Niger Delta

Diri Lauds Cleric On Legacies

Published

4 years ago

August 26, 2022

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has lauded the immediate past Bishop of the Diocese of Niger Delta West, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, at a special sent-forth service held at Saint Peter’s Deanery, Yenagoa.
Diri said he received the news about Bishop Oko-Jaja’s transfer from Bayelsa to the Niger Delta Diocese in Rivers State with mixed feelings because of the impactful services he rendered to the Christian community and the state in general.
Represented by his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Governor Diri said that the former Bishop had, in his 12 years stay in Bayelsa, succeeded in leaving behind positive footprints that are worthy of emulation.
He charged the Christian faithful to make themselves valuable to society, and not strive for personal success only, stressing that value was much more important than success
The Bayelsa Chief Executive noted that the government and people of the State would greatly miss Oko-Jaja for his contributions to development and spiritual growth of not just the Niger Delta West Diocese of the Anglican Communion, but also the entire body of Christ.
He noted that the bishop’s transfer was part of God’s plan to give an opportunity to develop the other part of the Ijaw nation and wished him well in his new place of assignment.
He said: “Your life has been a life of work. All of us are meant to walk a path. It depends on how you walk on the road.
There is a way you will walk and your footprints would not be seen, and there is also a way you walk that your footprints can be seen.
“Clearly we don’t need to tell anybody that our Lord Bishop has left positive footprints for us to see.
“The government and people of Bayelsa State are moody because you are leaving us for another diocese. We are really going to miss you. But we are consoled because God is moving you to another place to also contribute to His work.
“Your transfer is another call to develop the other part of the Ijaw nation. You have spent the most productive years of your bishopship in developing this part of the Ijaw land.”
In his valedictory sermon, Oko-Jaja, said he had never thought of becoming a pastor someday, let alone being a bishop, noting that it was God who conscripted him to His service.
He, however, noted that he had no cause to regret his 12 years stewardship as Bishop of the Niger Delta West Diocese, and thanked the Church, government and people of the state for their support.
He listed some of the achievements of the Diocese under him to include organizing annual mega evangelism crusade, establishment of several new churches, church infrastructure projects, and sustenance of cordial relationship with government.
Oko-Jaja, who was elected and consecrated as Bishop by Primate Emeritus, Most Reverend Peter Jasper Akinola in 2010, was translated and enthroned as the 7th Bishop of the Niger Delta Diocese on the 31st of July this year at Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, Bonny in Rivers State.
He has since assumed his episcopal duties at his new post while the Archbishop, Province of Niger Delta, His Grace, Most Revd Blessing Chinyere Enyindah now holds sway as the supervising Bishop of the Diocese of the Niger Delta West.
Among dignitaries that attended the program were the state Head of Service, Dame Biobelemoye Charles-Onyeama; the Amayanabo of Nembe, His Eminence King Edmund Daukoru, the Ibenanaowei of Bomo Clan, King Joshua Igbugburu.
Others in attendance included Wife of the outgone Bishop, Dr Mrs Chinyere Oko-Jaja and their children, Knights and several clerics, including the State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Joseph Opelema.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

C’River Bans VIOs From Road Operations

Published

2 days ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

The Cross River State Government has banned the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) from road operations across the state.

The State Governor, Bassey Out, who made the announcement in Calabar on Saturday, restricted activities of the VIO to office duties.

According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Linus Obogo, the directive followed protests by commercial bus drivers and tricycle operators over high tickets, excessive fines and alleged harassment by enforcement teams.

The Governor, who made other announcements in the sector, said the measures were approved after a meeting with key transport stakeholders.

According to the statement, other announcements made was the reduction of daily ticket fee from N850 to N500, while the penalty for failure to purchase the ticket had also been reduced to N10,000.

“All traffic-related fines be slashed by 50 per cent and must be paid only into designated Cross River State Government accounts.

“Daily ticket for tricycle riders have been reduced from N1,200 to N500. However, every activity of commercial tricycle operators ends at 6 p.m. daily, night operations are permanently banned,” Otu asserted.

He said the review was aimed to ease the burden on drivers and restore order in the state’s transport system.

Speaking further, the Governor said the Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency (CTRA) would now focus on vehicle registration and sale of tickets at approved rates.

He noted that enforcement officers must operate only in proper uniforms and with verifiable identification.

He directed the Traffic Management and Regulatory Agency (TRAMRA) to restrict its activities to statutory traffic management duties.

In addition, the Governor announced that “commercial bus drivers and tricycle riders will no longer purchase tickets on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

“These directives will take effect from March 9, and I urge all residents and transport operators to cooperate with relevant authorities.”

Speaking to The Tide’s source, some commercial drivers said the statement did not address some activities of TRAMRA such as the illegal “no parking order” for drivers who only pick and drop passengers.

For Johnson Ade, a commercial driver, there should be an official release stating the traffic infractions in the state and the fine for each of them.

He said slashing the fines by 50 per cent was ambiguous, adding that the amounts to be paid for each crime should be clearly stated to prevent criminal elements who posed as government traffic regulatory officials from abusing the directive.

On his part, Mr. Sunday Dennis, Metropolitan Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), said they would convene a meeting immediately to critically look at the governor’s statement.

It would be recalled that series of protests by commercial bus drivers and tricycle operators had led to the suspension of all forms of transport tickets in the state by the government.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Community Seeks Govt Recognition For Elected Village Head

Published

2 days ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

Some indigenes of Mbiabong Ikpe Village, in Ikpe Annang Clan, Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, have called on the State Government to recognize Chief Samuel James Udo as the authentic Village Head of the community by according him a Certificate of Recognition.

According to them, the call is necessitated by the fact that Chief Udo has won the first and second election processes on 1st May, 2021 and 15th July 2025.

The indigenes said in addition to his emergence after the two election processes, Chief Udo’s emergence has been confirmed by Chief Akpan Akpa Inyang (Okuku Ikpa Isong Annang), who has handed him (Udo) to “UDAK” as stipulated by the custom and tradition of Annang Land.

They said Udo’s emergence marked the end of every struggle by individuals or groups of persons on the issue of headship of Mbiabong Ikpe Village, Ikpe Annang Land, in Essien Udim Local Government Area.

According to them, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Frank Archibong, should call for the recognition of the Village Head-elect of Mbiabong Ikpe Village in accordance with the Traditional Rulers Council Law of Akwa Ibom State, CAP 134.

This, they said, is because he has been duly and rightly selected by the kingmakers as the village Head-elect and have satisfied all requirements in the extant law for the said selection.

“We are informing the Akwa Ibom State Government of the development, because any imposition of any other name to the Governor will not be accepted by the community”, they said.

Meanwhile, they have alleged that some “enemies of progress are causing problem over the Chieftaincy issue after the winner has emerged and accepted by the entire Kingmakers.”

When contacted the Village Head-elect, Chief Samuel James Udo, advised the people not to cause any crises, saying that their mandate will not be denied.

“I will continue to respect the law. My people are law abiding citizens and God will surely stand for true justice and the certificate will be given to me, not through fighting, causing unrest, or violence, but by our faith in God, and the belief that the relevant authorities will do the needful”, he said.

By: Christopher Tom, Uyo

Niger Delta

Delta Unveils World Book Day Festival

Published

2 days ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State government on Saturday unveiled the LightRay! Distortion World Book Day Festival.

The festival, themed “That Which Bends, Transcends,” is a major celebration of literature, storytelling, and cultural advocacy in the state.

It was unveiled at the office of the Head of Service, Mrs. Mininim Oseji, in Asaba.

The event was organised by LightRay! Media, in partnership with the Committee for Relevant Arts (CORA) and Unchained Vibes Africa.

Founder and President of the media group, Ejiro Umukoro, described the event as the first large-scale literary festival in the state.

She explained that the initiative aims to engage both marginalised and privileged communities in dialogue on resilience, hope, and social change through literature.

Highlighting the transformative power of storytelling, Umukoro said literature can inspire action, reshape perspectives, and drive social change within communities.

According to her, the festival builds on the impact of the Distortion novel series produced by LightRay! Media, which explores themes of human resilience, personal agency, and renewal.

She noted that the book has supported social awareness campaigns and legislative advocacy, contributing to the abolition of the Osu caste system in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo.

“The novel has also received literary recognition, including the TYB Young Adult Literature Prize in 2024,” she added.

Umukoro further revealed that the Delta Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has approved Distortion as a recommended literature text for students.

She expressed concern over the poor condition of public libraries across the state, noting that many remain inactive or non-functional.

”Urban libraries also struggle with outdated collections, inadequate infrastructure, and limited professional staffing”, she said.

Umukoro urged stakeholders to rebuild libraries, strengthen reading communities, and equip facilities with modern learning resources.

“The three-month festival will feature competitions, workshops, creative showcases, and professional development programmes, Umukoro said.

The Permanent Secretary in the office of the Head of Service, Mr. Wilson Chukwuka, commended the initiative.

The leader of the National Association of Seadogs, Mr. Michael Nwaidei, said the project aligns with efforts to encourage critical thinking and knowledge acquisition among young people.

Nwaidei was represented by a member of the association, Mr. Uche Egbuche.

The Tide’s source reports that guests, educators, creatives, and literary enthusiasts from across the state and diaspora communities attended the festival.