The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger delta

  • Otu’s Chief of Protocol gets, dedicates ‘Miracle’ son after 14 years

    Otu’s Chief of Protocol gets, dedicates ‘Miracle’ son after 14 years

    After what was an emotionally agonising 14 long years of patient waiting, silent tears and unbroken faith, joy finally dawned on the household of Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester Abang, the Chief of Protocol to Cross River Governor, Bassey Edet Otu, with the birth of a baby boy, an event the family describes as “a divine visitation and a triumph of faith.”

    In the words of Abang, what once seemed a distant hope has become a living reality, turning years of longing into laughter and thanksgiving.

    Speaking on the moment that changed their story, Abang said the arrival of the child reaffirmed his belief in divine timing.

    “This is God’s answer written in flesh and blood,” he said. “We waited, we prayed, and we trusted. Today, heaven has smiled on us, and our home is filled with joy beyond words.
    Our story stands as proof that faith, when held firmly, is always rewarded in God’s own time.”

    Mrs Abang, visibly moved, recalled the emotional journey that preceded the birth. “There were days of quiet prayers and nights of tears,” she said. “But we never lost faith. This child is our testimony that delay is not denial, and that God’s promises are sure.”

    Read Also: Temitope Adeoye calls for carbon credit awareness across Nigeria

    According to the family, the birth has drawn an outpouring of goodwill messages from friends, relatives and faith communities who followed their journey over the years. “The calls, prayers and tears of joy we have received show that this miracle belongs to many, not just us,” Mrs. Abang added.

    In gratitude for what they describe as an answered prayer, the Abangs on Sunday held a special thanksgiving and dedication ceremony at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church, Ikot Ansa, Calabar, to formally present their miracle before God.

    “This is our way of saying thank you,” Mr. Abang explained. “We want to return the glory to God and publicly acknowledge His mercy.”

    Expressing their felicitations, religious leaders and close associates described the Abangs’ story as a powerful message to couples currently in seasons of waiting. One cleric noted, “Their testimony reminds us that God’s calendar is different from ours, but it is always perfect.”

    Close family members say the birth has also strengthened bonds of shared faith and collective joy. “This child has united people in thanksgiving,” a family friend remarked. “It is a reminder that perseverance and prayer still yield results.”

  • Dafinone hails Tonlagha at 50, praises patriotism, philanthropy

    Dafinone hails Tonlagha at 50, praises patriotism, philanthropy

    Senator Ede Dafinone (Delta Central) has felicitated the Chairman of Maton Engineering Limited, Engr. Matthew Tonlagha, on his 50th birthday, describing the milestone as a celebration of “a life lived with intentionality, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the advancement of our people.”

    In a goodwill message to mark the golden jubilee, Senator Dafinone said Tonlagha’s attainment of 50 years was “a testament to the grace of God,” noting that the engineer’s journey reflects excellence beyond professional accomplishments. 

    According to the Delta Central lawmaker: “your professional trajectory is distinguished not only by technical excellence but by a profound sense of patriotism,” adding that Tonlagha has consistently demonstrated commitment to national and regional development.

    The lawmaker particularly commended Tonlagha’s role as a key stakeholder in the Niger Delta, praising his efforts in fostering peace and stability in the region. “As a stakeholder in the Niger Delta, your dedication to peace-building and regional stability has been exemplary,” Dafinone said, stressing that such interventions are critical to sustainable development and harmony in the oil-producing region.

    Dafinone also applauded Tonlagha’s philanthropic record, describing it as impactful and far-reaching. He noted that “your philanthropic interventions have provided a lifeline to many, demonstrating a rare spirit of selflessness and a deep-seated empathy for the underserved.”

    Read Also: Temitope Adeoye calls for carbon credit awareness across Nigeria

    He said: “I extend my sincere congratulations to the Chairman of Maton Engineering Limited, Engr. Matthew Tonlagha, as he marks the landmark occasion of his 50th birthday. Reaching this golden jubilee is a testament to the grace of God and a life lived with intentionality, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the advancement of our people.

    “Your professional trajectory is distinguished not only by technical excellence but by a profound sense of patriotism. As a stakeholder in the Niger Delta, your dedication to peace-building and regional stability has been exemplary. 

    “Your philanthropic interventions have provided a lifeline to many, demonstrating a rare spirit of selflessness and a deep-seated empathy for the underserved. You have proven that true leadership is measured by the number of lives uplifted and the legacies of kindness established along the way.

    “As you enter this new chapter of your life, I pray that the Almighty grants you increased wisdom, divine health, and the strength to continue your noble work. May your contributions to the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large continue to flourish, and may your future be filled with the same grace and distinction that have characterized your first fifty years.”

  • Commodore Manga takes over as Commander NNS Jubilee

    Commodore Manga takes over as Commander NNS Jubilee

    Commodore Mohammad Abubakar Manga has assumed office as the 14th Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship Jubilee Ship (NNS) in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom state.

    Commodore Manga, who took over on Friday from Commodore AA Umar, pledged to ensure strict compliance with the operational directives aimed at addressing prevailing security challenges.

    In his assumption remarks, he thanked the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas (Admiralty Medal), for the confidence reposed in him. 

    The new commander reaffirmed his commitment to the CNS’s vision, mission, and Command philosophy and commended the achievements of his predecessor.

    Manga also pledged to consolidate on existing gains while maintaining a high level of operational readiness in line with the directives of the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral CD Okehie.

    He further solicited the cooperation and support of all personnel towards the effective discharge of the Command’s mandate.

    In his valedictory address, the outgoing Commander, Commodore AA Umar, expressed gratitude to officers, ratings, and civilian staff for their support and cooperation throughout his tenure.

    Umar highlighted key achievements recorded during his tour of duty, including the transformation and upgrading of facilities as well as notable improvements in personnel welfare. 

    He urged personnel to extend the same loyalty and cooperation to his successor to ensure continuity and sustained progress.

    Highlights of the ceremony included the signing of the handing and taking over notes, as well as the handing and taking over of the Ship’s Flag and Staff of Office.

  • Group knocks activist over call for fragmentation of oil pipeline surveillance

    Group knocks activist over call for fragmentation of oil pipeline surveillance

    A group, Concerned Nigerians for Good Governance, has kicked against the fragmentation of oil pipeline surveillance along ethnic lines, saying it is inimical to national security and the country’s economy.

    The group was responding to a publication in one of the national dailies in which a human rights activist, Fejiro Oliver, called for the decentralization of oil pipeline surveillance jobs to accommodate ethnic groups in the Niger Delta region.

    But the national coordinator of the group, Awipi Lawson in a statement on Saturday, said that the call by Oliver was not only faulty but a misrepresentation of the Local Content Act.

    Lawson argued that the Local Content Act did not prescribe the balkanization of the nation’s security architecture along ethnic lines but recommended inclusion and participation of all Nigerians. 

    He said: “First, the Nigerian Local Content Act does not prescribe the balkanization of security architecture.

    “The Act promotes Nigerian participation in commercial oil and gas activities, procurement, services, fabrication, manpower development, not the ethnic carving up of critical national security functions.

    “Pipeline surveillance is a security operation tied to intelligence, response time, coordination and deterrence. To weaponize the Local Content Act to demand ethnic control of security corridors is a gross misreading of the law.

    “Second, the suggestion that “every tribe should manage pipelines in their localities” is operationally illiterate. Pipelines do not respect ethnic boundaries. 

    “They traverse rivers, creeks, forests and inter-community corridors. Effective protection requires unity of command, shared intelligence, logistics and rapid response, not a patchwork of competing local fiefdoms. Fragmentation would reopen the very gaps criminals exploit.

    “Since the current surveillance framework was strengthened, crude oil output has rebounded, vandalism has dropped and waterways once notorious for armed robbery have become safer for residents and commerce”.

    He further said: “Serious policy debate demands facts, performance benchmarks, response metrics, community employment figures and oversight mechanisms. Anything less is noise masquerading as advocacy.

    “Inclusion is not achieved by destruction. If the concern is community participation, the solution is enforceable local hiring quotas, transparent procurement, skills training, periodic audits and sanctions for non-compliance, all within a coordinated security framework. That is reform. What is being proposed instead is chaos.

    “We must state this plainly, Nigeria’s energy security is not a playground for personal crusades. The Niger Delta has paid too high a price in blood, lost revenue and environmental damage to return to an era of disjointed control and opportunistic agitation”.

  • Stakeholders call for alignment of Delta disability law with National Act

    Stakeholders call for alignment of Delta disability law with National Act

    • …as D-RAPID project trains journalists to drive change

    Stakeholders in the disability rights space including civil society organisations (CSO), Persons with Disability (PWD), lawyers, government officials, the media, among others, have raised concern over the low level of public awareness surrounding the Delta State Disability Law, despite the state having domesticated the Nigeria’s National Disability Act.

    This concern was highlighted during a two-day media training organised under the Disability Rights Advocacy Project (D-RAPID), an initiative funded by the European Union (EU) through Christian Blind Mission (CBM) and implemented in Delta State by TAF Africa.

    Recall that the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 was signed into law in Nigeria in January 2019.

    The Act prohibits all forms of discrimination against persons with disabilities (PWDs) and guarantees their rights to education, healthcare, and employment.

    It established the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) to ensure accessibility in public buildings, transportation, and social inclusion, with a minimum five per cent employment quota in public organisations. 

    Speaking at the training held in Asaba, Delta State capital, State Coordinator of the D-RAPID Project, Dr. Godwin Adaji, said the project focuses on strengthening advocacy for the rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Delta and Benue states.

    According to him, while Delta State has passed its disability law, many citizens — including employers and duty bearers — remain unaware of its provisions.

    “One of the things we discovered is that Delta State has passed the law, but a lot of people are not aware of it. That is why we believe that if we bring journalists on board and train them, awareness about the law will increase significantly,” Adaji said.

    He explained that D-RAPID is being implemented in two states, with TAF Africa handling Delta State, while the National Women Trust Fund is implementing the project in Benue State.

    Dr. Adaji further noted that although most Nigerian states had domesticated the National Disability Act following Nigeria’s commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Delta State’s law contains provisions that fall short of national standards.

    He cited the employment quota for PWDs in Delta State as a major concern.

    Adaji stated, “The National Act provides that five per cent of employment opportunities should be reserved for persons with disabilities. However, in Delta State, the law says one per cent of every 100 employees. “This means that if an organisation employs fewer than 100 persons, they are not required to employ a person with disability. We are saying this should be corrected to align with the five per cent provision in the National Act.”

    Also speaking, Lynn Agwuncha, Senior Communication Officer at TAF Africa, said the media engagement was designed to address persistent problems in how disability issues are framed in the Nigerian media.

    She observed that PWDs are often portrayed as objects of pity rather than as rights holders.

    “The media has not done a fair job in how it presents persons with disabilities. They are often portrayed as beggars or charity cases, instead of being reported from a rights-based perspective,” Agwuncha said.

    She stressed that journalists play a critical role in shaping public perception and challenging stereotypes, adding that the training aims to equip them to report disability issues with dignity, integrity, and respect for human rights.

    Agwuncha noted that TAF Africa expects journalists to take ownership of disability reporting beyond the training.

    “We want journalists to independently pick up stories around persons with disabilities, examine the provisions of the Act, and support PWDs through their reporting. While we will provide technical support when needed, this process must be owned by the media,” she said.

    She added that the project includes media monitoring and that refresher trainings will be organised if gaps are identified over time, but not immediately, to allow journalists the space to apply their learning.

    The D-RAPID project aims to improve visibility, strengthen advocacy, and promote the full implementation of disability rights laws, particularly at the sub-national level.

  • NUPRC clarifies conditions for deductions from host community trust fund

    NUPRC clarifies conditions for deductions from host community trust fund

    The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has clarified that any deductions by settlors from the three per cent Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) fund provided under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) must strictly comply with Section 257(4) of the Act. 

    The commission assured Niger Delta host communities that such deductions are required to be transparent and properly justified.

    The clarification was given by the commission’s representative, Kingsley Okundia, at a one-day sensitisation workshop for settlors, HCDT organs and petroleum host communities held in Delta State. The event was attended by traditional rulers and community leaders from across the state.

    Okundia explained that deductions are permissible only in situations where petroleum facilities within a host community are damaged and funds are needed for their maintenance or replacement.

    “If you carefully look at the PIA, the only section where they said funds would be deducted, it is Section 257 sub section 4… It also states the reason why such funds will be deducted. And it should not also be done in secret. The community also has to know why their money is being deducted,” he said.

    He explained that the three per cent contribution was calculated based on the settlor’s operational expenditure for the preceding year, as captured in audited financial statements submitted to government and the NUPRC, as such, “there is no issue of shortchanging anybody.”

    The NUPRC official urged host communities in the Niger Delta to formally engage settlors for information and escalate unresolved issues to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, assuring them that petitions are treated with urgency.

    “We don’t play with petitions from communities. There is a section set aside for that,” he said.

    Earlier, High Chief G. I. O. Bucknor of Mecco and Marines Holdings Limited said the workshop reinforced the importance of community participation, accountability and compliance with the PIA to ensure oil-bearing communities in the Niger Delta benefit from petroleum operations.

    Chairman of the event, the Pere of Akugbene Mein Kingdom, HRM Kalanama VIII, said host communities had critical responsibilities under the PIA through HCDTs, including governance, infrastructural development, peace and security, environmental protection and pipeline surveillance.

    Read Also: NUPRC blames fragmented policies for Africa’s unexploited 180TCF gas

    He noted that community involvement and the engagement of Tantita Security Services have helped curb pipeline vandalism in the region.

    “We can attest to the fact that from the implementation of the operation of this PIA we have recorded almost zero pipeline vandalism in our communities,” he said, calling on royal fathers and community leaders to continue preaching peace across the Niger Delta.

    Also speaking, Violet Onowakpokpo, Director, Government Office Annex, Warri, said the PIA reflects government’s commitment to addressing long-standing grievances in oil-producing areas, stressing that the government does not want host communities to be marginalised.

    She disclosed that plans were underway to open a complaints office to address host community issues.

    In a goodwill message on behalf of the Delta State Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Hon. Peter Okagbare Uviejitobor, Director of Local Content, Emmanuel Ofomiyuaju, reaffirmed the state government’s support for initiatives that strengthen cooperation between operators and host communities in the Niger Delta.

    However, community leaders raised concerns over delayed payments and deductions. 

    Bashorun Askia Ogieh of Uzere community lamented the absence of NUPRC executives and alleged that HCDTs had not been credited since 2022.

    Representatives of host communities from Isoko- Irri and Idheze also protested deductions from the three per cent fund and demanded that “the money deducted at source be repaid to the community.”

    Similarly, Chairman of the Ndokwa HCDT BoT, Comrade Ameachi Asugwuni, raised issues relating to tax exemption, access to audited financial statements of settlors and lingering delays in payment, insisting that the law provides that the Host Community Fund shall not be taxed.

  • 2027: Southern coalition set to mobilize massive support for Tinubu’s reelection

    2027: Southern coalition set to mobilize massive support for Tinubu’s reelection

    A socio political group, the Southern Coalition for Tinubu 2027, is set to mobilize support across the 6 geopolitical zones in Southern Nigeria for the reelection of President Bola Tinubu.

    The group which is to be launched officially in Abuja will also be launched in Lagos, Enugu, Ibadan Owerri, Uyo, Calabar, Port harcourt and other major cities across the south.

    The unveiling of the organization will be attended by party supporters and stakeholders with membership drawn from all sectors and stratas of the country.

    Addressing Journalists in Lagos yesterday, the National Coordinator of the Southern Coalition for Tinubu 2027, Pastor Bassey James said the coalition was established to effectively coordinate grassroots mobilisation among youths, men and women in the southern part of the country to ensure President Tinubu’s re-election.

    He highlighted that the group would focus on voter enlightenment, engagement, political sensitization and advocacy across the three southern regions, with the aim of consolidating support for the president’s policies and programmes.

    Pastor James who is also the National President, Southern Youths Development Forum Inc, maintained that the coalition would also promote the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration, adding that it would leverage on the administration’s “good works” to canvass unparalleled support for the president’s return to office in 2027.

    He averred that the group believes the president’s economic and governance reforms would yield long-term benefits for the country and therefore deserve continuity.

    Read Also: Elui praises Seyi Tinubu for appointing Obi Cubana to City Boy Movement role

    The coordinator urged members of the coalition to embark on peaceful and issue-based mobilisation, stressing that the group’s activities would be carried out within the framework of the constitution and democratic principles.

    ” The constitution allows two terms for the president, Ashiwaju Bola Tinubu will complete his eight years in office, we will go the whole length to campaign for his re-election from state to state, neighborhood to neighborhood and door to door, the massive progress made under this administration must continue seamlessly till 2031″.

    He added, ” We have talked to many political elites from the three regions including serving and former senators, ministers, youth groups and religious leaders, we are ready to tour the regions to sensitize people, mobilise and campaign for Mr President. Our team will be meeting with the northern counterparts especially the pro Tinubu support groups.

    “Membership of the group cut across the academia, professionals, industrialists, Entrepreneurs and students. Every Nigerian desirous of a progressive country is free to join the coalition”

    The text of the press briefing was jointly endorsed by, Mr Emeka Obielom, the Diaspora coordinator, Hon Adaora Veronica Ijezie, Professor Justus Sokefun, Professor Ebere Okorie, Professor Usen Ikpe, Mr Braimoh Austin Adogame among other notable politicians from southern Nigeria.

  • Julius, Eddy Pondi Foundation award ₦10m scholarship to 100 students

    Julius, Eddy Pondi Foundation award ₦10m scholarship to 100 students

    In a political climate often defined by short-term gestures, a member of the House of Representatives, Julius Gbabojor Pondi’s approach to representation has taken a more deliberate path, one anchored in education and sustained through institutional partnership with the Eddy Pondi Foundation.

    That approach is made evident with the recent disbursement of a ₦10 million scholarship scheme supporting 100 students across Delta State.

    The programme, implemented by the Eddy Pondi Foundation, draws beneficiaries from Burutu, Warri South West, and Uvwie Local Government Areas, each receiving ₦100,000 after a structured and transparent selection process.

    Unlike many interventions that end at disbursement, the scholarship is designed as a long-term commitment. Beneficiaries will continue to receive the ₦100,000 award annually for the duration of their first degree programmes, subject to the Foundation’s guidelines.

    In an era of rising tuition costs and increasing dropout rates, the assurance of sustained support offers more than financial relief. It provides academic stability and confidence.

    For many of the students, the scholarship represents trust as much as assistance. It affirms education as a credible route to opportunity and signals that academic effort is recognised and rewarded.

    This focus on human capacity development reflects the core philosophy of the Eddy Pondi Foundation, which positions education as a tool for social mobility and community resilience.

    The current scheme is part of a broader education agenda advanced by Julius Pondi.

    The lawmaker is currently enrolling 400 students from Burutu Federal Constituency, and the Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area, who are also being sponsored for JAMB enrolment ahead of the 2026 examination cycle.

    By removing early financial barriers, the initiative widens access to university education at a critical entry point.

    The Sologha Ekpemupolo JAMB CBT Centre in Ogulagha, a brainchild of Pondi’s legislative acumen, now provides students in riverine communities with closer, safer access to examination facilities.

    For many families, this has reduced the cost, risk, and disruption associated with long-distance travel for national examinations.

    While education remains central, the initiative reflects a wider understanding of representation as a lived experience.

    The collaborative efforts between Julius Pondi and the Eddy Pondi Foundation demonstrate a sustained investment in people and institutions.

    For students, families, and communities across the constituency, the impact is tangible.

    More importantly, it reinforces a simple idea that effective representation begins with deliberate attention to human potential and that education remains one of its most enduring foundations.

    Hon. Julius Pondi, House Member, Burutu Federal Constituency (left), and Eddy Pondi Foundation’s Founder, Engr. Eddy Pondi 

  • Summit courts private sector partnerships for improved maritime security in Niger Delta

    Summit courts private sector partnerships for improved maritime security in Niger Delta

    The Niger Delta Blue Economy Investment Summit has called on private sector companies working in the area of maritime security to deploy  a coordinated approach to ensure maximum impact. 

    This was stated in a statement released by the organizing committee after they paid a courtesy visit to Target One Group in Abuja last week. 

    The statement signed by Emmanuel Ukpong, Lead Consultant at Gadfly Consulting Limited, the organisers of the summit were full of praises for Group Chief Executive Officer Mr. Kennedy Odoeme for the role of his company and other security companies in ensuring security and stability in the Niger Delta region. 

    “We are here to commend you not only for your support and partnership with our summit but most importantly the quiet and revolutionary intervention in the area of pipeline surveillance and maritime security that has saved  Nigeria billions of dollars till date. We remember when oil theft and vandalization of pipelines were daily nightmares in the Niger Delta. 

    “Losses due to oil theft reduced our country’s production capacity to sometimes 600,000 barrels per day far below our more than 2,000,000 barrels per day production capacity. The country was hemorrhaging and our nation was helplessly losing revenue which jeopardized  development across all sectors.  

    “This was before the Amnesty program and the efforts of companies like yours and ofcourse Tantita Security Limited among others in securing our national assets especially the pipeline Infrastructure”.

    Read Also: INEC to revalidate voter register before 2027 polls

    Commenting further on the issue, the Co-convener of the summit, Dr. Uche Igwe commended Nigeria’s Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Idi Abbas and other security agencies for working with other government agencies including Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for the recorded improvements in maritime safety recorded by our country. 

    According to him, “Our upcoming summit will be that platform for regular stock taking, identifying the issues that will boost the economy in the Niger Delta and galvanising relevant stakeholders and partners to chart a way forward. There will be a session dedicated to maritime security so that government and private sector players like Target One Group remain on the same page of continuous improvement. Experts from other countries have been invited to share their experiences too. 

    “This is the way to write that new chapter of prosperity and sustainability that we all crave for in the Niger Delta and I thank you for being part of it”, he stated.

    The annual summit whose maiden edition is scheduled to hold from the 9th-11th February  in Ikot Ekpene.  

    The former Prime Minister of Tunisia His Excellency Mehdi Jomaa has confirmed his attendance as keynote speaker at the summit. 

    The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno known to be passionate about developing the blue economy in his state is billed to declare the summit open

  • Dafinone to Uduaghan: Stop false Sapele land claims, don’t stoke crisis

    Dafinone to Uduaghan: Stop false Sapele land claims, don’t stoke crisis

    Delta Central lawmaker, Senator Ede Dafinone, has warned that renewed claims of ownership of Sapele land by Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, the Alema of Warri, were false, provocative, and a threat to public peace.

    He urged Itsekiri leaders and the Uduaghan family to rein him in.

    Reacting to a caveat issued by Chief Uduaghan against the January 24, 2026, foundation-laying of the Orodje of Okpe’s Sub-Palace in Sapele, Dafinone said the claims questioned settled law and established traditional authority.

    Read Also: 2026 holds new hope for Delta Central, Dafinone assures

    The senator, who chairs the Sapele Okpe Community Land Trust Association, stated that all land in Sapele is owned by the Okpe people, stressing that Sapele is an indigenous Okpe town despite its cosmopolitan make-up.

    He cited the Delta State Traditional Rulers Law, which recognises only the Orodje of Okpe as the traditional ruler of Sapele Local Government Area, saying “there is no indigenous Itsekiri community in Sapele and no statutory role for the Olu of Warri there”.

    Dafinone said Chief Uduaghan had no standing to challenge the Okpe monarch, noting that the Alema title is not indigenous to Sapele and that the Orodje has maintained a sub-palace in the town for decades without objection.