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Ex-Militant Emerges Best Graduating Student At WDU

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A student under the Presidential Amnesty Scholarship Programme (PASP), Mr. Ebiwari Shadrach, on Saturday emerged the best graduating student of the Western Delta University (WDU), Oghara, Delta State, at its convocation ceremony.
Reports indicate that the environment turned into a field of dreams as Shadrach also bagged a First Class degree in Computer Science.
According to reports, many people in the WDU main Auditorium shed tears of joy when Shadrach, in his speech, thanked the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and his successors, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for continuing with the Amnesty programme.
Thanking God for the Amnesty scholarship, Shadrach said his sojourn in the University has opened many doors which could enable him achieve his academic and career goals.
Shadrach, a member of the 2022/2023 graduating class, challenged his fellow graduates to “work on their weaknesses and proffer solutions to societal problems as they embark on a new journey”.
Eighteen graduating students from the 2020/2021, 2021/2022, 2022/2023 sessions also bagged First Class degrees of the 426 graduating students.At the ceremony, two persons received honorary Doctorate degrees. They are Mr. Oritsedere Otubu, Chairman, Eko Disco (Business Administration), and Mr. Igho Okotete, Chairman of Pioneer Global Resource and Integrated Energy Ltd, (International Affairs and Diplomacy).
Elated by the honour bestowed on them, the two honourary awardees made consequential bequests to WDU, pledging to construct an auditorium and a science laboratory respectively.

Also, the Emir of Zazzau, Mallam Ahmed Nuhu Bamballi, Dr Ajoritsedere Awosika, and the South Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Kim Young Chae, were conferred with Honorary Degrees of Doctor of Public Affairs, Science, International Affairs and Diplomacy and Business Administration, respectively.

In her convocation lecture, Prof. Antonia Okoosi-Simbine, Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), called on the graduands to make good choices that will shape their lives.

In the lecture, titled “A People-Centred Governance Process in Nigeria: The Role of the Youth”, Okoosi-Simbine said “the challenges facing Nigerian youths are multifaceted but interrelated.

“They include limited access to quality education, unemployment, underemployment, poverty, corruption, insecurity, a poor health system, culture, cultism, and drug abuse”.

She noted that the average youth had sought refuge in drugs to “weather the challenge”, saying that while the Nigerian population is predominantly young, the young people have not been adequately catered for over the years.

She, therefore, urged governments at all levels to engage youths in socio-political activities to foster a people-centered, inclusive, accountable, and responsive system.

“Over two-thirds of Nigeria’s population is under 30 years old, so youth involvement would ensure an appreciable degree of representation in political and policy decision-making”, sh said.

Urging the graduands to engage themselves with important things because “the onus lies with you to take the bull by the horns”, Okoosi-Simbine said “the key is responsibility and initiative, deciding what your life is about and prioritizing your life around the most important things.

“The choices you make are pivotal in shaping your future self”, she emphasized.

The University Visitor, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, appreciated the Emir of Zazzau for physically attending the convocation ceremony despite his busy schedule, noting; “your humility is worth emulating”.

Ibori urged the graduates to improve themselves in the face of adversity and called on the University’s management to stick to its academic and educational plan to be a model for other institutions.

In his address, the Chancellor of Western Delta University, Obong Victor Attah, lauded Ibori for his vision and hard work in nurturing the institution.

Attah commended the graduates for their hard work in completing their various courses of study, but warned that the future of Nigeria depends on them and that “Nigeria needs people who can learn, adapt to change, and persuade others to do the same”.

Meanwhile, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof. Emmanuel Eghosa Osaghae, reiterated that the giant strides and accomplishments of the University would not have been achieved without Chief Ibori, saying “we remain grateful for your unwavering support over the years and we pledge to never let you down”.

He also appreciated the host community, Oghara Town, for making the university environment hospitable for the institution to grow since inception.

In his address, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Augustine Ikelegbe, stated that the institution is proud to be a player in the private university system which is leading the way in quality education.

He revealed that the university has significantly expanded its academic colleges from three to six.

He charged the graduates to remember the mission of their alma mater – to produce men and women with capability and a deep sense of responsibility for contribution to development – saying “you have to prove your mettle in the real world where you have to demonstrate the virtues, knowledge, and competence acquired in Western Delta University”.

Also, the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, who was represented by his Deputy, Phillip Shaibu, congratulated Ibori and the management of the institution for their immense contribution to the educational sector of Nigeria.

He urged the graduates to be the catalyst that will boost the economy of the country, saying “let us focus on production for local consumption”.

He called on the State Government to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

In her remarks, the Member of the House of Representatives, representing Ethiope-West Federal Constituency, Mrs Erhitake Ibori-Suenu, urged the graduates to be good products of the institution by contributing to the growth of the society.

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Niger Delta

NDDC Tasks Communities On Infrastructure Protection, Synergy … As Okpebholo, Snate HostComm Chair Praises NDDC’S Performance 

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6 days ago

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March 28, 2025

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Managing-Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has charged communities of the Niger Delta region on protection of infrastructure projects executed by the Commission in their domains.
He also urged community stakeholders to synergize with contractors and management of the commission towards ensuring that there is no impediment to the execution of contracts awarded to their communities.
Ogbuku stated these in his remarks as Co-host of the 67th edition of the “Eyal Obeyin” of his home town, Ayakoro, in the Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The Tide learnt that Ayakoro, home town of the Managing-Director/CEO of the NDDC, 67 years ago due to worsening floods and devastating erosion, relocated from their first settlement to their current  settlement, directly opposite the old one for safety, hence the yearly cultural celebration to commemorate their exodus.
The NDDC helmsman, who also promised the agency’s continued desire to fasttrack the development of the Niger Delta region, commended President Bola Tinubu for his forthrightness and love for the region, noting that the NDDC under his stewardship would continue to execute policies and projects that would positively impact the region.
“Today, as MD/CEO of NDDC, I know, as a Commission, that whatever achievements we’ve made was due to your support as stakeholders of the Niger Delta region. But one thing I want to say is that communities should partner us by protecting infrastructure we’re building in their domains.
“Every community is in dare need of development, and so whatever development that comes your way should be jealously guarded.
“We also want communities to cooperate with our contractors by not making life difficult for them when they are in your places to execute projects. When you make life difficult for them, they’ll leave your communities and go to another site, and your communities will be the ones to suffer for it.
“We’ve good community relations policy. We’ve the Directorate of Community Relations. Any community that isn’t satisfied with any contractor should please come to us. We can handle their complaints, don’t frustrate contractors”, the NDDC MD adviced.
Meanwhile, the duo of the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo,  and the Senator representing Bayelsa East Senatorial district/Chairman, Senate Committee on Host Communities, Senator Benson Agadaga, have commended the MD/CEO of the NDDC, for turning around the narratives of the commission.
Governor Okpebholo and the Federal lawmaker gave their commendations in their separate remarks, as Chairman of the occasion, and Special Guest of honour, respectively, at the 2025 edition of the “Eyal Obeyin” cultural celebration.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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Niger Delta

Delta Among 4th Largest Economy in Nigeria – SSG

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6 days ago

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March 28, 2025

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Delta State has emerged as one of the top four largest economies in Nigeria,  Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu, has said.
Dr. Emu stated this in his keynote speech at the 2025 Public Lecture and Awards Ceremony of the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), Delta State Chapter, held in Asaba, yesterday.
He said the theme, “The Role of Professionals in the Successful Implementation of the Delta State Government MORE Agenda”, was apt and highlighted the state’s impressive growth trajectory, attributing it to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s strategic governance, infrastructural investments, and a thriving private sector.
Dr. Emu emphasized that Delta’s economic rise was a result of deliberate policies aimed at boosting agriculture, industrialization, and human capital development.
He said through prudent management of resources, investor-friendly policies, and a focus on key sectors such as oil and gas, manufacturing, and technology, Delta has solidified its place as a major economic hub in Nigeria.
He also pointed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration as a key driver of this success, citing initiatives such as the expansion of road networks, increased support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and the development of industrial parks across the state.
Dr. Emu added that the state’s strong contributions to the oil and gas sector, along with growing diversification efforts, have been critical in achieving this status.
“Whether you denominate in Naira or Dollar, Delta is the 4th largest economy in Nigeria and the highest oil producer in the country today.
“Oil revenue today accounts for only 48.7 percent of our GDP, Services and all others account for 51.25 percent.
“This tells you that even though oil and gas is our main revenue earner, services and others account for money.
“It means that as an economy, we are diversifying even though oil accounts for the highest revenue, it does not account in terms of provision of jobs for our people.
“Agriculture sector has grown year-on-year at 13.3 percent for over six years now, while services and manufacturing have also grown significantly.
“We have diversified and created huge jobs for our people totalling over 257,000 jobs and that is very significant”, he noted.
He said with this new ranking, Delta State is poised to attract more local and international investments, solidifying its role as a leading economic powerhouse in Nigeria.
According to him, Oborevwori’s administration has constructed over 500 roads with over 1500km and 933km of line drainages with massive contributions to job creation and poverty eradication.
“In 2020 we were rated the second least poor state in Nigeria only second to Lagos State. In 2022, the multi-dimensional poverty rating indices showed National average at 63 percent. Delta is 47 percent, placing 9th in the country.
“There are some jobs advertised in the country with some states applying more than Delta State and for me its another measure of poverty.
“It indicates that the people here have other choices, they have an option because if there were no options they would have taken those jobs.
“We have over 254,747 empowerments through multiple job creation channels. For every road construction, there is provision for jobs so the more we construct roads across the state, the more jobs we create.
“Physical and social infrastructure fertilises development. So, we will continue to construct more roads and other physical infrastructure across the state”, he said.
On why government is spending huge amounts on road infrastructure, Dr. Emu, said there is a huge infrastructure deficit running into trillions of dollars in Nigeria.
He said South Africa recently provided $54billion dollars for road infrastructure, adding that the problem is not peculiar to Nigeria alone.
“Physical infrastructure fertilises development, it inter links local areas to the urban centres and reduces rural-urban migration and gives room for expansion of businesses in all the hinterlands.
“Hence Government is spending huge amounts in building Trans Warri-Ode Itsekiri Road and bridges, the Ughelli-Asaba Expressway among others”, he noted.
Emu further said as professionals they have major roles to play in the development of the state and urged them to provide useful advise to government on how to develop the state.
In his welcome remark, Chairman APBN, Delta State Chapter, Surv. Victor Ezie, acknowledged the good works of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, especially on the Ughelli-Asaba Expressway, emphasising that the impact of his governance was resonating through out the State.
He congratulated Governor Oborevwori on his emergence as Governor of the year by THISDAY/ARISE News and urged the Governor to keep the flag flying even as he expects diversification of the state’s economy beyond oil dependence.
He called for more investments in non-oil sectors such as Agriculture, Technology, Industries, Commerce, Electricity, Transportation, mass housing, and tourism to ensure sustainable growth.
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Niger Delta

World Water Day: Aging Facility, Bane Of C’River Water Board – Commissioner

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6 days ago

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March 28, 2025

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The  Commissioner for Water Resources in Cross River State, Mr. Bassey Mensah, has said that aging water facilities  was limiting the performance of  the state’s Water Board.
Mensah said this recently in Calabar during a stakeholders’ engagement organised by the board to commemorate the World Water Day.
The Tide’s source reports that the theme for this year’s celebration is: “Glacier Preservation”.
The event comes up every March 22 to create awareness about water and inspire actions to tackle global water shortage.
The Commissioner expressed concern over how people still queue up at commercial borehole points to buy water due to the shortage of supply from the water board.
He said: “In the 1970s, we fetched from public pumps and there  should be no reason for system failure that made it difficult for us to access portable water.
“Cross River saw ahead and  established the best water facility in the nation but  it could not manage it because of erratic power supply.
“We also have nine treatment plants.
“The Calabar plant alone can feed four other Local Government Areas (LGA) but the pipes laid 22 years ago are old and many had  even been vandalised.”
Mensah continued that the State Government was taking steps to revive the water board by putting together a Cross River Water Bill, which has been passed by the  House of Assembly and awaiting the governor’s assent.
He said immediately the water bill is assented to, the water  commission would go into full implementation.
“This will disallow anyone to just  drill borehole without proper assessment, which is dangerous to the environment,” he said.
Also, the General Manager, Cross River State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Mr. Sunday Oko, said providing potable water was gradually becoming a challenge, especially in the rural communities.
Oko described rural communities as the “national headquarters of open defecation”, which finds its way back into the water bodies that the people consume.
According to him, Obanliku LGA was the first to attain the Open Defecation Free status but things are gradually going bad again.
He said it was not enough to provide facilities but “the facilities need to be maintained by all and not vandalised”.
While appealing to the governor to assent to the water bill, he urged all hands to be on deck for the preservation and protection of potable drinking water.
“Activities like open defecation, excessive mining and many other activities inimical to the environment are also negatively affecting potable water supply, we need to stop,” he said.
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