The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger delta

  • PIA: Reps to change leadership of some HCDTs over non-performance

    PIA: Reps to change leadership of some HCDTs over non-performance

    The House of Representatives has expressed disappointment over the poor performance of some Host Community Development Trusts (HCDT) established to develop oil producing communities in line with Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

    Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Host Communities, Dumnamene Dekor disclosed that of the Trusts after receiving funding from their settlers have failed  to execute one project after more than one year of existence. 

    Dekor, while speaking during the  Bridges Project Host Community Development Trust Stakeholders Dialogue Forum in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State on Thursday, hinted of a possible change in the leadership of some of the HCDTs.

    The two-day close-out forum, themed “Four Years of the PIA: Lessons, Gains, and the Path Forward for Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs),” was organised by the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta  (PIND) in collaboration with the Ford Foundation. 

    The Bridges Project which was launched in 2023, has served as a transformative platform for dialogue and collaboration among regulators, settlors, and host communities.

    Through its Multi-Stakeholder Platform, the project strengthened transparency, built trust, and promoted shared accountability in the implementation of the PIA’s HCDT framework — a central mechanism of the PIA  designed to ensure that host communities benefit directly from extractive activities.

    However , the lawmaker expressed dismay that out of over N373bn available to all Trusts in the country some Trusts are yet to start one project after receiving funding for those projects. 

    Dekor said, “‘Like you rightly said over N373bn is available to all the Trusts, what percentage of this has been put to use? This is another question. And so for those Settlors and those Trusts that must have been funded but they are yet, for so many months and some of them more than a year, to even start one project, then there’s the need to look at it.

    ”The NUPRC and the House will partner with you and if there’s the need to change of the leadership of the Trusts for the benefits of the people, then we will propose that bill”.

    In her keynote address on behalf of the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, the Commission’s Manager, Host Community Development Administration, Mrs. Omolade Awah, commended PIND and the Ford Foundation for ”fostering dialogue and evidence-based engagement that strengthen transparency and accountability under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).” 

    She expressed satisfaction that the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) framework — a core pillar of the PIA — is already yielding visible results across the Niger Delta, from infrastructure and human capital projects to renewed community trust and stability. 

     Awah reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that the HCDT structure continues to serve as a credible mechanism for sustainable development, peacebuilding, and shared prosperity in host communities.

    Executive Director of PIND, Mr. Sam Ogbemi Daibo, noted that the forum marks a pivotal step in consolidating lessons from the Bridges Project for future implementation. 

    “The Bridges Project has shown that the success of the PIA — and particularly the HCDT model, depends not just on compliance, but on collaboration, trust, and shared accountability’

    ”The lessons learned from this process provide a roadmap for the years ahead — guiding how we strengthen partnerships, deepen community engagement, and sustain the gains of host community development,” he said.

     Akwa Ibom commissioner of Budget and Economic Planning Dr. Linus Nkan,  emphasised that “the success of the HCDT implementation depends on shared accountability, trust, and continuous learning, and it should also be extended to government houses of all the Niger Delta states”.

  • Hope for Tinapa as Otu breathes life into Cross River’s sleeping giant

    Hope for Tinapa as Otu breathes life into Cross River’s sleeping giant

    By Linus Obogo 

    For nearly two decades, it lay waste like a sleeping giant, atrophied, asphyxiated by debt, institutional bottlenecks, and the absence of legislative framework. But like the mythical Greek Phoenix rising from its ashes, Tinapa is about to spring back to glorious life, all thanks to the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, Cross River’s own “Mr. Turn Around.” On Friday, November 7th, 2025, the embers of a long-deferred dream were rekindled as Governor Otu presided over the formal signing and handover of the Tinapa Free Zone and Resorts to the ownership of the Cross River State Government. It was, as the Governor himself declared, “a battle fought and won for all Cross Riverians.”

    Standing before an audience charged with emotion and nostalgia, Governor Otu described the moment as “a truly memorable day in the rewriting of Cross River’s history.” In his stirring words, “The return of Tinapa is not merely an event; it is a rebirth, the triumph of faith, patience, and resilience. Indeed, this is a victory for every son and daughter of our beloved state.” Those words rang with reverence, urgency and resolve, evoking memories of a time when Tinapa stood as the gleaming symbol of the state’s ambition and innovation, a testament to what a small state with big dreams could achieve on the wings of vision.

    The Governor took his audience down memory lane, recalling the dawn of 2007 when, under the administration of former Governor Donald Duke, Tinapa emerged from the banks of the Calabar River as Africa’s premier integrated business and leisure resort. “Then, like a dream that triumphed over doubt and circumstance,” Otu reminisced, “Tinapa emerged, radiant, ambitious, visionary, and became the spark that changed the narrative of our state forever.” Indeed, Tinapa redefined the geography of aspiration. It catapulted Cross River into the global spotlight, transforming it from a quiet corner of Nigeria’s south South into a synonym for creativity, hospitality, and forward thinking.

    But like all great dreams, Tinapa’s story took an unexpected turn. The once-vibrant edifice was trapped in a web of fiscal challenges, bureaucratic lethargy, and shifting policy winds. For years, it became a haunting monument to unrealized potential, a silent city of promise dimmed by neglect. Yet, Governor Otu’s emergence heralded a turning tide. Guided by his People First agenda, his administration has set out not merely to reclaim forgotten legacies but to resurrect them as engines of shared prosperity. “We are breathing new life into Tinapa, not as a relic of abandoned ambition, but as a living symbol of Cross River’s resilience,” he affirmed. “Our goal is to reposition this great edifice as the beating heart of commerce, culture, and tourism in Nigeria’s South-South corridor. Tinapa will rise again — this time on the wings of renewed vision, sound management, and sustainable partnerships.”

    In a moment radiant with renewal and pride, the Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Michael Odere, painted Tinapa’s resurgence as nothing short of a landmark economic renaissance, a rebirth of hope and enterprise for Cross River State. Standing amid the ghost of the Business Resort, he hailed Governor Bassey Otu’s visionary leadership, deft negotiation, and fiscal discipline, qualities that have restored confidence in the State’s economic destiny. Yet, beyond his tribute, Dr. Odere’s own fingerprints are indelibly etched upon this triumph. As the State’s chief financial architect, he piloted the intricate negotiations, harmonized fiscal frameworks, and steered the delicate balance between prudence and progress that birthed this glorious dawn. “Your Excellency has not only reclaimed an asset but revived a dream,” he declared with conviction. “Tinapa’s return under your watch is a statement of courage, foresight, and accountability. It sends a clear signal that Cross River is open for business again — stronger, wiser, and ready for sustainable prosperity.” Thus, the Finance Commissioner’s voice rang not merely with admiration, but with the quiet triumph of a craftsman whose financial blueprint helped turn a once-forgotten vision into a luminous symbol of rebirth and resilience.

    Read Also: The Unspoken Truth about Nigerian Diets

    True to that conviction, Governor Otu announced ongoing engagements with credible investors and development partners who share his dream of transforming Tinapa into a modern hub for trade, technology, and creative enterprise. He disclosed that the revitalization plan will adopt a transparent, competitive process anchored on accountability, profitability, and youth employment. “This moment is a collective victory — for our past leaders whose dreams gave it birth, for the government that fought to reclaim it, and for the future generations who will inherit its promise,” he said. “Together, we shall turn this symbol of struggle into a testament of triumph.”

    In a gesture of gratitude and statesmanship, Otu commended the Federal Government and all agencies involved in the transition process, as well as the silent architects behind the success — technocrats, financiers, and visionaries who refused to let the dream die. His closing words were a clarion call to hope: “We are a people of faith and courage. Tinapa is once again ours — and under our watch, it shall flourish. Let the world know that Cross River has reclaimed her pride, and from this soil, we shall build the future we have always dreamed of.”

    And so, as the sun sets over Calabar’s glistening skyline, Tinapa breathes again, not merely as a revived resort but as a symbol of redemption, courage, and continuity. Once a sleeping monument of frustration, it now stirs awake, rejuvenated by the steady hands of leadership and the undying faith of a people who never stopped believing. Governor Otu’s intervention has not only restored an economic asset but has reawakened a collective dream, the dream that from the heart of Cross River, a new dawn of prosperity and pride shall once again radiate to the world.

  • Ogoni stakeholders seek probe of collapsed water project in Rivers

    Ogoni stakeholders seek probe of collapsed water project in Rivers

    Stakeholders under the auspices of the Greater Ogonis in Diaspora Organisation (GODO) have called for a transparent and independent investigation into the circumstances that led to the collapse of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) water facility barely four days after its inauguration.

    The President of the group, Chief Ambrose Kii, in a statement issued to mark the 30th anniversary of Ken Saro-Wiwa’s martyrdom, insisted that the contractor that handled the project must be at the centre of the investigation.

    Kii warned against the practice of awarding contracts to politicians, family members, and cronies, saying they were fond of diverting public funds and executing substandard projects.

    He appealed to communities to take ownership of government projects executed in their domains, adding that such projects were funded by their sweat and taxpayers’ money.

    Read Also: Rivers Assembly probes Renaissance Energy’s alleged neglect of oil spills in community

    He urged residents to speak out and report any form of shoddy work, corner-cutting, or violations of safety and professional standards.

    He said, “Communities must embrace citizens’ journalism to hold contractors accountable. Stop demanding ‘marching ground’, stipends, or so-called support from contractors. Each time you do so, you sell your right to question wrongdoing”.

    Kii also called on the United Nations to officially declare November 10 as Ken Saro-Wiwa Day, in honour of the late environmental rights activist and human rights crusader.

    He further appealed to the Federal Government and the Rivers State Government to declare November 10 a public holiday.

    He said, “Ken Saro-Wiwa fought a greater battle against military dictatorship — a struggle that drew international attention and laid the moral foundation for the democracy we are enjoying in Nigeria today. He deserves to be remembered, exonerated, immortalized, and celebrated as a true hero of our nation.”

  • Okpebholo backs Tinubu’s economic reforms as City Boy Movement pledges 10 million votes

    Okpebholo backs Tinubu’s economic reforms as City Boy Movement pledges 10 million votes

    Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his bold economic reforms and developmental programmes, describing them as transformative for governance and national progress.

    This was as Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa assured President Tinubu of victory in Edo State in the 2027 election, declaring that the state firmly belongs to the President, while the City Boy Movement pledged to deliver 10 million votes from its members nationwide.

    Speaking in Benin City during the City Boy Movement empowerment programme, where over 200 Edo youths received support, Okpebholo said federal backing has enabled states to embark on major infrastructure projects, including flyover bridges and road construction across Edo.

    “These projects are made possible through the support of President Tinubu. I urge all Edo people to continue supporting the President, whose reforms, though tough, are essential for Nigeria’s progress,” he said.

    The governor assured that his administration is ensuring inclusive growth and development across the state’s three senatorial districts.

    Edo Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa, also pledged that the state would deliver a resounding victory for President Tinubu in the 2027 election.

    “Edo State belongs to President Tinubu because he is a reliable and decisive leader. With the governor’s performance, opposition in Edo will soon become history, Idahosa declared, calling on the youths of the State to stand firm, support the City Boy Movement, and ensure Edo delivers the highest votes for the President.

    In his remarks, the Director-General of the City Boy Movement, Francis Oluwatosin Shoga, praised Okpebholo for his visionary leadership and credited President Tinubu’s ongoing reforms as bold steps toward restructuring and sustainable national growth.

    “The City Boy Movement is the largest socio-political youth platform in Africa, mobilizing 10 million votes for President Tinubu in 2027 across all 36 States,” Shoga declared.

    He commended the movement’s Grand Patron, Barr. Seyi Tinubu, for his vision and commitment to youth empowerment under the Renewed Hope Agenda. Shoga said the movement’s four key goals include supporting Tinubu’s policies, promoting his re-election, and expanding youth participation in governance.

    “Fellow youths, we are not leaders of tomorrow, we are leaders of today. Our voices matter, our participation is crucial,” he added.

    Minister of Youth Development, Hon. Ayodele Olawande, in his remarks, said President Tinubu’s administration places Nigerian youths at the heart of its development agenda.

    “Nigeria’s youths are its greatest asset. Through skill development and empowerment programmes, this administration ensures young people are equipped to build better futures for themselves and the nation,” he said.

    Commissioner for Education and State Director of the City Boy Movement, Paddy Iyamu, highlighted the achievements of the Okpebholo administration, including the construction of 68 new schools, bursaries worth ₦1 billion for students, and sponsorship of five students to study in China. 

    He also praised Tinubu for launching the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, which ensures no child drops out of school due to financial hardship.

    The event drew key dignitaries, including the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Philip Shaibu, members of the State Executive Council, APC leaders, and City Boy Movement supporters from across the State.

  • Enabulele warns against U.S. military intervention in Nigeria

    Enabulele warns against U.S. military intervention in Nigeria

    Dr. Bright Enabulele, a globally recognised Nigerian economic and policy analyst, has publicly broken his silence regarding controversial statements made by United States (US) President, Donald Trump concerning violence and attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria.

    Addressing journalists in Abuja, Enabulele, in a sharply worded response, firmly rejected the notion of foreign military intervention, arguing that the nation requires sustainable “solutions, not war.”

    The policy expert’s statement comes amid renewed debate over Nigeria’s internal security challenges and the appropriate role of the international community.

    Enabulele warned that any proposed military incursion by the US would have devastating long-term consequences far beyond the immediate security situation.

    “What Nigeria needs is a solution, not war,” Enabulele stated forcefully. He stressed that while security is paramount, the path to peace must be internal and diplomatic. “A military invasion, irrespective of how well-intentioned, would only serve to set the country back decades, risking regional destabilization and catastrophic humanitarian fallout.”

    Enabulele also focused heavily on the geopolitical implications for the United States, suggesting that intervention would establish a negative global standard. He concluded that authorizing such a move would “set a wrong and dangerous precedent for America’s engagement with sovereign nations across the world.”

    Highlighting the country’s stature, Enabulele reminded the global community of Nigeria’s economic significance. Nigeria is often cited as the seventh largest economy in the world, and any conflict would disrupt international markets and supply chains. He urged global leaders to shift focus from military options to empowering local governance, supporting economic development, and implementing targeted policy reforms to address the root causes of internal conflict.

    He concluded his remarks by calling for a unified, non-military strategy: “Our priority must be collaborative problem-solving, not the escalation of conflict through foreign boots on the ground. We must address the political and economic drivers of this crisis together.”

    Enabulele maintained that a balanced partnership is what the US should offer. “Nigeria seeks not foreign intervention, but a balanced partnership—one that enhances our capacity to defeat terrorism from within, preserves our sovereignty, and stabilises the wider Sahel.” 

    “Our collective immediate objective should be to strengthen Nigeria–US relations through a mutually beneficial strategic partnership that prioritizes joint intelligence, technology transfer, and capacity-building—while avoiding direct US military intervention that could undermine sovereignty or local legitimacy,” he added.

  • Frankfurt-based Urhobo women pass no confidence vote on UPU leadership

    Frankfurt-based Urhobo women pass no confidence vote on UPU leadership

    A prominent Urhobo women’s group based in Frankfurt Am Main, State of Hessen, Germany, under the aegis of “Ukọ kọ R’e Eguono R’e Iya Ruẹ Urhobo,” has passed a vote of no confidence in the Chief Ese Gam-led Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) Worldwide. 

    The group accused the current UPU Executive of bringing the Urhobo nation into disrepute and insisted that it has no moral right to seek re-election after what it called “a disastrous tenure marked by failure and silence in moments of national embarrassment.”

    In a statement by its President, Mrs Joan Ogheneruemu Scheil, the group lamented that the Urhobo nation “has never had it this bad,” noting that the union’s present leadership has reduced Urhobo’s influence to its lowest ebb since the founding of the UPU in 1931. 

    “Looking at the poor performance of the current executive, our forebears would be turning in their graves. Urhobo people are known for courage, hard work, and excellence across all spheres—politics, business, and academia—but this leadership has failed to uphold those values,” Scheil said.

    She accused the current administration of lacking strategic direction and political relevance, arguing that “in the past three years of Chief Ese Gam’s leadership, the fortunes and influence of the Urhobo nation within Delta State and Nigeria have dwindled abysmally.” 

    The group cited the UPU’s alleged silence during critical moments such as the Okuama crisis and the Warri South violence, which led to the attack on the UPU headquarters, describing these as clear signs of weak and compromised leadership. 

    “The only visible achievement of this executive,” the group added, “is the ceremonial sharing of kola nuts and empty rhetoric, while Urhobo’s collective dignity suffers.”

    The association announced that it has passed a vote of no confidence on the Ese Gam-led UPU Executive, calling on all well-meaning Urhobos at home and abroad to unite and rally behind more credible and visionary candidates ahead of the next UPU election.

    The statement added: “Given this below-average performance, we, the members of ‘Ukọ kọ R’e Eguono R’e Iya Ruẹ Urhobo,’ have passed a vote of no confidence on the current UPU executive. We call on all well-meaning Urhobos to rally behind credible and capable candidates who truly represent the aspirations and values of our people.”

    The group further appealed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, to put Urhobo first by aligning with the overwhelming desire of the people for change.

    “We also appeal to our amiable Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to put Urhobo first and do what is right by supporting the overwhelming majority of Urhobos who desire change, having lost faith in the capacity of the present UPU leadership to steer the Urhobo Nation at this critical moment in our history. 

    “This is a defining moment for Urhobo unity and progress,” Scheil stressed. “We must restore the integrity of the UPU and reposition our nation for respect, pride, and influence once again.”

  • PIA: Citizens advocate periodic review

    PIA: Citizens advocate periodic review

    …charge Nat’l Assembly on effective oversight on settlor, HCDTs

    Stakeholders at a two-day Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) National Summit have called on the Federal Government (FG), to create a policy direction that would allow for periodic review of Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

    The stakeholders who were drawn from the Civil society groups, HCDTs, BoTs, the media amongst others also urged the National Assembly to improve their oversight function on settlors and HCDTs to ensure proper implementation of PIA in Hoscoms.

    The conference was meant to brainstorm on the gaps created by oil and gas extraction activities in Host communities in the nine States of the Niger Delta region with the view to finding lasting solution to them, through the provisions of PIA.

    The meeting was held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capial by Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Connected Development (CODE), The BudgIT Foundation (BudgIT) KebetKache Women Development and Resource Centre Niger Delta Budget Monitoring Group(NDEBUMOG), with supports from OXFAM in Nigeria.

    Organised under the umbrella of “the Power of Voices/ Fair for All Coalition”, Speaker after Speaker at the conference observed that PIA implementation in Hoscoms is slow, they alleged that the settlor(extractive Firms operating in the various communities whose responsibility it is to release the 3% funds for the communuties development), are not transparent in their dealings with their respective HCDTs and the communities, they equally observed that most communuties are yet to see, feel the impact of the Petroleum laws in their communities as nothing has changed in their localities four years after PIA and its implementation processes began.

    According to them, the communities inspite of the funds allotted to HOSCOMs for focused development and capacity building of the indigenes, the communuties are still languishing in abject poverty, poor road network, lack of social amenities, Healthcare facilities, among other development and economic generation projects, facilities.

    The Summit equally observed that HOSCOM residents do not know anything about PIA, and how it works, unless their wide knowledge of Glibal Memorandums of understanding (G-MOU), hence they are yet to embrace PIA.

    They also accused Settlors of attempts to hijack the composition, selection of membership of the HCDT, which according to the Summit them is sole responsibility of the communities to appoint members into HCDT. They also observed that the makeup of the community Development Trust is gender biased against the female forks.

    They called Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulation Commission (NUPRC), who is the regulating body to the Settlors and HCDTs to rise up to their responsibilities to monitor and checkmate the activities of Settlors and HCDTs, and the slow pace of the programme with the view to fast track it.

    In a communique reached at the end of the summit, the people recommended tht the FG should apart from providing policy direction for periodic review of the PIA, it should also ensure that fiscal and regulatory frameworks are created to promote equity, transparency, and community ownership.

    “Tht the Government should support sustainable-livelihood and environmental-restoration/sustainability programs in oil-bearing areas as complementary interventions to the HCDT.

    “Ensure that settlors comply with environmental social governance principles and standards in their operations in order to build community trust and create peaceful atmospheres in their host communities.”

    To the National Assembly, the stakehokders recommended for the provide of adequate legislative oversight of all settlors and HCDTs to ensure full compliance of the HCDTs with the provisions of the PIA.

    “Undertake constituency visits to host communities and settlors to ensure that settlors and HCDTs undertake operations and implement programmes that are sustainable, environmentally friendly, people centered, gender and youth sensitive, and that addresses the needs of al social groups in each community.

    “Review and amend the PIA Act to address current gaps and lacunas that impinges on the rights of communities and grant overriding powers to settlors.”

    They also suggested to NUPRC to strengthen regulatory capacity, enforce full compliance, and establish a monitoring dashboard tracking the performance of all HCDTs.

    “Mandate all settlors to provide annual disclosure of the three percent OPEX funds, and the specific amounts distributed to HCDTs. Ensure that HCDTs publish all audited financial reports and maintain a repository of all approved Trust Deeds and Development Plans.”

    To the operaring Oil and Gas Companies (Settlors), the activists urged them to ensure thy respect community autonomy and ensure inclusive participatory planning, gender sensitivity and equitable women and youth representation in all HCDT processes; commit to transparent communication, access to information, timely funding, and corporate accountability mechanisms that build trust.Publish and disclose all funds distributed to HCDTs annually.”

    They equally urged the State and Local Governments to ensure the integration of HCDT projects into local development plans and complement Trust efforts with infrastructure and social-service investments. Establish state-level coordination desks for HCDT engagement and dispute resolution.”

    To the traditional and Community institutions, they charged with the promotion of inclusive leadership, mediate conflicts fairly, and champion transparency in resource allocation. Uphold cultural values that foster unity and community participation, while thy urged Civil society groups and the media to continue with advocacy, provision of technical supports, civic education to deepen understanding of the HCDT.Conduct independent assessments and publish community scorecards on transparency and inclusion and amplifying of voices from host communities, highlight success stories, and expose malpractices to drive accountability, respectively.

    They also challenged the media to partner civil society for public-interest journalism on extractive governance.

  • Cross River flags off digital literacy training for civil servants

    Cross River flags off digital literacy training for civil servants

    The Cross River State Government has commenced a comprehensive digital literacy and capacity-building program designed to transform its civil service into a fully paperless, technology-driven workforce by the end of next year.

    The initiative, known as the Civil Service Technology Empowerment for Capacity and High Performance (CIVTECH) programme, was officially flagged off by the Head of Service of Cross River State, Orok Okon, Esq., at Prof. Eyo Ita House in Calabar.

    According to the official schedule, the training which began with Cohort 1 comprising Directors and Deputy Directors of Administration, will run from November 4 to 6, 2025. Cohort 2, made up of Assistant Directors, Chiefs, and Principal Officers, will follow from November 11 to 13, while Cohort 3, featuring officers on Grade Levels 8–10, will hold from November 18 to 20, 2025.

    Speaking at the flag-off, the Head of Service explained that the programme was initiated in collaboration with Cross River State CR-MEDA shortly after his assumption of office, in line with the state government’s vision for a modern, efficient public service.

    “This initiative aligns with our goal of achieving a paperless civil service by the end of 2026,” Okon said. “Every cadre of staff across state and local government services will undergo ICT training to ensure full computer literacy and digital proficiency. This is timely and crucial as we transition to e-governance.”

    The Director General of CR-MEDA, Mr. Great Ogban, said the training reflects Governor Bassey Otu’s commitment to civil service reform, one of the key pillars of the People’s First Blueprint.

    Read Also: Cross River PDP senator’s allies set to join APC

    “You cannot reform the civil service without technology and education,” Ogban stated. “This training translates the governor’s vision into action. Civil servants are the drivers of government policy, and this program will enhance their efficiency, speed, and output.”

    Chairman of CR-MEDA, Esessien Edet, commended the state government for promoting a paradigm shift from analog to digital operations.

    “This programme moves our workforce from non-ICT compliance to digital proficiency,” he said. “It will drastically improve turnaround time, productivity, and service delivery.”

    Also speaking, Mrs. Glory Odu Oji, Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office, said the state chose to start with administrators because of their pivotal role in managing data and implementing policies.

    “Once administrators are ICT compliant, the entire system will function more efficiently,” she explained. “Participation is voluntary, but over time, productivity will reflect who embraced the opportunity.”

    Participants praised the initiative as forward-thinking and transformative. Dr. Icha Mboto, Director of Administration in the Ministry of Human Capital and Entrepreneurship Development, described it as a “timely and necessary intervention” in an increasingly digital world.

    “This training will enhance our ability to manage records and workflows digitally,” Mboto said. “It’s a major step toward modern public administration.”

    Dr. Pamela Ekuri, Deputy Director of Planning, Ministry of Industry, also lauded the effort, noting that it would benefit not only today’s civil servants but future generations.

    “The government’s decision to embrace ICT will make our service delivery faster, smarter, and more sustainable,” she remarked.

  • PIND, partners deploy AI tools to boost crisis preparedness in Niger Delta

    PIND, partners deploy AI tools to boost crisis preparedness in Niger Delta

    The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) with its partners has unveiled a data-driven crisis preparedness framework that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to predict, prevent, and respond to conflicts and environmental shocks in the oil-rich region.

    The new initiative was launched during a three-day Niger Delta Scenario Planning Workshop on Resilience held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    It represented a strategic shift from crisis response to anticipatory governance with emphasis on foresight, collaboration, and innovation as tools for stability and inclusive growth.

    The workshop, themed “From Risk to Resilience: Building a Future-Ready Niger Delta,” was convened in partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the Office for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience (OSPRE), and The Fund for Peace (FFP), with support from the ECOWAS Peace, Security and Governance (EPSG) Project, co-financed by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

    Over 100 stakeholders from the public and private sectors, academia, civil society, and the media participated in the exercise, which introduced AI-powered tools such as the Fragile States Index (FSI), State Resilience Index (SRI), and Crisis Sensitivity Simulator (CSS) advanced systems designed by FFP and SAS to forecast risks and strengthen institutional response capacities.

    Speaking at the close of the workshop, Dr. David Udofia, who represented PIND’s Executive Director, Mr. Sam Ogbemi Daibo, said the deployment of AI for resilience planning marked a critical milestone for the Niger Delta’s sustainable development agenda.

    He said: “The Niger Delta’s future depends on our ability to anticipate challenges rather than merely react to them.

    “This workshop demonstrates how data, foresight, and partnerships can transform uncertainty into opportunity and ensure that resilience becomes a shared responsibility across communities, institutions, and sectors.”
    For PIND, the initiative underscores how technology, partnerships, and foresight can enhance resilience in the Niger Delta’s socio-economic landscape, positioning the region as a testbed for data-driven peacebuilding in West Africa.

    “As Nigeria and West Africa face rising climate and security risks, innovation offers the pathway to transform risk into resilience”.

    Also speaking, Nate Haken, Senior Advisor for Research and Innovation at the Fund for Peace said the initiative integrated technology with governance to build a stronger regional peace architecture.

    He said: “By linking data to decision-making, we are laying the foundation for a resilient Niger Delta and a safer West Africa,” Haken noted. “This model shows how collaboration among government, academia, and civil society can drive long-term peace and stability.”

    Participants, drawn from NEMA, SEMA, NiMet, HYPREP, the Nigeria Police Force, NSCDC, and state ministries of environment and agriculture, engaged in AI-assisted scenario building and “red teaming” sessions to identify policy gaps and co-create adaptive resilience strategies.

    The workshop produced a Niger Delta Resilience Strategy, a Scenario Planning Report, and a replicable methodology that could be integrated into state-level emergency management systems and the Partners for Peace (P4P) Network.

    A representative of OSPRE said the collaborative effort had strengthened Nigeria’s ability to connect early warning systems with proactive responses.

    “This process strengthens our capacity to connect early warning with early action, ensuring that preparedness becomes part of how we govern and grow,” the official said.

  • Edo Carnival 2025 promises week of culture, colour, celebration

    Edo Carnival 2025 promises week of culture, colour, celebration

    The stage is set for Edo Carnival 2025, a spectacular week-long celebration that will light up Benin City from December 21 to 27, showcasing the rich heritage, music, and artistry of the Edo people in a grand display of culture and creativity.

    This maiden edition, themed “our culture our pride”, promises to transform the ancient city into Nigeria’s cultural capital, drawing visitors, tourists, and performers from across the country and beyond for seven unforgettable days of entertainment, unity, and pride.

    The carnival unfolds in multiple phases: pre-launch activities running from October 1 to November 30, designed to build excitement through media campaigns, influencer engagement, and citywide promotions; followed by the launch phase (December 1–20), featuring band activations, challenges, and community events; and finally, the carnival week (December 21–27), when Benin City bursts into life with parades, concerts, and cultural showcases.

    Highlights of the 2025 carnival include the Grand Opening Ceremony on December 21, Cultural Band Competition and Night Concert on December 22, Trade Fair and Comedy Show on December 23, Pageant Night on December 24, Christmas Family Fiesta on December 25, the Grand Band Parade on December 26, and the Awards and Closing Concert on December 27, presided over by His Excellency.

    A stellar lineup of carnival bands, including Eniware, Osigo, Queen Idia, Ohanmian, Enhenugha, Governor’s Band, Royal Band, and Black Rio, will bring Edo’s history and spirit to life through colorful costumes, choreography, and storytelling inspired by royal traditions. Top Nigerian artists will also grace the stage, blending Afrobeat with traditional Edo rhythms in a unique celebration of creativity and identity.

    Read Also: Benin City to host Edo Carnival 2025 in December

    To ensure global visibility, Edo Carnival 2025 has partnered with leading media platforms such as Trace TV, Soundcity, and Africa Magic, amplifying the festival’s reach to both national and international audiences.

    Speaking on the upcoming celebration, Mr. Daniel Eromosele, CEO of Peak Rendezvous Entertainment Global Ltd, the official organizers of the Edo Carnival, stated:

    “Edo Carnival is more than an event; it’s a celebration of who we are as a people. This year, we’re blending history with innovation to create a cultural experience that will not only entertain but inspire pride and connection among Edo sons and daughters, and indeed, all lovers of African culture.”

    Echoing this sentiment, the chairman of the carnival committee and the honorable commissioner for finance, Edo state, Hon Emmanuel Okoebor, described the carnival as a bridge between culture and development:

    “Through this carnival, Edo State is showcasing its rich cultural heritage while promoting tourism, creativity, and youth empowerment. It’s a statement that Edo is open for culture, business, and global collaboration.”

    Beyond the festivities, Edo Carnival 2025 stands as a platform for cultural preservation, economic empowerment, and artistic innovation. From traditional crafts and fashion to music, dance, and cuisine, the carnival reaffirms Edo’s place as a beacon of African culture.

    As Benin City prepares to welcome guests from all walks of life, one thing is certain: Edo Carnival 2025 will be an unforgettable experience, where tradition meets glamour and culture takes center stage.