The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), in collaboration with the University of Port Harcourt, has intensified efforts to strengthen the region’s creative economy through a four-day technical training programme in film production.
The initiative is aimed at equipping film makers with practical skills to improve their professional capacity, expand employment opportunities and promote authentic storytelling about the Niger Delta.
Speaking during the training at the auditorium of the university’s Department of Theatre Arts and Film Studies, the NDDC Head of New Media in the Corporate Affairs Department, Dr. Selina Dan-Albert, said the commission was exploring opportunities to empower young people with relevant skills to thrive in the creative industry.
In a statement signed by the NDDC Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, Dan-Albert described the programme as an investment in the future of the region’s creative sector, noting that it would encourage greater interest in film making as a viable career and source of livelihood.
She urged participants to maximise the opportunity to develop their technical expertise and establish themselves professionally, while using their creative abilities to tell authentic stories about the Niger Delta.
She assured them that the commission would sustain its support for initiatives aimed at improving the skills and professional competence of young people in the region.
The Head of the Department of Theatre Arts and Film Studies, Prof. Edward Imo, said the programme was designed to equip participants from the Niger Delta and other parts of Nigeria with the technical expertise required for film production and the use of cinema to communicate the region’s experiences and stories.
He described the partnership with the NDDC as an indication of growing opportunities for the department and commended the commission for recognising its contributions to practical film production.
Imo said the department had a pool of skilled personnel and industry professionals, including individuals with experience in Nigeria’s film industry, adding that the training would further strengthen the creative sector.
On the growing influence of artificial intelligence and digital technologies, Imo said filmmakers should embrace emerging tools without losing the human experiences, emotions, aspirations and social realities that give stories their meaning.
He urged participants to deploy technology responsibly in addressing societal concerns and promoting development, while calling on other government agencies to emulate the NDDC’s investment in human capital development.
According to him, sustained investment in skills acquisition and professional training would strengthen the Nigerian film industry and expand opportunities for young people.
The Consultant and Managing Director of GreenHedge Resource Consults Limited, Mr. Francis Abayomi, said the Niger Delta had considerable potential for growth in the creative industries.
He explained that the training was designed to provide young people with practical filmmaking skills, noting that the University of Port Harcourt was selected because of its pool of talent and contribution to producing professionals for the creative sector.
The National President of the Directors Guild of Nigeria, Mr. Uche Agbo, described filmmaking as an important driver of employment and economic growth, with the potential to help young people develop sustainable livelihoods and reduce poverty and crime.
Agbo said the film industry offered accessible entry points for aspiring professionals, making it a viable avenue for youth empowerment and economic inclusion.
He urged participants to develop distinctive storytelling styles and remain committed to integrity and authenticity, stressing that filmmakers must remain faithful to their stories and avoid distorting facts in their creative work.
Also speaking, veteran Nigerian actor, Mr. Bimbo Manuel, described the programme as timely, given the growing contribution of the Nigerian film industry to the creative economy and national development.

The Rivers State Ministry of Education has condemned reports of alleged forced virginity testing involving female students of Government Comprehensive High School (Senior Secondary), Taabaa, in Khana Local Government Area, describing the incident as disturbing and calling for a thorough investigation.
The Ministry’s position was contained in a press statement issued by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mina Tele Ikuru, on behalf of the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Wagor.
According to the statement, the Ministry received reports that individuals allegedly acting on behalf of a traditional institution in the community visited the school and sought to select female students for virginity testing under the guise of providing scholarships and exercise books.
The statement further disclosed that on September 17, 2026, 16 female students were reportedly selected for the exercise, prompting objections and a peaceful protest by students.
Describing the allegations as deeply troubling, the Ministry said the incident raises serious concerns about the dignity, privacy, safety and fundamental rights of school children.
It stressed that no individual, traditional institution, community, body, or private organisation has the authority to subject students to virginity testing or any other degrading, coercive or invasive practice.
The Ministry also emphasised that educational support, including scholarships, exercise books and other learning materials, must be provided transparently and unconditionally, without exposing beneficiaries to practices that undermine their safety, dignity or fundamental rights.
According to the statement, the Ministry has commenced an investigation to establish the facts and determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged incident. It assured the public that appropriate action would be taken, including referring the matter to relevant authorities, against any individual or organisation found culpable.
Pending the conclusion of the investigation, the Ministry warned individuals, traditional institutions and community bodies against engaging in any activity involving the selection, examination or testing of female students for virginity, whether directly or indirectly.
It also directed schools across Rivers State to uphold the highest standards of child protection and ensure that students are safeguarded against practices that could expose them to humiliation, coercion, abuse or violations of their fundamental rights.
The Ministry stated that no cultural tradition, scholarship programme, disciplinary measure or community development initiative should be used as a pretext for subjecting students to such practices.
Reassuring the students of Government Comprehensive High School, Taabaa, their parents and guardians, and the wider school community, the Ministry said their concerns were being taken seriously.
It reiterated its commitment to ensuring that all schools in Rivers State remain safe and supportive environments where every child can pursue an education without fear of intimidation, abuse or discrimination.
The statement further stated that “the safety, dignity, privacy and fundamental rights of every student remain paramount and must be protected at all times.”

By: Tochi Abinye Pepple

President of KAGOTE, the apex socio-cultural body in Ogoniland, Chief Lesi Maol, has proposed the establishment of a buffer zone between Uegwere Boue, in Khana Local Government Area, and Bua Yeghe in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State as part of efforts to resolve the lingering land dispute between the two Ogoni communities.

He also suggested that portions of the disputed land could be considered for government development projects, provided an arrangement acceptable to both communities could be reached.
Maol made the proposal during a peace engagement with stakeholders from the two communities, aimed at ending the dispute, restoring peaceful relations, and preventing further violence.
The KAGOTE President said the organisation, was committed to sustained engagement with both communities until a lasting and mutually acceptable resolution was achieved.
He stressed that the success of the peace initiative depended on the cooperation of the traditional rulers, youths, community leaders and other stakeholders, urging the parties to embrace a ceasefire, exercise restraint and approach negotiations with open minds.
He also expressed concern over the impact of the crisis on farming activities and the livelihoods of residents, particularly women, who depend on agriculture for their survival.
According to him, KAGOTE would also engage youths from both communities and explore opportunities for their economic empowerment as part of efforts to promote peaceful coexistence.
He explained that the proposed buffer zone and possible government projects were among the practical options that could be explored in the search for peace, adding that any arrangement must emerge from consultations and take the interests of the affected communities into consideration.
On his part, the Bori Area Commander of the Nigeria Police Force, ACP Frank Abba, also appealed to the communities to embrace dialogue and cooperate with the peace initiative, warning that violence would not be tolerated.
He said acts of violence were criminal offences and would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
Abba expressed confidence that constructive engagement and the willingness of both parties to negotiate would help produce a lasting solution, and urged residents to exercise restraint while the peace process continued.
Similarly, the Gbenemene of Tai Kingdom and Chairman of the Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers in Rivers State, His Royal Majesty, King Samuel L. A. Nnee, said the crisis had affected both communities and required urgent collective action.
Nnee, who represented the traditional institution, said traditional rulers had engaged stakeholders from both sides to encourage dialogue.
He warned that failure to resolve the dispute could perpetuate hostility and create difficulties for future generations, while also expressing concern over the challenges faced by farmers, particularly women, who had been unable to access their farmlands freely.
Also, Retired Nigerian Army General Kingsley Suaka Nnaa, described the intervention as an opportunity to resolve the dispute through a credible and impartial process.
He urged both communities to support the peace committee, saying a transparent process would help rebuild trust and enable residents to carry out their lawful activities without fear.
Also speaking, Rear Admiral John Nicholas Bakpo (rtd.), Second Vice President of KAGOTE and Coordinator of the dialogue.

Association of Retired Senior Military and Para-military Officers from Ogoniland (ARMPOO), called for a negotiated settlement, urging the youths to shun violence and embrace dialogue.
Emphasising on the creation of a buffer zone, and using portions of he affected lands for government projects, Bakpo stressed the need to involve traditional institutions and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen the credibility and acceptance of any eventual settlement.
During the engagement, representatives of both communities presented their positions on the disputed land and called for a fair and transparent resolution.
The Mene of Uegwere, Chief Baridorn Torgwara Tom, expressed support for the KAGOTE-led peace initiative, while community representative Gbaragbo Felix, presented his community’s position on the ownership and boundaries of the land.
The Secretary of the Uegwere Youth Council, Deeyor Sunebari, also made submissions on the dispute and called for a practical settlement.
On the Bua Yeghe side, the Acting Paramount Ruler, Chief Kwasu Moses Lebari, urged his people to cooperate with the KAGOTE delegation, describing the engagement as an opportunity to pursue peace.
Speaking, Chief Leue Gomaa of Demeue Yeghe, called for transparency in the committee’s work, stressing that any development plan involving the disputed land must take legitimate ownership claims into account.
The President of the Yeghe Youth Council, Bro. Steve Neebee, also urged the committee to remain neutral and ensure that the traditional understanding of the communities’ land boundaries was fairly considered.
The peace engagement forms part of ongoing efforts by KAGOTE and other stakeholders to resolve the Boue-Yeghe land dispute through dialogue, consultation and a mutually acceptable settlement.
The proposed buffer zone and possible government development projects remain options for consideration in the search for lasting peace between the two communities.

By: King Onunwor