Niger Delta

Diri Wants Intensified Action On Resource Control, Restructuring

Published

2 years ago

October 21, 2024

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has called on the Ijaw nation and other well-meaning Nigerians to unite and re-strategise on the quest for resource control and restructuring of the country.
He stated this last Thursday at the 9th memorial anniversary of late first civilian governor of the State, Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha in Yenagoa, the state’s capital.
Governor Diri was represented at the event by the state’s Deputy Governor, Senate Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Deputy Governor, Mr. Doubara Atasi, quoted the Governor as eulogising the late ex-governor as a true nationalist who succeeded in building bridges of unity between Ijaw nation and other ethnic groups in the country.
Diri stressed that the issues of injustice, environmental pollution and economic exclusion, which the late Alamieyeseigha agitated against alongside his contemporaries, have not yet been achieved and called for concerted efforts to sustain the agitation.
According to the Bayelsa governor, the late former governor made indelible contributions to the development of Nigeria and the state and left behind legacy of courage in the quest to improve the lives of his people.
Diri noted that the departed civilian governor’s passion for the empowerment of the ljaw people led him to establish the Niger Delta University for their educational advancement, adding that Alamieyeseigha’s good deeds earned him accolades such as Governor General of Ijaw nation and Champion of Resource Control.
He encouraged the Alamieyeseigha family not to despair, assuring that they will always have the support of the government and people of the state.
“Chief Alamieyeseigha is being remembered and celebrated today not because of his passage, but for his heroic efforts and display of courage in fighting against injustice, environmental degradation and the achievement of the 13 percent derivation principle.
‘’Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha and his colleagues sustained the struggle for resource control and true federalism. But the question is: have we truly attained his ideals? The answer is quite obvious.
“Therefore, there is a call for action. Let us restrategize and pursue the ideals for which Alamieyeseigha lived and died. There is need for solidarity to pursue good governance, we must stand up for our resources”, governor Diri said.
In his lecture titled, “Economic and Political Restructuring, and Sustainable Development Nexus in Nigeria: Revisiting DSP Alamieyeseigha’s Position”, guest lecturer and Professor of Political Science in the Niger Delta University, Ambily Etekpe, stated that the agitation for resource ownership, control and management in Nigeria had metamorphosed into the current debate on economic and political restructuring of the country.
Etekpe posited that Alamieyeseigha championed the agenda for resource control when he realized that the bulk of the Niger Delta oil-wealth was siphoned to develop other parts of the country.
According to the guest lecturer, for Alamieyeseigha’s position to be achieved, there must be devolution of power, restructuring of institutions, a brand new people-focused constitution, reinvigoration of the state economy, amongst others.
The memorial event also featured a symposium which focused on the theme of the public lecture, featuring prominent scholars and academics, amongst whom were, Professor Stephen Olali, Professor Philips Okolo, Dr. Timitimi Ebisinkemefa, and Dr. Oyeinfie Jonjon.
They submitted that many benefits had accrued to Bayelsa and the Niger Delta as a direct result of Alamieyeseigha’s dogged fight for resource control, such as the Federal Government’s Amnesty Programme, the Ministry of Niger Delta, among others.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the Technical Adviser to Governor Diri on Sports, Mr. Opukeme Alaowei, Lady Love Amaseimogha, and Prof. Steve Azaiki, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Africa, Toru Orua, Prof. Barclays Ayakorom.
Speaking on behalf of the Alamieyeseigha Family, Hon. Salo Akpoebide Alamieyeseigha, expressed gratitude to Governor Diri for making good his last year’s promise that the State Government would continue to sponsor the annual memorial event of the late former governor.
Dignitaries at the event included the wife of the late former governor, Mrs. Margaret Alamieyeseigha, top government functionaries, traditional rulers, including the former military governor of Rivers State and Amanyanabo of Town-Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, and the Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Pro-Chancellor Hands Over Okey Onuchuku Peace, Conflict Institute Building

Published

1 day ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

History was made on Wednesday 17th June, 2026 when the Okey Onuchuku Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies building was handed over to Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE).

Speaking during the hand over ceremony, which attracted an array of personalities from various works of life, the 13th Pro-Chancellor and Governing Council Chairman of IAUE, Chief Chinyere Igwe, commended the Vice Chancellor of IAUE, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, for giving back to the University with the institute’s building project.

While affirming that Government cannot do it all, he encouraged individuals, corporate organizations, institutional partners to ensure the growth of University education in Nigeria.

He praised Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) for sustaining University Education in Nigeria, and called for good initiatives and support “that will not only benefit the University, but put IAUE on the map of academic excellence in Nigeria and beyond.”

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Onuchuku, expressed gratitude to his wife, Mrs. Chika Onuchuku, and family for all the support given for the vision achieved.

He also thanked his close associates, political friends, well-wishers, and others who donated generously towards the building project.

“The growth of Universities all over the world”, Professor Onuchuku said, “comes from personal efforts of individuals, alumni associations and others.”

He noted that donations as being witnessed is the best way to go and called on all to invest in the Nigerian education system and immortalize their names with worthwhile donations and contributions..

The Okey Onuchuku Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies building, he further stated, “is donated as a Professorial Chair with the Dean of Postgraduate School, Professor Chibuzor Chile Nwobueze, also a Professor of Peace Studies, as the occupant of the Professorial Chair.

Giving his address, the Director, Okey Onuchuku Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, Professor Kingdom Elendu Ohia Nwaenyi, lauded Professor Okechuku Onuchuku for sacrificing his hard earned salaries, allowances and funds raised from two volumes of textbooks in his honour and titled “Perspectives on Nigeria’s Development”, launched on his 60th birthday.

He noted that the project is the first legacy to be accomplished by any serving Vice Chancellor in the institution.

Professor Nwaenyi stated that the Institute mounted five programmes: Peace and Conflict Studies; Peace Building and Development; Peace Building and Security Studies; Peace Building and Conflict Management; and Peace Education.

The institute, he explained, has birthed over fifty students running programmes in Postgraduate Diploma, M.A, M.Sc, M. Phil, and PhD.

Thirty students are in the PhD programme, fifteen are admitted into the Masters and M.Phil, and eight in Postgraduate Diploma Programme.

He expressed hoped that the Institute would check litigation and provide alternative dispute resolution.

In a vote of thanks, the Chairman, Okey Onuchuku Peace and Conflict Studies and Dean of Postgraduate School, Professor Chibuzor Chile Nwobueze, thanked God for His grace and enablement.

He prayed for the donor and Vice Chancellor of IAUE, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, and further expressed his gratitude to Professor Isaac Olawale Albert, the third most cited Peace Scholar in the world, for his collaboration in developing a world class curriculum.

While thanking all who supported and celebrated with the University in this regard, Professor Nwobueze assured the public that the Okey Onuchuku institute of Peace and Conflict Studies will emerge as a centre of excellence, contributing meaningfully to scholarship, policy formulation, community engagement and the promotion of peaceful coexistence within Nigeria, Africa and the global Community.

The Institute, he stated, is willing to partner with the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP) in line with its mandate to promote peace studies, Peace building, Conflict Management and sustainable development.

The institute has over four lecture halls with sixty to one hundred and twenty capacity, a befitting conference hall, offices for staff and a library.

A donation of one million naira was made during the event for the best two graduating students of the institute by Barrister Nyema Wagbara, the Leader of Dynamic Development Club of Port Harcourt based in Rumuolumeni.

Each of the two best graduating students will get the sum of five hundred thousand naira.

The event featured goodwill messages from Professor Isaac Albert, Professor Alwell Nteegah, the Chairman of Society for Peace Studies and Practice, Rivers State Chapter, Dr. Benjamin Ibietonye.

Dr. Emem Nyewene presented the goodwill message of the Society for Peace Studies and Practice National.

Others who gave goodwill messages are Ambassador Green Isaac, the Country Director, Relief International Africa, and Comrade Levi Zachariah George, Chairman Postgraduate Students Association.

The event also featured rendition for Professor Okechuku Onuchuku by Dr Maria Abidiak.

Niger Delta

Oborevwori Commends Police Over Arrest Of Electric Cable Vandals

Published

1 day ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Saturday commended the State Police Command for the arrest of two suspected electric cable vandals and the recovery of vandalised cables, describing the operation as a major step in protecting critical public infrastructure across the state.

In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Festus Ahon, Oborevwori praised the Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, officers and men of the Command for their prompt response and sustained commitment to combating criminal activities, particularly the vandalism of government-owned facilities.

He also commended the local vigilante group for their support and corporation with security agencies in the state, adding that the arrest demonstrated the government’s resolve to safeguard public assets and ensure that investments in infrastructure continue to serve the people without disruption.

The Police in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said operatives of the Kwale Police Station, working in collaboration with members of a local vigilante group, acted on credible intelligence on June 25, 2026, and stormed the Ibabu–Ugiliamai Road where suspected vandals were allegedly dismantling and stealing electric cables.

The suspects reportedly attempted to flee on sighting the security team, but were apprehended during the operation.

One of the suspects sustained injuries and is currently receiving treatment at a hospital, while the other remains in police custody.

The suspects were identified as Osakwe Sunday, 28, and Ekene Obocha, 34. The vandalised electric cables were recovered as exhibits.

Commending the operation, the Governor urged residents to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible information that would aid in the fight against crime.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting public infrastructure and maintaining a safe and secure environment for all Deltans.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, warned criminal elements to desist from vandalising government critical infrastructure and other public assets, stressing that the Command would continue to identify, arrest and prosecute offenders.

He also appealed to members of the public to sustain their cooperation with the police by volunteering useful information capable of preventing crime and bringing offenders to justice.

Niger Delta

We’ll Study INC’s Reconciliation Committee Report – Diri

Published

2 days ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said his administration would study the recommendations of the Reconciliation Committee of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and consult widely before implementation.

He expressed optimism that the recommendations of the committee would foster peace, progress, stability and reposition the Ijaw nation for greater relevance in Nigeria.

He stated this at the weekend while receiving the report from the eight-man committee in Government House, Yenagoa.

The Tide gathered that the report followed its inauguration by the Governor on May 26, 2026 with the mandate of reconciling aggrieved interests in the INC after a disputed presidential election.

Diri lauded members of the committee for painstakingly putting the report together within the stipulated timeframe of one month, saying nothing less than excellence was expected.

He added that the committee delivered a report that speaks to the divisions and future possibilities of the Ijaw people, describing the INC as the highest institutional expression of the identity and historic aspirations of the people.

“We cannot stand aloof while such a vital institution drifts without direction. The Congress and the people rise or fall together.

“You were given a sacred mandate: to find reasons to stay together. You have discharged it with diligence and courage. You have given us not just a report, but a pathway back to trust and collective purpose.

“When I inaugurated this committee, I said the destiny of the Ijaw Nation was too precious to be left unattended. You heard that urgency. You responded to it.

“Given the high calibre, sterling pedigree and unimpeachable integrity of this committee, nothing less than excellence was expected. You have delivered a report that speaks to our divisions and to our future possibilities”, he said.

Presenting the report, the Chairman of the reconciliation committee, Dr. Mathew Seiyefa, said they interacted with all contestants in the INC elections, including members of the electoral committee, the INC executive and also received memoranda from various zones of the INC and other critical stakeholders of the Ijaw nation.

Dr. Seiyefa, a former Director-General of the Department of State Services, noted that the expectation of the committee was that the INC would speak for the Ijaw nation, its people and their causes.

According to him, the resurgent INC will be more consultative and inclusive, giving primacy to its role as a platform for advocacy, which will enable the body gain greater traction and resonance in the lives of the people.

“A common trend, which permeated this interaction, was the overwhelming passion for not just the survival of the INC, but its renewal and reinvigoration.

“There was a yearning for an INC that would rise to the challenges of the moment with respect to the cause of the Ijaw nation and its people. This sentiment was a key driver in the deliberations of the committee and has informed the recommendations that we have made”, Dr. Seiyefa said.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa