Easter: Diri Tasks Bayelsans On Love

Published

2 years ago

March 25, 2024

The Tide

Ahead of the Easter celebrations, the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has called on the people of the state to exude love in all they do in order to attract God’s blessings upon their lives and the state in general.
Governor Diri made the call recently at the Enthronement Service and Inauguration of the ministry of Right Reverend Tamunotari Matthew Obaze as the second bishop of Diocese of Ogbia, Anglican Communion, at the Cathedral Church of St Paul, Ogbia Town.
Speaking through his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the governor reminded Bayelsans that love remains the greatest commandment of God, which must be obeyed at all cost for the good of humanity and society.
He stressed that those who suffer from what is known as ‘Pull him Down’ syndrome never make any meaningful progress in life.
Governor Diri, therefore, implored the church and people of the state to join hands with his administration to work for the peace and development of Bayelsa State.
He congratulated Right Reverend Obaze on his successful election and subsequent enthronement as the second bishop of Ogbia Diocese, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, following the retirement of its pioneer bishop, Rt Revd James Oruwori.
Making his personal remarks, the deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, described the newly enthroned bishop as his bosom friend who is passionate and committed to the service of God and humanity.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who expressed gratitude to God for ordaining two of his close friends, the Rt Revd Obaze and his Northern Izon Diocese counterpart, Rt Revd Funkuro Amgbari in less than ten years, enjoined them to remain focused as priests of the Almighty God.
In his inaugural sermon, the new Bishop of Ogbia Diocese, Rt Revd Tamunotari Matthew Obaze, stressed the need for everyone to discover and pursue his or her own divine purpose on earth.
Anchoring his message on John Chapter 12 Verse 27, Rt Revd Obaze, noted that while God gives grace to those who obey His call upon their lives to succeed in what they do, those who fail to discover or ignore God’s will, ultimately see life as a burden.
While thanking the governor, his deputy and all those who attended the enthronement service, the new bishop called for unity and support from every son and daughter of Ogbia Kingdom to move the Diocese forward.
In his remarks, the dean, Church of Nigeria and Archbishop of Niger Delta Province, the Most Revd Blessing Enyindah, described the enthronement of Bishop Obaze as God approved plan for the good of the church and Ogbia Kingdom in general.
Most Revd Enyindah who is also the Bishop of Ikwerre Diocese and was the supervising Bishop of Ogbia Diocese, congratulated Obaze on behalf of the Primate, Most Revd Henry Ndukuba and the House of Bishops of the Anglican Communion on his successful enthronement as bishop.
He thanked the chairman of the organizing committee, who is the vice chancellor of the Niger Delta University, Prof. Allen Agih and his members, the diocesan chancellor, Mrs Enenimiete Betty Abrakasa and all who supported while he held sway as supervisory bishop of Ogbia Diocese.
Some dignitaries in attendance include the state chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, Hon Solomon Agwanana, the chairman of Ogbia LGA, Mr Ibu Mizodome, chairman of Ayalla Group of Companies, Chief Robert Enogha and the PDP Caucus chairman of Ogbia LGA, Chief Innocent Afagha.
Others are the Bishop of Niger Delta Diocese, Rt Revd Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, Northern Izon Diocese, Rt Revd Funkuro Amgbari, Niger Delta West, Rt Revd Nixon Enekeme and their Western Izon.

CSOs, Bille Community Urge Solution To Persistent Underwater Gas Eruption

Published

14 hours ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the people of Bille Kingdom in Degema Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State have called for government’s urgent intervention to end the suspected underwater gas eruption in the community.

The groups, under the aegis of the Environmental Rights Action and Social Action, made the call during their advocacy visit to the Port Harcourt Zonal Head of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), in Port Harcourt.

The Programme Manager of Environmental Rights Action, Mr. Kentebe Ebiaridor, said the visit was to seek clarity on the response efforts of the regulators to the development in the community.

Ebiaridor expressed concern over what he described as “inadequate response from regulatory agencies and the government concerning the incident”.

He said discussions with some officials revealed that there was still no clear timeline for action to address the situation.

According to him, in the absence of clear ownership of the facility linked to the incident, companies operating within Oil Mining Lease (OML) 18 should be held accountable.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) had in a statement issued on March 20 by its Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, said the commission had commenced an investigation into a gas bubbling incident in Bille Community.

Eyesan said the commission expressed concern over the development and assured residents of its ongoing efforts to address the situation.

Also, the Resource Justice Manager of Social Action, Dr. Prince Edegbuo, warned that the situation could escalate into a public health emergency, if urgent steps were not taken.

Edegbuo called on relevant authorities to release the results of the tests reportedly conducted in the area, stressing that residents had the right to know the condition of their environment.

He also said CSOs were prepared to intensify advocacy on the matter, urging the development of emergency response measures, including possible evacuation plans.

A legal practitioner and community stakeholder, Mr. Commission Deinbo, had, on March 20, said residents had continued to witness unusual signs on the waterways in the area.

Deinbo said the signs included boiling and bubbling from the ground and river, sometimes within residential areas, as well as fire outbreaks, which the residents had always managed to contain.

He appealed to relevant authorities to come to their aid and find a lasting solution to the problem.

In a response, the Port Harcourt Zonal Head of NOSDRA, Mr. Bello Augustin, assured the community that he would relate its concerns to the appropriate quarters.

Augustin also commended the CSOs for their advocacy and concerns to community development in the state.

By: Wokoma Emmanuel & Theresa Frederick

Niger Delta

Police Detain 7, Recover Arms In A’Ibom

Published

18 hours ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom State has detained seven suspects and recovered firearms after raiding a criminal hideout in Ndiya Mfia, Ikono Local Government Area.of the State.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, made the disclosure in a statement in Uyo on Wednesday.

John said that the breakthrough which occurred at about 6.00a.m on Wednesday, followed credible intelligence from members of the public.

“We reliably gathered that criminal suspects were hibernating in a compound disguised as worshippers.

“In a decisive operation, our personnel conducted a thorough search of the premises which led to the detention and recovery of arms,” she said.

According to her, the operation was in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police to decisively combat crime in the country.

The police spokesman further said that two locally made double-barrel guns, five expended cartridges, four motorcycles and three generators were recovered during the operation.

She also listed 10 mobile phones, one police crest, four jungle boots, one peak cap, saw blade, spanner, number plates, machetes, a special force vest as other items recovered.

“We also found bottles of suspected spiritual oil and one enlarged photograph linked to an ongoing investigation,” she said.

John said that preliminary investigation suggested that the location was being used as cover for criminal operations.

She said the State’s Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, has directed a comprehensive investigation on the matter in order to apprehend the principal suspect.

John expressed the commitment of the Command to rid the state of crime, and urged members of the public to always support the police with timely and credible information.

Niger Delta

Otu Launches Grassroot Security Network In C’River

Published

19 hours ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has launched a grassroots security intelligence network, named, ”Homeland Safety and Security Agency,” to strengthen community-based surveillance and enhance safety across the state.

Otu, who inaugurated the agency’s office in the Southern Senatorial District of the state on Monday, in Calabar, said similar offices were being inaugurated in the Central and Northern Senatorial Districts.

The Governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Emmanuel Ironbar, said the officials of the agency would serve as first point of call before matters would be escalated to main security architecture in the state.

He described Homeland Security as an intelligence-driven structure focused on neighbourhood monitoring and early threat detection through coordinated local efforts.

He said the initiative constituted the directors and field operatives, tasked with gathering and forwarding intelligence to relevant security agencies for prompt action.

Otu noted that the network would serve as a first point of contact before intervention by conventional security agencies.

“It is important that we enhance monitoring of movements across our communities, border areas, and riverine zones to identify suspicious activities and enhance security response.

“The state government will provide necessary gadgets and communication tools to improve efficiency and real-time intelligence sharing,” he said.

Otu called for public cooperation, stressing that ‘’security is a collective responsibility requiring timely information from residents.’’

He said, ‘’to ensure that the security outfit works like a model unit, proper screening would be conducted on the volunteers to weed out undesirable elements from the system.’’

The Tide’s source reports that the Governor handed over 14 motor bikes to the agency’s southern Senatorial district office to enhance their efficiency.

On his part, the Director-General, South of the agency, Mr. Michael Nsan, said the volunteers had played key roles in reducing crime through coordinated patrols and intelligence sharing.

Nsan said over 1,300 volunteers currently supported the operations with additional informants providing critical information across communities.

“Crime rates dropped significantly during the last festive period due to our collaboration with law enforcement agencies in the state,” he said.

The Director-General said volunteers would undergo training and screening, with plans underway for formal recruitment through a government employment portal.

According to him, communication tools, including walkie-talkies, and patrol motorcycles had improved rapid response to security incidents.

He commended the governor’s commitment, noting that the initiative would further strengthen security architecture and community safety across the state.

The source reports that some of the dignitaries who graced the occasion were traditional rulers and government officials.