The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger Delta

  • HOSTCOM youths hail Tantita’s boss on conferment of chieftaincy title

    HOSTCOM youths hail Tantita’s boss on conferment of chieftaincy title

    The National Executive and Board of Trustees of the Host Communities Producing Oil, Gas, and Pipeline Impacted States Youth Council of Nigeria (HOSTCOM Youth Council) have extended their heartfelt congratulations to Ambassador Godfrey Tare Pondi, General Manager of Operations at Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, on his well-deserved conferment as Ibe-Ebidouwei of the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State.

    In a statement released on Sunday, following the conferment by His Royal Majesty Oboro Gbaraun II, the National President of HOSTCOM Youth Council, Comrade Emmanuel Fiawei Pathfinder (popularly known as ‘General’ Osama), hailed the chieftaincy honour as a fitting recognition of Chief Pondi’s enduring humanitarian efforts and steadfast commitment to sustainable youth empowerment in the Niger Delta region.

    Comrade Pathfinder emphasised that Chief Pondi’s consistent work to uplift lives aligns perfectly with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted in 2015. He noted that this alignment underscores Pondi’s dedication to global best practices in human and community development in the Niger Delta.

    Beyond his achievements in the security sector, Comrade Pathfinder highlighted Pondi’s role as a beacon of hope and transformation through his philanthropy and development initiatives.

    He also pointed out that since 2002, Pondi’s leadership had significantly advanced Tantita Security Services toward operational excellence.

    Pathfinder concluded by acknowledging Pondi’s unwavering commitment to community empowerment, educational support, and outreach to underserved communities, which has earned him widespread admiration and respect.

    He said one of his standout initiatives in the education sector is the Godfrey Pondi Book Club, launched in 2015, noting that the initiative had effectively fostered a culture of reading among the Ijaw people, aiming to enrich minds and reshape perspectives with the wisdom of acclaimed global authors.

    He said in recognition of his impactful contributions to both professional and grassroots development, Chief Pondi was honoured as GbaramatuVoice’s Most Outstanding Youth Leader of the Year in 2020.

    The HOSTCOM boss, therefore, invited all stakeholders to join in celebrating this significant achievement and to continue supporting initiatives aimed at fostering development, empowerment, and sustainable growth in the region.

    Pathfinder stated: “HOSTCOM Youth Council celebrates this new milestone in Chief Pondi’s illustrious journey, reaffirming our support and admiration for a leader who continues to inspire generations.

    “The significance of this chieftaincy conferment on the illustrious son of the Ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom by the revered monarch, His Royal Majesty Oboro Gbaraun II, on the eve of the widely celebrated Amaseikumor Annual Festival Fiesta in Oporoza Community, under Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State — being a historic day — means a lot to us in the HOSTCOM Youth Council of Nigeria.

    “This honour bestowed on him serves as a beacon of hope to the Niger Delta region and is truly remarkable. It is also in recognition of the laudable, immense, and selfless sacrifices and contributions of Amb. Godfrey Tare Pondi in the struggle for the emancipation of the Niger Delta.

    “He stands as one of the highly respected, outstanding, and dependable pillars of support to High Chief (Dr.) Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo (a.k.a. Tompolo) in the journey of the Niger Delta emancipation struggle.

    “Therefore, Amb. Pondi truly deserves this great honour which is being widely celebrated by all well-meaning sons and daughters of the Ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom, the Ijaw nation, the Niger Delta region and Nigeria at large.”

  • Okumagba greets Senator Thomas on birthday

    Okumagba greets Senator Thomas on birthday

    Prominent leader of the All Progressives Congress in Delta State and former Delta Commissioner for Finance, Olorogun Bernard Okumagba, has congratulated Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas ( Delta South) on his birthday, extolling his life of service and purpose. 

    Olorogun Okumagba described Thomas, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content as “a paragon of dedication, hard work, and selfless service to our people and the nation.”

    In a statement on Sunday, Okumagba who is the Udu of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom and Eruvwu r’Ovie of Agbarha Warri Kingdom, both of Warri South LGA in the Delta South Senatorial District, said: “I congratulate my friend, brother and senator representing Delta South Senatorial District, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas on his birthday. Senator  Joel-Onowakpo Thomas has distinguished himself since his election to the Senate, and has continued to display the qualities of diligence, resilience and purposefulness in the service of our people. He has been very focused and relentless in attracting  development to our Senatorial District.”

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    Okumagba commended Thomas for “his sterling performance and representation of our people at the Senate”, adding that: “He has demonstrated  unwavering commitment to the  progress and  development of our Senatorial District and has continued to stand out as a strong voice for our people.” Olorogun Okumagba said Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas’ performance “has justified the choice of the people of our senatorial district.” 

    Okumagba stated that “Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas has demonstrated the right temperament, tenacity and drive in representing the people of our Senatorial District and I am gratified as a proud indigene of Delta South Senatorial district that Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas has not disappointed us. His brilliance and advocacy displayed at the Senate is proof enough that the people of Delta South Senatorial district made the right choice in him.”

    Okumagba urged  the Senator to “remain committed to fair representation and the equitable distribution of development among the four indigenous ethnic groups (Ijaw, Isoko, Itsekiri and Urhobo) in the senatorial district as he continues to represent us at the Senate.”

    He prayed that “God continues to grant Senator Joel-Onowakpo the strength and vitality to continue serving; the same passion and commitment that have defined his illustrious career as he continues his work in the Red Chamber positively representing our Senatorial District

  • Nigeria’s progress hinges on governance over politics, stakeholders declare at Advocate lecture 

    Nigeria’s progress hinges on governance over politics, stakeholders declare at Advocate lecture 

    Leaders in governance, academia, civil society and media converged on Ughelli, Delta State, on Friday to dissect the widening gap between politics and governance in Nigeria. 

    It was at the second edition of the Advocate Publication Ltd Annual Lecture Series with the theme: “Between Governance and Politics: The delicate balancing to ensure growth and development.”

    Delivering the welcome address, Mr. Shedrack Onitsha, Chief Executive Officer of Advocate Publication Ltd, publishers of Advocate Newspaper, noted the lecture series was borne out of a desire to trigger vital conversations about the nation’s development. 

    “We are disturbed by a trend where the obsession with political survival overshadows the responsibility of governance. Officeholders get sworn in and immediately begin preparing for the next election,” he lamented.

    Onitsha stressed that Nigeria cannot progress when leaders treat governance as a secondary concern. 

    “We must begin to interrogate what value politics brings if it fails to deliver development. This platform is our contribution to nation-building — to inspire a reset in thinking and practice among our political leaders,” he added.

    Chairman of the event, Olorogun Austin Emaduku, described governance and politics as two forces that must operate in synergy.

    “Governance is about policy implementation while politics is about power dynamics. But if power is pursued without a governance agenda, the people suffer. We need to strike a balance that ensures both serve the national interest,” he said.

    Emaduku argued that sustainable growth can only come when politics supports governance rather than obstructing it. “Strong institutions, ethical leadership, and active citizen engagement are necessary pillars for this balance,” he added, urging citizens not to be passive but to demand accountability.

    Keynote speaker, Prof. Abanum Innocent Ifelunini, a development economist, said Nigeria’s underdevelopment can largely be traced to the politicisation of governance. 

    “When short-term political interests take precedence over long-term planning, there can be no meaningful development. We must rethink politics and insist on responsible governance,” he advised.

    Speaking to journalists after the event, Prof. Ifelunini further emphasised the need for continuity in economic policy and national planning. “Governance must not stop because politics is heating up. Politicians must understand that true leadership means looking beyond the next election,” he said.

    Amb. Pas Edewor Egedegbe, moderator of the panel session and Executive Director of Value Rebirth and Empowerment Initiative, noted that citizens have a role to play in bridging the gap between politics and governance. “Too many Nigerians only wake up during elections and go back to sleep afterward. Governance begins where politics ends — we must learn to hold leaders accountable all year round,” he said.

    Egedegbe added that events like the lecture series were timely, especially with unfolding political developments in Delta State. “The relevance of this conversation cannot be overstated. Citizens must stop clapping for politicians who fail to deliver. Our silence is complicity,” he said.

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    Onitsha pointed to what he described as a national crisis of misplaced priorities. “Even at the federal and state levels, midway into political terms, we see more campaigns and power plays than policy conversations. Where then is governance?” he asked rhetorically.

    According to Onitsha, the lack of visible development agendas is a symptom of a deeper structural problem. “If governance continues to be sacrificed on the altar of political ambition, we will keep recycling poverty and stagnation,” he warned.

    Discussants at the event included Prof. Andrew Agboro, Amb. Stella Odika, and Mr. Emmanuel Enebeli, who all echoed the need for electoral reforms, institutional strength, and public enlightenment to fix the imbalance between politics and governance.

    Participants praised Advocate Newspaper for its foresight in hosting the lecture. One attendee said, “This isn’t just a lecture; it’s a wake-up call. Our future as a nation depends on getting governance right.”

    As the session closed, the consensus was clear — Nigeria must recalibrate its leadership ethos. Politics should no longer be a game of survival, but a tool to engineer lasting development. Governance, they said, must once again take its rightful place at the heart of leadership.

  • Local production of oil pipelines will complement foreign importation – FG

    Local production of oil pipelines will complement foreign importation – FG

    The federal government has reiterated its commitment to promoting the development and sustainability of local content in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

    The Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, made this known on Thursday during the launch of Monarch Alloys 33LPE and concrete weight coating facility in Ikorodu, Lagos State.

    Lokpobiri stated that the government would continue to encourage the local production of oil pipelines and support indigenous manufacturers.

    Highlighting the critical role of pipelines in the oil and gas sector, the minister noted that the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) was established to build the capacity of Nigerian companies to effectively service the industry.

    He expressed happiness that for the past 15 years, NcDmb has laid a solid foundation for companies to spring up.

    He, however, expressed concerns over its sustainability.

    “I’m very happy that companies like this are now springing up in Nigeria.

    “But what is more important is not what all of us are getting here to witness. What is more important is the sustainability of this company. If this company is not patronised by companies in the oil and gas industry, this company will die naturally.

    “In the past, Nigeria used to be a dumping ground for companies importing these pipes from China. I also do know that a couple of companies like this were set up and they found it very difficult to survive because we allowed dumping to take place.

    “Let me take this opportunity to say today that under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, dumping will be no more. We have a duty to support our industries to grow and render the services that are relevant to the survival and sustainability of the oil and gas industry,” the minister said.

    Speaking to the NCDMB team, he noted, “I’m very happy that I see the entire NCDMB family seated here. The ES is here. I saw all the directors who are here. Let me say that the pipes the industry needs are right here in Monarch Alloys Limited. And what I see and the complaints I get are that, instead of implementing a local content act, what is being done is that waivers are being given for Chinese products to be brought in, thereby killing companies like this one. That’s why I’m saying it’s very important for us to gather here today.”

    “I want to see how, in the next year, this company will grow. You know, in its capacity to be able to provide services, not just to Nigeria, but the entire African continent. The whole of Africa is looking up to Nigeria for services, for knowledge sharing. Whatever you think about the oil and gas industry, the rest of Africa is looking up to Nigeria. And for Nigeria, one of the most fundamental problems we have is the integrity of our pipelines.”

    The oil minister maintained that Nigeria can easily produce 3 million barrels of oil per day, but the challenge is that the pipelines are old.

    “Some of those pipelines are 60 years or more. I’m not even 60, so some of them are even older than me. So they have already outlived their lifespan. And it’s a very easy fraction, that gives another opportunity for companies in the midstream and downstream to also make relevant investments in that sector,” he posited.

    Lokpobiri added that the Federal Government will continue to support industries like Monarch Alloys to grow so that it can retain their value in-country.

    “Any pipe we import from any country, we are creating and sustaining jobs elsewhere. Any pipe we buy from this company and other companies like this, we are retaining jobs in Nigeria, and we are retaining value in Nigeria. That is why as the Chairman of the Governing Council of the NCDMB, I will have a problem with the board if I hear that instead of patronising Nigerian companies, waivers are being given.

    “If we allow dumping to persist, no more new investment will come in. So, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to come here in the next year to see how this company has grown and how we have also supported them using local content. I’m very happy that the role of local content in the board is publicly acknowledged,” he submitted.

    In his speech, the Chief Executive Officer of Monarch Alloys, Atul Chaudhary, disclosed that the company is ending steel importation into Nigeria.

    He said the company has grown steadily to become one of the leading producers of steel today in the country.

    “Before the time we set up in the country, we used to import steel. The country used to import all the iron rods in the country. But today, because of local production, we don’t need to import anything,” he said.

    Chaudhary noted that the firm was able to set up the factory in less than two years, from May 2023 to January 25.

    He said the company is looking forward to more investments in the country, saying it has an annual capacity of 2 million square meters per annum and can close up to 500 pipes per day.

    The Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Felix Ogbe, said the facility represents another step forward in the country’s ability to provide advanced pipeline infrastructure which is designed, built, and completed here in Nigeria.

    According to him, the facility is a testament to what is possible when private enterprise aligns with national vision, and when local capacity is not only developed but demonstrated with confidence.

    “At the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, we are particularly proud of this development because it speaks directly to the mandate of the Board. It strengthens our value chain, deepens local participation, and affirms our collective commitment to building an oil and gas industry driven by Nigerians,” Ogbe said.

  • Rivers Crisis: Niger Delta group slams Ibas over refusal to honour Reps invitation 

    Rivers Crisis: Niger Delta group slams Ibas over refusal to honour Reps invitation 

    The Niger Delta Democratic Alliance (NDDA) has criticised Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), the sole administrator of Rivers State, for his handling of the state’s deepening political crisis, accusing him of lacking credible leadership.

    In a statement on Friday, NDDA President, Chief Timi Tamuno Jack, said instead of easing tensions or fostering dialogue, Ibas had sidelined key stakeholders and worsened political hostilities in the state.

    The group said its decision to pass a vote of no confidence was not only due to Ibas’ leadership style but also his apparent refusal to work with elected officials and political players.

    According to the NDDA, the sole administrator has failed to honour invitations from lawmakers to provide updates on the state’s affairs, while also excluding local leaders, traditional rulers, and civil society organisations from peace-building efforts.

    “We expected Admiral Ibas to appear before the legislature to explain his roadmap for peace and reconciliation. Instead, he chose silence and arrogance. That posture tells us everything we need to know.

    “He has not convened one single townhall meeting since his controversial appointment. There has been no attempt to engage Rivers people, not even the local government executives or youth leaders. What exactly is his strategy? You cannot solve a political crisis by issuing military-style directives from behind a desk.”

    The NDDA described the situation in Rivers as “a ticking time bomb,” warning that if the federal government continues to allow Ibas run the state without local participation, the consequences could be dire.

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    “We are sitting on a keg of gunpowder. The people are losing faith and yet the man in charge is doing absolutely nothing to unite them. His presence in that seat has become a threat to the state’s stability,” Jack said.

    The group, therefore, Ibas’ immediate removal, calling on President Bola Tinubu to reverse what it described as “a costly miscalculation” that has only inflamed tensions rather than healed them.

    “We are calling on Mr. President to do the needful. Ibas must go! He does not have the temperament, the political wisdom or the stakeholder trust needed to lead Rivers State through this delicate moment. The sooner he is replaced, the better for all of us,” Jack declared. 

    “This is not a military cantonment. This is a democratic state with a history of resilience and resistance. If Admiral Ibas continues on this path, he will face not just a vote of no confidence, but the full weight of public rejection,” he warned.

  • When Okpebholo’s economists stormed Washington for Edo’s economic growth

    When Okpebholo’s economists stormed Washington for Edo’s economic growth

    By John Mayaki 

    Edo Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo seems to have been quiet but focused in  scripting a new chapter in Nigeria’s subnational economic diplomacy – at least, details from the 2025 Spring Meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C., has revealed Okpebholo’s mission – a chapter built not on loans and liabilities, but in bold partnerships and forward-looking investments. 

    In the midst of this global buzz in Washington, Okpebholo’s mission and those of his economists who were in attendance are clear – to reposition the state for sustainable development and magnet for capital inflows across vital sectors such as healthcare, infrastructure, education, agriculture, and manufacturing. Okpebholo’s strategy is rooted in one principle – build, don’t borrow. And, if you must borrow, it must be tied to development. 

    And so, a high level delegation of men was deployed to lead the state’s economic pitch and her efforts in Washington and they showcased the State as the most investment-ready subnational economy in Africa. 

    At the forefront of this global investment campaign is a carefully assembled trio of technocrats and professionals whose combined experience spans international finance, strategic governance, and policy innovation. 

    Leading the team was Hon. Emmanuel Okoebor, the Commissioner of Finance for Edo State, who has to his credit, over 25 years of experience in banking and public finance. 

    Before his appointment as the Commisioner for Finance, he previously held senior leadership roles at Standard Trust Bank and United Bank for Africa (UBA), where he served as Deputy General Manager and Regional Manager, overseeing 15 branches and over 500 employees across Edo State.

    A seasoned financial strategist, Emmanuel combines deep industry knowledge with technical expertise, holding a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering and an MBA in Finance from the University of Benin. He is a COREN-registered engineer and member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, HCIB, and Nigerian Institute of Management.

    His career tells of a strong commitment to operational excellence, fiscal innovation, and economic development.

    On this delegation was Hon. Kizito Okpebholo, Special Adviser to the Governor of Edo State, Nigeria on Finance, Investments, and Revenue Generation. A seasoned financial services professional with nearly two decades of experience across commercial and investment banking, capital markets, and the public sector. 

    He has held leadership roles in regional and globally recognized institutions, including Zenith Bank, Canaccord Genuity, and Morgan Stanley, where he served as Vice President. 

    His public sector experiences span two continents, having worked with the Government of Ontario, Canada, and currently serving as the State Portfolio Focal Person for World Bank-financed programs in Edo State.

    A certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Scrum Master, and Business Continuity Professional, Kizito is passionate about building resilient financial systems and delivering impact-driven reforms in governance and development finance.

    Also among the delegation was Hon. Chief Comrade Taiwo Akerele – the third pillar of the team. He is a policy economist and global thinker whose academic background includes stints at Harvard, Carleton, Stellenbosch, and Ibadan. 

    A former Chief of Staff in Edo State and the immediate past Project Coordinator for the World Bank’s Public Financial Management and Youth Employment Program, Akerele is also the Country Representative of Policy House International.

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    Together, this trio which representations a blend of pragmatic experience, academic excellence, and strategic foresight had their unambiguous assignment cut out for themselves and that was to pitch Edo state as Africa’s rising investment hub. 

    From boardrooms to bilateral summits, the team showcased a robust portfolio of bankable projects in mining, oil and gas, Agro-processing, SME development, and housing. Their message was clearly clear – Edo is open for serious business. 

    Most importantly and central to these engagements in Washington was the Multi-Sector Global Partnership Summit, co-hosted by the Edo State Government in collaboration with ReadyToLead Africa and Policy House International. This summit was not a talk shop; it was a marketplace for meaningful connections, where intentions are matched with capital, and rhetoric is replaced by results.

    According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Fred Itua, “This isn’t the Edo of hopeful proposals and unending PowerPoints. This is a government that has done its homework. We’re offering transparency, vision, and projects that are ready for takeoff.”

    Okpebholo’s administration is also positioning the state to benefit from the World Bank’s $50 billion Africa-focused investment pipeline scheduled for 2025–2026. Through strategic tools like Investment Project Financing (IPF), Multilateral Investment Guarantees (MIG), and Technical Assistance (TA), Edo hopes to secure support for public-private infrastructure ventures, academic exchange programs with Ambrose Alli University, social protection initiatives, and housing development.

    This renewed global engagement tells of a deliberate departure from the outdated reliance on debt-heavy models. Governor Okpebholo is pioneering a smarter pathway; I mean one that promotes equity-based partnerships and fiscal responsibility.

    “It’s a bold shift,” said Itua. “We are not asking for handouts or loans with punishing conditions. We’re offering value – for investors, for partners, and most importantly, for the people of Edo.”

    No doubt, the global economy is undergoing realignment and international capital seeking stable, growth-ready destinations, Governor Okpebholo is making sure that Edo State is not left behind. This Washington offensive is more than a diplomatic visit – it’s a declaration of intent.

    One thing is certain – the Okpebholo administration is not just chasing investments; it’s building a future where prosperity is planned, growth is shared, and development is measured not in borrowed billions, but in empowered citizens.

    I have no doubt that with this bold step into the corridors of global capital, the Edo story is changing – I call it, “one investment at a time”.

  • NDYC faults call to probe Kyari

    NDYC faults call to probe Kyari

    The Niger Delta Youth Congress (NDYC) has faulted the call for a probe into the tenure of Mele Kyari, the immediate past Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

    In a statement by the group’s National Coordinator, Comrade Israel Uwejeyan, NDYC described the call for a probe as “ill-advised” and an “orchestrated campaign of calumny” aimed at discrediting Kyari’s legacy of reforms in the oil and gas sector.

    The group highlighted Kyari’s achievements, including the transformation of the NNPC into a commercially oriented entity, rehabilitation of refineries, and efforts to combat oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

    They also noted his promotion of the “Decade of Gas” initiative, which aims to transition Nigeria from an oil-dependent economy to a gas-powered industrial nation.

    The NDYC expressed disappointment that the group calling for the probe, “Concerned Citizens Against Corruption,” would peddle conjecture and half-truths without verified evidence to substantiate their claims.

    They urged the authorities to disregard the call for a probe and instead focus on promoting transparency and accountability in the oil and gas sector.

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    The NDYC commended Kyari’s leadership and described his tenure as a “case study in leadership transformation, corporate turnaround, and energy sector evolution.”

    “Mr. Kyari should be commended, not condemned. His tenure should be studied in policy schools as a case study in leadership transformation, corporate turnaround, and energy sector evolution.

    “We urge the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General of the Federation to disregard this sponsored circus and focus on legal reforms that will continue to uphold justice, transparency, and institutional integrity.”

  • Lawmaker urges NBA to return Rivers N300m

    Lawmaker urges NBA to return Rivers N300m

    A member of the House of Representatives from Rivers State, Mr. Solomon Bob, has taken a swipe at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), accusing it “misguided praetorian pretentions” following the association’s condemnation of the state of emergency in Rivers State.

    President Bola Tinubu had on March 18, 2025, issued a proclamation declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State after a prolonged crisis involving Governor Siminilayi Fubara and the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. 

    The crisis had assumed a dangerous dimension following a fresh impeachment move against the governor, leading to the blowing up of petroleum infrastructure amid threat to violence and social unrest before the president stepped in.

    The president’s proclamation was followed two days later by the National Assembly’s ratification as required by section 305 of the constitution.

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    Justifying the declaration of a state of emergency in his home state in a statement, Mr. Bob said: “NBA cannot circumscribe or amend the clear untrammelled and discretionary powers granted the President by Section 305 of the constitution.

    “Neither is the NBA in a position to interpret or determine what measures qualify as extraordinary – which the President is required to adopt under the same section.”

    The lawmaker stated further that the NBA does not have “the jurisdictional competence or ethical example to be a barometer for measuring democracy and constitutionalism.” 

    He claimed that an association of lawyers, which should be a model of democratic participation, has gotten to the point where the NBA is “unable to organise its elections based on the principle of universal franchise, devoid of zoning.”

    Hon. Bob said that since the fiasco of the 1992 conference, “so-called NBA elections are no more than predetermined coronation of regional or even ethnic hegemons.”

    While also describing the NBA’s statement as a distraction, the federal lawmaker stated further: “Having witnessed Fubara’s dangerous and incomparable incompetence first-hand, and the embarrassing diminution his actions have exposed my state to, I consider the statement arrogant and a gratuitous insult.”

    He accused the NBA of “rank hypocrisy and insincerity because it stood idly by without a whimper” when suspended governor acted in a way “never before seen in any state in Nigeria.”

    Mr. Bob said that NBA’s priorities lay elsewhere. 

    He claimed that “the NBA had got itself entangled in a sweetheart deal with Fubara, a quid pro quo, and it was set to use the Port Harcourt conference to whitewash the worst misgovernment of any state in Nigeria.” 

    He demanded that the N300million be returned to the coffers of the Rivers State government, failing which the authorities in Port Harcourt should take every necessary step to recover it.

  • Dafinone mourns demise of Ovie of Udu HRM Owhorhu I at 86

    Dafinone mourns demise of Ovie of Udu HRM Owhorhu I at 86

    Senator Ede Dafinone (Delta Central) has commiserated with the people of Udu Kingdom, the royal family and the entire Urhobo Nation over the passing of His Royal Majesty, Barrister Emmanuel Bethel Otete Delekpe, Owhorhu I, the Ovie of Udu Kingdom, on February 24, 2025, at 86.

    Reacting to the sad news, Senator Dafinone expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the revered monarch, noting that his demise has created a big void in the Udu Kingdom and Urhobo Nation that will be difficult to fill.

    Commiserating with the royal family, the Urhobo Nation, and the people of the Udu Kingdom. In a statement, Dafinone said: “I, Senator Ede Dafinone, on behalf of my family and the good people of Delta Central Senatorial District, extend my deepest condolences to the Urhobo Nation, the Udu Kingdom, and the entire royal family on the passing of His Royal Majesty, Barrister Emmanuel Bethel Otete Delekpe, Owhorhu I, the Ovie of Udu Kingdom, who joined his ancestors on February 24, 2025, at the age of 86.

    “The official announcement made yesterday, Wednesday, by the Kingdom’s spokesman, High Chief (Sir) Samuelson Esikomunu Odibo, on behalf of the Udu Council of Chiefs, confirmed this great loss, which has left a deep void not only in Udu Kingdom but across Urhobo land and Delta State as a whole. His Royal Majesty’s 31 years of reign on the throne were marked by wisdom, peace, and unwavering commitment to the progress and unity of his people.

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    “His Royal Majesty Owhorhu I, was a revered monarch, a legal luminary, and a father figure whose leadership brought remarkable development, cultural pride, and stability to Udu Kingdom. His legacies of justice, and community service will continue to speak for him in the hearts of his people and generations yet unborn.

    “As we mourn this irreparable loss, I join the entire Urhobo Nation in praying for the peaceful repose of his noble soul and for God to grant the royal family, the Udu Traditional Council of Chiefs, and all sons and daughters of Udu Kingdom the strength to bear this loss.

    “May the enduring legacy of His Royal Majesty, Owhorhu I, continue to inspire unity, peace, and progress in Udu Kingdom and the entire Urhobo Nation.”

    The late monarch’s passing marks the end of a remarkable era of leadership, as the Udu people and the broader Urhobo community reflect on his contributions to cultural pride, development, and peace.

  • Mandate of grace as C/River APC, stakeholders endorse Tinubu, Otu for second term

    Mandate of grace as C/River APC, stakeholders endorse Tinubu, Otu for second term

    By Linus Obogo

    The occasion appropos. Timing precise. In a night woven with political grandeur and electrifying unity, the heartbeat of Cross River State pulsed with renewed vigor as Governor Bassey Edet Otu graced the APC Expanded Caucus meeting with his trademark humility and unmatched statesmanship. The setting—Hogis Royale Hotel in Calabar—became a temple of democratic fervor, where voices harmonized in a singular symphony of purpose, progress, and unshakeable confidence in a leader who has redefined governance as a love affair with the people.

    There, beneath the golden chandeliers and amidst echoes of applause, stood a governor whose very presence calms storms and stirs hope. Senator Otu, clad in the grace of wisdom and the dignity of duty, welcomed stakeholders with an open heart and listening ears, proving once again that leadership, at its finest, is a sacred dialogue, not a distant decree. It was not a gathering of sycophants but a congregation of truth-tellers—who spoke freely, fervently, and fearlessly.

    A constellation of political titans adorned the hall: former Governor Clement Ebri, the formidable Dame Florence Ita-Giwa, Senators Eteng Jonah Williams and Asuquo Ekpenyong, Speaker Elvert Ayambem, Minister John Owan Enoh, Vice Chairman of Bekwarra Local Government Council, Honourable Egbung Odama, among others. They came not merely as attendees but as witnesses to the Otu phenomenon—an unfolding era of transformational leadership laced with compassion, clarity, and commitment.

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    And it was a harvest of encomiums. From the fertile plains of agriculture to the revitalized corridors of healthcare, from the soaring ambition of aviation to the sanctity restored in security, the hall echoed with testimonies of a governor who walks his talk and works his dreams into reality. They hailed his “People First” mantra not as a slogan but as a living creed—etched into every road paved, every school rebuilt, every life touched.

    Then came the crescendo: a unanimous, thunderous vote of confidence—an ovation wrapped in resolve. Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, with sonority of voice befitting his humongous size, moved the motion for Governor Otu’s second term. Like a divine chorus, Hon. Victor Abang followed suit, championing President Tinubu’s re-election. The hall swelled with pride, its walls absorbing a promise of continuity rooted in excellence.

    A spirited communiqué emerged—more than mere paper, it was a declaration of resolve. It charged the governor and his deputy to lead a noble delegation to the nation’s capital, to speak boldly on behalf of Cross River’s fair share in the national mosaic. This was no act of defiance, but a clarion call for equity, led by a man whose every step exudes both diplomacy and determination.

    The meeting brimmed with gratitude for President Tinubu, whose Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Agro-Processing Zone are poised to awaken the economic lion sleeping within Cross River’s verdant belly. These projects, drenched in the promise of generational transformation, were hailed as jewels of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

    As thunderous praise continued, the governor remained the picture of humility, his words flowing like a gentle stream of sincerity. “I am here to fulfill the sacred mandate given to me by Cross Riverians—not to chase power for its own sake,” he declared, his voice steady and rich with purpose. It was a masterclass in restraint, focus, and visionary governance.

    His final pledge rang like a covenant: “By 2031, I shall leave Cross River State stronger, safer, and soaked in opportunity.” In that moment, the crowd didn’t merely hear a promise—they felt a prophecy.

    Let it echo across the emerald hills of Obudu, the misty waters of Bakassi, the red earth of Biase, and the bustling streets of Calabar: in Governor Bassey Edet Otu, Cross River has found a beacon. A man of the people. A steward of dreams. A governor whose very soul is embroidered with the hopes of his people—and who, by divine design, is destined to lead them into a brighter, bolder, and more beautiful tomorrow.

    Obogo is Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State. linusobogo@gmail.com