Niger Delta
Diri Approves Swali Paramount Ruler’s Dethronement … Sets Up CTC For Ogboinbiri Community
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has approved the removal of the suspended paramount ruler of Swali Community, His Highness, Chief Wilcox Job Seiyefa, from his Ebeniken chieftaincy throne.
The Governor, who made the announcement through his Deputy, Dr. Peter Akpe, during a meeting with stakeholders of the Community in Government House, Yenagoa, on Tuesday, said the removal of His Highness, Seiyefa was based on recommendations from a fact-finding committee.
A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Deputy Governor, Mr. Doubara Atasi, recalled that the dethroned Ebeniken, alongside his Council of Chiefs, were suspended by the state government on the 21st of May, 2025, following allegations bordering on aiding and abetting insecurity in the Community.
Announcing the withdrawal of recognition of the Ebeniken, the Deputy Governor said the action was in line with Section Six of the state’s Chieftaincy Law, especially in maintaining peace, order and good governance in the state.
According to him, the Governor had directed that the process of electing a new paramount ruler in the community, which he described as “a major and important community”, must commence immediately and be completed within three months.
“The fact-finding committee engaged various stakeholders in Swali Community, and also got advice from security agencies on the way forward.
“From the recommendations of the committee, following their findings, it is clear that, as at the time those actions (causing violence and insecurity) were taken, the leadership was weak and not firm to take decisions to manage the situation.
“So, following the recommendations and the provisions of the state Chieftaincy Law, His Excellency, the Governor, has approved the withdrawal of the Staff of Office of His Highness, Chief Wilcox Job Seiyefa, the suspended paramount ruler of Swali Community, in the interest of peace.
“The Government will facilitate the election of a new paramount ruler in Swali Community by setting up an electoral committee, and the election must be conducted within three months starting from 30th of June, 2026”, he said.
The Deputy Governor, however, clarified that all members of the existing caretaker committee would continue to function until a new leadership emerges, except any member who may have interest to contest for any of the elective offices.
Citing relevant provisions of the Chieftaincy Law, he also directed the dethroned paramount ruler to submit the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office in his possession to the Secretary of the Yenagoa Local Government Area, who will in turn transmit them to the Governor, not later than one month from the 30th of June, 2026.
Dr Akpe, who thanked the people of Epie and Atissa kingdoms as well as security agencies for supporting government’s peace and security efforts, called on all traditional rulers to keep themselves abreast with the provisions of the Chieftaincy Law to avoid unpleasant consequences.
Meanwhile, following the directive of the State Governor, a five-member electoral committee has been constituted to midwife the process of electing a new Ebeniken of Swali.
The committee, which is headed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Chieftaincy Affairs, High Chief Bertola Perekeme, has Barr. Yinkore Terimoh, Gesiye Obireke, Barr. Richard Perekeme as members, while Mrs. Domo-Spiff Boma is to serve as Secretary.
In a related development, the state government on Tuesday also set up a seven-man caretaker committee to pilot the affairs of Ogboinbiri Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.
Mr. Monday Edugo is Chairman of the committee, while Dr. Moses Areprekumor is Secretary, with Barr. Francis Eseduo, Mr. Allen Okorodo, Mr. Peter Akpasi, Mr. Christian Brown, and Mr. Akpu Arthur are to serve as members.
Inaugurating the Committee, the Deputy Governor urged people of the oil and gas-rich Ogboinbiri to resolve their differences and work cooperatively with the committee to achieve lasting peace in the community.
In his acceptance speech, the Caretaker Committee Chairman, Mr. Monday Edugo, expressed gratitude to the state government for finding him and other members of the committee worthy to carry out the assignment.
While assuring government of the committee’s commitment towards restoring enduring peace and stability in Ogboinbiri, Mr. Edugo, however, pleaded with the Governor to lift the prevailing dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed on the community.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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Nigeria has recorded its strongest-ever outing in global university rankings, with 24 institutions earning places in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings and Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings.
However, only four universities from the South-South geopolitical zone made the prestigious list.
The South-South institutions that secured places in the rankings are Delta State University, Abraka (12th), University of Benin (22nd), University of Calabar (23rd), and University of Port Harcourt (24th).
The rankings, which represent Nigeria’s highest-ever participation, reinforces the country’s growing influence in higher education across Sub-Saharan Africa, with 24 universities listed, up from 21 in both the 2024 and 2025 editions.
The University of Ibadan retained its position as Nigeria’s highest-ranked institution, followed by the University of Lagos, while Bayero University, Kano, emerged as the third-best performing university in the country.
Of the 24 institutions, 17 are federal universities, four are state-owned, and three are private universities, reflecting broad improvements in teaching, research, and institutional performance across the country’s tertiary education sector.
The rankings also underscore the growing global recognition of Nigeria’s specialised universities of technology and agriculture, while state-owned institutions continue to improve their academic profiles through enhanced research output and governance reforms.
The full list of Nigeria’s universities in the 2026 THE rankings are: University of Ibadan; University of Lagos; Bayero University, Kano; Covenant University; Landmark University; Ahmadu Bello University; Federal University of Technology, Minna; University of Ilorin; University of Jos; University of Nigeria; Babcock University; and Delta State University, Abraka.
Others are: Ekiti State University; Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; Federal University of Technology, Akure; Federal University of Technology, Owerri; Federal University, Oye-Ekiti; Ladoke Akintola University of Technology; Lagos State University; Nnamdi Azikiwe University; Obafemi Awolowo University; University of Benin; University of Calabar; and University of Port Harcourt.
The rankings highlight both Nigeria’s expanding presence on the global academic stage and the need for greater investment in higher education across regions, particularly in the South-South, where only four universities made the country’s top 24 list.
The Ogu Community in Otubo-Atissa, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, has stated its commitment to preserving its culture, peace and community development through the celebration of the annual “Uge Adiafa” New Yam Festival, tagged “Ogbolo ’26.”
Held at St. John’s Primary School Field, Ogu, the colourful festival served not only as the traditional commencement of the yam harvest season, but also as a tribute to the community’s illustrious son and founder of the Uge Adiafa Festival, His Majesty, Late King Fedrick Aduku Simangi Ogbotom-Edede IV.
The celebration brought together sons and daughters of the community, traditional rulers, academics, youths and other guests in a display of thanksgiving, cultural performances and renewed communal solidarity.
Addressing the gathering, the traditional head of the community, HRH Bishop Akuegbe Paul, expressed delight at the massive turnout, describing the festival as a symbol of thanksgiving to God, cultural identity and unity among the people.
He noted that beyond celebrating a successful farming season, the festival honours the enduring legacy of the late monarch, whose vision established the Uge Adiafa Festival as a platform for preserving the community’s rich cultural heritage and promoting peaceful coexistence.
Guest of Honour, Professor Nedie Patience Akani, of Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, commended the community for embracing reconciliation and unity.
Professor Akani, who is of the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, of the university and a daughter of the soil, said, “This is my first time attending this New Yam Festival. I came because of the good things happening in this community.
“Before now, there were quarrels in the community, with court cases here and there, brother fighting against brother. But today, God has united us. It is a wonderful thing to be united because where there is no unity, there can be no progress in the home, family or community.
“I thank the head of Ogu Community, HRH, Bishop Akuege Paul, for making today’s celebration a reality”, she stated.
The event also featured inter-compound cultural competitions, with Yenikabu II Compound emerging overall winner, while Bongata Compound and Abrima Compound finished first d second runners-up respectively.
Also, eleven Compound Chiefs alongside their respective Head Compound Women Chiefs were coronated. The Woman Chief of Ogu Community, HH, Dare Tiebiri and her Deputy, Chief Stella Jordan Mark, were also coronated.
Dignitaries that graced the occasion included the Ebenanawei of Akamabubu Kingdom, Southern Ijaw LGA, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, HRM, King J. Olotu Erepamo; the Paramount Ruler, Ikibiri Community, Yenagoa LGA, Bayelsa State, HRH, Barrister Morris Lagos; and the Ebeni-Isisibo of Atissa Kingdom, HRH, God’swill Arab Simeon.
Other are: the Ebeni-Otubo, Atissa Kingdom, HRH, Sir Anderson J. Olumo, and his wife, Mrs. Tarila Anderson Olumo; the Deputy Head of Ogu Community, HH, Mission Obugu, and wife of the Ebeni-Ibe of Atissa Kingdom, Mrs. Diemeze Victor Awala.
For the people of Ogu, the festival was more than a celebration of the first harvest, it underscored the importance of preserving cultural traditions, strengthening communal bonds, promoting reconciliation and passing cherished values from one generation to another, while also ensuring that the legacy of their forebears continue to inspire future generations.
Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) has partnered the Delta State Government, Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF) and the Nigerian Red Cross Society to promote voluntary blood donation as part of efforts to strengthen the state’s blood supply and save lives.
The initiative, which forms part of SEEPCO’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme for its host communities, aligns with activities marking the 2026 World Blood Donor Day with the theme, “One Drop of Humanity: Give Blood, Save Lives.”
The campaign was conducted across Delta State’s three senatorial districts — Asaba, Ughelli and Warri — where stakeholders sensitised residents on the importance of voluntary, regular and unpaid blood donation as the most sustainable means of ensuring adequate blood supply for healthcare facilities.
The exercise followed a similar campaign in Lagos State, where SEEPCO, in partnership with the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS) and the Nigerian Red Cross Society, mobilised about 550 pints of blood within two days.
VCDF also highlighted the steady growth of its annual blood donation drive, with the number of donors increasing from 98 in 2022 to 147 in 2023, 268 in 2024 and 341 in 2025.
Before the Delta campaign, the foundation had recorded a cumulative total of 1,404 voluntary donors, a feat that earned it the Blood Donation Champion Award from the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service.
At the Central Hospital, Ughelli, the hospital’s management and Blood Transfusion Committee commended SEEPCO, VCDF, the Delta State Ministry of Health and other partners for supporting initiatives aimed at improving access to safe blood for patients.
Speaking during the campaign, Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, described voluntary blood donation as critical to responding to public health emergencies and saving lives during accidents, childbirth and other medical emergencies.
He said: “Voluntary blood donation is important for public health emergencies and to save lives during accidents and childbirth. We are deeply grateful to VCDF and its partners for their commitment to promoting voluntary blood donation and supporting life-saving healthcare initiatives.”
Participants said the awareness campaign had increased public understanding of the importance of blood donation, with many first-time donors expressing willingness to become regular donors after learning about the safety, benefits and life-saving impact of donating blood.
Stakeholders also stressed the need for sustained public enlightenment, noting that a single blood donation could save multiple lives, as the campaign recorded impressive community participation across the three senatorial districts.