Niger Delta

Delta Rewards 5 World Debate Champions with N20m Each

Published

3 hours ago

August 18, 2025

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Thursday rewarded each member of the five-man Delta contingent that won the 2025 World Basic Schools Debate Championship in Doha, Qatar, with a cash prize of N20 million.

The Governor also extended the same N20 million reward to the team’s handlers, describing their victory as a proud moment for the state and a testament to his administration’s commitment to educational excellence.

Receiving the champions, their parents, and officials at Government House, Asaba, Governor Oborevwori praised the students for bringing global honour to Delta State and Nigeria.

He decorated them with their medals and received the championship trophy from the National Coordinator President’s Schools Debate Nigeria, Elder Dare Oritu.

“Delta State is known not only for oil production and talents in comedy, music, and sports, but also for its brilliance in education.

“I believe this gesture will encourage our youths to be diligent and excel in their studies”, the Governor said.

Oborevwori commended the parents, coach, and handlers of the team for their contributions to the victory, adding that education is the most valuable legacy parents can give to their children.

He urged other students to emulate the hard work, discipline, and focus of the champions, noting that such virtues could help reduce crime in society.

Introducing the winners, Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Hon. Samuel Mariere, thanked the Governor for his unwavering support for the education sector.

He recalled the Governor’s prayers for the team before their departure and commended him for being the first to pay the 2025 counterpart funding for UBEC-SUBEB projects.

Speaking on behalf of the champions, Splendour Ikhamateh of Government Model Secondary School, Asaba, recounted how they debated global issues such as climate change, youth empowerment, and responsible technology use.

She said they overcame initial doubts by drawing strength from what she called “the spirit of Delta” the courage to excel and represent every basic school student in the state.

By; Albert Ograka, Asaba

Niger Delta

Activist Raises Alarm Over N25m Bounty Placement On Him

Published

3 hours ago

August 18, 2025

The Tide

A United Kingdom based Bayelsa State activist, Mr. Warmate Imgbi, has alleged that a Niger Delta Militant group, “Supreme Egbesu Liberation Fighters”, have placed a N25million bounty on his life following his continued criticism byof their activities in the oil rich region.

He alleged that trouble started when he condemned the latter’s activities connected to illegal oil bunkering and other nefarious acts in Bayelsa and neighbouring Delta States.

Imgbi in a Press statement said the Militants see his vocal environmental advocacy as a threat to their illegal and nefarious activities, and now seek to eliminate him.

The UK-based environmentalist noted that in recent months the militants have been tracking him via his verified X account where he has been highlighting the dangers of crude oil theft and unregulated refining in the Niger Delta region.

“A certain militant leader, ‘General Simple’, has been cyber-bulling me very often. He showed me images and reports of my condemnation of their illegal and hazardous environmental activities they’re engaged in in the Niger Delta region.

“I’ve said time without number that they’ve been causing environmental degradation, oil spills, and pollution of water sources which are affecting thousands of residents.

“They threatened me, saying I’ve been undermining their operations. Even moreso, recently my family members based in parts of Bayelsa State have previously suffered attacks, with their properties vandalised by armed men believed to be linked to the group.

“The Supreme Egbesu Liberation Fighters operate in the creeks of Bayelsa and neighbouring Delta States with a history of violent attacks and property destruction.

“In 2021, the Supreme Egbesu militants group had threatened to carry out attacks in Lagos and Abuja”, Imgbi said.

Meanwhile, The Tide which reached the Police Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, ASP Musa Mohammed, and his counterpart from the State’s Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Diri Ogbere, reports that the activist has not official briefed their commands of the alleged threats to his life due to his criticism of their illegal oil and environmental related hazards.

The duo, however, noted that their Commands in partnership with sister security formations have been working relentlessly to curb vandalism of national assets, especially oil and gas infrastructure, while also beefing security in the state to ensure the safety and protection of lives and properties of both citizens and the Government.

“Human rights groups have, however, called on both the Nigerian and UK governments to take immediate steps to ensure my safety. Illegal oil bunkering remains a thriving black-market trade in the Niger Delta.

“It causes massive economic losses to Nigeria and long-term damage to the environment”, the activist added.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Oborevwori To Flag Off Widows Welfare Scheme For 10,000 Beneficiaries, Today

Published

3 hours ago

August 18, 2025

The Tide

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, will today officially flag off the Delta State Widows Welfare Scheme, with 10,000 beneficiaries expected to benefit from the initiative.

The ceremony, scheduled to hold at the Dome Event Centre, Asaba, will commence at 10:00 a.m.

Executive Assistant to the Governor on Social Investment and Coordinator of the scheme, Chief Isioma Okonta, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Asaba.

According to Okonta, the programme is part of the Oborevwori administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of widows across the state, providing them with financial support and other empowerment packages to enhance their livelihoods.

He added that the initiative aligns with the state’s broader social investment agenda, aimed at cushioning economic hardship and fostering inclusive growth.

The event is expected to attract government officials, stakeholders in social welfare, and representatives of various women groups across Delta State.

By: Albert Ograka, Asaba

Niger Delta

Bayelsa D’Gov, Others Want Harmonized Maritime Laws

Published

3 hours ago

August 18, 2025

The Tide

Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and other stakeholders have stressed the need for awareness on maritime safety and security.

Coming under the aegis of the Nigerian International Coastal Border Platform, stakeholders from the states comprising Bayelsa, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun, Ondo and Lagos, also called for the establishment of a workable community surveillance and intelligence sharing framework in all coastal security operations.

Presenting a 10-point communique at the end of its inaugural summit in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Chairman of the platform and Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Ewhrudjakpo and other stakeholders also called on relevant authorities to expedite the harmonization of all maritime laws, including the Suppression of Privacy and Oher Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act to ensure better implementation.

The platform noted that such awareness will not only foster a culture of compliance with national and international laws, but also help the country to optimally harness its potential in the blue economy.

A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Bayelsa Deputy Governor, Mr. Doubara Atasi, said the Platform also advocated dedication of a percentage of revenue from maritime taxes and crude oil exports to coastal security funding.

The group also called for investments in maritime transport services to stimulate economic activities between coastal communities bordering the Atlantic Ocean and neighbouring countries.

“The need for a healthy maritime environment and effective maritime border governance to combat pollution, protect mangroves and prevent degradation that could lead to economic hardship and insecurity.

“Taking advantage of the African Integrated Border Governance Strategy and the African Continental Free Trade Zone to boost cross-border trade between coastal communities and neighbouring countries.

“Integrate climate change resilience on Maritime Border policies; increase provision of social infrastructure in coastal communities; establishment of a cross-border platform for regular engagement between coastal communities and neighbouring countries”, the Platform stated.

Declaring the summit open, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pst. Umo Eno, commended the deputy governors forming the Platform, noting that there are lots of challenges facing Nigeria’s coastal states, which must be addressed.

On his part, the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, expressed optimism that the activities of the Platform will not only foster border governance, but also proffer solutions to disputes along coastal boundaries.

Others who spoke at the summit include the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Sen. Akon Eyakenyi; Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Director-General of National Boundary Commission, Surv. Adamu Adaji; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogana; Prof. Enefiok Essien, all of who listed several benefits of effective management of the coastal border of the country.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa