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Rivers Elder Urges Tinubu To Extend Water Defence Across South-South
Elder statesman and renowned Niger Delta activist, Pa Rev Sokari Benjamin Soberekon, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to extend water defence infrastructure to coastal towns and villages across the South-South region, alongside other development projects aimed at protecting vulnerable communities, improving transportation and stimulating economic growth.
Soberekon, who described himself as a long-standing advocate of Niger Delta development, urged the Federal Government to prioritise coastal protection and strengthen water defence systems to address the challenges associated with water pressure, erosion and the vulnerability of riverine communities.
He proposed that the water defence infrastructure should cover Brass in Bayelsa State and extend through coastal communities in Rivers State, including EleKalabari, Bonny and Opobo, before reaching AkwaIbom and Cross River States.
According to him, the proposed intervention should incorporate appropriate engineering measures to strengthen coastal barriers and manage the movement of water from the River Niger and River Benue systems towards the Atlantic Ocean.
Soberekon also advocated the extension of Brass Airport towards the sea, explaining that improved aviation and coastal infrastructure could enhance connectivity, attract investment and create employment opportunities for residents of the surrounding communities.
He further proposed the construction of an Oceanic Hotel in Brass, modelled after major hospitality establishments on Victoria Island, Lagos, saying , such a project could help promote tourism, create jobs and position the coastal area as an emerging destination for business and leisure.
The elder statesman emphasised that development initiatives in the region should reflect the needs and aspirations of local communities, particularly those whose livelihoods depend on fishing, maritime activities and other coastal economic ventures.
On employment opportunities associated with the proposed Brass Airport and other federal projects, Soberekon urged the authorities to ensure that qualified people from neighbouring towns and villages are given opportunities to participate in the projects.
He stressed that public infrastructure should provide benefits for the host communities rather than concentrate opportunities in the hands of a few individuals.
According to him, the principle of inclusive development must guide the implementation of federal projects in the Niger Delta, ensuring that local people are not excluded from employment, contracts and other economic opportunities.
Soberekon also made proposals concerning the naming of buildings associated with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), recalling his involvement in the supervision of the construction of the commission’s building.
He suggested that the NDDC building in Port Harcourt, should be named the A K Horsfall Building, in honour of an individual he identified as Chief A.K. Horsfall, whom he said worked with him during the supervision of the project.
He further proposed that the procurement building within the compound should be named the SokariSoberekon 13 Per Cent Development Block, to reflect the importance of the Niger Delta’s resource-derived development allocation and the struggle for the region’s economic advancement.
The proposed names, he said, would serve as a lasting recognition of the contributions of individuals associated with the region’s development efforts.
The elder statesman also called for the revival of abandoned or underutilised development funds, particularly the old petroleum-related development fund, which he believes could be deployed to address longstanding infrastructure deficits in oil-producing communities.
He specifically called for the development of Oloibiri, the historic oil-producing community in present-day Bayelsa State, lamenting what he described as the lack of adequate development in the area despite its significance in Nigeria’s petroleum history.
Soberekon recalled that former President MuhammaduBuhari had promised to establish a museum in Oloibiri. He said he had advised that the proposed intervention should also include the establishment of a university of petroleum to promote education, research, technical skills and the development of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
He maintained that Oloibiri and its surrounding communities deserve greater attention from the Federal Government, considering their contributions to the nation’s petroleum wealth.
He also called for the empowerment of the people of Ogbia, stressing that residents of oil-producing communities should benefit directly from development initiatives through employment, education, enterprise support and other sustainable economic opportunities.
Soberekon’s proposals reflect his broader appeal for a development approach that combines environmental protection, infrastructure expansion, education, tourism and community empowerment across the Niger Delta.
Reflecting on his personal history and public recognition, the Octogenarian said his people called him Olotu, a title he explained meant a champion, adding that younger admirers had also called him Super the Black Power, a nickname he said was associated with his public image and activities.
He further recalled that members of the press had described him as an ordinary man doing extraordinary things, pointing out that the late publisher of The Daily Mirror, Mr Isikima Harry had specifically referred to him as an extraordinary man doing extraordinary things.
Soberekon described himself as the Senior Advocate of the Niger Delta, a self-styled title reflecting his longstanding identification with the region’s development concerns and his determination to draw attention to the challenges facing its people.
He called on President Tinubu and relevant federal agencies to give serious consideration to the proposals, particularly those relating to coastal defence, aviation infrastructure, the development of Oloibiri and the empowerment of oil-producing communities.
A Coalition of civil society organisations has urged the Federal Government to take proactive steps towards addressing the persistent gas eruptions in Bille, Rivers.
The coalition, made up of the People’s Assembly and Bille Working Group, made the call in an open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, and read to journalists in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Reading the letter, the coalition’s convener, Dr Isaac Osuoka, said that the persistent gas eruption in Bille had led to serious environmental and public health challenges.
Osuoka, also the Executive Director, Social Action, urged Tinubu to establish a presidential task force to investigate and contain the gas leak in Bille.
He also called for the immediate relocation of residents to safe shelters, provision of clean water, food and healthcare services.
Dr Emem Okon, the Executive Director, Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, stated that gas had been bubbling from the ground, creeks, boreholes and hand-dug wells in the community since October 2025.
Okon said that the gas had triggered several fires and explosions, and that residents of the community had reported respiratory problems, vomiting and other illnesses associated with exposure to the emissions.
According to her, preliminary investigations by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) have yet to identify the source of the gas.
Mr Kentebe Ebiaridor, the Coordinator, Oilwatch International, called for the publication of results from preliminary soil and water tests conducted in Bille for the residents to know the nature and extent of the contamination.
Ebiaridor urged the Federal Government to deploy medical teams to screen and treat affected residents, and immediately commence an independent study on the health impacts of the leak.
He further called for the suspension of oil and gas operations around OML 18 and 24 until the source of the gas leak was identified and the affected areas declared safe.
Ebiaridor urged the government to hold current and former operators of the oil leases accountable for environmental damage on the community.
Another speaker, Dr Bieye Briggs, urged the National Assembly to fast-track the NOSDRA Amendment Bill, 2025 to provide the agency with statutory funding and stronger enforcement powers.
Briggs urged the Federal Government to activate the regional Spill Command Centre, and make the Upstream Remediation Fund accessible for the Bille crisis and other affected communities in the Niger Delta.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has banned drone operations and fireworks in Uyo and announced temporary traffic restrictions ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the State today.
The state Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, announced the measures yesterday while briefing journalists at the Police Headquarters in Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo.
He said the restrictions were part of security arrangements to maintain public order, protect strategic locations and ensure the smooth movement of the President’s convoy during his engagements.
“There will be total restriction on the operation and flying of drones within Uyo metropolis throughout the period of the visit. Members of the public, drone operators and service providers are advised to strictly comply with the directive,” he said.
The police commissioner also announced a ban on fireworks, knockouts and other explosive sound-producing devices within the state capital during the visit.
He said the measure would prevent panic and allow security personnel to respond effectively to genuine security threats.
The command also announced temporary restrictions on public access to designated routes and locations in Uyo to facilitate the movement of the presidential convoy.
The affected areas are Airport Road, Shelter Afrique Junction, Oron Road, Nung Oku Junction, Mbierebe Junction and Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
“Motorists are urged to plan their journeys, exercise patience and cooperate with traffic and security personnel deployed along the corridors.
“Members of the public are advised to avoid the routes during the restriction and use alternative routes,” Azare said.
He also urged residents to plan their journeys, exercise patience and cooperate with traffic and security personnel deployed along the affected corridors.
The commissioner said the command, working with other security agencies, had put in place security arrangements to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free visit.
He appealed to residents to understand that the temporary restrictions were necessary security measures and not intended to cause hardship.
Azare urged members of the public to remain law-abiding, avoid restricted areas and report suspicious movements to the nearest police station or through police emergency channels.
Tinubu’s visit to Akwa Ibom is a working visit during which he is expected to inaugurate major infrastructure projects executed by Governor Umo Eno’s administration under its ARISE Agenda. The projects cut across aviation, road infrastructure, tourism, healthcare, land administration and security.
Among the projects scheduled for inauguration are the international terminal building and airport hospital at Victor Attah International Airport, Aviation Village, ARISE Palm Resort, the 14.5-kilometre Nsit Atai–Okobo Road, Ring Road 3, the Command and Control Centre and the AkwaGIS building.
The state government had earlier announced plans for the President to inaugurate projects as part of activities marking Akwa Ibom’s 39th anniversary in September.
The airport projects are particularly significant to the state’s ambition to expand aviation, tourism and investment.
The international terminal is expected to strengthen the airport’s capacity to handle international operations, while the Aviation Village is intended to provide accommodation for aviation workers. The airport hospital is also among the facilities lined up for inauguration.
The road projects are also expected to improve connectivity. The 14.5-kilometre Nsit Atai–Okobo Road links communities in the two local government areas, while Ring Road 3 is designed to improve movement within Uyo and ease pressure on existing roads. The Command and Control Centre, meanwhile, is intended to strengthen security surveillance and coordination in the State.
The Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism has floated a culture content platform in collaboration with digital television group, Multichoice.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Freddy Ndigbara, disclosed this after a meeting with MultiChoice Head of Content Acquisition, Don Dotun Ojon, in Port Harcourt.
He assured that content entrepreneurs and film makers would enjoy the platform by promoting culture and other contents to sell the states tourism potentials.
He said MultiChoice M-net was now open to increase its patronage for content shots on locations in Rivers State, describing the State as one that has numerous potentials for film tourism.
“We were privileged to have Don Ojon with us at the Rivers International Film Festival (RIFF) at the weekend in Bonny and he saw, first hand, the numerous sites and opportunities that are open to creatives in the State. After that, we felt it was important to deepen the conversation and he obliged. This is a cheering news for the sector in the State,” he said.
Ndigbara stated that “Rivers State has many more untold stories to tell, many more contents to reel out and the assurances from the M-net Acquisition Manager is an indication that the industry in the state will soon enjoy a new lease of life”.
The Permanent Secretary thanked Ojon for the visit and assured that creatives in the State would grap this opportunity and show the world that Rivers State is a major hub for film tourism in Nigeria.
On his part, Ojon said the visit was to discuss on ways of promoting tourism in the State using creatives and film.
Ojon said although the company has recently been acquired by canal+ France and is undergoing restructuring, he would promote the chances of Rivers State to host the MultiChoice talent factory in the State.
With Asaba, capital of Delta State, being saturated, Ojon said the next port is Rivers State, which he said is capable of building fresh crop of creatives, new locations, new story lines and concepts.
He, therefore, called for collaboration from stakeholders in the State.
Kevin Nengia
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