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Niger Delta

Oborevwori Pledges Fairness, Justice In Projects Distribution

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Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has pledged to be fair and just in the distribution of infrastructural development projects and political appointments in the state.
He gave the assurance at a public presentation of a book on Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa’s stewardship as Delta State Governor, on Wednesday in Asaba.
The book titled, “Hope and Fulfilment” in Asaba, was co-authord by Messrs Olisa Ifeajika, Frank Igwebueze, Sunny Ogefere, Chukwudi Abiandu, Pius Mordi, Felix Ofou, Nelson Egware and Mr Kingsley Kwubosu.
Oborevwori said all parts of the state would be adequately carried along in his M.O.R.E Agenda for the state.
He said his administration would not only consolidate on the achievements recorded by the Okowa-led administration in the state, but would do more for the people and residents of the state.
The Governor also pledged that more appointments would be made in due course and enjoined those who have not been given appointment not to despair.
He said those waiting should continue to work with the State Government in order to expand the frontiers of sustainable development in the state.
According to him, some of the Commissioners designate are people with vast wealth of experience in public life and the younger ones too.
He also said those with immense wealth of experience were expected to mentor the younger ones in the discharge of their duties.
Oborevwori applauded the authors for their painstaking research and efforts in putting together the book, which chronicled the massive developmental strides of the Okowa-led administration in the state.
He also commended Okowa for his outstanding accomplishments in the governance of the state for eight years.
“We shall be fair and just in the distribution of infrastructural development projects and political appointments across the state.
“This administration will not only consolidate on the legacies of the Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa-led administration, we shall improve on them (legacies) and do more for the people.
“I want to appeal to Deltans that appointment are still coming. If you don’t get appointment today, tomorrow may be your turn”, he said.
In his remarks, Okowa expressed appreciation to the authors of the book written in his honour.
He thanked the people of the state for the cooperation given to his administration which, he said, enabled it to succeed.
According to Okowa, the success story of his administration was made possible by a combination of the collective efforts of the people that worked with him and the cooperation of the people of the state.
“I am actually very honoured to speak at this event. I am very happy that we have started mentoring our youths and l thank our Governor, Oborevwori, for being part of the mentorship.
“When you look at the list of Commissioners designate, you will realise that there are about 10 people who are less than 40 years of age on the list”, he said.
In their separate goodwill messages, Chief Eze Nnajiofor, Charles Aniagwu, Chief Funkekeme Solomon, Fidelis Tilije, Reps. Ndudi Elumelu, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire and Chief Arthur Akpowowo, described Okowa as a good leader who had impacted positively on the lives of the people.
Earlier, one of the authors, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, Chief Press Secretary to the former Governor, said the book chronicled the massive infrastructural and human capital development achievements of the Okowa-led administration in the state.
He said it was put together to immortalise the phenomenal accomplishments of Okowa in the eight years of his administration.
The ceremony was chaired by Vice Chancellor, Delta State University, Abraka, Prof. Andy Egwunyenga, while the book reviewer was Prof. Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri, Rector, Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara.

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Niger Delta

INC, Others Partner PINL On Host Comm Dev. Advocacy

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The Ijaw National Congress (INC), and other Niger Delta-based advocacy groups have pledged their resolve to partner an oil and  gas surveillance firm, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Ltd. (PINL) towards the development of Host Communities of the oil rich region.
In his remarks at the December 2025 edition of the monthly Stakeholders meeting of the PINL, which was held in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, Chairman of the INC Central Zone, Chief Moses Theophilus, commended the company for its impactful services in the region on the outgoing year.
He noted that PINL’s services have greatly reduced vandalism, oil theft and environmental pollution in the area, pledging the INC’S partnership in the sustained fight against illegal bunkering and sabotage in the region.
“Pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft has been a menace in our region before now, causing immense environmental degradation and environmental loses and social unrest. I commend PINL for this efforts in reducing environmental pollution, protecting aquatic lives and promoting floral and foena growth in our region.
“These efforts are testaments to the company’s determination to corporate governance and citizenship wellbeing of our country. We’ll collaborate to ensure that in 2026 there will be zero infractions in all zones”, he said.
He reiterated the commitment of INC Central Zone to work with PINL and stakeholders to end pipeline vandalism, saying, the INC would continue in that manner to ensure that there was zero infractions in this Eastern Corridor.
Also speaking, a former member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and stakeholder, Dr. Omoninibeke Kemelayefa, praised PINL’s corporate social responsibility packages, especially for women and the scholarship for youths, saying it will greatly impact the living standards of the locals.
PINL is a private security company (PSC) incharge of securing pipelines along the Eastern Corridor of the Trans-Niger Pipeline (TNP).
In his address, General Manager, Community Relations and Stakeholder Engagement of the company, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, stated that the decision on siting development projects in host communities would help reduce the temptations of vandalism and oil theft by the people of the community.
“Our decision on siting development projects in host communities followed several requests by the communities which are beyond their scope. Several request by the communities such as provision of roads, schools, healthcare and other social amenities are beyond their capacity, hence the decision to take up the advocacy for them.
“The PINL monthly stakeholders meeting has become the closest interface between the communities, government and IOCs. We have become one of the closest interfaces with the communities and those  communities may not even understand that we don’t have the capacity to provide most of those things they are asking for, but for the fact that we have been able to create that platform to air their grievances.
“We’ve complaints of lack of basic amenities, so in 2026, we’ll advocate for more government attention in our communities”, he said.
He gave some highlights of the company’s achievements in the outgoing year to include deepening of security operations to include all oil and gas infrastructures in proximity to TNP, expansion of community and stakeholders’ inclusion, human capacity empowerment with focus on women and students, and strengthening of grassroots communication with introduction of the Town Crier Initiative (TCI).
He also stated sustained and consistent stakeholder engagements, zero illegal bunkering and building of greater trust between PINL and host communities, among other successes, while calling for increased collaboration from the host communities as they look ahead to 2026 for greater impacts.
“Let us continue to protect national assets, empower our people, and strengthen the prosperity of our region and nation. As we step into 2026, may our collaboration deepen, our unity strengthened, and our shared commitment to peace and progress remain unshakable”, he appealed.
The PINL official also announced Christmas palliatives for the 215 TNP host communities.
Earlier, representative of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Engr. Akponime Omojevwhe, noted that the partnership between the communities and PINL has led to unhindered production on the TNP.
Omojevwhe, who is the head, Field Operations, Eastern Corridor, Project Monitoring Office, NNPCL, revealed that the company’s projection for 2026 is 2.06-million barrels per day with a budgeted benchmark of 1.84mbpd.
“Our projection for 2026 is 2.06mbpd while the budget is 1.84m bpd, and with the kind of synergy we are seeing here in Bayelsa and other PINL coordinated areas, we can do it.
“If everybody comes together, it’s achieveable and it’s realistic. We want to also appreciate the royal fathers, the youth presidents, the women leaders, the CDCs for the efforts”, he stated.
Highpoint of the meeting was the presentation of awards to traditional rulers of the host communities for their efforts in maintaining peace in their domains.
By; Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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Niger Delta

Oborevwori Condoles Diri, Family, Bayelsans Over Passing Ewhrudjakpo’s Passing 

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Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has extended heartfelt condolences to the Governor Douye Diri, the Government and people of Bayelsa State over the passing of the state’s Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, Oborevwori described the death of Senator Ewhrudjakpo, affectionately known as “a man of many proverbs” as both tragic and deeply saddening.
The Governor noted that Senator Ewhrudjakpo was a man of uncommon wisdom, intellect and humility, and whose contributions to governance and public service left a lasting impact on the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large.
Oborevwori said: “I join the Governor, his family, Government and people of Bayelsa State, friends and allies in mourning Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
“He was a team player, a dependable partner in leadership and a fountain of wisdom. His passing is a painful reminder of the fragility of life.”
The Governor also extended prayers for God’s comfort to the bereaved Governor, Senator Douye Diri, family, and the people of Bayelsa State, and urged them to take solace in the legacies of service and dedication left behind by the late Deputy Governor.
“On behalf of my family, the people and Government of Delta State, I pray that the Almighty God grants Governor Douye Diri, his family and all who mourn him the strength to bear this irreparable loss”, he added.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who served as Deputy Governor under Governor Douye Diri, was widely respected across the Niger Delta region for his eloquence, deep grasp of governance and his trademark use of proverbs in public communication.
By; Albert Ograka,Asaba
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Niger Delta

We Stalled Projects Inauguration To Honour Ewhrudjakpo – Ogbuku … As Oil Minster, PANDEF Eulogize Late D’Gov

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The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) says it has suspended its planned inauguration of completed projects in the region in honour of the departed Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
Managing Director of the interventionist agency, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, disclosed this when he led the commission’s management team on a condolence visit  to Governor Douye Diri and the Ewhrudjakpo family in Government House, Yenagoa.
The NDDC MD explained that the commission would have commenced  its end-of-year inauguration of projects on Tuesday, December 16 with the 700-bed President Bola Tinubu hostel at the Bayelsa State-owned Niger Delta University but put it on hold because of the unfortunate death of  Ewhrudjakpo on December 11.
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Ogbuku also stated that all other projects scheduled for inauguration have been placed on hold in honour of the deputy governor and  the state government that was mourning.
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“We’ve built partnership with Bayelsa State since the inception of this administration. The NDDC has had one of the best relations with state governors under this administration and that of Bayelsa State has been a wonderful experience.
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“The NDDC was supposed to start commissioning of projects in closing the year, starting from today, with the inauguration of a 700-bed hostel named after Mr. President at NDU, Amassoma”, Ogbuku said.
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The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, who also led a high-powered delegation to the Bayelsa Government House, conveyed the condolences of Mr. President to the state government and the Ewhrudjakpo family, stating that he received the news with shock and sadness.
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The Petroleum Resources Minister said the late deputy governor rendered great services to the state and humanity, adding that he would be missed for his outstanding services.
“For those of us from his senatorial district, we are even more pained by his death. We learnt a lot from his proverbs and wisdom. We will miss him. Bayelsa and Nigeria will miss him for his invaluable services to the state and the country. He died a fulfilled man as it is not how long but how well one lived”, the Minister said.
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The leadership of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) also paid a condolence visit.
Its National Chairman, Dr. Boladei Igali, who led a delegation comprising members of the Board of Trustees and the executive council, also expressed shock over Ewhrudjakpo’s passing.
“We know that this is a great personal loss to you (Governor), considering the working relationship between the two of you, which was the envy of all in Nigeria. The images of the way you related with each other are all over in the media in Nigeria”, he said.
According to the PANDEF leader, the late Deputy Governor played a major role in the progress and development of the state and would be greatly missed.
Responding on behalf of the government and the Ewhrudjakpo family, Governor Douye Diri again thanked President Tinubu for his concern since the passing of his deputy through personal phone call and a condolence message issued by his media adviser, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.
The Bayelsa helmsman also commended the NDDC MD for his thoughtfulness and comforting words.
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He said he was grateful for the brotherly love the government and family of the deceased had received from leaders across the country and that of the state, especially those at the federal level.
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The Governor emphasised the need for unity among political leaders in the state.
By; Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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