Aladja/Ogbe-Ijoh dispute: Governor Oborevwori’s intervention highly commendable- Chief Ugedi

By: Celestine Ukah

Editor

A Niger Delta community leader and former Special Assistant to the Delta State Government, Chief David Seikiri Ugedi, has commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his determined intervention in bringing peace to Aladja in Udu LGA and Ogbe-Ijoh in Warri South-West LGA over their age-old dispute.

Chief Ugedi, a pioneer student of Aladja Grammar School in Udu LGA, said that before the recent crisis that has rocked Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh, both communities had lived in peace for ages, describing the dispute as a political divide, as they have coexisted side by side for centuries. He noted that they also participated in each other’s festivals as brothers and sisters, even as neighbors, until the misunderstanding that affected their relationship.

He described Governor Oborevwori’s move as a serious determination, full of the wisdom of God, to attract peace to the two important communities in Delta State and Nigeria at large, appealing to the two communities to accept and embrace peace to live as one again, as they used to coexist in time immemorial.

Chief Ugedi, a chieftain of the PDP from Opuama in Egbema Kingdom in Warri North LGA, lauded Rt. Hon. Oborevwori for ordering the construction of a road from Aladja to Ogbe-Ijoh in order to hasten the free flow of movement and goods and services into both areas.

**As he congratulate Mrs. Oborevwori, Olori Atuwatse, and other women

By: Celestine Ukah 

The Special Adviser to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State on Community Development, Amb. Dr. Toyin Agbolayah JP, says women are pillars of community development, driving positive change across the state.

Dr. Agbolayah stated this Saturday, March 8, in commemoration of this year’s International Women’s Day, where he urged women to emulate those inspiring and do the same to continue adding value to society.

He congratulated the wife of the Delta State Governor, Her Excellency, Deaconess Mrs. Tobore Oborevwori, for her support to women through her pet project extending care to less privileged people and other human capital empowerment support to the people.

Dr. Agbolayah appreciated the wife of the Olu of Warri Kingdom, Olori Atuwatse III, for her sustained empowerment and innovations in women’s support across Warri Kingdom, uniquely making a difference in the area, both within and outside the region, to strengthen the women’s gender agenda.

He emphasized that the contributions of women like her Her Excellency, Mrs. Oborevwori, Olori Atuwatse III who have taken significant strides in leadership and community service, serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for younger generations.

The Governor’s aide noted “These remarkable women are not just role models; they are catalysts for change, challenging societal norms and breaking barriers to create better opportunities for all,”

Dr. Agbolayah called for continued collaboration among women in various sectors, urging them to forge alliances that would bolster their collective efforts in advocating for women’s rights and development, reaffirming the state government’s commitment to supporting women in all aspects of their lives, through education, entrepreneurship, health initiatives pointing out that Investing in women is investing in the future.

International Women Day 2025: Female CEOs, CSO Leaders Highlight Barriers to Women’s Growth

Top Female CEOs and CSO leaders have highlighted challenges impeding women’s growth on International Women Day, IWD 2025, calls for accelerated action on gender equality.

International Women’s Day 2025, celebrated globally on March 8, adopted the campaign theme ‘Accelerate Action’, highlighting the pressing need to expedite progress towards gender equality.

The theme serves as a rallying cry, urging individuals, organisations, and governments to intensify their efforts in promoting women’s empowerment and bridging the gender gap.

The urgency of this issue is underscored by the World Economic Forum’s projection that, at the current rate of progress, achieving full gender parity may take until 2158.

This staggering statistic translates to approximately five generations from now, emphasising the need for swift and collective action to address the systemic inequalities and barriers that hinder women’s advancement.

Speaking on some of these challenges and how they could be mitigated, the Head of Brands and Marketing Communications, Wema Bank, Mabel Adeteye, said, “So this year’s women’s day celebration is different.

from it and have these awareness.

“We don’t have to wait for too long before you speak up. Speak up and get help.

“Also, financial empowerment is an important aspect when you look at gender based violence. It’s important for women to have access to knowledge, finance and information that they need to upscale their lives.”

Also speaking, Lawyer and Founder of my Ability in Disability Foundation, Emonena Akwara, noted that “More women are now aware of some of our plights. I myself am promoting awareness amongst women.

“As a stroke survivor, I have imputed the strength of a woman in stroke survivors that are women. I keep telling them it’s not the end of their lives.

“I have cases of stroke survivors being abused. I have not experienced resistance in leadership as a woman because when I lead, I try to be your friend first.

“Thus, resistance doesn’t come to play. In fact, I have a lot of men in my community and volunteer list and they are nice.”

In the same vein, Commercial Manager, Travelstart, Bukky Akomolafe, noted that women fall back in work place is due to life choices they have to make which means they have to sacrifice some aspects of their career.

“The decision to marry and bear kids comes with sacrifices, that warrants many women to make several life choices.”

Founder, Splice, and Former VP/Group Head, Product Strategy, Piggyvest, Layo Ogunbanwo, noted that, “there are already biases that comes with you being a woman especially if you are assertive and self aware.

“The burden for inclusivity is on everyone and companies should make concentrated efforts to ensure they are promoting women just as they do men.”

Assistant VP, Branding and Story Telling, Flutterwave, Yewande Akomolafe-Kalu, also noted that, “women have been excluded from financial services so companies can focus on.

“Women are facing realness in the domestic space that limits their available time so there is need for specifically tailored solutions for women.”

She added barriers for entry that come in requirements to have access to finance.

“When more women have access to finance the economy grows and it benefits everyone.

“General business education is needed for women. This can help them differentiate their business fund from private funds, and could help their accounts in cases where they seek business funds.”

Dr. Bebenimibo emphasizes critical role of ICT in today’s world

**As Tompolo Foundation Partners with TANTITA Security to Equip Youths with ICT knowledge

The Executive Secretary of the Tompolo Foundation, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo has emphasized the critical role of ICT in today’s world. adding that “The idea behind this program is to empower young people and bridge the gap in digital literacy. After graduation, one needs ICT skills to remain relevant in the workforce. By equipping participants with modern tools, we are ensuring they can compete effectively in the digital space,” he noted.

Dr. Bebenimibo stressed that In a bid to bridge the digital literacy gap and equip young people with essential technological skills, the Tompolo Foundation and TANTITA Security Services Nigeria Limited, in conjunction with PEB ICT Services, officially launched a six-month ICT empowerment program with an orientation ceremony Friday, March 7, 2025, at the MBB Event Center, Refinery Road, Effurun, Delta State with over 100 beneficiaries from diverse ethnic backgrounds.

Also present was Moses Major, Administrative Manager of PEB ICT Services, who outlined the structure of the training, saying it will last for the next six months, that participants will undergo courses in computer Basics, Graphic Design, Cybersecurity, Web Development, and data analysis.

He emphasized that each trainee will specialize in two select-courses, with profiling set to begin on Monday, March 10, at the PEB ICT office at Jakpa Road. In addition to hands-on training, participants will receive monthly stipends, and outstanding trainees will be awarded laptops upon completion of the program.

The beneficiaries are drawn from the Ijaw, Urhobo, Itsekiri, Isoko, and Ndokwa ethnic groups, expressed excitement about the initiative. In a Q&A session, Moses Major highlighted key challenges encountered while setting up the training center, particularly power supply. “One of our major concerns was electricity, so we installed a solar power system to ensure uninterrupted learning. We also had to acquire additional laptops to accommodate the larger number of trainees,” he explained.

For many participants, this program represents a life-changing opportunity. Mr. Charles, one of the beneficiaries, expressed gratitude, saying, “This is what we have been looking for—a chance to learn. In the university, we didn’t have the time or resources to study ICT. Now, with this opportunity, we can apply computer knowledge to grow our businesses and contribute to the Niger Delta’s development.”

The orientation seminar concluded with group photographs, marking the beginning of what promises to be a transformative journey for the participants.

24 Hours Power Supply: Geometric Power Flags Off Construction of 42-KM Dedicated Line To Industries

**”To Be Ready in three months time

Geometric Power, Nigeria’s foremost integrated power group, this morning flagged off the construction of a special line to industries along the Port Harcourt Expressway in its ring-fenced area (REA) comprising Nine of the 17 local Government Areas (LGAs) in Abia State.

Costing N1.8 billion naira (N1.8bn), the project is scheduled to be completed within three months, according to the chairman of the company, Professor Bart Nnaji, a former Minister of Power who flagged off the construction in the Umuarakpa community, Osisioma LGA of Abia State.

“The completion of the dedicated Double-circuit 33KV commercial line to industrial clusters in this zone will mean not just 24-hour power supply to the industries here but also high-quality power availability that can carry big machines and equipment”, Professor Nnaji declared.

“This line will radiate electricity directly from the 188-megawatt Geometric Power Plant in the Osisioma Industrial Layout in the heart of Aba City to the industrial clusters in Ukwa which shares boundary with the Rivers State”.

The big organizations in the area include Oilserv, Nigeria’s biggest indigenous oil and gas pipeline construction and servicing firm which is handling the $2.8 billion Ajaokuta-Kano-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipeline that will enter the Niger Republic and end up in Algeria or Morocco where it will supply natural gas to Europe.

Others include the Nigerian-British University and the Blue World Pharmaceutical, Foods and Cosmetics Company, which plans to start manufacturing drugs in accordance with World Health Organization (WHO) specifications, thus enabling Nigeria to start exporting pharmaceutical products on an industrial scale like India.

Though there has been electricity supply to the Ukwa arae for years, stated the Blue World Pharmaceutical, Foods and Cosmetic Company chairman, Lawrence Umeh-Udeh, “it has been shared with the host community, making supplies irregular and not of international standards, a problem that will now be resolved in the next 90 days as the new line is specifically for industries which are growing rapidly in the Aba Ring-fence Area as a result of growing constant power supply since last December 17”.

Supporting the statement by Power Minister Adelabayo Adelabu that 60% of Nigerian manufacturers rely on electricity self-generation owing to poor supplies from electricity distribution companies (DisCos), Aba Power Managing Director Ugo Opiegbe disclosed at the flagoff ceremony that big multinational corporations like PZ are “returning to our own DisCo, which is Nigeria’s newest DisCo and the country’s 12th because of constant, reliable and affordable supplies since the resolution of the gas supply challenge last December”.

He also revealed that Neimeth Pharmaceuticals based in Ikeja, Lagos, is building a manufacturing plant in Aba due to improved electricity, “to say nothing about the forthcoming Enyimba Economic City that will change the landscape of the Southeast and South-South because of power availability”.

Opiegbe, a lawyer, disclosed that Geometric Power, Aba Power’s parent firm, is “constructing three dedicated commercial lines for industries in the Owerrinta, Ogbor Hill and Factory Road industrial clusters, complete with substations.

“They will be commissioned in less than 90 days, enhancing our power output by as much as 60MW, which is more than half of what the Aba Ring-fenced Area currently consumes”.

He expressed optimism that big multinationals like the Nigerian Breweries plc, with a manufacturing facility in the Factory Road Industrial Layout, “will benefit from the ongoing electric power revolution in Abia State”.

The 42-kilometre New Ukwa Line costing N1.8bn is financed by the Divine Point Group under a vendor-financed option which Tony Alozie, Geometric Power’s Chief Finance Officer, a former executive with Halliburton of the United States, described as a “mark of stupendous stakeholder confidence in the Geometric Power Group

PAP: Niger Delta group berates attacks on Otuaro, says Administrator is God sent

**Assures President Tinubu of Niger Delta peoples support for  Otuaro, Pride of Peace of Gbaramatu Kingdom

A sociocultural organisation in the Niger Delta region, the Pride of Peace of Gbaramatu Kingdom, has berated those involved in attempts to discredit the laudable initiatives of the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme PAP, High Chief Dr Dennis Otuaro, warning that such detractors should further beware of their evil schemes or face the consequences of their actions.

The group made their position known in a statement released by its spokesman, Chief Lagos Bubor, and signed by its chairman, Chief Godwin Olufemi, on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.

According to the group, Otuaro is a God-sent to the region, with the mission to transform the Niger Delta and its people through the amnesty programme, as the PAP Administrator is from the grassroot and understands the plights of the people.

The Pride of Peace of Gbaramatu in their strong-worded statement said those against Otuaro’s leadership are against the development of the region. The group advised such greedy and corrupt elements to beware and turn over a new leaf or else face the wrath of “the ancestors and the gods of the land”.

Part of the statement reads, “Otuaro is a God-sent to elevate the agitators and the struggle. We have struggled for decades of years and those that occupied that position of Administrator don’t know the pain of the Niger Delta people.

“Otuaro is a grassroot man that knows everyone’s pains and that is the reason why he’s criss carpeting everywhere to make sure there is peace and there is development in the Niger Delta.

“Those that are fighting Otuaro are the enemies of the Niger Delta, the enemies of development. They don’t need development in the Niger Delta. That is the reason they are fighting. Those that are calling on Mr. President to sack Otuaro are the great enemies in the Niger Delta,” the group stated.

The Pride of Peace of Gbaramatu, while throwing its weight behind Otuaro, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ignore such calls for the sack and that the people should rally behind the Administrator.

“To Mr. President and the good people in the Niger Delta, Otuaro is God sent that has come to develop the Niger Delta through the Amnesty Programme. Any call for its sack should be disregarded.

“We assure Mr. President that the Niger Delta people and the Pride of Peace of Gbaramatu Kingdom are solidly behind what Otuaro is doing,” they attested.

Rivers Political impasse: Prof. Okaba sues for peace in order to move state forward

By: Celestine Ukah 

The Chairman of the Ijaw National Congress, INC world wide, Prof. Benjamin Okaba has sued for peaceful resolution of the present political crisis in Rivers State involving the lawmakers and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Prof. Okaba while intervening in the matter called on the political gladiators in Rivers State especially the former governor and FCT Minister Barr. Nyesom Wike, the Pro Wike lawmakers as well as Governor Siminalayi Fubara to reach an understanding to resolve the issue and move the state forward instead of the present political confusion in the state.

The apex and revered Ijaw National Congress body Chairman who’s also a Niger Delta leader, said all effort should be on deck toward resolving the political difference in Rivers State in order for smooth governance and political tolerance be well embraced across party lines and above individual interests.

Prof. Okaba calls for calm even as he assured that relevant stakeholders are working round the clock to bring peace in the state, he cautioned those causing political tensions in Rivers State to shun their negative route and allow peace reign in the State.