor of the State, while calling for stronger collaborations between the Federal and State Governments to advance education as a catalyst for the needed development of Nigeria.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ndaeyo, expressed gratitude to the Visitor, Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Eno, and other Governors for their support and goodwill towards the school and its graduands.
Professor Ndaeyo said the University of Uyo was proud of having Eno as its first alumnus to be a Governor of the state, and for his leadership disposition and gains recorded for the the state and the institution.

By: Christopher Tom, Uyo

Niger Delta

Navy Pledges Improved Patrols, Welfare Boost For Personnel

Published

3 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has pledged to ensure improved welfare for personnel and more patrols on the maritime corridors of the nation.

He disclosed this during an on the spot assessment of things at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Calabar, on Wednesday.

According to him, there is the need for officers to always be ready, by improving on their welfare, in a bid to keep the country secured.

“I am here for an on the spot assessment of our operations and like you have seen, I have also gone round to check the ongoing buildings.

”These are welfare issues and for us to be able to have our men ready and keep us secured, their welfare needs to be catered for.

“So, we are here to kill two birds with one stone, which are basically operations and welfare issues.

”I am happy with what the command is doing; it is doing well in terms of keeping the maritime environment safe.

“We will continue doing what we are doing and improve on that, which is patrol of the waters and increase in the area of surveillance”, he stated.

As part of his visit, Abbas commissioned the 12×1 Junior Rates Accommodation Block A and B, at the Navy Barracks at Atimbo in Calabar.

The naval chief also inspected other ongoing projects in the Akim Barracks, 1006 flats and the Navy hotel, all within Calabar.

Niger Delta

Delta Begins Uromi Junction Flyover Construction

Published

3 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State Government says it has began construction work on the long-awaited Uromi Junction Flyover Bridge in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of the state.

Director-General (DG) of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr. Fred Oghenesivbe, confirmed the development to newsme in Asaba.

According to him, heavy-duty construction equipment have arrived the site, a project which is being handled by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, one of the country’s leading construction firms.

Oghenesivbe, described the flyover as a massive infrastructure project with far-reaching socio-economic benefits for the area.

He said the project would significantly transform the Agbor metropolis by easing traffic congestion, improving the city’s aesthetics, and boosting commercial activities within the local government area.

He described the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, as a promise-keeper and pragmatic leader whose administration remains committed to infrastructure development and economic growth across the state.

The DG expressed confidence in Julius Berger’s capacity to deliver the project within record time and according to the highest construction standards.

“The Uromi Junction serves as a major link between different parts of the country but has recently been plagued by severe traffic congestion, making vehicular movement increasingly difficult”, he noted.

He urged residents to cooperate with the contractor and safeguard construction materials and equipment to ensure the timely completion of the project.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Rejects Ekid Ownership Claim Of Stubbs Creek

Published

3 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State Government has rejected claims by the Ekid People’s Union that it owns land within the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, describing such assertions as “false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

In a recent statement, signed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, the state government said it was compelled to respond in the “overriding public interest,” despite a pending court case instituted by the same group.

The government stated that contrary to claims circulating in the media, the historic case of Ntiaro and Ikpak vs. Ibok Etok Akpan and Edoho Ekid, decided by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in 1918, did not vest ownership of Stubbs Creek land in any ethnic group or community.

“The final judgement merely dismissed the claims before the court and granted title to no party whatsoever”, the government stated, adding that “any assertion to the contrary is false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

According to the statement, the land was lawfully reserved by the colonial government under Forest Reserve Order No. 45 of 1930, later amended in 1941, 1955 and 1962, with “the principal rights of the land forfeited to the Government upon the change of status.”

It said the area has since been administered under applicable laws by the Akwa Ibom State Government, which “has at all times acted within its lawful authority in the management and allocation of land in the area for legitimate public and economic purposes.”

Citing the 1999 Constitution and the Land Use Act, the government stated that all land in the state is vested in the governor to be held in trust for the common benefit of Nigerians, noting that claims of absolute ancestral ownership are subject to existing laws.

The government “categorically denies allegations of fraud or misrepresentation” regarding Stubbs Creek or investments there and warned it would take “appropriate legal steps” against any individual or group publishing false or defamatory material capable of undermining public confidence or discouraging investment

The statement also assured the federal government of “full access and Right of Way” for the proposed Coastal Highway through any part of the state.

The government statement followed an earlier report in which the Ekid People’s Union accused Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State of making comments that allegedly linked the community to terrorism, while he was defending the Coastal Highway project passing through the Stubbs Creek.

Ekid People’s Union maintained that the people of Ekid are the original owners of the land known as Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, arguing that their ancestral ownership predates colonial rule.

The group cited historical occupation, customary ownership and a 1918 Privy Council case, which it claimed affirmed Ekid rights over the territory.

The union also accused the Akwa Ibom State Government of misrepresenting history to justify taking over the land for commercial interests and the proposed Coastal Highway, an allegation the state government has denied.

The group rejected any suggestion linking the Ekid people to criminality or terrorism, insisting they were peaceful citizens defending their ancestral land through lawful and civic means.