Niger Delta

Association Boss Hails FG Over Pipeline Surveillance

Published

2 years ago

January 10, 2025

The National Chairman of Ekpeye Oil and Gas Pipelines Host Families Association, Comrade Dogini Chidi, has commended the Federal Government’s initiative on pipelines surveillance.

This is particularly considering the positive results it has recorded in the increased output of oil and gas production in the country.

Chidi, who made the commendation during the association’s last quarter sensitisation programme in Ahoada Town recently, said the association is out to ensure that there is no more vandalisation of oil and gas facilities in Ekpeyeland.

He urged the Federal Government to complement the efforts of the host communities by creating job opportunities and empowerment programmes for the youths to sustain the existing peace in the area.

He noted that over time, there have been series of pollution in the area as a result of oil exploration activities, coupled with pipeline sabotage which has virtually engulfed all the communities in the Niger Delta.

According to him, “pipeline surveillance has come to stay. If we continue to protect the oil and gas facilities, surveillance job will create more job opportunities for our youths”.

The association chairman, however, faulted the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report on Ubeta Deep Oil Field project carried out by Total Energies EP Nigeria Limited, and called on the Federal Government and all relevant authorities to reverse and review the report by ensuring that Ekpeye people are properly captured in it, to avoid and avert a chaotic situation in the area.

He also appealed to Ekpeye people to be more united than ever in order to be able to confront common challenges, contending that instead of disagreement, the Ubeta gas project should be seen as a uniting factor.

Chidi also advised all sons and daughters of Ekpeye in the bush to sheathe their swords and avail themselves of the opportunity to embrace peace for the betterment of Ekpeyeland, describing Ekpeyeland as one of the most endowed areas with natural resources in the Niger Delta, which he said should be properly harnessed and utilised for the good of the people.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Steve Wordu, described the Ekpeye region as the gateway and the engine room of Nigeria’s oil and gas exports, and appealed that Ekpeye should be part of the central committee or communities to be considered whenever oil and gas business is being discussed.

He noted that all the fiendish things that have happened in Ekpeyeland, particularly with respect to cultism, were as a result of neglect, saying the wealth of Ekpeye has been stolen to develop other areas and tribes while the people are dying in the midst of plenty.

While urging the people to wake up from their slumber and demand what is due them, Wordu stressed the need for them to use the opportunity provided by the Ubeta Deep Oil Field, to factor in the demand for the participation of Ekpeye people in the oil surveillance and security project, while underscoring the EIA report on Ubeta Deep Oil Field.

He further lamented that the EIA report did not take into consideration the Federal Government’s policy on local content, stressing that the local content policy gives consideration to certain levels of employment and contracts to oil companies’ host communities.

“That EIA report violates that policy of the Federal Government. If Ekpeye people allow that report to be approved, it means that we have betrayed ourselves and our future generations”, he said.

On his part, Alhaji Sheik Abdulrazak Philip Echeye, said the root causes of vandalisation of pipelines and electricity facilities are hunger and unemployment, and advised community leaders and youths in the various communities to form anti-sabotage volunteers to protect oil, gas and electricity facilities in the area.

He also urged Ekpeye people to key into oil business, stressing that “Mr. Alikor Dangote, for example, who is not from an oil producing area, has now built the biggest refinery in West Africa”.

He, therefore, admonished the youths to look into the area of ICT for a better future.

Niger Delta

Bayelsa Inaugurates Cttees For 30th Creation Anniversary

Published

1 week ago

August 3, 2026

The Tide

The Bayelsa State Government has inaugurated six sub-committees, as it begins preparations for the 30th Anniversary celebration of the creation of the state on 1st October.

Inaugurating the sub-committees in Government House, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, explained that Bayelsa has countless reasons to appreciate God for what He has done for its land and people in the 30 years of its existence, especially in development.

He charged the sub-committees to come up with proposals for the various activities and events for the celebration within the next two weeks in line with their respective terms of reference, stressing that strategic things had to be done to make the anniversary significant and historic.

According to him, the three-day programme of activities for the anniversary celebration, which will commence on the 29th of September, will be preceded by two weeks of commissioning of public infrastructural projects completed by the Prosperity Administration.

The Bayelsa Number Two Man further clarified that events penciled down for the celebration include a cultural carnival, boat regatta, anniversary lecture, sporting events, state banquet and awards night.

The sub-committees are: the Awards Sub-Committee, chaired by His Majesty, King Bubaraye Dakolo; the Sports Sub-Committee, headed by Hon. Daniel Igali; and the Lecture Sub-Committee, with Prof. Stephen Olali as its Chairman.

Others are: the Mega Praise Sub-Committee, jointly chaired by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, and the Managing Director of Premium Trust Bank, Dr. Emmanuel Emiefenim; the Cultural Sub-Committee, headed by Rt. Hon. Monday Bubou-Obolo; and the Publicity Sub-Committee, with the Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, as Chairman.

by: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

NDDC Backs Federal Drive To Cut Maternal, Newborn Deaths … Trains Traditional Birth Attendants

Published

1 week ago

August 3, 2026

The Tide

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has stated its commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), with a renewed push to tackle the persistently high rate of preventable maternal and newborn deaths across the Niger Delta.

The Commission made the pledge during workshops for traditional birth attendants held in Delta and Bayelsa states, where it stressed the need for stronger collaboration between traditional birth attendants and the orthodox healthcare system to improve maternal and child health outcomes.

Speaking at the training, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, urged women to embrace modern medical care while leveraging the trusted role of traditional birth attendants in their communities.

Represented by the Principal Manager, Education, Health and Social Services (EHSS), Mrs. Dare-Oloko Kuami, Ogbuku described maternal and child mortality as an alarming public health challenge that requires urgent and collective action.

“The rate of death among women and children is alarming and must be eradicated. This training is designed to enlighten our women and should not be taken for granted”, he said.

According to him, the workshop was organised to strengthen the knowledge and capacity of traditional birth attendants in providing safe maternal and newborn care, identifying pregnancy-related complications early, and referring high-risk cases promptly to hospitals and health centres.

Also speaking, the Director of Education, Health and Social Services, Dr. Patience Ezugu, called on women to take issues relating to childbirth seriously, stressing that improved knowledge and adherence to safe delivery practices would help save lives.

Represented by the Principal Manager, EHSS, Dr. Otokolo Fidelis, Ezugu disclosed that more than 300 women from Delta and Bayelsa states participated in the training and were provided with medical equipment and cash support to enhance their services.

One of the resource persons, Mrs. Gift Akitiri, underscored the vital role traditional birth attendants continue to play in many rural communities, noting that regular capacity building would improve the quality of maternal healthcare delivery.

“Traditional birth attendants are trusted members of many communities. By equipping them with updated knowledge, we are helping to ensure that mothers and newborns receive timely and appropriate care, thereby improving health outcomes”, she said.

A participant, Mrs. Franscica Odiakosa, commended the NDDC for organising the workshop, describing it as timely and impactful.

“I have gained valuable knowledge that will improve the quality of healthcare I provide in my community. I have also learnt the importance of referring expectant mothers to health centres and hospitals whenever a case is beyond my capacity”, she said, while urging the Commission to sustain the initiative.

Niger Delta

Uyo Club Inaugurates New Executive … Tasks Members On Service, Community Impact

Published

1 week ago

August 3, 2026

The Tide

One of Nigeria’s oldest and most prestigious social clubs, Uyo Club, has inaugurated its full Executive Council to oversee the affairs of the association for the next two years, with a charge to provide purposeful leadership and make meaningful contributions to society.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony at the club’s headquarters on Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo, the President of the club, Prof. Sahm Etuk, urged the newly elected executive members to bring their wealth of experience and professionalism to bear in the discharge of their responsibilities.

He said members of the club expected the new leadership not only to strengthen the institution, but to also extend its impact beyond the clubhouse through service to the wider community.

“You have voluntarily presented yourselves for service, and we expect that you will make yourselves available at all times to offer the service required of you”, Etuk said.

The inauguration followed the April 2026 bye-election conducted to fill vacant positions in the Executive Council.

Among those inaugurated was renowned broadcast administrator and Executive Managing Consultant of Comfort 95.1 FM, Uyo, Samuel Enoh Akpan, who was elected Public Relations Officer. Akpan is also a member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).

Other members of the Executive Council are Barrister Eno Inyang (Treasurer), Anthony Etim (Social Secretary), Christian Daniel (Welfare Secretary), Friday Ekpa (Legal Adviser), Christian Chukwu (Provost), Mmenye Udofa (Assistant Secretary), Otu Otu (Maintenance Secretary) and Macaulay Udom (Ex-Officio).

Prof. Etuk, a Professor of Strategic Marketing, Director of the School of Continuing Education at the University of Uyo, and Chairman of the institution’s Sports Committee, had earlier been inaugurated as President on January 10, 2026, alongside the Vice President, Dr. Nestor Udoh, a retired Permanent Secretary.

Other officials inaugurated at the time include Ndi Aquaisua (General Secretary), TPL Dr. Emmanuel Etuk (Financial Secretary), Dr. Imbur Terfa (Auditor), and Dr. Anietie Ekong (General Games Captain).

The President also inaugurated the Board of Past Presidents, made up of all living former presidents of the club, urging them to continue providing guidance and institutional support to the Executive Council in line with the club’s constitution.

Former presidents present at the event included Dr. Emem Umoh, Dr. Bassey Etuknwa, Engr. Mbosowo Orok, Prof. Ini Jonah, and Akparawa Ikpong Essien-Udom, a member of the Standing Committee of the Nigerian Guild of Editors.

Etuk called on members to unite in pursuit of the club’s founding ideals of recreation, service and development, expressing confidence that the newly constituted organs of the club would strengthen its operations and reposition it for greater relevance.

Founded in 1935, Uyo Club remains one of Nigeria’s foremost recreational associations, with a membership that cuts across diverse professions and sectors of society.