Niger Delta

Ukpai, Others Predict Better Future For D’Gov’s Home Town

Published

11 months ago

February 10, 2025

Renowned evangelists, Rev (Dr) Uma Ukpai, Rev (Prof) Ebitimi Weigha, and an Abuja-based cleric, Bishop Emmanuel Effa, have said there is a better future for Ofoni Community, home town of the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
They gave their prophesies recently at the 12th edition of the Ofoni Annual Christian Festival with a call on the people of the community to trust God for greater blessings in the days ahead.
Speaking during the 3-day event, the clerics declared that Ofoni Community had entered a new threshold of blessings and elevation for keeping faith with the annual thanksgiving ceremony despite the loss of their paramount ruler last month.
Rev. Ukpai, who took his exhortation from the book of Genesis12:2 -3, noted that only a people who trust God for everything would come together and offer thanks to God every year.
The theme of the grand finale of the 3-day event, held at the Ofoni Ultra modern Pavilion at the weekend, was: “Ofoni, Thy Seed of Thanksgiving Shall Conquer, Reign, Rule and Prosper Among Nations”.
According to the man of God, Ofoni Community would never remain the same again, as God had opened a new door for it to move from one level of greatness to another.
Speaking from Isaiah 62, Bishop Effa emphasized that whenever God wants to change the story of a man, He gives him a new name, citing the case of Abraham, Sarah and Jacob in the Bible as examples.
Effa, who warned those involved in idolatry to repent, however, prophesied that God had given a new name to Ofoni Community, urging them to prepare for the great promotion that would manifest in the near future.
On his part, Rev. Ebitimi Weigha, who is one of the initiators of the Ofoni Annual Thanksgiving Day, enjoined the people of Ofoni to look up to Jesus Christ and make love and unity of purpose their watchword for them to conquer, reign and prosper.
Speaking on behalf of the community, the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, expressed gratitude to the clergy and everyone who came from far and near to join the Ofoni people celebrate their annual thanksgiving festival.
He also thanked his people for their unwavering support to him and the State Government over the years, and urged them to believe in the prophecies of the clerics by placing their total confidence in God, who alone can do all things.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who noted that the community was in a mixed mood on account of the death of its paramount ruler on the 3rd of January, said the thanksgiving was held against all odds because the people see it as a covenant with God that must be honoured.
Highlights of the event included observing a moment of silence in honour of the departed Amananaowei of Ofoni Federated Community, the late His Royal Highness, Chief Auditor Onakpohor, thanks-offering by various groups and presentation of cake to the Deputy Governor by some young girls led by Miss Michael Hope who he sponsored to acquire catering skills.
Dignitaries that attended the ceremony include: the state PDP Chairman, Hon. Solomon Agwana; the Commissioner for Communications, Science and Technology, Hon. Gibson Munalayefa; the Special Adviser on Religious Matters, Rev. Godspower Asingba; and former Technical Adviser on Conflict Resolution, Chief Boma Spero-Jack.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Court Declares DESTMA Activities Unconstitutional

Published

14 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State High Court sitting in Warri has declared the power of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA) to arrest traffic offenders and impose fines as illegal and unconstitutional.

In a judgment delivered on Wednesday in Suit No. W/348/2016: Chuks Christian Ofili v. Attorney-General of Delta State & Anor, Hon. Justice Ejiro Emudainowho struck down Section 18(1) of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority Law, 2013, holding that it conflicts with the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The court held that DESTMA and its officials lacked the legal authority to impose fines, penalties or sanctions, or to confiscate vehicle number plates without first charging and securing a conviction before a competent court.

Justice Emudainowho ruled that the seizure of the claimant’s number plate and the imposition of a N30,000 fine without trial amounted to a “flagrant violation” of the claimant’s right to fair hearing and freedom of movement under Sections 36(1) and 41(1) of the constitution.

Among other reliefs, the court set aside the “Notification of New Traffic Offences and Penalties” issued against the claimant, ordered the refund of N30,000 paid for the release of the number plate, awarded N500,000 as legal costs and N300,000 as damages, with 10 percent interest per annum.

Reacting to the judgment, the claimant’s counsel, Olukunle Ogheneovo Edun, said the ruling affirms constitutional supremacy.

“The court was clear that only a competent court of law can impose penalties. Administrative agencies cannot assume judicial powers”, he said.

Niger Delta

COAS Praises Bayelsa On Military Welfare … As Diri Hands Over Residential Quarters To Army Chief

Published

14 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Army has commended the Bayelsa State Government for promoting the welfare of its officers and men as part of efforts to enhance peace and security in the state.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, gave the commendation on Thursday when he led other senior military officers on a courtesy/condolence visit to the State Governor, Douye Diri, in Government House, Yenagoa.

Gen. Shaibu praised the Bayelsa government for constructing and handing over residential accommodation to the Nigerian Army 16 Brigade at Elebele.

The army chief noted that the initiative would greatly ease the brigade’s accommodation challenges.

Shaibu, who explained that he was on a maiden operational visit to the state to assess the combat readiness of men and officers of the Command, also commiserated with the governor and the Ewhrudjakpo family on the passing of the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

“My reason for coming here are two-fold. We are here for my maiden operational visit to the 6th Division area of responsibility, which also covers Bayelsa State.

“I’m also here with a heart of gratitude and appreciation for what you have done for the 16 Brigade, which is the construction and completion of apartments made up of nine units of three bedroom flats for non-commissioned officers and two blocks of nine units of two bedroom apartments for non-commissioned officers.

“This gesture will go a long way in mitigating the accommodation challenges that the Brigade is facing. It will be a great relief for the Nigerian Army”, he said.

Responding, Diri thanked Gen. Shaibu for acknowledging the modest contribution of the state government towards improving the safety of lives and property of the citizenry.

He lauded the various security agencies for exhibiting a high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

“I like to use this opportunity to commend the Nigerian Army and other armed forces for what you are doing to ensure that Nigeria is safe and secure. For us in government, we all appreciate and understand that you are making sacrifices for our public safety.

“I implore you to continue to do what you are doing very well at all times. We are always here to support you in whichever form that we can, so that you will also have a conducive environment to enable you discharge your duties creditably.

“l’m equally happy that we were able to start and complete those buildings. We know that, like you rightly said, it will ease the accommodation demands of the officers in the 16 Brigade”, he said.

By; Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Eno Inaugurates Committees On TSA, International Airport Status

Published

14 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has inaugurated two inter-ministerial committees to supervise the implementation of the International Airport Status for the Victor Attah International Airport, and for the Treasury Single Account for Internally Generated Revenues.

While inaugurating the committees at the Government House, Uyo, Eno expressed confidence in the competence of the members of the committee to achieve the mandate.

“The committees’ establishment marks another strategic step in the administration’s drive to strengthen governance systems.

“It will also ensure the fast-tracking and the completion of major development projects in the state”, the Governor said.

He further said the members of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on International Airport Status Implementation include Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Enobong Uwah, who would serve as the Chairman.

Others are the Commissioner for Finance/Special Duties, Mr. Emem Bob; the Managing Director, Ibom Air, Mr. George Uriesi; and Mr. Ephraim Udosen, Permanent Secretary for Special Duties, among others.

“The Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Implementation of TSA-IGR has Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Emem Bob, as Chairman.

“Others are the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Uko Udom, SAN; Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Frank Archibong; Commissioner for Lands, Dr. Ubong Inyang, among others.”

The Governor noted that the members’ expertise would contribute significantly to the state’s infrastructural growth and financial stability.

He urged them to intensify efforts and ensure that all preparatory works remained on schedule.

“I charge the committee on the state’s airport with the responsibility of ensuring accelerated progress and meeting all required benchmarks ahead of the facility’s operational kick-off in April, 2026.

“I expect this committee to work tirelessly to ensure the realisation and commencement of full operations at the international airport by the first week of April 2026″, he said.

Eno emphasised the need for transparency, fiscal discipline and effective coordination across government agencies, saying that no agency of government was permitted to operate a single independent account.

He reaffirmed the termination of contracts for consultants on revenue generation, adding that all revenue must be generated and expended through a unified treasury account.

The Governor urged all MDAs to work with the Inter-Ministerial Committee, headed by the Commissioner for Finance to ensure that the expected results were achieved and on time.

He maintained that tenement rates would be paid into the treasury single account and urged full compliance from homeowners across the state.