Niger Delta
ESI Gets Cash, Land Donations To Boost Project
A member of Rivers State House of Assembly representing Emohua Constituency, Hon Chidi Lloyd has donated NIO million for the development of early child education centres initiated by the wife of Rivers State Governor, Judith Amaechi.
Chidi Lloyd, who is also the leader of the legislative house presented a deed of conveyance on six plots of land to the wife of Rivers State Governor, Dame Judith Amaechi on behalf of the Empowerment Support Initiative (ESI), a non governmental organization championing the early child education of less privileged and rural children in the state.
Similarly three local government areas of the state have donated several acres of land in various parts of the state to support what they described as a noble objective of stamping out illiteracy at the grassroots especially among the poor in the society thereby putting smiles on the faces of less privileged children and assisting the Rivers State Government in its pursuit to achieving Millennium Development Goals in Education, Healthcare Delivery and other spheres of life.
Handing over a Deed of Conveyance and a cheque of NlO million to the Governor’s wife in a brief ceremony at Government House, Port Harcourt, Honourable Chidi Lloyd, noted that he was encouraged by the achievement of ESI in child development.
“It is an unprecedented programme as you talk of catching them young and we therefore acquired six plots of land at Elele Alimini and we are here to hand over the Deed of Conveyance and take-off grant of N10 million put together by me and my constituents”, Hon. Lloyd remarked.
Founder of ESI and wife of the Governor Judith Amaechi, expressed appreciation to Hon Chidi Lloyd, who she described as very fruitful and resourceful person, stating that, he was the first caller since she recovered from an injury that she sustained in a domestic accident that made her seek medical treatment abroad.
“Hon Chidi Lloyd is like a brother to me, my husband and family. One thing I know about him is that when he is committed to a thing, he sees it to the end and I know his followers are as committed. This is a special type of gesture, there is gain in working together. We will always be there to work for the betterment of all in the streets. You have sown a seed and will never lack and God will be with you always.
ESI was not my problem but born out of a burden. It doesn’t matter how long it takes to build it but the basic thing is to start. It is like making heaven, it is not so smooth but rough. The project is founded by God, I am only the driver. No human that wasn’t a child first. The challenges we face, the things we saw is what made us today. So, if you have to start, you have to start early from the bottom to the top and the bottom is the children. If you are not able to correct them now, it will be difficult to do it later. Ages three to nine is the right age of framing children to be better persons”, Mrs Amaechi observed.
She expressed optimism that children from very poor families sent to ESI programmes had had tremendous improvement and added that they are fit both academically and physically.
Although Mrs Amaechi admitted that the ESI objective of opening early child education centre in all three hundred and nineteen wards of the state was a very ambitious and bogus programme, she however believes that, “when all of LIS put our hC:lIlds together we will achieve it” .
Presenting the Deeds of Conveyance for lands in six communities in Khana, Chairman Khana LGA Greg Nwideng said his people shared the same vision with the Governor’s wife in promoting early child education and are prepared to partner with ESI.
Alhaji Samipe Ahmed Owanate, Secretary to Degema LGA who represented Council’s Chairman Abiye Davis, said the ESI programme was quite laudable and interesting which galvanized his LGA to move swiftly into action in making land available at Bakana and Degema Consulate for siting the ESI early child education centres.
Also Head of Personnel Management of Emohua LGA Pedro Chinda who represented the Chairman Emeka Woke cited the Bible on the importance of early child training and indeed on all Rivers people to embrace the ESI programme.
“It is good for every person in Rivers State to come and join this noble course. We have fourteen wards and fourteen sites are ready for commissioning. We await you”, he gave assurance.
Mrs Amaechi said she was happy that more donors, patriots and people were coming forward to work with ESI and called on all, irrespective of political differences, to assist ESI to execute its project of promoting early child educa tion for the less privileged children describing it as measure capable of moving the state forward.
The Bayelsa State Government has inaugurated six sub-committees, as it begins preparations for the 30th Anniversary celebration of the creation of the state on 1st October.
Inaugurating the sub-committees in Government House, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, explained that Bayelsa has countless reasons to appreciate God for what He has done for its land and people in the 30 years of its existence, especially in development.
He charged the sub-committees to come up with proposals for the various activities and events for the celebration within the next two weeks in line with their respective terms of reference, stressing that strategic things had to be done to make the anniversary significant and historic.
According to him, the three-day programme of activities for the anniversary celebration, which will commence on the 29th of September, will be preceded by two weeks of commissioning of public infrastructural projects completed by the Prosperity Administration.
The Bayelsa Number Two Man further clarified that events penciled down for the celebration include a cultural carnival, boat regatta, anniversary lecture, sporting events, state banquet and awards night.
The sub-committees are: the Awards Sub-Committee, chaired by His Majesty, King Bubaraye Dakolo; the Sports Sub-Committee, headed by Hon. Daniel Igali; and the Lecture Sub-Committee, with Prof. Stephen Olali as its Chairman.
Others are: the Mega Praise Sub-Committee, jointly chaired by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, and the Managing Director of Premium Trust Bank, Dr. Emmanuel Emiefenim; the Cultural Sub-Committee, headed by Rt. Hon. Monday Bubou-Obolo; and the Publicity Sub-Committee, with the Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, as Chairman.
by: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Niger Delta
NDDC Backs Federal Drive To Cut Maternal, Newborn Deaths … Trains Traditional Birth Attendants
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has stated its commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), with a renewed push to tackle the persistently high rate of preventable maternal and newborn deaths across the Niger Delta.
The Commission made the pledge during workshops for traditional birth attendants held in Delta and Bayelsa states, where it stressed the need for stronger collaboration between traditional birth attendants and the orthodox healthcare system to improve maternal and child health outcomes.
Speaking at the training, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, urged women to embrace modern medical care while leveraging the trusted role of traditional birth attendants in their communities.
Represented by the Principal Manager, Education, Health and Social Services (EHSS), Mrs. Dare-Oloko Kuami, Ogbuku described maternal and child mortality as an alarming public health challenge that requires urgent and collective action.
“The rate of death among women and children is alarming and must be eradicated. This training is designed to enlighten our women and should not be taken for granted”, he said.
According to him, the workshop was organised to strengthen the knowledge and capacity of traditional birth attendants in providing safe maternal and newborn care, identifying pregnancy-related complications early, and referring high-risk cases promptly to hospitals and health centres.
Also speaking, the Director of Education, Health and Social Services, Dr. Patience Ezugu, called on women to take issues relating to childbirth seriously, stressing that improved knowledge and adherence to safe delivery practices would help save lives.
Represented by the Principal Manager, EHSS, Dr. Otokolo Fidelis, Ezugu disclosed that more than 300 women from Delta and Bayelsa states participated in the training and were provided with medical equipment and cash support to enhance their services.
One of the resource persons, Mrs. Gift Akitiri, underscored the vital role traditional birth attendants continue to play in many rural communities, noting that regular capacity building would improve the quality of maternal healthcare delivery.
“Traditional birth attendants are trusted members of many communities. By equipping them with updated knowledge, we are helping to ensure that mothers and newborns receive timely and appropriate care, thereby improving health outcomes”, she said.
A participant, Mrs. Franscica Odiakosa, commended the NDDC for organising the workshop, describing it as timely and impactful.
“I have gained valuable knowledge that will improve the quality of healthcare I provide in my community. I have also learnt the importance of referring expectant mothers to health centres and hospitals whenever a case is beyond my capacity”, she said, while urging the Commission to sustain the initiative.
One of Nigeria’s oldest and most prestigious social clubs, Uyo Club, has inaugurated its full Executive Council to oversee the affairs of the association for the next two years, with a charge to provide purposeful leadership and make meaningful contributions to society.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony at the club’s headquarters on Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo, the President of the club, Prof. Sahm Etuk, urged the newly elected executive members to bring their wealth of experience and professionalism to bear in the discharge of their responsibilities.
He said members of the club expected the new leadership not only to strengthen the institution, but to also extend its impact beyond the clubhouse through service to the wider community.
“You have voluntarily presented yourselves for service, and we expect that you will make yourselves available at all times to offer the service required of you”, Etuk said.
The inauguration followed the April 2026 bye-election conducted to fill vacant positions in the Executive Council.
Among those inaugurated was renowned broadcast administrator and Executive Managing Consultant of Comfort 95.1 FM, Uyo, Samuel Enoh Akpan, who was elected Public Relations Officer. Akpan is also a member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).
Other members of the Executive Council are Barrister Eno Inyang (Treasurer), Anthony Etim (Social Secretary), Christian Daniel (Welfare Secretary), Friday Ekpa (Legal Adviser), Christian Chukwu (Provost), Mmenye Udofa (Assistant Secretary), Otu Otu (Maintenance Secretary) and Macaulay Udom (Ex-Officio).
Prof. Etuk, a Professor of Strategic Marketing, Director of the School of Continuing Education at the University of Uyo, and Chairman of the institution’s Sports Committee, had earlier been inaugurated as President on January 10, 2026, alongside the Vice President, Dr. Nestor Udoh, a retired Permanent Secretary.
Other officials inaugurated at the time include Ndi Aquaisua (General Secretary), TPL Dr. Emmanuel Etuk (Financial Secretary), Dr. Imbur Terfa (Auditor), and Dr. Anietie Ekong (General Games Captain).
The President also inaugurated the Board of Past Presidents, made up of all living former presidents of the club, urging them to continue providing guidance and institutional support to the Executive Council in line with the club’s constitution.
Former presidents present at the event included Dr. Emem Umoh, Dr. Bassey Etuknwa, Engr. Mbosowo Orok, Prof. Ini Jonah, and Akparawa Ikpong Essien-Udom, a member of the Standing Committee of the Nigerian Guild of Editors.
Etuk called on members to unite in pursuit of the club’s founding ideals of recreation, service and development, expressing confidence that the newly constituted organs of the club would strengthen its operations and reposition it for greater relevance.
Founded in 1935, Uyo Club remains one of Nigeria’s foremost recreational associations, with a membership that cuts across diverse professions and sectors of society.