Niger Delta

Yenagoa Becoming Modern City Under Our Stewardship – Diri

Published

1 month ago

January 15, 2025

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said his administration’s urban renewal programme will transform Yenagoa, the state capital, into a modern city.

Senator Diri stated this against the backdrop of the recent relocation of inter-state commercial transporters to the new state-owned transport terminal at Igbogene.

Speaking recently during the State Executive Council meeting in Government House, Yenagoa, the Governor said centralised motor parks were features of modern cities, which Yenagoa was gradually turning into.

He warned against touting around the vicinity of the terminal, saying that all travellers were expected to go into the terminal for booking and boarding of vehicles.

Diri also stressed that the relocation would curb crime as passengers coming into the state would now be monitored.

“I visited the new terminal and saw its beauty. This is what every modern society does.

“For those who play politics and are still criticising, I am very sorry for them. Bayelsans are however happy with what we have done. It is only those who do not know what a modern society looks like that make derogatory statements about me and the government.

“For the first time in our state, we are seeing what a city is like. We want to actually turn Yenagoa into a modern city. We want to bring Yenagoa to a better place.

“I am happy that the terminal is bubbling. Nobody should act like agbero (tout) in that place. That park is a modern one with everything provided.

“For those who want to come into Bayelsa to commit crime, we have stopped them with the movement to the new terminal”, he said.

Commenting on the peaceful and crime-free Yuletide period, the Bayelsa helmsman commended security agencies for their collaborative efforts that ensured the state was secured throughout the festive season.

He also noted that there was a boost in tourism and entertainment during the period, and particularly commended dancehall music star, Enetimi Odon (popularly called Timaya) for giving back to the state through his annual Timaya Day concert held every 1st January.

He observed that the event attracted a huge crowd of mostly youths and that the show had great tourism potential for the state.

“In the whole of these festivities, what I consider as the final lap was the January 1st Timaya Day that had to do with youths of our state.

“Instructively, there was no incident of crime. I was there. The youths were well behaved and they became security by themselves.

“From what I saw, I believe there is hope for this country and for our state. We all need to do what is right”, the Governor added.

Commenting on an ugly incident at Agbere in Sagbama Local Government Area, Diri thanked the leadership of the community for maintaining the peace and for not taking the laws into their hands.

He assured that ongoing investigation would unravel those behind the dastardly murder of a chief in the community.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

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

Published

2 hours 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.

Niger Delta

UNICAL VC Explains Scholarship To Reward Academic Excellence

Published

2 hours ago

February 19, 2025

The Tide

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Prof. Florence Obi, has instituted the VC’s scholarship award to combat the “read to fail, sort to pass” syndrome.

She announced this on Friday while addressing 68 beneficiaries of the 2024/2025 VC scholarship award in the institution’s Senate Chamber.

The Tide’s source reports that the award, now in its second edition, was introduced in the 2023/2024 academic session with 34 outstanding recipients.

Prof. Obi stated that while some believed the award should support indigent students, she intentionally prioritised academic excellence to motivate students to work harder.

“Thirty-five years ago, we worked hard and sat for exams. Today, students say only a few who study pass, while those who sort grades succeed”, she said.

She emphasised that the award targets students with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.0 and above, adding that results have improved since the previous session.

Hoping to reach 100 recipients by 2026, she urged students to cultivate diligence, stressing that hard work remains rewarding, even if the award is not sustained.

Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Tony Eyang, praised the 68 recipients for their academic distinction and encouraged them to inspire their peers.

Commending the VC and management staff, he described the students as part of the university’s enduring legacy.

Miss Ugochi Ogba, a 200-level Business Management student with a CGPA of 4.92, expressed joy at being the highest-scoring student.

She shared that she often studied late at night and remained unfazed by competition from male students, hoping to win the award again next session.

Initially reserved for first-year students, the N50,000 scholarship was expanded to include other levels, fostering healthy academic competition across the university.

Niger Delta

Delta Approves N275bn For 76 Projects Execution

Published

2 hours ago

February 19, 2025

The Tide

The Delta State Government has approved over N275 billion for the execution of 76 projects spanning different sectors across the three senatorial districts of the state.

The State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, who disclosed this to newsmen, said it was among the approvals given at the maiden Executive Council (EXCO) meeting for 2025 last Thursday in Asaba.

He said the approvals were record-breaking, outstanding and deafening to critics.

Aniagwu, was in company of his counterparts in Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Mr. Reuben Izeze; Economic Planning, Mr. Sonny Ekedayen; and Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme.

Other were the Director-General, Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency, Chief Patrick Ukah; his counterpart in Warri Uvwie and environs, Prince Godwin Ejinyere; and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Festus Ahon.

Aniagwu said the Governor was determined to ensure the people of Delta get value for every money spent on projects in the state.

“Not long ago, we informed you that Governor Oborevwori is not interested in joining issues with critics but will be responding to them with projects.

“But little did we know that his response is going to be so outstanding and deafening that even those who have some audio challenge will hear the sound.

“Today, Governor Oborevwori led us to make history since the 34 years existence of Delta State where, in one Exco meeting over N275 billion worth of projects were approved for the good people of Delta cutting across the three senatorial districts.

“These projects span different sectors targeted at giving value to our people; improving connectivity by way of roads, advancing their health by way of efforts in the health sector and, of course, urban renewal by making our cities much more liveable.

“Virtually all the projects we approved today are coming with 40 per cent mobilisation without our government having to go and borrow, and that tells you how solvent we are as a state, thanks to the very accountable and transparent governance philosophy of Governor Oborevwori”, Aniagwu stated.

He said the council also approved the remodelling of the Warri City Stadium, describing it as a bold step to ensure that legacy projects were not in short supply in the state.

Aniagwu listed some of the approved projects to include: construction of Uruagbesa Oria-Abraka Road, phase 1; construction of Egodo-Ogbeinbene Road, and the construction of Faculty B at the Southern Delta University, Orerokpe campus.

Others are: the construction of Amai-Aragba Road; construction of Inam-Abbi access Road; construction of internal roads at Ugbolu Hilltop Government layout (Phase 1); the construction of Umuoshimi Road with spurs to Ogbe-Aku and market road in Onicha-Ugbo.

It also includes the construction of Okerenkoko – Pepeama – Kokodiagbene Road with a spur to Teiteipur in Warri South-West, and the construction of Benikrukru Township Roads (Phase II), the rehabilitation of Bomadi-Gbaregolor Road, and the construction of Okwetolor – Okobia – Aragba Road.

There are also the construction of Ogbe-Isogban Road in Abavo; Owa-Ewere Road in Owa-Oyibu; approval for upward review of Ayakoromo bridge; the rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of Okpanam Road from Post Office Junction to Catholic Church Roundabout to Okpanam Bypass Junction.

The council equally approved the construction of Iwride-Iyede internal roads (Phase 1); the construction of Ogbe-Ijoh/Aladja Road Phase 2, and the construction of Okwighele – Amuokpokpor Road, among others.

On his part, the Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Mr. Reuben Izeze, commended Governor Oborevwori for the massive provision of 40 per cent mobilisation for all the approved projects.

He said no government in the state had shown more commitment to the sustained funding of projects than the Oborevwori administration.

Izeze added that the Governor had cleared outstanding certificates owed contractors, including N8 billion previously owed on the Trans-Warri Road and bridges, as well as putting the project on the Irrevocable Standing Payment Order (ISPO) module.

He said additional storm drainage work was approved to take care of Koka Junction and Achalla-Ibusa area, in addition to what CCECC construction company was doing around Winners’ Chapel on Ibusa Road.

He said the council also approved the upward review of Ayakoromo bridge with provision for ISPO, adding that review of the design of cloverleaf on Effurun Roundabout to ensure property owners around the area were not encumbered was also approved.

Also, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Onojaeme, said the council approved N1.6bn for the Contributory Health Scheme and a monthly release of N100m to ensure sustainability of the health coverage for the people of the state.