Niger Delta
Firm Unveils Greenhouse Farms, Set To Create Jobs In Bayelsa
Agricultural firm, Tedama farms Limited, has unveiled the first of its kind green house farm in Elebele Communitiy in Ogbia Council Area of Bayelsa State.
Speaking with newsmen during a tour of the farm, Managing Director of the company, Barr. Ebelema Terry Danadana, stated that the farm was made of locally sourced materials.
He noted that as against the common practice whereby most Nigerian farmers import equipments needed for greenhouse farms from China and other countries, his farm spared no efforts in sourcing for these materials in the country, just as he reiterated that upon the use of the locally sourced materials, the farm was already yielding the expected results.
Danadana, who also doubles as the Chairman of the SPDC’s owned Kolo Creek Cluster Development Board (KCDB) while restating his desire towards creating jobs for the teeming unemployed youths through his firm mentioned that the Tedama farms was his second farm.
He averred that alongside the green house farms in which he has planted varieties of pepper, he also has commenced the rearing of no fewer than 30,000 fingerlings of different specie of fish, has over ten thousand birds in his poultry farm as well as has started a snail farm, amongst others.
The Tide learnt that greenhouse farming is the growing of plants and vegetable crops in a structure with walls and a roof made of transparent materials and that the interior of a greenhouse when exposed to sunlight is warmer than the external temperature, protecting the plants from extreme conditions.
While calling on government and its institutions to make available incentives in terms of funds for farmers to enable them expand their farms for the purposes of food production and job creation, the Tedama CEO/MD revealed that he currently has no fewer than ten employees under the payrole of the farm, stressing that as the farm progresses, he would engage additional workforce.
“This is my second farm. It’s situated on a twenty-two(22) plots of land for a start. But we actually started in 2014. Today we’ve more than 30,000 fingerlings of various types of fishes.
“As you can see, we also have Green House farms made of locally sourced materials, as against importation of materials needed for it from China and other parts of the world. We’ve planted green pepper, red, etc.
“We’ve a snail farm with hatchery. We’ve commenced the Construction of the administrative building for the staffs of our farms and God willing as time progresses we shall be engaging more workforce for this farm so that the world would see and know that as a state, Bayelsans have started getting it right in farming. This is our vision as a firm”, he said.
“I call on the government to ensure that whenever agricultural loans and other incentives for farmers are disbursed that they get to the genuine farmers who need them so that they can enlarge and diversify their farming business and create jobs for people as well as make food sufficiently available for Bayelsa state in particular and Nigeria in general.
“I want to task the youths and any unemployed person not to be waiting for the white collar jobs which are not forthcoming. They should engage in agriculture and overtime they’ll be glad they did”, he added.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
The Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, has called on all court users to collaborate with the state judiciary in its fight against corruption.
Okungbowa made the call on Friday during a special court session held in Benin to mark the opening of the 2025/2026 Legal Year.
He commended the “Bail Is Free Campaign Organisation” for its continued support of the judiciary’s efforts to rid the system of corruption.
The opening ceremony provided an opportunity for the judiciary to reflect on the achievements of the past legal year and to outline goals for the year ahead.
According to the Chief Judge, key focus areas in the previous year included capacity building, administration of criminal justice, and staff welfare.
As the new legal year begins, Okungbowa emphasised the judiciary’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and transparency in the discharge of its duties.
In recognition of exemplary service, ten members of the state judiciary received the Chief Judge’s Award for being outstanding ambassadors of the institution.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Benin Branch, Mr. Idemudia Osifo, urged the Edo State judiciary to continue upholding the principles of justice, fairness, and judicial independence.
Osifo praised the judiciary for its industry, resilience, and steadfastness under the leadership of the Chief Judge, and also highlighted several persistent challenges.
He noted that many courts in Edo State still operated in dilapidated conditions and lacked modern facilities needed for effective justice delivery.
He lamented the prolonged duration of many court cases, which continued to erode public confidence in the system, and stressed the urgent need to improve the working conditions of judicial officers and support staff.
“The safety of judicial officers, lawyers, litigants, and witnesses must be ensured”, he said.
The NBA urged the judiciary to invest in ICT infrastructure to enhance justice delivery, reduce delays, and increase transparency.
It also pledged its commitment to promoting access to justice and defending the sanctity of the legal profession.
As the new legal year begins, the association urged the judiciary to uphold the noble ideals of justice, fairness, and independence.
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has congratulated the Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Obi, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, on the occasion of his first year coronation anniversary.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, Oborevwori lauded the monarch’s dedication to peace, unity, and the cultural advancement of Asaba.
He described Obi Azinge as a revered traditional ruler and academic whose leadership over the past year has brought renewed pride to the Asaba Kingdom and inspired confidence in traditional institutions across the State.
Oborevwori said: “On behalf of the Government and people of Delta State, I warmly congratulate Your Majesty, Obi, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, SAN, OON, the Asagba of Asaba, on the joyous celebration of your first coronation anniversary.
“Your reign has already demonstrated a deep commitment to the values of peace, inclusiveness, and development.
“As an accomplished academic and respected traditional ruler, you have brought honour not only to the Asaba Kingdom, but also to the entire Delta State.”
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s support for traditional institutions and assured the Asagba of continued partnership in advancing the interests of the Asaba people.
He wished the monarch long life, wisdom, and a peaceful and prosperous reign.
Obi Prof. Azinge ascended the throne as the Asagba of Asaba in 2024, succeeding the late Obi Prof. Chike Edozien, and has since been recognised for his efforts in promoting cultural heritage, peace and community development.
By: Albert Ograka, Asaba
The Akwa Ibom State Government has launched the Nigeria Solar for Health Project (NISHP) to tackle the challenges of epileptic power supply to the health sector.
The State Governor, Umo Eno, stated this in his keynote address during the state launch on Friday in Uyo, saying that the project would be in collaboration with the EU.
According to the Governor, the project is to strengthen the state’s vision of universal, reliable and sustainable energy access for all communities, especially in rural and peri-urban areas.
Eno, represented by the Deputy Governor, Sen. Akon Enyaenyi, stated that Akwa Ibom State has taken bold steps to domesticate the Electricity Act 2023 through its own Electricity Policy (2024) and Electricity Law (2024).
He said those two instruments mark a turning point in its journey toward a fully-fledged Akwa Ibom State Electricity Market (AKSEM), one that is state-led, private-sector-driven.
According to him, it will be inclusive in all ramifications and acutely focused on developing and sustaining the all-important off-grid sub-sector of the State Electricity Market.
“Electricity is not just a commodity, it is the foundation of healthcare, education, security, and prosperity.
“By establishing a credible electricity market and regulatory framework, we are creating a platform where on-grid and off-grid solutions can coexist, complementing each other to deliver reliable power to all sectors, including our hospitals and health centres”, Eno said.
The Governor further said the project would provide clean, reliable solar energy to healthcare facilities across the state; enhance healthcare delivery, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
He added that it would reduce dependency on diesel and improve environmental sustainability; create local jobs and build technical capacity in solar maintenance and energy services.
Eno commended the state steering committee for taking up the important responsibility.
He said the committee, drawn from both the Ministries of Power and Health, would serve as the vital bridge between policy, implementation and progressive community outcomes.
“Let me assure our development partners, the EU, NTU International, and the REA, that the Akwa Ibom State Government will provide all necessary supports to ensure that this project becomes a model for sustainable energy access in healthcare, not just in our State but across Nigeria.
“This launch is more than a ceremony, it is a statement of intent”, he said.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Power, Mr. Robson Iniobong, said electricity is the very thing that guarantees and announces the functionality of every other sector.
Iniobong stated that the Governor had prioritised his interest in power and health sectors to provide quality services to the people.
In his remarks, Mr. Tinyan Ogiehor, Senior Stakeholders Engagement Manager of NISHP, said the project would establish solar mini-grids at approximately 19 Public Health Centres (PHCs) across the state.
Ogiehor added that the solar project would also reach the state central cold store, with a view to positively impacting healthcare delivery and boosting economic activities.
“Beyond powering the PHCs, this project will enhance the operations of about 75 small businesses located within these facilities”, he said.