Niger Delta

Sylva, Bayelsa Women Embark On Project Tour

Published

17 years ago

July 6, 2009

Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva has said that he would take women groups round projects he has completed in the State since he came on board, as he urged women in the state to pray for him.

Sylva who spoke when thousands of women from all the local government areas of the State came out for a solidarity rally in his honour in Yenagoa Friday afternoon, said the purpose of the proposed project tour for the women was to enable them appreciate what he has put on ground.

“I will take some of you round the projects and see the ones that will benefit women”.

He noted that contrary to criticisms from certain quarters; if he had wanted to embezzle money he wouldn’t have cared to complete the numerous uncompleted projects that dotted the state.

“I always tell people if I wanted to chop money, I wouldn’t have completed projects left by successive administrations in the State” said Sylva who noted that if he had not taken the pains to do what he did on the projects, “Bayelsa State would have been known for uncompleted projects”.

Our correspondent reports that the Bayelsa State chief executive explained that a lot has been done to ensure the completion of most of the uncompleted projects but he would not make noise about them.

Eulogising women in general, Sylva who said any society that forgets women will collapse, added that “without women I can’t be here today, if not for women I would have died of hypertension because my wife as a woman has been comforting me at home”.

The Governor who commended the women for the solidarity, described Bayelsa women as a special breed”.

“The Government must touch women first, women must come out strongly and assert themselves” said Sylva who further advised them to talk to their fellow women not to tarnish the image of women by their actions.

“Form groups to talk to yourselves, you must talk to women not to be called bad names” advised Sylva appealing to them to fervently pray for him and for peace to reign in the state.

“What I want you to do for me is to pray for peace. Know that God hears women’s prayers more, pray for militants to drop their arms, continue to pray for peace in Bayelsa State”, he told them repeatedly at the rally that witnessed placards that read. “Sylva we have you,” “Sylva continue with your good works, we support you”.

In an address read by the leader of concerned women for Sylva; Mrs Keme Dede said “We are solidly behind and ready, and waiting to give you support during the president’s visit to our rich cultural heritage and hospitality”.

The women further explained that they are embarking on the rally to tell Bayelsans to join hands “with the governor to develop our dear state and for investors to come because our state is a peaceful state”.

They also commended the Governor for the numerous people oriented projects that have been completed and are ongoing in the State.”

Niger Delta

Stakeholders In Delta Seek Stronger GBV Action, Women’s Leadership

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Stakeholders in Delta State convened in Asaba for a leadership workshop organised by Otdel Health Heritage and Environmental Initiative (OHHEI), focusing on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and women’s participation in decision-making processes.

OHHEI Project Director, Mr. Peter Olayinka, represented by a consultant, Juliet Obiajulu, urged participants to contribute meaningfully toward advancing women’s leadership and combating GBV across communities in the state.

He said the workshop aimed to strengthen participants’ capacity to influence policies, challenge harmful cultural norms, and reinforce initiatives designed to prevent and respond to GBV.

Olayinka said women often faced bias even when they occupied leadership positions, and stressed that gender diversity improved the quality of decision-making and promoted innovation and accountability in governance structures.

Speaking, the Chairperson of the Association Against Child Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Mr Eris Jewo-Ibi, identified cultural norms, domestic responsibilities, political resistance, and grassroots barriers as constraints to women’s participation.

Delta State GBV Desk Officer, Mrs. Rosemary Okpuno, emphasised that effective decision-making required women’s perspectives, adding that inclusion remained critical to addressing persistent gender-based challenges.

Voke Angbagh of the Delta State Ministry of Justice outlined penalties for rape and called for the establishment of special courts to handle sexual offences cases.

Angbagh said frequent adjournments delayed justice for survivors, stressing that dedicated sexual offences courts would ensure timely trials and stronger protection for victims in Delta State.

The Tide’s source reports that facilitators identified cultural acceptance of violence, unequal power relations, discrimination, poverty, limited education, and low self-esteem as major drivers of GBV.

They emphasised that violence and exclusion resulted in social, physical and emotional harm, imposed economic costs, reinforced harmful stereotypes, and widened existing gender inequalities.

The source also reports that OHHEI, a local non-profit organisation, focuses on education, health, environment, and social justice, promoting sustainable development initiatives with gender equality at the centre of its interventions.

Niger Delta

C’River Suspends Taskforce Activities Over Drivers’ Protest

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Cross River State Government has suspended all taskforce activities connected to commercial transportation and ticketing across the state.

The State Governor, Bassey Otu, announced the suspension at an emergency stakeholders meeting on Friday in Calabar.

It would be recalled that commercial drivers in Calabar metropolis took to streets on Thursday to protest alleged multiple taxation and extortion by government agencies.

During the protest, the drivers alleged that taskforce groups claiming to represent the state government openly harassed and extorted them.

Represented at the meeting by Ekpenyong Akiba, his Special Adviser on General Duties, Otu said the suspension would subsist pending further review of the situation.

The Governor stated that the state government did not commission anyone to extort drivers in the name of task force.

He urged commercial drivers and other road users to remain law-abiding while government worked out a lasting solution.

On his part, the Chairman, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, Calabar Metropolis, Mr. Sunday Dennis, expressed optimism that the dialogue would yield positive results.

He said the meeting had provided an opportunity for the aggrieved commercial drivers to present their concerns directly to the state government.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Unified Drivers Association, Mr. Nta Henshaw, described the harassment on drivers as worrisome, and urged the state government to be decisive in resolving the matter.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Assembly Urges More Private Investments In Agriculture

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Nutrition and Food Security has called for more private sector investments in agriculture.

The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Moses Essien, made the call when the committee visited Aviclaire Farms, a private establishment in Usung Idem, Uruk Usoh in Abak Local Government Area.

Essien, who represents Ibiono Ibom in the Assembly, commended the Management of the farm for partnering an NGO, ECEWS, to promote private investment in agriculture.

He commended the partners for adopting climate-smart agriculture initiatives in their operations, adding that such move would promote food security.

“Your interest in using transformative intervention to promote food security is a veritable way of complementing the efforts of the state government,” he said.

The lawmaker continued that adopting practical climate-smart agriculture model would help to generate employment, improve nutrition outcomes, and strengthen food sufficiency.

He further said he was impressed with the strides recorded by the partners, saying, “your investment has created jobs for no fewer than 2,000 youths.

”You are an example of an environment-friendly investor. I urge Akwa Ibom residents to embrace environment-friendly and technology-driven agriculture models,” he said.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, ECEWS, Dr. Andy Eyo, who conducted the committee round the farm, said the collaboration was conceived to demonstrate the viability of climate-smart farming in ensuring food sufficiency.

Eyo said the farm, which commenced operations with four greenhouses, had expanded to 14 within two years, and currently supplying high-quality produce to major markets in Uyo and neighbouring communities.

He said ECEWS was exploring cooperative frameworks to enable rural farmers and women’s groups to adopt greenhouse technology for sustainable livelihoods.

In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Aviclaire Farms, Mrs. Victoria Eyo, said the controlled-environment ensured precision cultivation and consistent yields.

She further said the farm served as a capacity-building centre for students, interns, and agri-business trainees.