Niger Delta
Former Council Boss Seeks Support For Fubara

The former Chairman of Eleme Local Government Council of Rivers State, Amb Oji Ngofa is seeking support for the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.
Ngofa expressed satisfaction over the milestones the administration of Fubara has recorded so far, saying there is need to support Governor Fubara to provide more dividends of democracy.
Ngofa, who spoke, shortly after his inauguration as Co- Chairman of the Supreme Council for Sim, said the pro-Fubara group was formed to galvanise the grassroots for the governor.
Ngofa, a former Ambassador described Governor Fubara as a liberating force for Rivers people who had suffered under the dictatorial leadership of the immediate past governor of the State.
Ngofa said the peaceful disposition of Governor Fubara and his genuine interest to develop Rivers State had made him to re-align with him to provide quality leadership for Rivers people.
He noted that Governor Fubara represents a model of experience for Rivers people in human capital development, infrastructure, health, job creation and upliftment of his people, adding that it remains the reason people like him including well- meaning Rivers people to join forces with him to unite Rivers people the more.
According to him, the governor is using the instrumentality of human capital development, job creation, and infrastructure to change the narrative in the State.
He said Governor Fubara has demystified governance in the State, being the reason different groups and individuals like him are coming out in full force to support him in the face of distractions.
Ngofa noted that Governor Fubara has under one year demonstrated his genuine love and political commitment to transform the State, adding that various groups would articulate the interest of Rivers people along the lines of the governor’s vision to develop the State.
He said Governor Fubara has been able to unite the people more than ever, by providing them a sense of belonging and the pursuit of collective growth.
Ngofa said Governor Fubara has totally ended the eight years of Chief Wike’ s lack of imagination and departure from one man show.
“What we have is total departure from what we had in the past eight years of former Governor Wike, who lacked the imagination to govern Rivers State, which clearly played out in the years he held sway as governor. Governor Fubara has ended eight years of Chief Wike’ s dictatorship by unifying and giving the people a sense of inclusion and pursuit of collective development. This is why various groups are coming up to support a peaceful man with a vision to develop the people,” he said.
Niger Delta
Tompolo, N’Delta’s Distinguished Son – Oborevwori
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has described renowned Niger Delta activist and former militant leader, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, as a distinguished son of the Niger Delta.
He said Tompolo has made remarkable contributions to the peace, stability, and development of the region and the nation at large.
The Governor, who stated this in a statement recentl by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, at an event marking the 54th birthday of Tompolo, commended the ex-militant for his role as Chairman of Tantita Security Services.
He said “Tompolo’s leadership had been instrumental in the fight against oil theft in the Niger Delta, leading to improved oil production and enhanced national revenue”.
The Governor also acknowledged that both the state governments of the Niger Delta and the Federal Government recognize and appreciate Tompolo’s unwavering efforts in promoting peace and security in the region.
“On behalf of my family, the government and the people of Delta State, I extend my heart-felt congratulations to a true son of the Niger Delta, High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, on the occasion of his 54th birth anniversary.
“Tompolo has played a vital role in the progress of the oil-rich Niger Delta and has consistently collaborated with regional and federal authorities to sustain peace and development.
“As he celebrates his birth anniversary, it is our prayer that God continues to bless him with good health, wisdom, and strength to further his service to the nation and humanity”, the Governor said.
By: Albert Ograka, Asaba
Niger Delta
AfDB President Pledges Investment In C’River’s Health, Agric Sectors

President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has pledged significant investment in Cross River State’s health and agriculture sectors.
Adesina made this commitment on Thursday during a state banquet held in his honour by the Cross River State Government, in connection with the launch of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) project.
He stated that the AfDB would support the State Governor, Bassey Otu’s efforts to revitalise primary healthcare centres and strengthen the state’s health insurance initiative.
Adesina also encouraged the adoption of a sustainable, franchise-based business model for healthcare delivery to enhance accessibility and improve quality of care nationwide.
Looking ahead, he expressed optimism about the SAPZ project, describing it as a “game-changer” for Cross River’s economy.
“We will help ensure that primary healthcare centres are not only revitalised but also digitally connected to allow seamless access and portability of health records,” he said.
Adesina also lauded the governor’s collaboration with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) on the Bakassi Deep Seaport project, noting that it positioned Cross River to become a key logistics and industrial processing hub.
In his remarks, Otu reiterated his administration’s commitment to achieving economic independence and reducing overdependence on federal allocations.
He identified three strategic development pillars, security, food security, and energy security as essential to unlocking sustainable growth in the state.
The Governor also highlighted plans to integrate Cross River into regional economic corridors with Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, while boosting agricultural productivity through large-scale cultivation of cocoa, cassava, and other key crops.
Niger Delta
‘Agro-Processing, Key To Non-Oil Exports, Industrial Growth’
The Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Enoh, has described agro-processing as a critical enabler of Nigeria’s non-oil export drive and industrial transformation.
Enoh said this recently during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) in Calabar, Cross River State.
According to him, the initiative, driven by the African Development Bank (AfDB) in partnership with the Federal Government and other stakeholders, will it enhance food security and accelerate Nigeria’s journey toward industrial prosperity.
“I am glad to report that today the Ministry of Industry and that of Agriculture and Food Security are working together to secure the food prosperity of our countrymen and women.
“The collaboration is also to see the extent to which this can crystallise into industrial growth and development of our country.
“If you look at examples of all countries around the world that have achieved industrialisation, you will notice that they have had to move from agricultural growth, progress and development to attainment of industrial growth and prosperity.
“It is important that everybody understands and appreciates the fact that this event is actually going to crystalise into food security and industrial growth”, he said.
He further said SAPZs were instrumental in converting raw agricultural produce into finished goods for export, thus boosting Nigeria’s GDP and reducing dependence on oil revenue.
“We must move beyond celebrating the export of cocoa beans and start exporting finished cocoa products. That is how to unlock real economic growth”, he stated.
The minister challenged stakeholders to move the country from exporting primary products to processed goods.
“The SAPZ is the game-changer that will help us industrialise, create jobs, and increase exports of made-in-Nigeria goods”, he said.
Also speaking, Mr Abdul Kamara, AfDB’s Country Director for Nigeria, said that the SAPZ programme was one of the bank’s top priorities, with over five billion dollars in operations tied to its success.
“When I was deployed to Nigeria six months ago, the AfDB President, Akinwunmi Adesina, gave me a clear mandate, to untangle every impediment delaying the SAPZ.
“Today’s event is evidence of progress”, Kamara said.
He praised the collaboration between the federal and state governments, and development partners including the Islamic Development Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
“We are building a full end-to-end value chain that will transform Nigeria’s rural landscape into zones of economic prosperity,” he said.
The National Coordinator for the SAPZ project, Dr. Yusuf Kabir, said that the programme had now reached implementation stage with all transaction advisors onboarded in the eight participating states.
“A zone without investment is a stranded asset. The role of transaction advisors is to ensure these zones attract investors and deliver results,” he said.
Kabir commended the Cross River State government for its swift commitment to the project, noting that Gov. Bassey Otu showed leadership by taking ownership of a project he did not initiate.
“I have met all the governors involved, and he was the only one I did not need to meet twice. He took the project personally and gave it priority,” he said.
The SAPZ in Cross River is part of a broader nationwide initiative aimed at creating agricultural transformation centres that will stimulate private investment, reduce rural poverty, and improve food systems.
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