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Niger Delta

Jonathan, Ogbuku, Diri Preach Unity, Peace … As Bayelsa Clan Installs Monarch

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11 months ago

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 Former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, has said without unity and peace no community in the society can achieve any meaningful development.
He stated this at the coronation of a substantive king for the Emeyal Clan in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, King Wapaebiama David Amakiri, weekend.
Represented by  a former Commissioner for Education in the State, Mr. Tobias James, Jonathan lauded the clan for their high sense of unity and love, noting that without love and peace the clan would not have been able to install a new monarch because progress would have been elusive.
The Tide learnt that Emeyal Clan is one of the four sister clans of the Ogbia Kingdom.
Jonathan advised the larger Ogbia Kingdom to learn to forgive one another and eschew rancour and acrimony, saying that the clan has once again demonstrated that with unity there is hardly any insurmountable obstacle and height in life.
“I want to thank the Emeyal Clan for their high sense of love, unity and commitment to progress and development. Without unity and love I believe this clan wouldn’t have been able to conduct an election which was regarded as very free, fair and peaceful which produced the monarch being installed here today.
“I also want to advise other clans and kingdoms in Nigeria to emulate the example of the Emeyal clan. I’ll also like to wish the new king well and success in his kingdom and reign. Emeyal clan has demonstrated to the world, especially the Niger Delta region, that indeed they’re a united, peace loving clan”, he said.
Presenting the staff of office, the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, cautioned against unlawful dethronement and acrimony, saying the Chieftaincy laws of the state were anti-illegal dethronement and unnecessary balkanization of kingdoms and communities.
Represented by the State’s Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Thompson Amule, the State Chief Executive congratulated the new monarch, saying Government was willing to continue partnering and protecting the royal institutions, saying they are an integral fabric of peace and development in the society as well as institutions for cultural preservation.
“This coronation and presentation of Staff of office to the Obanobhan (King) of Emeyal Clan demonstrates our height of respect and synergy expected from both Government and the traditional institution.
“As you may know, our chieftaincy laws and other extant instruments in our state concerning installation of traditional rulers were against unlawful dethronement.
“I, therefore, urge the entire clan to cooperate for the unity, peace and progress of this kingdom. I want to congratulate the dynamic and peace loving people of this clan for their continued show of affection and love for each other and their resolve to forge ahead in togetherness and unity”, the Governor said.
Similarly, the  Managing Director of the Niger Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, charged communities of the region to be more united in order to attract maximum benefits from the commission’s interventions, noting that without unity and peace there was nothing the agency could do in any disunited community or kingdom of the region.
He commended the Emeyal Clan and the people of Ogbia for disproving the alleged disunity in the kingdom.
“If anybody still believes that the Ogbia people weren’t united, I believe the crowd here, and the number of paramount rulers from various communities of the four different clans in this coronation ceremony has disproved them.
“As an agency, the NDDC can only operate in an atmosphere of unity, and peace. I therefore call on the Niger Delta communities to be more than ever be united and continue to eshew acrimony and disunity.
“Our mandate as a Commission is to develop within our capacity every community of the Niger Delta region. I want to equally thank the Emeyal Clan for the display of love, peace and cooperation among themselves and the communities of the clan”, he said.
The Tide learnt that the new Monarch’s coronation ceremony is coming after five years of interregnum upon the demise of the former substantive monarch of the kingdom, the late king George Adumein Lawson, which necessitated the appointment of an Acting monarch.
King Lawson, The Tide further gathered, died in 2021 and was interred months after.
Until his installation, the new substantive monarch was paramount ruler of Oruma (Yiba-Ama) Community, one of the twelve communities in the clan.
King Amakiri, who now goes by the appellation, Obanobhan 2nd of Emeyal Clan won a keenly contested election for the coveted stool in 2024, paving a way for his formal coronation and presentation of Staff of office by the Bayelsa State Government, last Saturday, at Emeyal Two Community, headquarters of the clan.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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Niger Delta

Uyo High Court Awards Damages To Masquerade Over Arrest

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3 days ago

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December 8, 2025

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A High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has awarded damages to a masquerade who was arrested by the State Police Command for allegedly disturbing public peace during traditional worship rites.
The arrest followed an executive order reportedly issued by the State Governor, directing the Commissioner of Police to detain any masquerade seen performing during the Yuletide period.
Acting on this directive, a masquerade, identified as Mr. Effiong, a practitioner of traditional worship, was arrested and subsequently charged to court.
In a landmark ruling, the court sided with Mr. Effiong and his custodian, affirming that Ekpo, a recognised traditional religious practice in Akwa Ibom State, is protected under the law, and that its adherents are entitled to the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
The judge held that Mr. Effiong’s arrest and detention violated his rights to personal liberty and freedom of religion.
The court ordered his immediate and unconditional release and directed the Akwa Ibom State Government to pay damages for the infringement of his fundamental human rights and freedom of worship.
Human rights experts have hailed the judgment as a significant affirmation of Nigeria’s constitutional protection of traditional religious practices, emphasising the importance of respecting the country’s cultural and religious diversity.
By: Enoch Epelle
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Niger Delta

MOSIEND Seeks Water Projects In Buguma From NDDC … Urges RSG To Revamp Fish Farm

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3 days ago

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December 8, 2025

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The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Management  of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to embark on water projects in Buguma city in Asari Toru Local Government Area (ASALGA), Rivers State
The Group also called on the Rivers State government to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths.
On the water project in Buguma, MOSIEND said the population of Buguma has increased tremendously and that the residents need more water projects to enhance the daily livelihood of the people.
The Group also appealed to the Chairman of the LGA to assist in making the project a reality and also attract more developmental projects to the LGA.
MOSIEND’s Eastern Zonal Coordinator,  Half Hour, Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn, made the call on a radio programme in Rhythm 93.7fm, “Talk of the Town”.
LongJohn, who made the call alongside the Chairman of MOSIEND in Buguma, Mark Ojuka, and his counterpart in Obuama,  Hon. Sandra Owunari, also called on the Management of Nigeria Liquidifed Natural Gas (NLNG) to embark on a free medical outreach in all Kalabari communities to improve their health status.
He appealed to NLNG to award scholarship to indigens of Kalabari communities in tertiary institutions to better their education, noting that the company is doing same in Bonny, while abandoning Kalabari communities
“We need contracts, free medicals, scholarships and employment, including skill acquisition programmes for our teeming youths in Kalabari extractions”, LongJohn stated.
On Security, Mark Ojuka said security in Buguma is  at zero level with the help of the Amama soldiers, saying “the city is more peaceful and investor-friendly as the youths of the area have cordial relationship with the security agencies in the area.
“Security is very secured in Buguma clan”
On revamping the Buguma fish farm, he said, “The youths are asking for human capacity building in the area to reduce unemployment.
“The revamping of the Buguma fish farm will also reduce youth violence.”
By: Chinedu Wosu
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Niger Delta

Make God Your Anchor To Fulfill Destiny, Cleric Charges Christians … As Jaja Marks 70th Birthday

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6 days ago

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December 5, 2025

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The Lead Pastor at Jesus Appointed People’s Bible Church, Ozogbe, Ikwerrengwo-Etche, in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Pastor Promise Nwaelele, has urged Christians  to make God the anchor of their lives in whatever position they find themselves, in order to attain the destinies set for them by God.

Pastor Nwaelele, who gave the charge recently in a sermon he preached at the 70th birthday anniversary thanksgiving service of Sir Donald Michael Jaja, a veteran journalist in Rivers State, said this is because any genuine child of God is a permanent target for destabilization and destruction by the devil.

Taking his text from the Bible book of Mark 4:16-17, the preacher stated that fulfilment in life for a child of God required faith, obedience to God’s word, humility and grace to withstand trials and temptations.

According to him, temptations and afflictions are bound to happen in the lives of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

“No wonder the Bible said that those that endure till the end shall be saved”, he said.

The Clergyman said God prospers believers who are humble, not proud and conceited, and leads them to destiny fulfilment.

“David said in Psalm 51:17, that the sacrifices acceptable to God are a broken spirit, not an impatient or proud spirit”, the preacher said.

He called on Christians not to allow persecutions and afflictions to sway them from the love and blessings of Jesus Christ.

On his part, Jaja, a seasoned Journalist who retired as an Acting Editor of the Rivers State Government-owned The Tide Newspaper, gave thanks to God for honouring him by giving him the grace of attaining 70 years.

“I cannot capture what the good Lord has done for me in my entire life in this fleeting moment of thanksgiving. But, I know that without Him, I wouldn’t have been who I am today, in all spheres. Therefore, my joy knows no bounds as I give thanks to my creator today, alongside my family. Praise be His holy name”, Jaja said.

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