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Niger Delta

Edo Community To Hold Historical ‘Itakpo’ Septennial Festival

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2 years ago

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The historical ‘ Itakpo Festival’, popularly known as ‘Feast of Passover’, of Ososo Community in Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, is set to hold after seven years after the last edition.
A member of the community age-group cultural fiesta, Mr Ajamah Afemikhe, told The Tide’s source that the septennial event was slated for February 12.
According to him, the festival acclaimed to be one of the major drivers of tourists to the state, expected participants from within the country and from the diaspora.
“During the February 2024 edition of this festival, the flood gate to the hospitality and tourism potentials of Ososo people are to be flung open for the view and relish of over 500,000 expected visitors.
“The theme of the event is ‘Osunomogwo’, which is chosen to reflect the time-tested bond and unity of the three celebrating kindred comprising of Ubereni, Ukporikpo, and Ugbedu in Okhe quarters of Ososo.
“Itakpo fesitival is patriarchal age-grade initiation, a moment of graduation of boyhood to manhood, it is an elevation to the elder’s assembly in the society.
“It marks the end of the youthful milestone and years of service, labour, and protection of the community and is also the gateway to joining the critical decision-making body of the community”, he said.
According to Afemikhe, Itakpo, also known as ‘Feast of Passover’, also celebrates the historical migration of the people of Ososo from “Ogbe”, a quarter in the ancient Benin Kingdom to its present settlement.
He said the migration of their ancestors took several years as they stayed in many locations before the final settlement at their present location called Ososo.
“As a way of remembrance and to keeping to the promise of our forefathers, celebrants visit various sites and locations in the migration routes to Ososo.
“These sites and locations are the epicenters of activities during the Itakpo festival, the closest modern-day depiction of the Biblical Exodus of the omised land.Israelites from Egypt and their grand entry to the promised land.
“The festival did not just remind us of our travails, the tortuous routs to our present location, and the sacrifices of our heroes past, it reenacts our migration story and experiences.
“The Festival is an epitome of history reminding us of our existence, resilience, victories, courage, and pride, which is the reason erroneous stories written in ink cannot erase our rich history.
“The people of Ososo did not come to this present day location by chance but by sheer dignity which has been a sacred endowment by God and our ancestors”, he said.
Afemikhe explained that the festival was usually flagged off he celebrating group.with sensitisation visits with drumming and dancing by families of participating age groups and collection of kola nuts from every member of the celebrating group.
He added that social activities were also lined up to making the 2024 edition of the festival unique and memorable, including various cultural displays.
This, he said, included cladding of traditional costumes, regalia and fantastic hair-styles adorned by the wives and families of the celebrants.
He added that the septennial festival would also feature musical concerts and the popular ‘Face of Itakpo Beauty Pageant’, among other and side attractions.

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Niger Delta

Court Declares DESTMA Activities Unconstitutional

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7 days ago

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January 12, 2026

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The Delta State High Court sitting in Warri has declared the power of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA) to arrest traffic offenders and impose fines as illegal and unconstitutional.
In a judgment delivered on Wednesday in Suit No. W/348/2016: Chuks Christian Ofili v. Attorney-General of Delta State & Anor, Hon. Justice Ejiro Emudainowho struck down Section 18(1) of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority Law, 2013, holding that it conflicts with the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The court held that DESTMA and its officials lacked the legal authority to impose fines, penalties or sanctions, or to confiscate vehicle number plates without first charging and securing a conviction before a competent court.
Justice Emudainowho ruled that the seizure of the claimant’s number plate and the imposition of a N30,000 fine without trial amounted to a “flagrant violation” of the claimant’s right to fair hearing and freedom of movement under Sections 36(1) and 41(1) of the constitution.
Among other reliefs, the court set aside the “Notification of New Traffic Offences and Penalties” issued against the claimant, ordered the refund of N30,000 paid for the release of the number plate, awarded N500,000 as legal costs and N300,000 as damages, with 10 percent interest per annum.
Reacting to the judgment, the claimant’s counsel, Olukunle Ogheneovo Edun, said the ruling affirms constitutional supremacy.
“The court was clear that only a competent court of law can impose penalties. Administrative agencies cannot assume judicial powers”, he said.
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Niger Delta

COAS Praises Bayelsa On Military Welfare … As Diri Hands Over Residential Quarters To Army Chief

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7 days ago

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January 12, 2026

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The Nigerian Army has commended the Bayelsa State Government for promoting the welfare of its officers and men as part of efforts to enhance peace and security in the state.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, gave the commendation on Thursday when he led other senior military officers on a courtesy/condolence visit to the State Governor, Douye Diri, in Government House, Yenagoa.
Gen. Shaibu praised the Bayelsa government for constructing and handing over residential accommodation to the Nigerian Army 16 Brigade at Elebele.
The army chief noted that the initiative would greatly ease the brigade’s accommodation challenges.
Shaibu, who explained that he was on a maiden operational visit to the state to assess the combat readiness of men and officers of the Command, also commiserated with the governor and the Ewhrudjakpo family on the passing of the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
“My reason for coming here are two-fold. We are here for my maiden operational visit to the 6th Division area of  responsibility, which also covers Bayelsa State.
“I’m also here with a heart of gratitude and appreciation for what you have done for the 16 Brigade, which is the construction and completion of apartments  made up of nine units of three bedroom flats for non-commissioned officers and two blocks of nine units of two bedroom apartments for non-commissioned officers.
“This gesture will go a long way in mitigating the accommodation challenges that the Brigade is facing. It will be a great relief for the Nigerian Army”, he said.
Responding, Diri thanked Gen. Shaibu for acknowledging the modest contribution of the state government towards improving the safety of lives and property of the citizenry.
He lauded the various security agencies for exhibiting a high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
 “I like to use this opportunity to commend the Nigerian Army and other armed forces for what you are doing to ensure that Nigeria is safe and secure. For us in government, we all appreciate and understand that you are making sacrifices for our public safety.
“I implore you to continue to do what you are doing very well at all times. We are always here to support you in whichever form that we can, so that you will also have a conducive environment to enable you discharge your duties creditably.
“l’m equally happy that we were able to start and complete those buildings. We know that, like you rightly said, it will ease the accommodation demands of the officers in the 16 Brigade”, he said.
By; Ariwera  Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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Niger Delta

Eno Inaugurates Committees On TSA, International Airport Status 

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7 days ago

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January 12, 2026

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Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has inaugurated two inter-ministerial committees to supervise the implementation of the International Airport Status for the Victor Attah International Airport, and for the Treasury Single Account for Internally Generated Revenues.
While inaugurating the committees at the Government House, Uyo, Eno expressed confidence in the competence of the members of the committee to achieve the mandate.
“The committees’ establishment marks another strategic step in the administration’s drive to strengthen governance systems.
“It will also ensure the fast-tracking and the completion of major development projects in the state”, the Governor said.
He further said the members of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on International Airport Status Implementation include Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Enobong Uwah, who would serve as the Chairman.
Others are the Commissioner for Finance/Special Duties, Mr. Emem Bob; the Managing Director, Ibom Air, Mr. George Uriesi; and Mr. Ephraim Udosen, Permanent Secretary for Special Duties, among others.
“The Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Implementation of TSA-IGR has Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Emem Bob, as Chairman.
“Others are the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Uko Udom, SAN; Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs,  Mr. Frank Archibong; Commissioner for Lands, Dr. Ubong Inyang, among others.”
The Governor noted that the members’ expertise would contribute significantly to the state’s infrastructural growth and financial stability.
He urged them to intensify efforts and ensure that all preparatory works remained on schedule.
“I charge the committee on the state’s airport with the responsibility of ensuring accelerated progress and meeting all required benchmarks ahead of the facility’s operational kick-off in April, 2026.
“I expect this committee to work tirelessly to ensure the realisation and commencement of full operations at the international airport by the first week of April 2026″, he said.
Eno emphasised the need for transparency, fiscal discipline and effective coordination across government agencies, saying that no agency of government was permitted to operate a single independent account.
He reaffirmed the termination of contracts for consultants on revenue generation, adding that all revenue must be generated and expended through a unified treasury account.
The Governor urged all MDAs to work with the Inter-Ministerial Committee, headed by the Commissioner for Finance to ensure that the expected results were achieved and on time.
He maintained that tenement rates would be paid into the treasury single account and urged full compliance from homeowners across the state.
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