Niger Delta
Blue Economy: Revamping More Ports Will Boost National Development – Aniagwu
Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, has emphasized that revamping and expanding more ports across Nigeria is essential to unlocking the full potential of the country’s blue economy.
Speaking during an interview on ADBN Television recently, Aniagwu noted that strategic investments in port infrastructure would significantly enhance national development, create jobs, and strengthen the country’s maritime logistics framework.
He explained that the South-South region is the natural hub of Nigeria’s blue economy, as all states in the region are bordered by the Atlantic Ocean.
According to him, over-reliance on the Apapa Port in Lagos has hindered the growth of Nigeria’s maritime potential, hence he called for the decentralization of port services to stimulate broader economic development.
Aniagwu urged the Federal Government to harness the vast economic potential of the nation’s aquatic resources, particularly in the Niger Delta region, to drive national growth.
He noted that the Delta State Government, under the leadership of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, is already creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, especially in sectors tied to the blue economy.
He highlighted the state’s ongoing infrastructure efforts, including improved road connectivity between urban and rural areas.
“The Oborevwori administration is constructing a new road in Asaba that leads to the River Niger, opening up opportunities and laying the foundation for a new city, the Asaba Waterfront City”, he said.
He further stated that residents can now travel from Asaba to Warri in just one hour and fifty minutes, thanks to the completion of a smooth dual carriageway that is free of potholes, greatly enhancing travel efficiency and regional connectivity.
“Improved infrastructure like the Asaba-Ughelli dual carriage is not just about ease of movement, it is also about enabling trade, attracting investment, and fostering sustainable development. This kind of development creates a ripple effect across multiple sectors”, he stated.
He emphasized the need to fully develop and maximize the existing ports in the Niger Delta, including Warri, Koko, Sapele, and Burutu in Delta State, the Ibom Deep Seaport in Ibeno, Akwa Ibom State, Onne Port in Rivers and the Calabar Port in Cross River, as viable alternatives to Lagos ports.
Aniagwu also advocated for the establishment of a functional port in Lokoja and the dredging of the River Niger to allow larger vessels to berth there.
This, he said, would ease cargo movement to the Middle Belt and other parts of Northern Nigeria, reducing dependence on the congested Apapa Port.
“Reviving and expanding these ports will allow Nigeria to participate more competitively in the global maritime economy. It will also diversify our national revenue streams and reduce our over-reliance on oil”, he stated.
He recalled that experts have long advocated for investment in modern port infrastructure, saying “a well-equipped port system is crucial for efficient import and export activities”.
Aniagwu stressed the importance of upgrading port facilities to accommodate large vessels and heavy-duty cargo, positioning Nigeria as a maritime trade hub in West Africa.
“Imagine the economic transformation if ports in underutilized locations were developed and operated at full capacity. This would enable the establishment of free trade zones and supporting infrastructure across various regions of the country”, he said.
Aniagwu called on relevant authorities, port managers, and stakeholders in the maritime sector to pursue bold reforms and increased investments in port development.
He further stressed that improved port infrastructure would also extend the lifespan of Nigeria’s road network, as fewer high-tonnage trucks would be needed to transport goods over long distances, thereby reducing road wear and tear.
“By addressing these long-standing challenges and embracing high-speed connectivity and modern logistics, we can overcome the limitations that have hindered our progress for too long”, Aniagwu affirmed.
By: Albert Ograka, Asaba
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Bayelsa State Government has commended the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) for propagating the teachings of Jesus Christ and its intervention programmes towards providing succour to people affected by natural disasters.
Deputy Governor of the State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, gave the commendation recently when the South-South zone of the CCN paid him a courtesy visit in Government House, Yenagoa.
He expressed delight that the body had offered to support the state’s development initiatives which he described as laudable and also congratulated the new South-South Zone executive members of the foremost Christian organisation in the country on their election.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo implored the current executives to make a difference by consolidating on the gains of their predecessors and demonstrate exemplary leadership, stressing that true leaders respond to the yearnings and aspirations of the people.
Commenting on the interaction between the church and society, the deputy Governor expressed displeasure over the church’s inability to adequately play the role of catering to the welfare of the less privileged.
According to him, the churches should not place unnecessary burden on their adherents but allow them to make freewill donations to support their programmes and projects.
He also frowned at the practice whereby the church now place more emphasis on materialism to the detriment of spiritual wellbeing as exemplified in the scriptures which enjoin humanity “to seek first the kingdom of God and all other things shall be added unto them.”
Senator Ewhrudjakpo further noted that one of the major concerns of the church should be about attracting people to the word of God for redemption and salvation as well as take care of the needy.
On the CCN’s request for land in the State, he expressed Government’s willingness to provide land for the purpose of establishing the National Research lnstitute for the South-South zone.
“First, I want to thank the CCN for what you have done that is quite remarkable and remains as an indelible achievement. That the church in Nigeria was able to teach the church elsewhere what we call morality by breaking out of the West.
“The Church in Nigeria stood its ground by saying we need to have our own Nigerian Communion because of the nonsense they were doing in the West where Bishops were going into gay marriages.
“I am happy that the Anglican Communion stood their ground and were able to resist that. And we commend them for that. You know that when civilization has gone so high, some people tend to forget that there is God.
“You said the church is for development of society and that formed the basis for the setting up of missionary schools, hospitals and so on. I agree with you.
“But I’m a little bit worried that the Church has degenerated from that role. The church today, including the Catholic and Anglican Church, seem to have decided to join the mix instead of standing out.
“The Church no longer cater for the needy as it used to be. Even when the needy don’t have, we try to impose on them that they must have and give”, he said.
In their presentations, the National General Secretary of CCN , Rt. Rev. Evans Onyemara, and the South-South Zonal Chairman, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Ihwighwu, said they were in the state to hold a zonal meeting as well as inaugurate the new executive of the CCN, South-South zone.
Rt. Rev. Onyemara explained that aside its evangelical mission, the CCN also provides humanitarian services and assist in developmental issues.
He added that in 2022, the General Assembly of the CCN resolved that the South-South zone should establish what it called, the Institute of Church and Society and appealed to the state government to provide land for the building of a national research institute in Bayelsa for the South-South zone.
The Bayelsa State Chairman of CCN, who is also the Bishop of the Northern Izon Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Funkuro Amgbari, that of Rivers State, Rev. Dr. Innocent Ordu, and their Akwa Ibom, Delta, Cross River and Edo States counterparts accompanied the Zonal Chairman on the visit.
Highpoint of the visit was the offering of prayers for Governor Douye Diri, Senator Ewhrudjakpo, and the entire government and people of Bayelsa.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
The Police Command in Akwa Ibom State has arrested two suspects over alleged vanalism of a transformer at Ikot Imoh Village in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of the state.
This is contained in a statement by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, in Uyo.
John said the operatives of the Command apprehended the suspects at 5:45 a.m. on Thursday.
She said the arrest followed a report of suspicious activity around the transformer installation in Ikot Imoh Village, prompting a swift response by the Police.
“Upon arrival at the scene, officers encountered a group of individuals attempting to tamper with the transformer.
“Two suspects were apprehended and other members of the gang fled the scene upon sighting the police”, John said.
The Command’s spokesperson said Items recovered at the scene include: two seventeen-combination flat spanners, one hose pipe, one large heavy-duty cutter and one pipe wrench with socket.
She said investigation was ongoing and when concluded the suspects would be prosecuted.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has commended the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, for hosting a high-level state banquet in honour of Superintendent of Police (SP) Sentome Obi, recipient of the Police Officer of the Year 2024 and IGP Integrity Award.
The event, which took place on Tuesday, 23rd July 2025 in Yenagoa, symbolises a significant recognition of honour, courage, and ethical excellence in law enforcement.
The Tide gathered that SP Sentome Obi, a native of the state and Head of the Financial and Cybercrime Unit at Zone 16 Command, Yenagoa, earned national acclaim following his refusal of a $17,000 bribe aimed at derailing a sensitive investigation.
A statement from the Force Public Relations Officer, Force headquarters, Abuja, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, quoted the IGP describing SP Obi’s principled stance which he said was executed under operational pressure as exemplifying the highest standards of ethical policing.
The Statement added that in acknowledgment of this uncommon integrity, the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri presented SP Obi with a brand-new Toyota Corolla and a fully furnished three-bedroom bungalow, an unprecedented reward for ethical conduct in public service.
The IGP lauded the gesture as a watershed moment in the effort to institutionalize integrity within Nigeria’s security architecture, noting that public recognition of exemplary officers is a powerful tool not only for reinforcing professional values within the Force, but also for restoring public confidence in policing as a noble and honourable profession.
“This is more than a commendation, it is a cultural statement. It tells every officer that integrity is not just expected but rewarded”, the IGP said.
In line with this philosophy, the Force Management Team, under the leadership of the IGP, had earlier on, at its meeting held on Monday, 23rd June 2025, resolved to recommend SP Obi, Police Officer of the year, 2024 and CSP Aliyu Shaba, the recipient of the Police Officer of the Year award 2023 for accelerated promotion by the Police Service Commission.
The Team also approved that SP Obi’s portrait and that of CSP Aliyu Shaba be displayed prominently at the entrances of all State and Zonal Command Headquarters, the main entrance of Louis Edet House (Force Headquarters, Abuja), and the Nigeria Police Hall of Fame on the 7th Floor of the Force Headquarters.
Further decisions reached include the adoption of a merit-driven framework for promotion, under which any officer who has won the police award or received the IGP Recognition Award or other national commendation at least twice in the last two consecutive award cycles will be considered for accelerated promotion. This policy direction is intended to embed reward-for-performance as a sustainable feature of the Force’s personnel development strategy.
These initiatives are part of a broader leadership commitment by the IGP to reposition the Nigeria Police Force as a modern, accountable, and ethically grounded institution.
By celebrating integrity, rewarding professionalism, and elevating officers who embody the core values of the Force – discipline, transparency, service, and excellence, the IGP continues to lay the foundation for a new culture of policing in Nigeria.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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