Niger Delta

Gov Uduaghan Tasks Industrialists On Development

Published

16 years ago

June 25, 2010

Delta State Governor, Dr, Emmanuel Uduaghan has charged industrialists from the state to assist the government in developing the state by investing in the villages and the rural areas in particular.

Dr, Uduaghan, who gave this charge at lrri in lsoko South Local Government area of the state, during the 38th Anniversary of Bethesda Gospel Mission and the 80th birthday celebration of the founder of the church, Archbishop Christian Apena, said the state government cannot develop the state alone.

He explained that the state has wealthy sons and daughters who can invest in their villages to empower the people disclosing that the state was providing the infrastructure to encourage such development.

”I am calling on wealthy lsoko indigenes and Deltans outside the state to come back home and invest. Government cannot do it alone, we are providing the infrastructure, come and assist the government to empower the people”, he stated

The governor disclosed that the government would partner Bethesda Gospel Mission in lrri in building capacity since it is the church’s vision to develop human capital which is in line with his administration’s agenda.

He appealed to lrri community to seek peace and resolve the differences that exist among them which has resulted to family and communal crisis, stressing that his administration was committed to ensuring peace in the state in tandem with his agenda of peace and security.

He promised them especially the youth of the community that the state government was handling the issue and would ensure that lasting peace was restored to the community.

”I appeal to you to put behind you any grievance, let us be at peace, enough is enough. Let peace return to lrri and lsoko land. I want us to settle the matter amicably in peace. The future of this country belongs to the youth, l want the youth in this community to settle the issue at stake in peace. I will help you out since the matter is before the government so that we can move this state forward”, he said.

He explained that violence does not enhance the growth of any community or state saying, “I appeal to you to put whatever is causing this crisis in the community behind you and forge ahead as a united entity.”

In a welcome address, the founder of Bethesda Gospel Mission, Archbishop Apena, commended the governor for the good work he is doing in the state especially in ensuring that peace reign in lrri community for the past one month.

He explained that the three point agenda of this administration was actualizing the aspirations of Deltans and advised him to continue in his developmental stride for the state.

“Your three point agenda captures the aspirations of Deltans and you are actualizing this dream to become reality in the state. I will like you to set a standard which no other governor that will come after you will beat. You have been given the time, try to make your mark”, Apena stated

He advised that there should be collaboration between the government and churches as it will help to build a viable state adding that his church has achieved much in building capacity especially in the educational sector through the establishment of primary, secondary and tertiary institution to train teachers.

He also noted that his church has liaised with some institutions abroad to provide them with books and solicited the state government support in building a modern library that would house the books yet to arrive.

Highpoints of the ceremony were a special prayer for the governor, his family and state, and the cutting of the birthday cake by the celebrant.

Niger Delta

Navy Pledges Improved Patrols, Welfare Boost For Personnel

Published

2 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has pledged to ensure improved welfare for personnel and more patrols on the maritime corridors of the nation.

He disclosed this during an on the spot assessment of things at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Calabar, on Wednesday.

According to him, there is the need for officers to always be ready, by improving on their welfare, in a bid to keep the country secured.

“I am here for an on the spot assessment of our operations and like you have seen, I have also gone round to check the ongoing buildings.

”These are welfare issues and for us to be able to have our men ready and keep us secured, their welfare needs to be catered for.

“So, we are here to kill two birds with one stone, which are basically operations and welfare issues.

”I am happy with what the command is doing; it is doing well in terms of keeping the maritime environment safe.

“We will continue doing what we are doing and improve on that, which is patrol of the waters and increase in the area of surveillance”, he stated.

As part of his visit, Abbas commissioned the 12×1 Junior Rates Accommodation Block A and B, at the Navy Barracks at Atimbo in Calabar.

The naval chief also inspected other ongoing projects in the Akim Barracks, 1006 flats and the Navy hotel, all within Calabar.

Niger Delta

Delta Begins Uromi Junction Flyover Construction

Published

2 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State Government says it has began construction work on the long-awaited Uromi Junction Flyover Bridge in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of the state.

Director-General (DG) of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr. Fred Oghenesivbe, confirmed the development to newsme in Asaba.

According to him, heavy-duty construction equipment have arrived the site, a project which is being handled by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, one of the country’s leading construction firms.

Oghenesivbe, described the flyover as a massive infrastructure project with far-reaching socio-economic benefits for the area.

He said the project would significantly transform the Agbor metropolis by easing traffic congestion, improving the city’s aesthetics, and boosting commercial activities within the local government area.

He described the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, as a promise-keeper and pragmatic leader whose administration remains committed to infrastructure development and economic growth across the state.

The DG expressed confidence in Julius Berger’s capacity to deliver the project within record time and according to the highest construction standards.

“The Uromi Junction serves as a major link between different parts of the country but has recently been plagued by severe traffic congestion, making vehicular movement increasingly difficult”, he noted.

He urged residents to cooperate with the contractor and safeguard construction materials and equipment to ensure the timely completion of the project.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Rejects Ekid Ownership Claim Of Stubbs Creek

Published

2 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State Government has rejected claims by the Ekid People’s Union that it owns land within the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, describing such assertions as “false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

In a recent statement, signed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, the state government said it was compelled to respond in the “overriding public interest,” despite a pending court case instituted by the same group.

The government stated that contrary to claims circulating in the media, the historic case of Ntiaro and Ikpak vs. Ibok Etok Akpan and Edoho Ekid, decided by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in 1918, did not vest ownership of Stubbs Creek land in any ethnic group or community.

“The final judgement merely dismissed the claims before the court and granted title to no party whatsoever”, the government stated, adding that “any assertion to the contrary is false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

According to the statement, the land was lawfully reserved by the colonial government under Forest Reserve Order No. 45 of 1930, later amended in 1941, 1955 and 1962, with “the principal rights of the land forfeited to the Government upon the change of status.”

It said the area has since been administered under applicable laws by the Akwa Ibom State Government, which “has at all times acted within its lawful authority in the management and allocation of land in the area for legitimate public and economic purposes.”

Citing the 1999 Constitution and the Land Use Act, the government stated that all land in the state is vested in the governor to be held in trust for the common benefit of Nigerians, noting that claims of absolute ancestral ownership are subject to existing laws.

The government “categorically denies allegations of fraud or misrepresentation” regarding Stubbs Creek or investments there and warned it would take “appropriate legal steps” against any individual or group publishing false or defamatory material capable of undermining public confidence or discouraging investment

The statement also assured the federal government of “full access and Right of Way” for the proposed Coastal Highway through any part of the state.

The government statement followed an earlier report in which the Ekid People’s Union accused Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State of making comments that allegedly linked the community to terrorism, while he was defending the Coastal Highway project passing through the Stubbs Creek.

Ekid People’s Union maintained that the people of Ekid are the original owners of the land known as Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, arguing that their ancestral ownership predates colonial rule.

The group cited historical occupation, customary ownership and a 1918 Privy Council case, which it claimed affirmed Ekid rights over the territory.

The union also accused the Akwa Ibom State Government of misrepresenting history to justify taking over the land for commercial interests and the proposed Coastal Highway, an allegation the state government has denied.

The group rejected any suggestion linking the Ekid people to criminality or terrorism, insisting they were peaceful citizens defending their ancestral land through lawful and civic means.