Elder statesman and renowned Niger Delta activist, Pa Rev Sokari Benjamin Soberekon, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to extend water defence infrastructure to coastal towns and villages across the South-South region, alongside other development projects aimed at protecting vulnerable communities, improving transportation and stimulating economic growth.
Soberekon, who described himself as a long-standing advocate of Niger Delta development, urged the Federal Government to prioritise coastal protection and strengthen water defence systems to address the challenges associated with water pressure, erosion and the vulnerability of riverine communities.
He proposed that the water defence infrastructure should cover Brass in Bayelsa State and extend through coastal communities in Rivers State, including EleKalabari, Bonny and Opobo, before reaching AkwaIbom and Cross River States.
According to him, the proposed intervention should incorporate appropriate engineering measures to strengthen coastal barriers and manage the movement of water from the River Niger and River Benue systems towards the Atlantic Ocean.
Soberekon also advocated the extension of Brass Airport towards the sea, explaining that improved aviation and coastal infrastructure could enhance connectivity, attract investment and create employment opportunities for residents of the surrounding communities.
He further proposed the construction of an Oceanic Hotel in Brass, modelled after major hospitality establishments on Victoria Island, Lagos, saying , such a project could help promote tourism, create jobs and position the coastal area as an emerging destination for business and leisure.
The elder statesman emphasised that development initiatives in the region should reflect the needs and aspirations of local communities, particularly those whose livelihoods depend on fishing, maritime activities and other coastal economic ventures.
On employment opportunities associated with the proposed Brass Airport and other federal projects, Soberekon urged the authorities to ensure that qualified people from neighbouring towns and villages are given opportunities to participate in the projects.
He stressed that public infrastructure should provide benefits for the host communities rather than concentrate opportunities in the hands of a few individuals.
According to him, the principle of inclusive development must guide the implementation of federal projects in the Niger Delta, ensuring that local people are not excluded from employment, contracts and other economic opportunities.
Soberekon also made proposals concerning the naming of buildings associated with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), recalling his involvement in the supervision of the construction of the commission’s building.
He suggested that the NDDC building in Port Harcourt, should be named the A K Horsfall Building, in honour of an individual he identified as Chief A.K. Horsfall, whom he said worked with him during the supervision of the project.
He further proposed that the procurement building within the compound should be named the SokariSoberekon 13 Per Cent Development Block, to reflect the importance of the Niger Delta’s resource-derived development allocation and the struggle for the region’s economic advancement.
The proposed names, he said, would serve as a lasting recognition of the contributions of individuals associated with the region’s development efforts.
The elder statesman also called for the revival of abandoned or underutilised development funds, particularly the old petroleum-related development fund, which he believes could be deployed to address longstanding infrastructure deficits in oil-producing communities.
He specifically called for the development of Oloibiri, the historic oil-producing community in present-day Bayelsa State, lamenting what he described as the lack of adequate development in the area despite its significance in Nigeria’s petroleum history.
Soberekon recalled that former President MuhammaduBuhari had promised to establish a museum in Oloibiri. He said he had advised that the proposed intervention should also include the establishment of a university of petroleum to promote education, research, technical skills and the development of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
He maintained that Oloibiri and its surrounding communities deserve greater attention from the Federal Government, considering their contributions to the nation’s petroleum wealth.
He also called for the empowerment of the people of Ogbia, stressing that residents of oil-producing communities should benefit directly from development initiatives through employment, education, enterprise support and other sustainable economic opportunities.
Soberekon’s proposals reflect his broader appeal for a development approach that combines environmental protection, infrastructure expansion, education, tourism and community empowerment across the Niger Delta.
Reflecting on his personal history and public recognition, the Octogenarian said his people called him Olotu, a title he explained meant a champion, adding that younger admirers had also called him Super the Black Power, a nickname he said was associated with his public image and activities.
He further recalled that members of the press had described him as an ordinary man doing extraordinary things, pointing out that the late publisher of The Daily Mirror, Mr Isikima Harry had specifically referred to him as an extraordinary man doing extraordinary things.
Soberekon described himself as the Senior Advocate of the Niger Delta, a self-styled title reflecting his longstanding identification with the region’s development concerns and his determination to draw attention to the challenges facing its people.
He called on President Tinubu and relevant federal agencies to give serious consideration to the proposals, particularly those relating to coastal defence, aviation infrastructure, the development of Oloibiri and the empowerment of oil-producing communities.

The Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Passport, District 9141, has unveiled a N28 million intervention plan targeting healthcare delivery, peacebuilding, education, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, and environmental protection during the new Rotary year.
The new President of the club, Rotarian Noble Uranta, disclosed this shortly after his induction as the 7th President, explaining that his administration would align its programmes with Rotary International’s global mission and seven areas of focus.
Uranta said each area would receive dedicated attention and resources to ensure that the club’s interventions deliver meaningful and sustainable benefits to its host communities.
He identified the areas of focus as peacebuilding and conflict prevention, disease prevention and treatment, water, sanitation and hygiene, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, and environmental protection, among others.
Giving a breakdown of the proposed interventions, the Rotary President said the club had earmarked ¦ 2 million for peacebuilding and conflict prevention through community dialogue forums and mediation training aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence and resolving disputes.
He disclosed that ¦ 3.5 million would be committed to disease prevention and treatment through medical outreaches, vaccination drives and health awareness campaigns.
On water, sanitation and hygiene, Uranta said N3million had been allocated to borehole projects and hygiene education in schools to improve access to clean water and promote healthier communities.
He further announced that  N2.5 million would be devoted to maternal and child health initiatives, including the provision of safe delivery kits and nutrition programmes to improve the wellbeing of mothers and children.
For basic education and literacy, the club plans to invest  N13 million in scholarships, literacy campaigns and the provision of computers to schools to improve learning opportunities and bridge the digital divide.

Similarly, N2.5 million has been earmarked for environmental protection initiatives, including tree-planting campaigns and waste recycling programmes to promote environmental sustainability.

The proposed interventions, according to Uranta, represent the club’s commitment to extending its humanitarian services and creating measurable improvements in the lives of people within its areas of operation.
He assured members that his administration would prioritise impactful projects that address community needs and contribute to sustainable development.
The new President also solicited the cooperation and support of club members, stressing that their collective commitment would be essential to achieving the objectives of his administration during the Rotary year.Rotary Club Unveils ¦ 28m Budget for Healthcare, Education, Peacebuilding, Others
The Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Passport, District 9141, has unveiled a ¦ 28 million intervention plan targeting healthcare delivery, peacebuilding, education, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, and environmental protection during the new Rotary year.

The new President of the club, Rotarian Noble Uranta, disclosed this shortly after his induction as the 7th President, explaining that his administration would align its programmes with Rotary International’s global mission and seven areas of focus.

Uranta said each area would receive dedicated attention and resources to ensure that the club’s interventions deliver meaningful and sustainable benefits to its host communities.

He identified the areas of focus as peacebuilding and conflict prevention, disease prevention and treatment, water, sanitation and hygiene, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, and environmental protection, among others.

Giving a breakdown of the proposed interventions, the Rotary President said the club had earmarked ¦ 2 million for peacebuilding and conflict prevention through community dialogue forums and mediation training aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence and resolving disputes.

He disclosed that ¦ 3.5 million would be committed to disease prevention and treatment through medical outreaches, vaccination drives and health awareness campaigns.

On water, sanitation and hygiene, Uranta said ¦ 3 million had been allocated to borehole projects and hygiene education in schools to improve access to clean water and promote healthier communities.

He further announced that ¦ 2.5 million would be devoted to maternal and child health initiatives, including the provision of safe delivery kits and nutrition programmes to improve the wellbeing of mothers and children.

For basic education and literacy, the club plans to invest ¦ 13 million in scholarships, literacy campaigns and the provision of computers to schools to improve learning opportunities and bridge the digital divide.

Similarly, ¦ 2.5 million has been earmarked for environmental protection initiatives, including tree-planting campaigns and waste recycling programmes to promote environmental sustainability.

The proposed interventions, according to Uranta, represent the club’s commitment to extending its humanitarian services and creating measurable improvements in the lives of people within its areas of operation.

He assured members that his administration would prioritise impactful projects that address community needs and contribute to sustainable development.