Niger Delta
Jonathan’s Kinsmen Pass Confidence Vote On Tinubu … Praise President On Ogbuku’s Reappointment
Former President Goodluck Jonathan’s Ogbia Kinsmen have passed vote of confidence on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
The kinsmen on Monday convoked a press conference in which the nation’s first citizen was lauded for his leadership qualities.
Ogbia Kingdom, which has visible presence in both Rivers and Bayelsa State, is noted for its vast array of land suitable for agricultural produce.
The Kingdom also has vast reserves of oil and gas, which was first struck in commercial quantity in 1956 at Otabagi-Oloibiri communities in the present Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State by Shell BP.
In an address delivered by the Acting National Chairman of the apex parent socio-cultural organization of the kingdom, the “Ogbia Brotherhood worldwide”, Dr. Azibalaguo Seibofa, the group while appreciating the President for finding their son, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, worthy to be appointed as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), called on the nation’s leader to discountenance faceless groups allegedly calling for the sack of the agency’s boss.
The Kingdom, which prides itself as the goose that lays the golden egg, leading to massive exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons, called on all well meaning Nigerians, especially the Niger Delta region, to support and partner the current management of the NDDC headed by Ogbuku for the growth and development of the region in various spheres.
Meanwhile, grand monarch of the kingdom, His Eminence, King Dumaro Charles Owaba, has lamented the neglect of the kingdom in spite of its socio-economic relevance to the nation.
“Ogbia is where oil was first struck in commercial quantity and contributing to the economic development of the country, yet it lacks basic infrastructural development compared to what have been taken from the area”, the monarch said.
The kinsmen, who also lamented moves by some mischievous persons threatening to organize protests against the NDDC helmsman, warned that such a move would be counter productive, noting that they are peace loving and want people of the Niger Delta region to emulate their peaceful disposition, while extending their thanks for their cooperation and support for the NDDC helmsman.
“We want to thank former President Muhamadu Buhari on the appointment of our son, Dr. Samuel Ogboku, and also we express our sincere gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his reappointment”, the Kingdom said.
The people further expressed satisfaction for the developmental strides of the NDDC under Ogboku’s leadership, adding that since his assumption of office, tremendous progress and unparalleled development have been achieved with various projects littered across the Niger Delta region.
They also relived the contributions of the first civilian governor of old Rivers State, the late Chief Melford Okilo, on his educational, canalization and development of new towns during his tenure as Governor.
Dignitaries present at the event include various clan heads of the kingdom from both Bayelsa and Rivers States.
Others are prominent Chiefs, traditional rulers, youths and women groups of the kingdom.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has assured corps members deployed to the state of improved welfare and a supportive service year.
Okpebholo gave the assurance at the swearing-in ceremony of the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream I corps members last Friday at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Permanent Orientation Camp in Okada.
The Governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, safety and entrepreneurship.
Represented by the Commissioner for Youth Affairs, Mrs. Charity Amayaenvbo, the Governor urged corps members to embrace innovation, community service and self-reliance rather than wait for white-collar jobs.
“Edo is committed to supporting youth empowerment, entrepreneurship and incentives that turn ideas into enterprises.
“Do not wait for jobs, create value. Wherever you are posted, serve your host community with humility, dedication and compassion.
“Have a positive footprint and let your service contribute to unity, productivity and progress,” he said.
Okpebholo assured the corps members that the state government was attentive to their welfare and had started addressing key concerns raised by the NYSC leadership.
“On behalf of the state government, I assure you of our support in terms of safety, an enabling environment and a rewarding service year.
“I listened carefully to the requests highlighted by the state coordinator, and I am glad to inform you that some of them have already been captured in the 2026 budget, which has been approved and signed into law,” he said.
The Governor noted that provisions for accommodation, meal subsidies, logistics and the construction of a multipurpose hall at the camp were included in the budget.
Earlier in her address, the Edo State Coordinator of the NYSC, Dr. Frances Ben-Ushie, described the ceremony as a reflection of the state government’s commitment to youth development and national integration.
Ben-Ushie said as of midnight on Thursday, a total of 1,235 prospective corps members, comprising 531 males and over 700 females, had been duly registered.
She congratulated the corps members on their enlistment into what she described as a “noble scheme,” urging them to embrace discipline, learning and active participation throughout the orientation course.
“The NYSC platform provides a unique avenue to meet people from diverse backgrounds, build lifelong friendships and create networks that can open doors to greater opportunities,” she said.
Ben-Ushie also highlighted the contributions of the NYSC to the state’s development, noting that the scheme had consistently provided skilled manpower, promoted labour mobility and strengthened national unity.
She cited initiatives such as the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers and the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme as key interventions benefiting communities across the state.
The NYSC coordinator commended the state government for its support, including the provision of buses for corps members, and appealed for further intervention to address lingering operational challenges at the orientation camp.
She expressed confidence that resolving the issues would enhance the effectiveness of NYSC programmes in the state and thanked the Governor for prioritising the welfare, security and growth of corps members.
The Edo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday condemned the state government’s reported plan to establish a state-owned airline.
The party, in a statement by its Edo State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dan Osa-Ogbegie, described the proposal as a misplaced priority and evidence of poor, disconnected governance.
The Tide’s source reports that the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, unveiled the airline plan during a meeting with Aviation Minister, Mr. Festus Keyamo, in Abuja.
Osa-Ogbegie said the proposal showed a government out of touch with the pressing challenges confronting Edo State residents.
“At a time of decaying infrastructure and stalled projects, establishing an airline is unrealistic and profoundly insensitive”, he said.
He argued that airlines were capital-intensive and technically demanding, noting that similar state-owned ventures in Nigeria had largely failed.
According to him, Benin has become a shadow of what a modern state capital should be.
He decried poor roads, collapsed urban planning, neglected drainage systems and weak municipal services across the state capital.
“This is a crying shame for a city of Benin’s history, heritage and enormous potential”, he said.
Osa-Ogbegie said several inherited projects had stalled or deteriorated, eroding investor confidence and undermining economic growth.
He accused the governor of pursuing “white elephant projects that offer optics without substance.”
He also cited ongoing flyover projects in parts of Benin as examples of poor prioritisation.
Against this background, he described the airline proposal as diversionary and lacking economic sense.
“When roads are barely motorable and services overstretched, proposing an airline betrays an absence of judgment,” he said.
He urged the government to abandon the plan and focus on people-centred priorities that would improve living conditions and spur growth.
“Edo does not need an airline to fly above its problems. It needs a government ready to confront them on the ground,” he said.
He warned that failure to refocus would deepen perceptions of an administration lacking direction, competence and a coherent development agenda.
Students of Federal Polytechnic, Ugep, Cross River State, have protested to the Governor’s Office in Calabar over an alleged plan to appoint a non-indigene as Rector for the institution.
Carrying placards with various inscriptions, the students demanded respect for catchment area policy, local content, and the appointment of an indigene of the state as Rector of the institution.
Speaking on behalf of the students in Calabar, Stephen Etem said the protest sought to alert the Federal and Cross River State Governments to an alleged deviation from the established rectorial selection process.
Etem said a Governing Council, chaired by Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa, was constituted by the Federal Government to conduct the Rector selection exercise.
“The screening, which began last year, reportedly produced a Cross River State indigene as highest scorer and recommended candidate.
“Information available to us suggests that the alleged recommended candidate’s name might be substituted at the Federal Ministry of Education.
“We urge the Federal Government to uphold the council’s recommendation because altering the process could threaten peace in the institution,” he noted.
Responding at the Government House, Mr. Goddie Akpama, the Special Adviser on Intelligence to the State Governor, Bassey Otu, appealed for calm, saying the Governor was away but would be briefed.
Akpama advised the students to submit written petitions through appropriate channels, avoid inflammatory language, and engage authorities to ensure stability and uninterrupted academic activities.
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