News
Jubilation, As DELGA Chairman Unites Ogurama Youths
It was a memorable day of celebration, as chiefs, elders, youths and children of Ogurama community in Degema Local Government Area, last Saturday, gathered to witness the return of peace to the ancient island community.
This was as the Chairman of DELGA, Hon. Michael John Williams, in furtherance of his peace efforts in the area, brokered peace amongst youths of Ogurama community, who had been at daggers drawn with each other.
The ugly situation, which led to the self-exile of some groups from the community for a couple of years, was however, peacefully resolved, following the mediation of the council boss.
Speaking at a one-day peace summit in Ogurama, Williams, who emphasised that peace was priceless and terror senseless, noted that Ogurama and other communities of Degema needed to be peaceful and united, in order to attract development from both government and private investors.
He added that no meaningful development would take place in a rancorous and turbulent environment, unless the people embraced peace.
Williams appealed to the various groups and their leaders to genuinely forgive one another and move on in the spirit of brotherliness, whilst also turning a new leaf and engage themselves in meaningful ventures to better their individual lives, community, LGA and Rivers State at large.
He urged the community members to be vigilant and checkmate the activities of strange faces, who may take advantage of the community’s hospitality to perpetrate crime and criminality, adding that Ogurama was a peace-loving community, which needed to protect its image from hirelings and mercenaries.
Williams, who attributed his success in tackling insecurity to Governor Nyesom Wike, stated that the governor, whom he described as a lover of peace, had set the pace in crime fighting in Nigeria.
He, however, warned that the council would deal decisively with any anyone, who reneges on the peace accord and is fingered in any crime activity within the area.
Earlier, the Chairman of Ogurama Council of Chiefs, Chief Ben Orugbani, commended Williams for the peace initiative, adding that no chairman of DELGA in the past had been this good to Ogurama people.
He noted that the council chairman frequents Ogurama community as his home and shows deep interest in every concern of the community, praying God to reward his kind gestures.
Orugbani, who equally commended the youths for embracing peace, enjoined them to maintain it both at home and elsewhere, as according to him, resuming hostilities outside could find its way back to the community.
“As you have agreed not to fight yourselves again in the community, also endeavour to be good children outside, because if you go out and make trouble, either the government or those you offended will come to look for you in the community and that would portend danger for your community,” Orugbani stated.
In her admonition, an aged woman, Madam Mina Joe Kilo, who appealed to the youths to live peaceably with one another, lamented that Ogurama community has never had a need to be policed by military men in the past, as the people used to love themselves and live as a united people.
In his contribution, the Youth Chairman of Ogurama, Comrade Dakuro Bille, who hailed Williams for his courageous move, stated that Ogurama people would never forget the council chairman for his love towards the community.
Bille, while noting that peace had come to stay in Ogurama, however, warned dissident and recalcitrant elements to steer clear from the community, as they would be fished out and handed over to the appropriate authorities for necessary action.
Meanwhile, in their unanimous responses, on behalf of the various groups, Mr. Godswill Ikiroma (Daddy Blaze), Mr. Charles West and Mr. Ibinabo Braide, commended Williams for the peace initiative, promising to live together in peace and harmony.
They also appealed to the chiefs, elders and political class to be part of the peace process and stop using the youths to pursue their individual ambitions, as according to them, some of the youths may not be as exposed and enlightened as the elites of the community, who sometimes mislead the youths.
The event, which ended with a brotherly embrace and dance, witnessed a large turnout of community members, made up of chiefs, elders, women, youths and children, the council chairman and his entourage, as well as security operatives.
By: Ike Wigodo
A Coalition of civil society organisations has urged the Federal Government to take proactive steps towards addressing the persistent gas eruptions in Bille, Rivers.
The coalition, made up of the People’s Assembly and Bille Working Group, made the call in an open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, and read to journalists in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Reading the letter, the coalition’s convener, Dr Isaac Osuoka, said that the persistent gas eruption in Bille had led to serious environmental and public health challenges.
Osuoka, also the Executive Director, Social Action, urged Tinubu to establish a presidential task force to investigate and contain the gas leak in Bille.
He also called for the immediate relocation of residents to safe shelters, provision of clean water, food and healthcare services.
Dr Emem Okon, the Executive Director, Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, stated that gas had been bubbling from the ground, creeks, boreholes and hand-dug wells in the community since October 2025.
Okon said that the gas had triggered several fires and explosions, and that residents of the community had reported respiratory problems, vomiting and other illnesses associated with exposure to the emissions.
According to her, preliminary investigations by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) have yet to identify the source of the gas.
Mr Kentebe Ebiaridor, the Coordinator, Oilwatch International, called for the publication of results from preliminary soil and water tests conducted in Bille for the residents to know the nature and extent of the contamination.
Ebiaridor urged the Federal Government to deploy medical teams to screen and treat affected residents, and immediately commence an independent study on the health impacts of the leak.
He further called for the suspension of oil and gas operations around OML 18 and 24 until the source of the gas leak was identified and the affected areas declared safe.
Ebiaridor urged the government to hold current and former operators of the oil leases accountable for environmental damage on the community.
Another speaker, Dr Bieye Briggs, urged the National Assembly to fast-track the NOSDRA Amendment Bill, 2025 to provide the agency with statutory funding and stronger enforcement powers.
Briggs urged the Federal Government to activate the regional Spill Command Centre, and make the Upstream Remediation Fund accessible for the Bille crisis and other affected communities in the Niger Delta.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has banned drone operations and fireworks in Uyo and announced temporary traffic restrictions ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the State today.
The state Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, announced the measures yesterday while briefing journalists at the Police Headquarters in Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo.
He said the restrictions were part of security arrangements to maintain public order, protect strategic locations and ensure the smooth movement of the President’s convoy during his engagements.
“There will be total restriction on the operation and flying of drones within Uyo metropolis throughout the period of the visit. Members of the public, drone operators and service providers are advised to strictly comply with the directive,” he said.
The police commissioner also announced a ban on fireworks, knockouts and other explosive sound-producing devices within the state capital during the visit.
He said the measure would prevent panic and allow security personnel to respond effectively to genuine security threats.
The command also announced temporary restrictions on public access to designated routes and locations in Uyo to facilitate the movement of the presidential convoy.
The affected areas are Airport Road, Shelter Afrique Junction, Oron Road, Nung Oku Junction, Mbierebe Junction and Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
“Motorists are urged to plan their journeys, exercise patience and cooperate with traffic and security personnel deployed along the corridors.
“Members of the public are advised to avoid the routes during the restriction and use alternative routes,” Azare said.
He also urged residents to plan their journeys, exercise patience and cooperate with traffic and security personnel deployed along the affected corridors.
The commissioner said the command, working with other security agencies, had put in place security arrangements to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free visit.
He appealed to residents to understand that the temporary restrictions were necessary security measures and not intended to cause hardship.
Azare urged members of the public to remain law-abiding, avoid restricted areas and report suspicious movements to the nearest police station or through police emergency channels.
Tinubu’s visit to Akwa Ibom is a working visit during which he is expected to inaugurate major infrastructure projects executed by Governor Umo Eno’s administration under its ARISE Agenda. The projects cut across aviation, road infrastructure, tourism, healthcare, land administration and security.
Among the projects scheduled for inauguration are the international terminal building and airport hospital at Victor Attah International Airport, Aviation Village, ARISE Palm Resort, the 14.5-kilometre Nsit Atai–Okobo Road, Ring Road 3, the Command and Control Centre and the AkwaGIS building.
The state government had earlier announced plans for the President to inaugurate projects as part of activities marking Akwa Ibom’s 39th anniversary in September.
The airport projects are particularly significant to the state’s ambition to expand aviation, tourism and investment.
The international terminal is expected to strengthen the airport’s capacity to handle international operations, while the Aviation Village is intended to provide accommodation for aviation workers. The airport hospital is also among the facilities lined up for inauguration.
The road projects are also expected to improve connectivity. The 14.5-kilometre Nsit Atai–Okobo Road links communities in the two local government areas, while Ring Road 3 is designed to improve movement within Uyo and ease pressure on existing roads. The Command and Control Centre, meanwhile, is intended to strengthen security surveillance and coordination in the State.
The Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism has floated a culture content platform in collaboration with digital television group, Multichoice.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Freddy Ndigbara, disclosed this after a meeting with MultiChoice Head of Content Acquisition, Don Dotun Ojon, in Port Harcourt.
He assured that content entrepreneurs and film makers would enjoy the platform by promoting culture and other contents to sell the states tourism potentials.
He said MultiChoice M-net was now open to increase its patronage for content shots on locations in Rivers State, describing the State as one that has numerous potentials for film tourism.
“We were privileged to have Don Ojon with us at the Rivers International Film Festival (RIFF) at the weekend in Bonny and he saw, first hand, the numerous sites and opportunities that are open to creatives in the State. After that, we felt it was important to deepen the conversation and he obliged. This is a cheering news for the sector in the State,” he said.
Ndigbara stated that “Rivers State has many more untold stories to tell, many more contents to reel out and the assurances from the M-net Acquisition Manager is an indication that the industry in the state will soon enjoy a new lease of life”.
The Permanent Secretary thanked Ojon for the visit and assured that creatives in the State would grap this opportunity and show the world that Rivers State is a major hub for film tourism in Nigeria.
On his part, Ojon said the visit was to discuss on ways of promoting tourism in the State using creatives and film.
Ojon said although the company has recently been acquired by canal+ France and is undergoing restructuring, he would promote the chances of Rivers State to host the MultiChoice talent factory in the State.
With Asaba, capital of Delta State, being saturated, Ojon said the next port is Rivers State, which he said is capable of building fresh crop of creatives, new locations, new story lines and concepts.
He, therefore, called for collaboration from stakeholders in the State.
Kevin Nengia
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