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WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER IN S’SOUTH TO ACHIEVE REGIONAL DEV, FUBARA INSISTS
…. As Bayelsa Gov Pays Christmas Visit To Rivers
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has challenged Governors of South-South States to be amenable to fostering enduring synergy among themselves and embrace measures that will drive sustainable development of the Niger Delta region collectively.
Governor Fubara made the challenge when he received the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, who led a delegation of some leaders of his State on a Christmas visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Saturday.
He pointed to the danger of a lack of collaboration and mutual relationship between the sister states in the region, which manifest more in the difficulty experienced in having an enduring and meaningful development in the region.
Governor Fubara acknowledged that more Bayelsans live in Rivers, even if they work in Bayelsa, which underscores the need for broad-based approach to issues of security, connectivity and other areas that can make living, business pursuit and commutation easier.
The Rivers State Governor said: “In fact, one of the assignments I will want His Excellency, Governor of Bayelsa to carry on with this: let us strengthen the BRACED Commission.
“The BRACED Commission has the interest of our zone. So, we can’t talk about development, solving crime issues in Rivers State; because if you solve only that of Rivers State, those criminals might run to Akwa Ibom State and in the night, they will come back and commit criminal acts.
“So, it must be something that, while we are doing something here, that same synergy must be in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Bayelsa, Delta and Edo states. That is the only way we can get solution to our problems. I think you have to really take up this assignment, and see what we can record before we leave; because the only thing that can speak for us is those things we have added that will bring changes in the lives of our people.”
Governor Fubara thanked his colleague-Governor for the Christmas visit, which shows the synergy and mutual strength they both share as governments in providing good leadership to our people, and expressed the belief that together, they will commit to protect all national assets in both states that advance the national economy.
Governor Fubara insisted: “We have a responsibility, as leaders of these two states, to protect the oil resources. The oil investments, both the ones offshore, the ones onshore and within the pipelines, must be protected. It is important to do so, and we are doing our best for that.
“Are we even talking about the amount of money we spend for internal security to make sure that there is peace, knowing how volatile our region is? So, please, we will continue to do it, not because there is anything we want to gain personally. If there is no peace, there can’t be development.
“You can imagine what we went through in the days of militancy. I am so happy today that our region, more especially, Bayelsa and Rivers States, are no longer what they used to call us. God has sent that trouble to some other areas.
“So, we are now at peace. It is because we surrendered this situation to the hands of Almighty God. There is nothing God cannot do, when you believe in Him.”
Governor Fubara said that the prevailing peace in Rivers and Bayelsa States has been dedicated to God, who will continue to prosper both states.
Speaking, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, said that in 2023, Governor Fubara, paid him a surprise Christmas visit in his country home, adding that since then, he had planned to reciprocate the gesture.
Senator Diri pointed to the common traits that have bonded people of the two states, which include ethnicity, culture, social and economic relationships, and praised Governor Fubara for his friendship.
Governor Diri said: “But more importantly today, I like to also put on record that since you came on board, between our two states, it has been very peaceful. Between our two states, we have had a whole lot of understanding, even in areas where we had some previous disagreements.
“And for me, that is very instructive, and I like to make particular reference to the Soku oil wells that generated a whole lot of heat between our two states.
“For now, between us, we have agreed that let us go back to the status quo before whatever happened. So, we have both directed our Attorneys General to take charge of that, and they have already done the needful. So, there is relative peace between Bayelsa and Rivers states concerning the Soku oil wells.”
Governor Diri recalled how the immediate past administration in Rivers State destroyed their property, which would have led to large-scale retaliation but added that they adopted legal approach and instituted a case against Rivers State in the Supreme Court.
Senator Diri remarked that since Governor Fubara assumed office, there has been heart-warming discussions and solutions eventually sought to resolve the matter out of court, explaining that both states have been partnering to amicably address their boundary issues, among others.
Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, had lauded the courage and commitment of troops of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in North East Nigeria.
Abubakar gave the commendation during a morale-boosting visit to the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI in Maiduguri, Borno.
This is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, yesterday, in Abuja.
The CAS said their sacrifices were etched in the history of the nation, and in the hearts of millions of Nigerians who sleep safer because of the troops’ vigilance.
He emphasised that their bravery and resilience in the face of adversity have not gone unnoticed, saying his visit underscored the vital role airpower plays in neutralising threats and protecting communities.
Abubakar pledged continued investment in cutting-edge technology to empower frontline units.
According to him, the NAF remains steadfast in its mission, guided by leadership, strengthened by unity, and driven by the selfless service of its personnel.
The visit comes at a critical moment, reinforcing the importance of public support for military operations and spotlighting the human element at the heart of national defence.
Nigeria’s soft drinks and beverage market continues to show strong growth potential, making it the leading consumer of soft drinks in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association.
A statement by the VDMA disclosed during a press conference held in Lagos ahead of drinktec 2025, that Nigeria consumed over 53 billion litres of soft drinks in 2024, placing it well ahead of other African countries such as Ghana and South Africa.
Despite challenges such as inflation and a weakening naira, Nigeria’s growing population, rising urbanisation, and expanding middle class are key factors driving demand in the beverage sector.
Bottled water led the segment with 48.7 billion litres sold in 2024, a figure projected to rise by 27% to 62 billion litres by 2028.
Carbonated soft drinks followed with 3.4 billion litres, expected to reach 4.4 billion litres by 2028, while energy drinks are forecasted to grow by 30% over the same period. Juices, though relatively small, are also on an upward trajectory.
“The Nigerian beverage market is expanding quickly due to increasing accessibility and affordability,” VDMA stated, citing data from Euromonitor International.
Set to take place in Munich from 15 to 19 September 2025, drinktec is the world’s leading trade fair for the beverage and liquid food industry.
VDMA, a key exhibitor and technical partner for the event, revealed that Nigerian participation is expected to be strong, especially as the country anticipates economic recovery.
Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has condemned the recent ban placed on a song by Nigerian musician, Eedris Abdulkareem, describing the development as a return to the culture of censorship and a threat to the right to free expression.
Abdulkareem had waxed a song titled “Tell Your Papa” which criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In a statement issued from New York University, Abu Dhabi, yesterday, Soyinka criticised the action and its wider implications, saying it echoed past attempts to stifle artistic and socio-political commentary in Nigeria.
“Courtesy of an artist operating in a different genre – the cartoon – who sent me his recent graphic comment on the event, I learnt recently of a return to the culture of censorship with the banning of the product of a music artist, Eedris Abdulkareem,” Soyinka said in the piece posted on PM news.
He expressed irony in suggesting that the ban did not go far enough, stating, “It is not only the allegedly offensive record that should be banned – the musician himself should be proscribed. Next, PMAN, or whatever musical association of which Abdulkareem is member, should also go under the hammer.”
Soyinka noted that he had not listened to the banned song but stressed that the issue transcends content and concerns a fundamental democratic principle.
“It cannot be flouted. That, surely is basic. This is why I feel that we should look on the bright side of any picture and thus recommend the Aleshinloye cartoon – and others in allied vein – as an easy-to-apprehend, easy-to-digest summation of the wisdom of attempting to stifle unpalatable works of art or socio-political commentary,” he said.
He also pointed out the irony that censorship often benefits the targeted artist.
The ban is a boost to the artist’s nest egg, thanks to free governmental promotion. Mr. Abdulkareem must be currently warbling his merry way all the way to the bank. I envy him,” he added.
The literary icon warned that such censorship was not only counterproductive but also dangerous to democratic development.
“We have been through this before, over and over again, ad nauseum. We know where it all ends. It is boring, time-wasting, diversionary but most essential of all, subversive of all seizures of the fundamental right of free expression,” Soyinka said.
He warned that the ban creates “a permissive atmosphere of trickle-down power,” where state authorities feel emboldened to clamp down on dissent.
Soyinka’s statement also touched on broader issues of impunity and mob violence in Nigeria, lamenting the recent lynching of 19 youths in Edo State.
“My heart goes out to friends, colleagues and families of victims and traumatised survivors of this senseless slaughter. Our thirst for justice must remain unslaked,” he said.
Referencing the 2022 killing of Deborah Samuel in Sokoto, Soyinka criticised the culture of impunity, saying, “Identified killers were set free to gloat, and paste their photos on the Social Media… in full daylight glare, in the presence of both citizen voyeurs and security forces.”
He called for accountability, warning that “as long as the culture of impunity is given the sheerest strain of legitimacy in any given cause, such gruesome assaults on our common humanity will continue to prevail.”
Soyinka concluded by urging the relevant regulatory body to reverse what he described as a “petulant irrationality,” warning that any government that only tolerates praise-singers “has already commenced a downhill slide into the abyss.”