Niger Delta

Oborevwori Inaugurates Critical Faculties, Steuctures At UNIDEL, Owa-Alero

Published

2 months ago

February 23, 2026

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Friday inaugurated critical academic infrastructure at the University of Delta (UNIDEL), Owa-Alero Campus, in Ika North-East Local Government Area, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to expanding access to quality education across the state.

The projects commissioned include the Faculty of Management and Social Sciences Complex, named after the Governor; the Faculty of Environmental Sciences building; the Faculty of Engineering Lecture Hall and Workshops; a 500-seater central auditorium; and a fully equipped central library.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Governor described the event as a “harvest of projects” and a clear demonstration of his administration’s resolve to provide world-class learning facilities in Delta State institutions.

He noted that although his administration has been widely recognized for visible infrastructure such as flyovers, bridges and roads, significant investments have also been made in education and health sectors.

“Education remains the most powerful tool for transformation. When we invest in infrastructure, we invest in people. These facilities are designed to meet global standards and to foster innovation, research, entrepreneurship and practical skills development,” the Governor said.

Oborevwori urged students of the institution to make optimal use of the facilities and guard against vandalism, emphasizing that discipline, creativity and integrity must guide their academic pursuits.

He said: “These facilities are for you. Protect them and use them responsibly. Our goal is to prepare you not just to seek jobs but to create them in a rapidly evolving, knowledge-driven world”.

The Governor recalled his involvement in the establishment of the University of Delta and two other state universities during his tenure as Speaker of the State House of Assembly.

He said the decision to create additional universities was informed by the limited admission quota approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) for the then Delta State University, Abraka, which left thousands of qualified students without placement annually.

“At a time, over 25,000 students were qualified for university admission, but only about 5,000 slots were approved. We had to act. Today, we can see that the vision is worthwhile,” he stated.

He commended the immediate past administration for initiating the university and appreciated the NUC and key officials who facilitated the approval process for the three universities established on the same day, describing it as a rare feat.

Oborevwori also expressed gratitude to the university’s management for naming the Faculty of Management and Social Sciences Complex after him, describing the gesture as humbling and reassuring.

Former Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, in his remarks, lauded Oborevwori’s leadership and continuity in strengthening the state’s higher education system.

He noted that the Governor was part of the legislative process that birthed the three universities and has continued to consolidate on that foundation.

“Today, UNIDEL alone has about 15,000 students. Imagine if these young people were out on the streets without access to higher education. The peace we enjoy today is partly because we created opportunities for our youths,” Okowa said.

Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Nyerhovwo Tonukari, said the Sheriff Oborevwori Complex, which is housing the Faculty of Management and Social Sciences, includes a 250-seater auditorium, lecture rooms, offices, a student resource centre and media facilities, was completed in 2025.

He disclosed that the Faculty of Environmental Sciences building, awarded in August 2021 and completed under the present administration, consists of two 250-seater auditoriums, four 80-capacity classrooms, studios, staff offices, a faculty library and a 150-capacity seminar room.

According to him, the engineering complex comprises fully equipped workshops for metalwork, carpentry, mechanics, foundry and welding, and a 200-capacity engineering studio.

The central library seats 426 students, while the main auditorium accommodates 500.

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Delta, Prof. Stella Chiemeke, described the projects as a testament to the Governor’s transformational agenda and people-focused leadership.

She said the Engineering Complex, Environmental Sciences Faculty and Management Sciences building would significantly expand the university’s capacity to train professionals in key sectors critical to the state’s socio-economic development.

“Your support has translated into more classrooms, more laboratories, more workshops and more opportunities for our youths. You are not just constructing buildings; you are constructing the future of Delta State,” she said.

Chiemeke disclosed the university’s decision to name the Management and Social Sciences Complex after Governor Oborevwori in recognition of his contributions to the institution and the advancement of education in the state.

Chairman of Ika North-East Local Government Council, Hon. Monday Odigwe, also commended the governor for his commitment to balanced development, noting that the projects reflect the practical implementation of the MORE Agenda across all parts of Delta State.

Niger Delta

CSOs, Bille Community Urge Solution To Persistent Underwater Gas Eruption

Published

2 weeks 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

2 weeks 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

2 weeks 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.