Niger Delta

TotalEnergies Commissions Seven Projects In Rivers Communities

Published

2 years ago

January 31, 2024

As part of sustained deliberate corporate responsibility to improve the wellbeing of its host communities in Rivers State, the Total Energies EP Nigeria Limited, has inaugurated some key projects aimed at improving the living standard of its OML58 host communities across Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The projects inaugurated by Total Energies E P Nigeria Limited in partnership with NNPCL/TEPNG Joint Ventures include Obite Guest House/Holiday Resort; Obiyebe community housing unit and a modern market; renovated six classroom blocks (A&B); staff quarter and Corpers Lodge at Community Secondary School, Obagi. Also commissioned is Comprehensive High School’s staff quarter in Idu Obosukwu as well as 0.8kilometre Akurike Road in Oboburu community, all in Ogba/Egbema /Ndoni Local Government Area.
Speaking at the project commissioning held at the various communities in ONELGA, yesterday, the Deputy Managing Director, Joint Venture Asset Total Energies EP Nigeria Limited, Mr Guillaume Dulout expressed happiness that the projects commissioned would satisfy identified needs and also meet the welfare aspirations of the various OML 58 host communities.
Mr Dulout, who was represented at the occasion by the General Manager, Community Affairs and Development, CAPD, Total Energies EP Nigeria Limited, Engr Godspower Nwachukwu stated that the projects were carefully nominated by the communities where they are sited and were executed using community MoU development project model.
“These projects were conceived to address specific needs in the communities and to improve the people’s standard of living. I encourage the communities to take ownership of these completed projects and to put them into good use for the benefit of every one”, he said.
According to him, the completion of these projects at record time, when the nation’s economy is facing serious challenges, speaks volumes of the NNPCL/TEPNG JV partners’ commitment to communities where we operate, adding that it is a testament to sustaining the successful partnership with host communities.
“It is important to mention that as we are transiting from the MoU regime to the PIA era,it behooves our host communities to constructively engage their representatives in the Host Community Development Trust and objectively select projects and programmes that would be of benefit to the generality of the people rather than serving the interest of a select few”, he said.
“In conclusion, let me use this medium to congratulate the community vendors who executed the projects we are commissioning today. It is a testament to your ability to perform creditably when given the opportunity within the context of the local content policy,” he stated.
Also speaking, Group Managing Director (GMD), NNPC Nigeria Limited, Mr Bala Wuiti represented by the Deputy Manager, External Relations, NNPCL, Nigeria Limited, Mrs Edith .O. Lawson commended the communities for ensuring that the projects were executed as planned, adding that the projects stand as an embodiment of hope where communities’ progress can be achieved through shared ideas and visions for positive change.
He said NNPCL and its partners have at different times implemented various intervention programmes in the areas of education, skills acquisition, health and provision of solar power, among others.
The NNPCL GMD assured that it would consistently champion the implementation of community sustainability projects that would impact positively on the lives of the citizens of the country. “These projects are more than building and stones but are stimulus for change”, he stated.
In his own speech, the CDC Chairman of Obite community expressed gratitude to Total Energies Nigeria Limited and its partners for making the completion of the projects a reality, despite the hiccups encountered during the conception of the projects.

Akujobi Amadi

Niger Delta

Okpebholo Assures Corps Members Of Improved Welfare

Published

4 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has assured corps members deployed to the state of improved welfare and a supportive service year.

Okpebholo gave the assurance at the swearing-in ceremony of the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream I corps members last Friday at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Permanent Orientation Camp in Okada.

The Governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, safety and entrepreneurship.

Represented by the Commissioner for Youth Affairs, Mrs. Charity Amayaenvbo, the Governor urged corps members to embrace innovation, community service and self-reliance rather than wait for white-collar jobs.

“Edo is committed to supporting youth empowerment, entrepreneurship and incentives that turn ideas into enterprises.

“Do not wait for jobs, create value. Wherever you are posted, serve your host community with humility, dedication and compassion.

“Have a positive footprint and let your service contribute to unity, productivity and progress,” he said.

Okpebholo assured the corps members that the state government was attentive to their welfare and had started addressing key concerns raised by the NYSC leadership.

“On behalf of the state government, I assure you of our support in terms of safety, an enabling environment and a rewarding service year.

“I listened carefully to the requests highlighted by the state coordinator, and I am glad to inform you that some of them have already been captured in the 2026 budget, which has been approved and signed into law,” he said.

The Governor noted that provisions for accommodation, meal subsidies, logistics and the construction of a multipurpose hall at the camp were included in the budget.

Earlier in her address, the Edo State Coordinator of the NYSC, Dr. Frances Ben-Ushie, described the ceremony as a reflection of the state government’s commitment to youth development and national integration.

Ben-Ushie said as of midnight on Thursday, a total of 1,235 prospective corps members, comprising 531 males and over 700 females, had been duly registered.

She congratulated the corps members on their enlistment into what she described as a “noble scheme,” urging them to embrace discipline, learning and active participation throughout the orientation course.

“The NYSC platform provides a unique avenue to meet people from diverse backgrounds, build lifelong friendships and create networks that can open doors to greater opportunities,” she said.

Ben-Ushie also highlighted the contributions of the NYSC to the state’s development, noting that the scheme had consistently provided skilled manpower, promoted labour mobility and strengthened national unity.

She cited initiatives such as the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers and the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme as key interventions benefiting communities across the state.

The NYSC coordinator commended the state government for its support, including the provision of buses for corps members, and appealed for further intervention to address lingering operational challenges at the orientation camp.

She expressed confidence that resolving the issues would enhance the effectiveness of NYSC programmes in the state and thanked the Governor for prioritising the welfare, security and growth of corps members.

Niger Delta

PDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority

Published

4 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

The Edo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday condemned the state government’s reported plan to establish a state-owned airline.

The party, in a statement by its Edo State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dan Osa-Ogbegie, described the proposal as a misplaced priority and evidence of poor, disconnected governance.

The Tide’s source reports that the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, unveiled the airline plan during a meeting with Aviation Minister, Mr. Festus Keyamo, in Abuja.

Osa-Ogbegie said the proposal showed a government out of touch with the pressing challenges confronting Edo State residents.

“At a time of decaying infrastructure and stalled projects, establishing an airline is unrealistic and profoundly insensitive”, he said.

He argued that airlines were capital-intensive and technically demanding, noting that similar state-owned ventures in Nigeria had largely failed.

According to him, Benin has become a shadow of what a modern state capital should be.

He decried poor roads, collapsed urban planning, neglected drainage systems and weak municipal services across the state capital.

“This is a crying shame for a city of Benin’s history, heritage and enormous potential”, he said.

Osa-Ogbegie said several inherited projects had stalled or deteriorated, eroding investor confidence and undermining economic growth.

He accused the governor of pursuing “white elephant projects that offer optics without substance.”

He also cited ongoing flyover projects in parts of Benin as examples of poor prioritisation.

Against this background, he described the airline proposal as diversionary and lacking economic sense.

“When roads are barely motorable and services overstretched, proposing an airline betrays an absence of judgment,” he said.

He urged the government to abandon the plan and focus on people-centred priorities that would improve living conditions and spur growth.

“Edo does not need an airline to fly above its problems. It needs a government ready to confront them on the ground,” he said.

He warned that failure to refocus would deepen perceptions of an administration lacking direction, competence and a coherent development agenda.

Niger Delta

Students Protest Non-indigene Appointment As Rector in C’River

Published

4 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

Students of Federal Polytechnic, Ugep, Cross River State, have protested to the Governor’s Office in Calabar over an alleged plan to appoint a non-indigene as Rector for the institution.

Carrying placards with various inscriptions, the students demanded respect for catchment area policy, local content, and the appointment of an indigene of the state as Rector of the institution.

Speaking on behalf of the students in Calabar, Stephen Etem said the protest sought to alert the Federal and Cross River State Governments to an alleged deviation from the established rectorial selection process.

Etem said a Governing Council, chaired by Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa, was constituted by the Federal Government to conduct the Rector selection exercise.

“The screening, which began last year, reportedly produced a Cross River State indigene as highest scorer and recommended candidate.

“Information available to us suggests that the alleged recommended candidate’s name might be substituted at the Federal Ministry of Education.

“We urge the Federal Government to uphold the council’s recommendation because altering the process could threaten peace in the institution,” he noted.

Responding at the Government House, Mr. Goddie Akpama, the Special Adviser on Intelligence to the State Governor, Bassey Otu, appealed for calm, saying the Governor was away but would be briefed.

Akpama advised the students to submit written petitions through appropriate channels, avoid inflammatory language, and engage authorities to ensure stability and uninterrupted academic activities.