Niger Delta

Oborevwori Tasks Youths On Skills Acquisition

Published

2 years ago

July 1, 2024

Delta State Govervor, Sheriff Oborevwori, Friday, charged youths in the country to acquire skills and financial literacy to become self-employed.
He gave the charge at the Niger Delta Viewpoint Small Medium Enterprises (NDVP-SME) Conference 2024 in Asaba, Delta State.
The theme of the conference was, “Financial Literacy and Skill Acquisition, A Journey To Self Actualisation”.
Oborevwori, represented by his Chief of Staff, Prince Johnson Erijo, said acquisition of skills in various fields was a sure avenue for self development and empowerment.
He called on young people to learn from and emulate successful entrepreneurs by starting businesses of their choice.
“The training of our youths and women in self actualising knowledge and skills to make them economically independent is a welcome development.
“The time has come to wean our people, especially the youths, from depending soley on government for the provision of all human capital development mechanism”, he said.
Noting that government alone cannot employ everybody, he said, “It has become necessary to train our people in various areas where they can become entrepreneurs, grow their businesses and become employers of labour.
“I am happy this programme will train our people in financial literacy. This way, Small and Medium Entrepreneurs can find their way in independently negotiating and accessing funds to grow their businesses”.
The State Government, he continued, has trained thousands of youths, male and female, in skills acquisition in various fields.
The Governor said they have also been empowered to start their chosen businesses on their own.
“We sincerely believe that the State has created a sizeable pool of entrepreneurs capable of revolutionising SMEs in the State.
“It is noteworthy that this initiative covers catering, fashion, IT, both soft and hardware, farming, manufacturing and the creative industry.
“These array of skills acquisition is capable of making participants economically self reliant.
“I urge all participants to pay serious attention and be well equipped in the knowledge of whatever area they have chosen.
“I implore the organisers to lay emphasis on mentoring. Some graduates of skill acquisition often branch off from what they have learnt”, he said.
Earlier, the Founder and Group Managing Director, Kudimata Nigeria Limited, Mrs Kathleen Erhimu, said after working in the financial sector, it became imperative to work for herself while creating value for others.
She said it provided empowerment, training and development to individuals and small-scale businesses in the interest of economic growth.
The Lead Speaker and Founder, House of Tara, Mrs. Tara Fela-Durotoye, Harped on the importance of relationship, reputation and resilience in the business world.
On his part, Mudiaga Enajemo, of Mudi Africa, said he built his brand for over 30 years with talent and self-confidence.
He urged Nigerian youths to build on their talent by undergoing requisite training needed to grow their businesses.
Frank Onosigho, a lawyer who spoke on legal basics for entrepreneurs, said businesses must be registered through the Corporate Affairs Commission CAC.
He also said business should be built on trust and relationships for excellence and sustainability in business.
The Tide’s source reports that Kudimata in conjunction with Prudential Energy, presented N500,000 cheques to each of the 50 beneficiaries to start up their own businesses.

Niger Delta

Navy Pledges Improved Patrols, Welfare Boost For Personnel

Published

20 hours 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

23 hours 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

23 hours 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.