Niger Delta
Tourism Practitioners Fault National Master Plan
Tourism practitioners and consultants from the South-South zone have again drawn the federal government’s attention to serious flaws in the National Tourism Master Plan as currently configured, adding that the drafters failed to take due consideration of the developmental needs of the south-south region, from where the bulk of Nigeria’s economy is produced.
They contended that the exclusion of the BRACED Commission states, comprising Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta, from the Nigeria Tourism Development Master Plan, was both illogical and insensitive on the part of the consultants that were commissioned to do draft, describing the omission as a deliberate ploy to disregard or neglect these key states in the course of configuring tourism cluster areas for accelerated national tourism development.
The position was made known in Benin City, the Edo State capital, in a press release signed by Messrs Andy Ehanire and Piriye Kitaramo, who are tourism practitioners and activists of Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) / West Africa Travel Union (WATU).
In the statement, they condemned the obvious oversight, reiterating that no consideration was given to the ecological devastation caused by oil exploration and consequent obliteration of local economic activities in the region, stressing that tourism development ought to be one of the safeguards for a sustainable future after the oil wells eventually run dry.
“Furthermore, given the kaleidoscope of peoples and cultures with renowned historical civilisations, such as the legendary Benin Empire that manifested in diverse monuments, priceless artifacts and art, it is embarrassing to observe that no consideration was given to these national assets in the Nigerian Tourism Development Master Plan”, they posited.
Mr Ehanire and Kiyaramo, pointed out that the diverse ecological and geographical landscapes of the south-south region, in the form of rivers, creeks, pristine lowland/mangrove forests, wet lands, beaches and marine ecosystems, were more than adequate bounties to be captured in the national tourism development master plan.
They observed with dismay that the national tourism master plan provides for three tourism clusters for the Northern states of the country, including the Federal Capital Territory, with the South-East and South-West, having one cluster each, while the South-South has no visible mention in the master plan.
“We therefore, consider it imperative for the federal government to urgently create a sixth Tourism Cluster to assuage the apparent shortchanging of the BRACED States/Niger Delta Region, in the Nigerian Tourism Development Master Plan. The historical, cultural and ecological endowments of the Zone should rightly form the hub of a viable accelerated tourism development, which should have as take-off Pilot Schemes in the development of a Culture based Resort in Benin City and a Petroleum Museum at Oloibiri, in Bayelsa State”. They further stressed.
The duo noted that the Niger Delta Regional Master Plan also highlighted the need for tourism pilot schemes as a means for boosting the region’s economy.
They observed that several promises have been made by successive tourism ministers in order to assuage the apparent shortchanging of these contiguous states, which collectively produce the greatest chunk of Nigeria’s economic mainstay, urging the new Minister for Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, High Chief Edem Duke to give urgent attention the issue.
In this regard, the stakeholders also proposed that a consortium of indigenous tourism experts be commissioned to design the new Tourism Cluster for the South-South zone, with the incorporation of the NEPAD Tourism Action Plan for community based enterprises, adding that such actions, when incorporated, would significantly translate into concrete manifestation of the Transformational Agenda of the Goodluck Jonathan’s Administration at the grassroots, leading to civic renewal, job creation and poverty alleviation.
They also spoke in tandem with Chief Edem Duke, on the need for the domestication of the Nigeria Tourism Development Master Plan to such extent that it takes full cognizance of the special developmental needs of the people.
They called on Developmental Agencies, the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the BRACED Commission, to urgently key into these programmes to be able to impact positively on grassroots.
Andy Ehanire and Piriye Kiyaramo, who are also tourism consultants, expressed their willingness to assembly a team of indigenous tourism experts with capacity and multi-disciplinary skills to fill the apparent gaps in indigenous technical capacities required in the design of a new tourism cluster and the domestication of the National Tourism Master Plan by states.
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
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.
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.