Niger Delta

Oborevwori Commends COVID-19 Action Recovery, Economic Team

Published

2 years ago

May 27, 2024

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, on Wednesday commended the Delta COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (D-CARES) Programme team for increasing its direct beneficiaries from 36,353 to 110,841.

Oborevwori, in a town hall meeting with D-CARES beneficiaries at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, said the increase depicted an increase of approximately 205 per cent.

He said he was happy to hear about the heart-warming and success stories of the beneficiaries and the positive impact the activities of the D-CARES programme were having on them.

“Upon my assumption of office as governor, and in line with the MORE Agenda, we commenced the implementation of a blueprint that will provide more access to opportunities by Deltans, irrespective of their socio-economic status.

“Consequently, I approved the release of funds to support the activities of the D-CARES programme across the various delivery platforms.

“I am, therefore, very pleased to see this large number of happy Deltans, whose lives and businesses have been positively impacted.

“Scaling up the number of direct beneficiaries from 36,353 to 110,841, an increase of approximately 205 per cent, in just about 10 months, is, indeed, a commendable achievement”, he said.

He praised the entire D-CARES team for putting the people first in their assignments, urging them not to rest on their oars.

“As you know, the reward for hard work is more work. The current economic situation in our country has made it imperative for us to be supportive of one another.

“I charge you to enlist more Deltans and businesses so that more of our people can enjoy economic stability”, he said.

Congratulating the beneficiaries, Oborevwori said he hoped and prayed they would seize the opportunity provided by the programme to chart new paths leading to economic freedom for them and their families.

Commissioner for Economic Planning, and Chairman, State CARES Steering Committee, Mr Sony Ekedayen, acknowledged the programme’s achievements.

According to him, the success stories testify to the governor’s commitment to improving the lives and economic fortunes of the poor and vulnerable persons in the state.

“As aptly represented by the letter ‘O’, which means Opportunity for all in his MORE Agenda for Deltans, the D-CARES programme was designed to focus on three key result areas.

The first, he says, is increasing social transfers, basic services and livelihood support to poor and vulnerable households.

“The second area is increasing food security and the safe functioning of food supply chains to poor households, while the third is facilitating recovery and enhancing the capacities of micro and small-scale entrepreneurs”, he said.

The Secretary of the State CARES Steering Committee and State Coordinator, D-CARES Programme, Dr Patience Ogbewe, noted that while COVID-19 had come and gone, it left some challenges to grapple with.

She said the town hall meeting was apt and appreciated the governor for his unwavering support for the success of the programme.

Niger Delta

Uyo High Court Awards Damages To Masquerade Over Arrest

Published

11 hours ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

A High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has awarded damages to a masquerade who was arrested by the State Police Command for allegedly disturbing public peace during traditional worship rites.

The arrest followed an executive order reportedly issued by the State Governor, directing the Commissioner of Police to detain any masquerade seen performing during the Yuletide period.

Acting on this directive, a masquerade, identified as Mr. Effiong, a practitioner of traditional worship, was arrested and subsequently charged to court.

In a landmark ruling, the court sided with Mr. Effiong and his custodian, affirming that Ekpo, a recognised traditional religious practice in Akwa Ibom State, is protected under the law, and that its adherents are entitled to the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

The judge held that Mr. Effiong’s arrest and detention violated his rights to personal liberty and freedom of religion.

The court ordered his immediate and unconditional release and directed the Akwa Ibom State Government to pay damages for the infringement of his fundamental human rights and freedom of worship.

Human rights experts have hailed the judgment as a significant affirmation of Nigeria’s constitutional protection of traditional religious practices, emphasising the importance of respecting the country’s cultural and religious diversity.

By: Enoch Epelle

Niger Delta

MOSIEND Seeks Water Projects In Buguma From NDDC … Urges RSG To Revamp Fish Farm

Published

11 hours ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Management of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to embark on water projects in Buguma city in Asari Toru Local Government Area (ASALGA), Rivers State

The Group also called on the Rivers State government to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths.

On the water project in Buguma, MOSIEND said the population of Buguma has increased tremendously and that the residents need more water projects to enhance the daily livelihood of the people.

The Group also appealed to the Chairman of the LGA to assist in making the project a reality and also attract more developmental projects to the LGA.

MOSIEND’s Eastern Zonal Coordinator, Half Hour, Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn, made the call on a radio programme in Rhythm 93.7fm, “Talk of the Town”.

LongJohn, who made the call alongside the Chairman of MOSIEND in Buguma, Mark Ojuka, and his counterpart in Obuama, Hon. Sandra Owunari, also called on the Management of Nigeria Liquidifed Natural Gas (NLNG) to embark on a free medical outreach in all Kalabari communities to improve their health status.

He appealed to NLNG to award scholarship to indigens of Kalabari communities in tertiary institutions to better their education, noting that the company is doing same in Bonny, while abandoning Kalabari communities

“We need contracts, free medicals, scholarships and employment, including skill acquisition programmes for our teeming youths in Kalabari extractions”, LongJohn stated.

On Security, Mark Ojuka said security in Buguma is at zero level with the help of the Amama soldiers, saying “the city is more peaceful and investor-friendly as the youths of the area have cordial relationship with the security agencies in the area.

“Security is very secured in Buguma clan”

On revamping the Buguma fish farm, he said, “The youths are asking for human capacity building in the area to reduce unemployment.

“The revamping of the Buguma fish farm will also reduce youth violence.”

By: Chinedu Wosu

Niger Delta

Make God Your Anchor To Fulfill Destiny, Cleric Charges Christians … As Jaja Marks 70th Birthday

Published

3 days ago

December 5, 2025

The Tide

The Lead Pastor at Jesus Appointed People’s Bible Church, Ozogbe, Ikwerrengwo-Etche, in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Pastor Promise Nwaelele, has urged Christians to make God the anchor of their lives in whatever position they find themselves, in order to attain the destinies set for them by God.

Pastor Nwaelele, who gave the charge recently in a sermon he preached at the 70th birthday anniversary thanksgiving service of Sir Donald Michael Jaja, a veteran journalist in Rivers State, said this is because any genuine child of God is a permanent target for destabilization and destruction by the devil.

Taking his text from the Bible book of Mark 4:16-17, the preacher stated that fulfilment in life for a child of God required faith, obedience to God’s word, humility and grace to withstand trials and temptations.

According to him, temptations and afflictions are bound to happen in the lives of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

“No wonder the Bible said that those that endure till the end shall be saved”, he said.

The Clergyman said God prospers believers who are humble, not proud and conceited, and leads them to destiny fulfilment.

“David said in Psalm 51:17, that the sacrifices acceptable to God are a broken spirit, not an impatient or proud spirit”, the preacher said.

He called on Christians not to allow persecutions and afflictions to sway them from the love and blessings of Jesus Christ.

On his part, Jaja, a seasoned Journalist who retired as an Acting Editor of the Rivers State Government-owned The Tide Newspaper, gave thanks to God for honouring him by giving him the grace of attaining 70 years.

“I cannot capture what the good Lord has done for me in my entire life in this fleeting moment of thanksgiving. But, I know that without Him, I wouldn’t have been who I am today, in all spheres. Therefore, my joy knows no bounds as I give thanks to my creator today, alongside my family. Praise be His holy name”, Jaja said.