Niger Delta

Eno Flags Off One-Project-Per-LGA In Uyo …Tasks Contractors On Compliance

Published

2 years ago

November 17, 2023

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has laid the foundation for the construction of a Primary Healthcare Centre, flagging-off of the government’s “One Project-Per-Local Government Area” programme in Uyo Senatorial District.
He charged contractors handling works in the programme to ensure strict compliance to the models and specifications for the projects in line with the rural development goals of the ARISE Agenda.
Eno gave the charge at Oboyo Ikot Ita, Nsit Ibom LGA where he laid the foundation for the construction of Primary Healthcare Centre.
He clarified that the choice of the healthcare facility project for Nsit Ibom was the collective wish of the Nsit Ibom stakeholders in line with his administration’s rural development goal of availing communities in the state with functional primary healthcare facilities.
The Governor assured of government’s commitment to funding the project to ensure its completion within record period of 12 weeks, saying that this will be dependent on attainment of measurable milestones and strict compliance with specifications and that machinery has been put in place for monitoring and evaluation.
“We are so happy to be here today to flag off one of our rural projects in Nsit Ibom, using this to flag off others in Uyo Senatorial District.
“We are ready to fund this project as you meet the milestones. We expect that this projects will take just twelve weeks. So, from today, and the next twelve weeks, we should come and commission this project.

“Please note, we have Projects Monitoring and Evaluation Team from the Governor’s Office and we have the Ministry for Special Duties monitoring this project.

“Those two groups must endorse your IPC before one Naira is released. They will come for assessment. Please stay within the specifications”, Eno charged.

The State Governor informed communities across the state that government will only undertake projects selected based on collective interest and resolution of stakeholders in the area, which must be within the budget size appropriated for the One Project-Per-LGA Programme, while urging Council Chairmen to take responsibility for projects sited within their domains.

“I would like to say again that this projects are chosen by the stakeholders. We have given power back to you so that you can also know how power is.

“All we are asking is, sit down together, bring everybody together and choose one project for your Local Government. If you cannot choose, then don’t blame the Governor. The days have gone when one man will answer we. ‘We’ must be total of all the stakeholders in a community.

“Don’t expect the Governor to be involved in a situation where one person who has access to the Governor will appeal to him and bring one project and then brag tomorrow that he brought the project. Let it be ‘us’ that brought the project. That is what I want across this state”, he stated.

The Akwa Ibom State Governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to furthering the agriculture component of the ARISE Agenda towards achieving food sufficiency and therefore solicited the cooperation of communities with the State Government in providing lands for the Ibom Model Farm Projects.

Presenting an overview of the project, the Commissioner for Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport, Dr. Bassey Okon, said the Oboyo Ikot Ita Health Center upon completion will be equipped with male and female wards, injection room, a pharmacy, kitchen, restaurant, two semi-detachable bungalows and the premises furnished with a good landscape and good parking space for the staff and patients.

Stakeholders, including the Member representing Nsit Ibom State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Eric Akpan, and General Paul Isang rtd., in their goodwill messages, expressed the profound gratitude of the people of the area to the Governor for favouring Nsit Ibom as starting point for the programme for Uyo Senatorial District.

They acknowledged the siting of the healthcare facility in the rural Oboyo Ikot Ita Community as a timely response to the yearnings of Nsit Ibom people.

By: Christopher Tom, Uyo

Niger Delta

INC Polls: Ogoriba Pledges To Continuously Stand For N’Delta Rights … Picks Presidential Form

Published

3 days ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

Human Rights Activist and founding father of the Movement for the Survival of the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality of the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), Elder Timi Kaiser Ogoriba, has said he would continue to advocate for the environmental and human rights of the people of the Niger Delta, especially his Ijaw kinsmen.

Ogoriba who doubles as the current Vice-Chairman of the Bayelsa State founding fathers forum made the pledge at the Ijaw House, headquarters of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), in Yenagoa, capital of the State, while fielding questions from newsmen shortly after picking his interest form for the position of president in the 2026 polls of the national executive council of the body.

The Odi-born activist who described the foremost Pan-Ijaw umbrella parent body as the envy of many sister ethnic groups in the nation, noted that he played pivotal roles in the formative stages of both the INC and its youth body, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC).

He expressed confidence in the activities of the body, saying he would continue to work with all relevant stakeholders to reposition the Pan-Ijaw group for greater achievements when elected as President come February, 2026.

“I’m still ready to go to trenches because of Ijaw nation. For those who knew me before now, you’ll recall that I have gone to trenches several times because of my love for the Ijaw people.

“Today as an ethnic group, we’re the envy of every other tribe. And that’s because we’ve all it takes for others to envy us. Today the INC has become the pride of everyone, including many who don’t know how we started it. And I’m not detered by the propaganda against my candidacy. I’m determined to win and continue my service to the Ijaw nation.

“I was part of the struggle in 1991 when the INC was formed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. I’ve all it takes to lead the INC as President. But the INC under my leadership will not be a ‘T. K. Ogoriba thing alone’. I’ll need all of you and every Son and daughter of Ijaw nation to lead us well when elected”, he said.

The Presidential hopeful, who also bared his mind on issues of Resource control and true-federalism, restated his commitment towards ensuring that the Niger Delta region was given fair treatment by Government.

He stressed the need for the INC to synergize with other ethnic nationalities of the Niger Delta region for positive results, saying he would also ensure that there is mutual respect and understanding amongst and between stakeholders of the Ijaw nation and other sister ethnic groups to fast track the processes of growth and development of the region.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Edo Partners Stakeholders For Better Land, Housing Services

Published

4 days ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

The Edo State government has reaffirmed its commitment to strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to enhance effective service delivery in the lands and housing sector across the state.

Commissioner for Ministry of Lands and Housing, Mr. Yakubu Musa, made this known on Thursday, when he met with members of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in Benin.

Musa emphasised the importance of synergy and collaboration to drive sustainable development in the state.

He said, ‘’The ministry is taking steps to sanitise and regulate the real estate industry to make sure Edo citizens get maximum satisfaction from the lands and housing sector.’’

Earlier, the Chairman of the Association, Mr. Roger Isiokhere, said the visit was to formally acquaint the commissioner with the institution’s activities.

Isiokhere expressed the institution’s readiness to work closely with the ministry in achieving its mandate, offering professional advisory services and other forms of support.

The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Joy Akhigbe, also stressed the importance of collaboration.

In attendance at the meeting were the Surveyor-General of the State, Directors, and other management staff of the Ministry of Lands and Housing.

Niger Delta

Otu Reiterates Commitment To Support Military Veterans, Families

Published

4 days ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of military veterans and their families.

Otu, who spoke at the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Calabar on Thursday, said his administration would not forget the contributions of fallen heroes.

Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Peter Odey, the Governor described the armed forces remembrance day as a reminder of the sacrifices made by military veterans to keep Nigeria united and peaceful.

“The lesson is to remember our fallen heroes, people who sacrificed for the country, many of them paid with their lives to protect this nation”, he said.

Otu further said widows of late military officers would continue to be part of his government’s programmes and interventions.

“All widows are being carried along, the Commissioner for Social Welfare ensures their inclusion in every programme”, he said.

Earlier, the Cross River State Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Daniel Ojugbo, said the ceremony was not only an honour for fallen heroes, but a time to reflect on the challenges being faced by military veterans and their families.

Ojugbo said families of fallen military officers faced delayed welfare benefits, limited medical care and unemployment for their widows and other dependants.

He commended Otu for his support, saying that his administration had shown genuine and remarkable concerns for the legion and its members.

Also speaking, the Coordinator, Military Widows in the state, Mrs. Miriam Orok, thanked the Governor for improved treatment and inclusion in welfare interventions.

“We are actually seeing better changes under our Governor. He has been carrying us along, and we are very grateful. We also thank the governor’s wife for her sense of compassion”, she said.

The Tide’s source reports that the event featured prayers, wreath-laying, and tributes to the fallen heroes.