Niger Delta
S/Korea Trains Bayelsa Agric Officers, Donates Tractors
The Republic of South Korea has completed the training of 10 officials and Directors from the Bayelsa State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
The intensive capacity building on sustainable agricultural development programme, which was fully funded by the Korean government under the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), involved the training of the Chief Agricultural Engineer, Chief Agricultural Officer, Chief Livestock Officer (ADP), and the Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Officers.
Others were the Director of Agricultural Services, the Livestock Officer (Veterinary), a representative of the School-To-Land Programme, and the Commissioner for Agriculture, Prof Beke Sese.
The Asian country also donated two farming tractors to the State Government as part of its support for the state’s agricultural development initiative and contribution to its food security.
The Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, who attended the closing ceremony last weekend in Seoul, applauded the support of the Korean government.
Governor Diri expressed gratitude, particularly to the immediate past Republic of Korea Ambassador to Nigeria, Kim Young-Chae, for being a true “friend of Bayelsa” and for facilitating the training programme.
“I’m happy that by this capacity building training involving the top echelon of our Ministry of Agriculture, Bayelsa has also benefited from the technological advancement of Korea. I hope and believe they will make positive use of the training and will impart the knowledge acquired back home.
“Let me particularly express our gratitude to a friend of Bayelsa State, Ambassador Kim, who made this training possible. Before he left Nigeria, he also facilitated the shipping of two farming tractors to our state. We are most grateful to him.
“Based on this new relationship, I believe it will be a win-win for Korea, Nigeria and Bayelsa State. I believe this is the beginning of a relationship that will boost the development of Bayelsa.
“I have directed my officials to commence discussions with the Jeonbuk State, a self-governing Korean Province, on areas of collaboration.
“I commend the Managing Director of RISTI (Research Institute of Sustainable Technology and Innovation Consulting), all its organs, and, of course, KOICA for the fantastic training and the job you have done.
“This is one of the ways to bring unity to the world. We do not need production of arms and armament, which are shipped to other countries to kill ourselves. Let us instead export knowledge, machines and products that will benefit mankind and not those that will kill us”, he said.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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Niger Delta
INC Polls: Ogoriba Pledges To Continuously Stand For N’Delta Rights … Picks Presidential Form
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
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.
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.
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