Niger Delta

SACA Lauds NSCDC, Seeks More Synergy

Published

2 years ago

October 27, 2023

A non-governmental organisation, Stakeholders Alliance for Corporate Accountability (SACA) has commended the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for their consistent cooperation with other stakeholders to end widespread crude oil spillages and its consequences on the environment and human health in the Niger Delta region.
The Executive Director of SACA, Mr Kinsley Ozegbe, gave the commendation at the state headquarters of the Corps in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State Capital, recently, during a courtesy visit by the Environmental Management Committee (EMC) of the NGO to the newly redeployed State Commandant of the NSCDC, Lucy Fakoya.
Ozegbe noted that in the past two years, the security formation has been committed to its partnership with SACA and the Bayelsa State Ministries of Environment, Health, Agriculture and Education to campaigns against crude oil spillages in 41 communities under its 3-year UNGP project.
He said the joint effort has richly been educating the public about the hazards linked to environment and human exposure to crude oil to enable citizens take non-violent actions that could reduce the high spate of vandalism and wilful damage of oil facilities which accounted for 76.24per cent of 1,107 crude oil spill incidences between January 2018 and July 2020 as recorded in Nigeria Oil Spill Monitor website.
The NGO’s boss stated that the synergy has been yielding positive results as communities and individuals increased reporting of spills incidences to appropriate authorities to protect them from harm.
The SACA helmsman further hinted that their analysis of 1,107 crude oil spill incidences unveiled that about 48per cent of the spillages occurred in Rivers State, 21per cent Delta State, 15per cent Bayelsa State and 16per cent in six other states, saying the NGO will continue to strengthen their partnership with the NSCDC and other stakeholders to improve the quality of the environment and human life in the region.
This SACA’s intervention, according to the Executive Director, is being funded by Misean Cara of the Republic of Ireland and the St. Patrick’s Missionary Society.
“NSCDC has been our partner in our quest towards reducing and getting rid-off oil spills, especially as it relates to third-party interference on oil facilities and pipelines in the Niger Delta region.
“Our current programme has a three year life-span, and we’re already in our second year of the programme. But we’re actually meeting with our sponsors and donors to work on the modalities needed to extend it beyond the existing three years duration.
“A review of the National oil spill monitor website showed that third-party interference, (vandalism and wilful damage) accounted for 76.24per cent of 1,107 oil spill incidences between January 2018 and July 2020.
“Further analysis unveiled that about 48per cent of the spillages occurred in Rivers State, 21per cent Delta State, 15per cent Bayelsa State and 16per cent in six other states”, SACA said.
The Tide gathered that the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) is an instrument that consist 31 principles that the UN adopted to Protect the rights of citizens, hold all companies and government to account to Respect and Remedy human rights abuses/violations as they conduct their business enterprises.
Responding to the speech of the NGO’s boss, the Bayelsa State Commandant of the NSCDC thanked the organization for the visit, assuring that the command would continue to strengthen its synergy with the NGO and other stakeholders to bring an end to sabotage and wilful damage of crude oil facilities.
“These deviant acts are greatly contributing to environmental hazards and socioeconomic sabotage of the Niger Delta region and the nation at large.
“Officers and Men of the Corps were noted for being patriotic and resilient in the discharge of their duties. The NSCDC has the mandate to protect all critical national infrastructure”, she said.
In same vein, Mrs. Sarah Udisi, Director of Agric Services at the Bayelsa State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, who also doubles as Chairman of the SACA Environmental Management Committee (EMC), has said the committee will continue to spread the campaigns against oil spills to nooks and crannies of the State to save human and the environment from destruction and extinction.
Udisi extolled the NGO for the facilitation and coordination of the project, saying she hoped that the project would be implemented beyond next year to consolidate the gains being recorded by the committee.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Okpebholo Assures Corps Members Of Improved Welfare

Published

2 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has assured corps members deployed to the state of improved welfare and a supportive service year.

Okpebholo gave the assurance at the swearing-in ceremony of the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream I corps members last Friday at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Permanent Orientation Camp in Okada.

The Governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, safety and entrepreneurship.

Represented by the Commissioner for Youth Affairs, Mrs. Charity Amayaenvbo, the Governor urged corps members to embrace innovation, community service and self-reliance rather than wait for white-collar jobs.

“Edo is committed to supporting youth empowerment, entrepreneurship and incentives that turn ideas into enterprises.

“Do not wait for jobs, create value. Wherever you are posted, serve your host community with humility, dedication and compassion.

“Have a positive footprint and let your service contribute to unity, productivity and progress,” he said.

Okpebholo assured the corps members that the state government was attentive to their welfare and had started addressing key concerns raised by the NYSC leadership.

“On behalf of the state government, I assure you of our support in terms of safety, an enabling environment and a rewarding service year.

“I listened carefully to the requests highlighted by the state coordinator, and I am glad to inform you that some of them have already been captured in the 2026 budget, which has been approved and signed into law,” he said.

The Governor noted that provisions for accommodation, meal subsidies, logistics and the construction of a multipurpose hall at the camp were included in the budget.

Earlier in her address, the Edo State Coordinator of the NYSC, Dr. Frances Ben-Ushie, described the ceremony as a reflection of the state government’s commitment to youth development and national integration.

Ben-Ushie said as of midnight on Thursday, a total of 1,235 prospective corps members, comprising 531 males and over 700 females, had been duly registered.

She congratulated the corps members on their enlistment into what she described as a “noble scheme,” urging them to embrace discipline, learning and active participation throughout the orientation course.

“The NYSC platform provides a unique avenue to meet people from diverse backgrounds, build lifelong friendships and create networks that can open doors to greater opportunities,” she said.

Ben-Ushie also highlighted the contributions of the NYSC to the state’s development, noting that the scheme had consistently provided skilled manpower, promoted labour mobility and strengthened national unity.

She cited initiatives such as the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers and the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme as key interventions benefiting communities across the state.

The NYSC coordinator commended the state government for its support, including the provision of buses for corps members, and appealed for further intervention to address lingering operational challenges at the orientation camp.

She expressed confidence that resolving the issues would enhance the effectiveness of NYSC programmes in the state and thanked the Governor for prioritising the welfare, security and growth of corps members.

Niger Delta

PDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority

Published

2 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

The Edo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday condemned the state government’s reported plan to establish a state-owned airline.

The party, in a statement by its Edo State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dan Osa-Ogbegie, described the proposal as a misplaced priority and evidence of poor, disconnected governance.

The Tide’s source reports that the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, unveiled the airline plan during a meeting with Aviation Minister, Mr. Festus Keyamo, in Abuja.

Osa-Ogbegie said the proposal showed a government out of touch with the pressing challenges confronting Edo State residents.

“At a time of decaying infrastructure and stalled projects, establishing an airline is unrealistic and profoundly insensitive”, he said.

He argued that airlines were capital-intensive and technically demanding, noting that similar state-owned ventures in Nigeria had largely failed.

According to him, Benin has become a shadow of what a modern state capital should be.

He decried poor roads, collapsed urban planning, neglected drainage systems and weak municipal services across the state capital.

“This is a crying shame for a city of Benin’s history, heritage and enormous potential”, he said.

Osa-Ogbegie said several inherited projects had stalled or deteriorated, eroding investor confidence and undermining economic growth.

He accused the governor of pursuing “white elephant projects that offer optics without substance.”

He also cited ongoing flyover projects in parts of Benin as examples of poor prioritisation.

Against this background, he described the airline proposal as diversionary and lacking economic sense.

“When roads are barely motorable and services overstretched, proposing an airline betrays an absence of judgment,” he said.

He urged the government to abandon the plan and focus on people-centred priorities that would improve living conditions and spur growth.

“Edo does not need an airline to fly above its problems. It needs a government ready to confront them on the ground,” he said.

He warned that failure to refocus would deepen perceptions of an administration lacking direction, competence and a coherent development agenda.

Niger Delta

Students Protest Non-indigene Appointment As Rector in C’River

Published

2 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

Students of Federal Polytechnic, Ugep, Cross River State, have protested to the Governor’s Office in Calabar over an alleged plan to appoint a non-indigene as Rector for the institution.

Carrying placards with various inscriptions, the students demanded respect for catchment area policy, local content, and the appointment of an indigene of the state as Rector of the institution.

Speaking on behalf of the students in Calabar, Stephen Etem said the protest sought to alert the Federal and Cross River State Governments to an alleged deviation from the established rectorial selection process.

Etem said a Governing Council, chaired by Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa, was constituted by the Federal Government to conduct the Rector selection exercise.

“The screening, which began last year, reportedly produced a Cross River State indigene as highest scorer and recommended candidate.

“Information available to us suggests that the alleged recommended candidate’s name might be substituted at the Federal Ministry of Education.

“We urge the Federal Government to uphold the council’s recommendation because altering the process could threaten peace in the institution,” he noted.

Responding at the Government House, Mr. Goddie Akpama, the Special Adviser on Intelligence to the State Governor, Bassey Otu, appealed for calm, saying the Governor was away but would be briefed.

Akpama advised the students to submit written petitions through appropriate channels, avoid inflammatory language, and engage authorities to ensure stability and uninterrupted academic activities.