Niger Delta

Bayelsa Supports Accountants, Civil Servants On Professional Training

Published

2 years ago

January 17, 2024

The Bayelsa State Government has restated its commitment to the professional training and development of accountants and other categories of civil servants in the state’sCivil Service to promote efficiency and productivity.
Deputy Governor of the state, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, made the recommitment recently during a joint courtesy call by the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), and the Yenagoa Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (YECCIMA) in Government House, Yenagoa.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Mr Doubara Atasi, the state number two citizen noted that government employees needed continuous training to be able to do their jobs well and achieve better service delivery in the state.
He said the State Government had always taken the issue of training civil servants seriously, hence it had always given approvals to applications by its employees properly channeled through relevant agencies, for participation in the mandatory professional training programmes.
On the take-off of the proposed ANAN Training College at Sampou, in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state, the Deputy Governor assured the ANAN delegation that the State Government would do everything at its disposal to actualize it.
According to him, Bayelsa could not afford to fritter away the opportunity of establishing the ANAN Training College in the state, which would create job opportunities, as well as make it much easier for young accounting graduates from the state to get professional certification.
“As a government, we have always approved applications for ANAN training programmes, and for other civil servants in the employment of the state government. They need the training to give better performance, hence we take training very seriously.
“On the issue of the Training College, I’ll relate the message to my boss, the Governor. We really can’t afford to miss out on this opportunity because of the career opportunities it would provide for young accounting graduates”, he stated.
Responding to some of the issues raised by YECCIMA, the Deputy Governor assured its members that the present administration would support the organization to stimulate organized private sector participation in the local economy.
He noted that over dependence of the people on the government for everything ranging from contracts, jobs to employment opportunities was impeding the economic and industrial development of the state, pledging to support the formal launch of the YECCIMA Cooperative Society in Yenagoa which is aimed at promoting the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), as well as engender commercial and economic activities in the state.
”We’ll rally round YECCIMA. There’s need for us to do more for the organized private sector in Bayelsa State.
“The current over dependence on the formal sector or government, with less focus on the organized private sector is actually impeding the development of our state, and we need to correct it”, he said.
Speaking earlier, the National President, ANAN, Dr James Neminebor, said the visit was intended to brief the Deputy Governor on ANAN’s local, national and international training programmes lined up for 2024 and to solicit support from the State Government.
Dr. Neminebor, who is also the President of the Yenagoa Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, appreciated government for supporting the professional training for ANAN members in the civil service, and appealed to government to fulfill its promise towards the establishment of the ANAN Training College in the state.
The ANAN and YECCIMA boss also appealed for support towards the launching of the YECCIMA Cooperative Society slated for this weekend in Yenagoa.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Navy Pledges Improved Patrols, Welfare Boost For Personnel

Published

10 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has pledged to ensure improved welfare for personnel and more patrols on the maritime corridors of the nation.

He disclosed this during an on the spot assessment of things at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Calabar, on Wednesday.

According to him, there is the need for officers to always be ready, by improving on their welfare, in a bid to keep the country secured.

“I am here for an on the spot assessment of our operations and like you have seen, I have also gone round to check the ongoing buildings.

”These are welfare issues and for us to be able to have our men ready and keep us secured, their welfare needs to be catered for.

“So, we are here to kill two birds with one stone, which are basically operations and welfare issues.

”I am happy with what the command is doing; it is doing well in terms of keeping the maritime environment safe.

“We will continue doing what we are doing and improve on that, which is patrol of the waters and increase in the area of surveillance”, he stated.

As part of his visit, Abbas commissioned the 12×1 Junior Rates Accommodation Block A and B, at the Navy Barracks at Atimbo in Calabar.

The naval chief also inspected other ongoing projects in the Akim Barracks, 1006 flats and the Navy hotel, all within Calabar.

Niger Delta

Delta Begins Uromi Junction Flyover Construction

Published

13 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State Government says it has began construction work on the long-awaited Uromi Junction Flyover Bridge in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of the state.

Director-General (DG) of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr. Fred Oghenesivbe, confirmed the development to newsme in Asaba.

According to him, heavy-duty construction equipment have arrived the site, a project which is being handled by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, one of the country’s leading construction firms.

Oghenesivbe, described the flyover as a massive infrastructure project with far-reaching socio-economic benefits for the area.

He said the project would significantly transform the Agbor metropolis by easing traffic congestion, improving the city’s aesthetics, and boosting commercial activities within the local government area.

He described the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, as a promise-keeper and pragmatic leader whose administration remains committed to infrastructure development and economic growth across the state.

The DG expressed confidence in Julius Berger’s capacity to deliver the project within record time and according to the highest construction standards.

“The Uromi Junction serves as a major link between different parts of the country but has recently been plagued by severe traffic congestion, making vehicular movement increasingly difficult”, he noted.

He urged residents to cooperate with the contractor and safeguard construction materials and equipment to ensure the timely completion of the project.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Rejects Ekid Ownership Claim Of Stubbs Creek

Published

13 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State Government has rejected claims by the Ekid People’s Union that it owns land within the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, describing such assertions as “false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

In a recent statement, signed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, the state government said it was compelled to respond in the “overriding public interest,” despite a pending court case instituted by the same group.

The government stated that contrary to claims circulating in the media, the historic case of Ntiaro and Ikpak vs. Ibok Etok Akpan and Edoho Ekid, decided by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in 1918, did not vest ownership of Stubbs Creek land in any ethnic group or community.

“The final judgement merely dismissed the claims before the court and granted title to no party whatsoever”, the government stated, adding that “any assertion to the contrary is false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

According to the statement, the land was lawfully reserved by the colonial government under Forest Reserve Order No. 45 of 1930, later amended in 1941, 1955 and 1962, with “the principal rights of the land forfeited to the Government upon the change of status.”

It said the area has since been administered under applicable laws by the Akwa Ibom State Government, which “has at all times acted within its lawful authority in the management and allocation of land in the area for legitimate public and economic purposes.”

Citing the 1999 Constitution and the Land Use Act, the government stated that all land in the state is vested in the governor to be held in trust for the common benefit of Nigerians, noting that claims of absolute ancestral ownership are subject to existing laws.

The government “categorically denies allegations of fraud or misrepresentation” regarding Stubbs Creek or investments there and warned it would take “appropriate legal steps” against any individual or group publishing false or defamatory material capable of undermining public confidence or discouraging investment

The statement also assured the federal government of “full access and Right of Way” for the proposed Coastal Highway through any part of the state.

The government statement followed an earlier report in which the Ekid People’s Union accused Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State of making comments that allegedly linked the community to terrorism, while he was defending the Coastal Highway project passing through the Stubbs Creek.

Ekid People’s Union maintained that the people of Ekid are the original owners of the land known as Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, arguing that their ancestral ownership predates colonial rule.

The group cited historical occupation, customary ownership and a 1918 Privy Council case, which it claimed affirmed Ekid rights over the territory.

The union also accused the Akwa Ibom State Government of misrepresenting history to justify taking over the land for commercial interests and the proposed Coastal Highway, an allegation the state government has denied.

The group rejected any suggestion linking the Ekid people to criminality or terrorism, insisting they were peaceful citizens defending their ancestral land through lawful and civic means.