Niger Delta

Bayelsa Warns Communities Over Indulgence In Violence …Wants Women To Vacate NAOC Site

Published

6 months ago

August 23, 2024

Bayelsa State Government has again warned communities embroiled in land and boundary disputes to refrain from resorting to armed violence, saying government would deal decisively with any community found wanting.
The State’s Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, gave the warning at a recent meeting with leaders of Elepa and Egweama communities in Nembe and Brass Local Government Areas respectively.
He said government would not hesitate to apprehend leaders of communities, who encourage armed conflicts with their neighbours over ownership of ancestral lands.
The Deputy Governor called on the leaders of the communities to maintain the peace in their areas, as the ownership of the land where the Elepa Oil Fields are located is the subject of an ongoing legal suit at the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
Emphasizing the need to maintain the existing peace in all parts of the state, the Deputy Governor made it clear that as a responsible government, the Governor Douye Diri-led administration would not watch two communities go to war.
To this end, he directed the state Police Command to liaise with other security agencies to protect lives and property in the area, including the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) facilities at the five Elepa oil wells.
He added that government might direct the SPDC to open an escrow account into which all royalties accruing from the five oil wells will be paid, pending when the Supreme Court delivers its judgement on the land ownership dispute.
Representations were made by the Chairman, Nembe Divisional Council of Chiefs, Senator Nimi Barigha-Amange, the CDC Chairman of Egweama, Mr. Tonye Yemoleigha, and the Paramount Ruler of Elepa Community, His Royal Highness Gelegukuma Apiri at the meeting.
In another development, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has appealed to the leaders of Okoroma clan to prevail on their women to vacate Nigerian AGIP Oil Company (NAOC) Oil Flow Station belonging to the NAOC, as machinery had been put in place to address their grouse.
He made the appeal at a meeting with representatives of NAOC and leaders of Okoroma led by the Chairman of the Okoroma Council of Chiefs, His Royal Highness Ebinimi Donka Solomon.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who expressed government’s concern about the power outage in Okoroma, urged the people to demobilize from the oil platform, since the company had already started repairing the broken down power plant to restore power in the clan.
The Bayelsa number two man, however, decried the attitude of oil firms for always failing to fulfill promises they make to their host communities, stressing that maintaining their integrity will make things easy for themselves, the government and the communities.
“Government is really, really concerned about the light issue in Okoroma, which has led to the shutdown of the NAOC oil flowstation there.
“We want you to talk to your women and prevail on them to leave the facility. We have already told NAOC to take steps to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.
“We expect the oil companies to maintain their integrity by fulfilling their promises. They should make things easy for government”, he said.
In their joint presentation, the Chairman of the Okoroma Chiefs Council, Chief Ebinimi Donka Solomon, and the spokesman, Chief Kienwiro Nanyo, explained that the women occupied the flow station because of the protracted electricity problem in the area.
While appreciating the effort of government to resolve the issue, they also appealed to the State Government to establish a functional hospital in the area as there is none in the entire clan.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOC, the Stakeholders and Community Development Manager, Mrs. Moji Olorode, assured that the company was intensifying efforts to restore power supply to Okoroma.
Olorode, who thanked the State Government for intervening in the matter, noted that there were some safety concerns at the occupied oil flow station that needed to be addressed to forestall unnecessary loss of lives and property.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Bipi Celebrates Gen Asabuja On Birthday

Published

3 days ago

February 19, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.

Niger Delta

Joint Provincial Council, East Of The Niger Salutes Diocese Of Evo

Published

3 days ago

February 19, 2025

The Tide

The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.

Niger Delta

Okpebholo’s Aides Lead Cancer Awareness Walk In Benin … Offers Free Screening

Published

3 days ago

February 19, 2025

The Tide

In a bid to promote cancer awareness and encourage early detection, officials of Edo State Government, last Thursday held a cancer awareness walk in Benin City.

The walk, led by Sally Suleiman, Special Adviser to Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), was organised in commemoration of World Cancer Day.

The event also brought other health professionals, civil society groups, and residents to emphasise the importance of regular screenings, healthy lifestyles, and early diagnosis in reducing cancer-related deaths.

The notable stakeholders, include the Coordinator of the First Lady’s Office, Mrs. Edesili Anani; the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole; and the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Marie Bisi Idaomi.

Speaking at the event, Suleiman reaffirmed the commitment of the Edo State Government to strengthening healthcare systems and to ensure that cancer awareness reached all corners of the state.

“Cancer remains a major public health challenge, but early detection can save lives.

“This walk is part of our efforts to educate residents on preventive measures and available healthcare services”, she said.

As part of the initiative, she said her office would be offering free mammograms and prostate screenings to encourage early detection.

“We are not just raising awareness; we are taking action. Early detection saves lives, and we want to ensure that more people get screened before it’s too late”, she added.

Suleiman expressed gratitude to all partners and urged continued collaboration in the fight against cancer.

“This is not just a one-day event. We must keep the conversation going and ensure that people have access to the healthcare they need”, she said.