Niger Delta

Dickson Rates Diri High

Published

3 years ago

December 28, 2022

Immediate past Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Seriake Dickson, has expressed satisfaction with the performance of his successor, Senator Douye Diri.
Dickson, who represents Bayelsa West in the Senate, stated this, Monday, when Governor Diri paid him a Yuletide visit at his Toru-Orua country home in the Sagbama Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Diri was accompanied on his visit to the ex-Governor by his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the lawmaker representing Ekeremor State Constituency 1, Tari Porri, the state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Solomon Agwanana, the party’s caucus Chairman in Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA, Chief Isaac Kumokou, and other party chieftains.
Others who were part of the governor’s yuletide visit to his predecessor were traditional rulers from Kolokuma/Opokuma and top government functionaries.
Dickson said he was very pleased with the governor’s commitment towards completing projects inherited from his administration, especially the Sagbama-Ekeremor Road and the ongoing work on the two other senatorial roads in Bayelsa Central and Bayelsa East.
He thanked the governor for the visit, which, according to him, was now a tradition as he made a similar visit last year, noting that Governor Diri has pioneered a culture in the state’s political history by recognising and according him much respect.
He stressed that such positive gestures would be etched in the minds of their political followers.
Senator Dickson cautioned those fabricating rumours of discord between him and his successor, saying this was counter-productive to the political stability of the state.
“Let me say that I am pleased with the work you are doing. With the road projects you have continued, our communities are now being connected.
“Specifically on this very important project (Sagbama-Ekeremor road) that we toiled for and is a major infrastructure agenda on which we were elected.
“Let me also thank you for your thoughtfulness in pioneering this visit, which for me is a tradition. I recall how the governor made last Christmas memorable for me and we were very pleased to receive you.
“This tradition we have started, I believe it is one of the benefits of the experiments that led to the emergence of this government.
“An experiment in the sense that after eight years, the Governor and the system deciding on succession, pushing it hard, even when they stole it, God gave it back to us.
“In Bayelsa, rumours fly rapidly. I am sleeping in my house and doing my work in Abuja but people are fabricating different stories. I am used to it”, the former Governor said.
The Senator further described the Governor as a man of experience, having served in other capacities before assuming office, assuring that he was still available for advisory roles.
Speaking earlier, Governor Diri said the visit was primarily to consolidate on the bond between him and his predecessor, stressing that nothing can separate them as leaders.
He disclosed that as a mark of sustaining the legacies of Senator Dickson, his government has continued the construction of projects inherited in a bid to promote continuity in governance.
“This visit, for me, is more like strengthening the bond that I and our leader (Dickson) share. There is nothing that can separate us.
“To buttress that fact, one of the the major projects you took over from the Federal Government under the NDDC, which is the Sagbama-Ekeremor Road, has been going on smoothly under my watch and it remains one of my priority projects to be completed by the Government you handed over to.
“Our state will continue to get stronger, more united and we will develop faster and further than when we met it”, Governor Diri said.
The Bayelsa Chief Executive called for a minute’s silence in honour of the late Senator Inatimi Rufus-Spiff, who passed on, on Christmas eve.
Until his death, the deceased was Chairman of the State PDP Reconciliation Committee and caucus Chairman in Brass Local Government Area.
He was also a former Secretary to the Rivers State Government and one-time Commissioner for Education in Bayelsa State.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Flood: NDDC Extends Lifeline To Ayakoro Community

Published

7 days ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has distributed relief materials to residents of Ayakoro Community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, following recurring flood incidents that have devastated livelihoods and displaced residents.

A statement signed and issued by the Director, Corporate Affairs of the NDDC, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, stated that the intervention, aimed at cushioning the impact of seasonal flooding, comes amid growing concerns over the loss of lives, farmlands and economic assets in the riverine community.

Representing the Managing Director of NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, at the event, the Director of Education, Health and Social Services, Dr. Patience Ezugu, said the initiative reflects the commission’s commitment to alleviating hardship and improving living conditions across the Niger Delta.

She noted that the donation of food items and essential household materials forms part of NDDC’s broader strategy to support vulnerable communities while advancing sustainable development in the region.

“As we distribute these materials to the people of Ayakoro, we reaffirm our resolve to empower communities and drive meaningful development across the Niger Delta”, she said.

Ogbuku, in a statement, reiterated that the commission’s mandate is rooted in addressing environmental degradation, pollution and other development challenges confronting the region.

He assured that NDDC would sustain interventions that deliver tangible benefits to affected communities.

In his remarks, the Acting Paramount Ruler of Ayakoro Kingdom, King Micah Itekesi, represented by a community leader, Pastor ThankGod Expenses, commended the commission for its timely response to the plight of flood victims.

Describing the intervention as unprecedented, he expressed gratitude to the NDDC leadership for the scale of assistance provided, noting that the support would go a long way in easing the suffering of residents.

He also assured that the relief materials would be distributed fairly among households in the community.

Speaking on the selection process, the programme consultant, Dr. Daniel George Smile, explained that Ayakoro was prioritised due to the severity of flood impact and the community’s fragile economic condition.

He added that assessments were ongoing in other affected areas for possible intervention.

The latest effort underscores NDDC’s continued focus on humanitarian support alongside its core infrastructure and development mandate in the Niger Delta.

Niger Delta

C’River Deploys Drones To Boost Rural Healthcare Access

Published

7 days ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

The Commissioner for Health in Cross River State, Henry Ayuk, has said the deploent of drone technology has improved access to essential medicines in remote communities, strengthening healthcare delivery across previously underserved and hard-to-reach areas.

Speaking with The Tide’s source in Calabar, Ayuk said the government had leveraged drone technology to improve healthcare delivery and ensured equitable access statewide.

He explained that the innovation had expanded immunisation coverage and enabled efficient delivery of essential medicines and supplies to every nook and cranny of the state, including isolated and difficult terrains.

According to the Commissioner, the initiative, implemented in partnership with Zipline, is designed to serve more than 300 health facilities, especially those located in riverine and mountainous areas lacking reliable transportation access.

“The use of drones has significantly improved healthcare delivery in Cross River, enhancing efficiency and responsiveness in the distribution of medical supplies to health facilities across diverse and challenging terrains.

“Beyond faster deliveries to hard-to-reach areas, the system has reduced wastage and helped curb the circulation of counterfeit medicines, thereby strengthening the integrity and reliability of the state’s drug supply chain,” Ayuk stated.

He continued that the administration of Bassey Otu had also introduced far-reaching initiatives aimed at strengthening healthcare infrastructure, expanding access, and improving the overall quality of medical services across the state.

He highlighted ongoing upgrades and renovations of a out 100 Primary Healthcare centres across the state’s 18 local government areas, aimed at enhancing service delivery and improving access to basic healthcare services.

He added that the government had designated some health facilities to cater specifically to elderly persons, children, and pregnant women, ensuring vulnerable groups received focused and priority medical attention across the state.

According to him, several upgraded Primary Healthcare centres have been completed, while others are at advanced stages, reflecting steady progress in the government’s efforts to revitalise healthcare infrastructure and expand service coverage.

He noted that dedicated facilities for elderly persons above 65, children under five years, and pregnant women were already operational in three local government areas and would be replicated statewide.

On disease control, Ayuk said the government combined preventive and curative strategies, emphasising early detection, rapid response, and sustained public health interventions to minimise risks and effectively manage outbreaks across communities.

He emphasised that there had been a significant reduction in disease outbreaks due to increased focus on preventive measures, including public health education and awareness campaigns targeted at communities across the state.

He explained that authorities provided basic health education and maintained an effective surveillance system that ensured rapid response once cases were reported, helping to contain and mitigate the spread of diseases statewide.

Niger Delta

South-South APC Elects New Zonal Executive … Reaffirms Unity Ahead Of 2027

Published

7 days ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-South has elected a new Zonal Executive Committee, following a successful congress held on Wednesday in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

The congress, which drew top party leaders, including the Senate President, Governors, lawmakers, and delegates from across the region, was conducted through a consensus arrangement, reinforcing the party’s commitment to unity and internal cohesion.

Proceedings commenced with a motion for the dissolution of the outgoing Zonal Executive Committee, moved by the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, and seconded by his Bayelsa State counterpart, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, and was unanimously adopted.

Subsequently, a motion adopting consensus as the mode of electing new officers was moved by Senator Essien Williams of Cross River State and seconded by Senator Aniekan Bassey of Akwa Ibom North East, and was also unanimously adopted by all delegates.

At the end of the exercise, Chief Victor Giadom emerged as National Vice Chairman (South-South); Dr. Ita Udosen, Zonal Secretary; Barr. Neworld Safugha, Legal Adviser; Dr. Samuel Nwanosike, Publicity Secretary; Prince Urhoro Koyoyo, Youth Leader; Hon. Suobankuo Omoni, Women Leader; Hon. Prince Edward, Organising Secretary; and Prince Ayo Peter, who is to represent Persons with Disabilities.

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks, conveyed the goodwill of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and commended the South-South for its growing unity and political consolidation within the APC.

He noted that the region had witnessed remarkable transformation, moving from minimal APC presence to becoming a strong political bloc with increased alignment from governors and stakeholders.

Akpabio challenged party faithfuls to position the South-South as the highest vote-delivering region for the APC in the 2027 general elections, stressing that such a goal was both achievable and necessary.

Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, in his goodwill message, welcomed delegates to Asaba and described the congress as a demonstration of the party’s strength, unity, and readiness for future political engagements.

Oborevwori emphasized the need for sustained grassroots mobilization and urged party members to deepen internal cohesion, strengthen structures across all levels, and maintain strong connections with the people.

Chairman of the South-South Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, also underscored the importance of unity, describing the adoption of consensus as a major step in reducing internal conflicts and fostering collective ownership within the party.

He noted that, for the first time in recent political history, the South-South was speaking with one voice, adding that the full attendance of governors at the congress demonstrated their shared commitment to the region’s progress.

Governors Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), and Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers) in their separate remarks, spoke in the same vein, stressing the importance of the zone aligning with the Government at the centre.

Earlier in his welcome address, Chief Victor Giadom thanked party leaders and stakeholders for their support during his tenure and highlighted the progress made by the APC in the region, including electoral victories and increased political alignment.

In his acceptance speech, Giadom, who was relelected, expressed optimism that the party would continue to expand its influence ahead of the 2027 elections and position itself for greater success.

The congress was also attended by members of the National and State Houses of Assembly, Ministers, other top government functionaries, party leaders and stakeholders from across the zone.

The event concluded with a renewed commitment by party leaders and members to strengthen unity, expand grassroots support, and consolidate the APC’s growing influence in the South-South region.