Niger Delta

Ewhrudjakpo Eulogizes Late Bayelsa Ex-Commissioner

Published

1 year ago

December 4, 2024

Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has described a former Commissioner for Special Duties, late Chief Nelson Ayebakuro, as a good man, saying his legacies will continue to speak well of for a long time.

The state’s number two citizen stated this on Friday at a special valedictory executive session held in honour of the deceased at the state Exco Chamber, Government House, Yenagoa, which had former Deputy Governors, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd), and Chief Peremobowei Ebebi in attendance.

Ewhrudjakpo said judging from the testimonies of the former commissioner’s colleagues who served in the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s administration in the state, Late Chief Ayebakuro served the people of Bayelsa East and the state creditably well as a public servant.

Urging other public servants to emulate the departed commissioner’s dedication to duty, he stressed that what matters most is the impact one makes while alive, and not how long one lived.

Senator Ewhrudjakpo enjoined the bereaved family to take solace in the exemplary life of their son, father and husband and thank God for the impact 61 years he lived on earth.

He seized the opportunity to appreciate the State Governor, Douye Diri, for institutionalizing the practice of holding special valedictory sessions in honour of Bayelsans who had served as members of the State Executive Council at different times before their demise.

“Thank God for the life he has lived. We not only look forward to what is missing. We must also look backwards that this same man was appointed as commissioner over several other qualified persons from Brass Constituency Three to be part of the State Executive Council.

“The impact you make is what people will talk about . Today, Chief Ayebakuro is spoken of in clear and glowing terms . The question is, if you leave, will the same be said of you?”, the Deputy Governor said.

He continued that “From the reports we have heard, Ayebakuro lived a good life. He was a good man. So, I wish to plead with the family to draw enormous strength from the comments of those who have served with him and those who did not serve with him .

“I will encourage you not to see the death as a loss, but as a gain that comes in this kind of relationship. The strength you should draw is that he has children with you and they are alive.

“Having said that, we need to also appreciate Governor Douye Diri for initiating this move that gives those who had served our state the opportunity of also being honoured before they are interred just as it is done in the judiciary and the legislature”, he added.

In his remark, former Deputy Governor and Chairman, Bayelsa Elders Council, Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd), attributed the strong character and good spiritedness of the deceased to the late father who was a brave naval officer that saved several lives while in service.

Also speaking, former colleagues of the late executive council member recalled that Chief Nelson Ayebakuro was a simple, jovial, accommodating and hardworking man, who understood his purpose on earth and served humanity with dedication.

Those who spoke include the former Commissioner for Special Duties, Central, Chief Adolphus Forcados; former Commissioner for Transport, Mrs. Onoye Ebitimi Beredugo; and the former Commissioner for Local Government and Rural Development, Senator Degi Eremienyo.

Serving commissioners who also paid tributes to late Chief Ayebakuro were the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Biriyai Dambo; the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Gentle Emelah; and the Commissioner for Trade, Industry and Investment, Dr. Ebieri Jones.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Navy Pledges Improved Patrols, Welfare Boost For Personnel

Published

15 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

18 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

18 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.