News
Niger Delta: Gov. Oborevwori Seek Collaboration For Development.
By Anthony Beauty
The Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has called for cooperation between the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and State Governments to ensure that the Niger Delta region benefits from high-quality projects under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Oborevwori expressed this during a courtesy visit from Hon. Abubakar Momoh, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, and his delegation at Government House, Asaba on Saturday.
Governor Oborevwori, while congratulating Minister Momoh on his appointment, stressed the importance of collaboration to enhance the living conditions of the region’s residents. He pointed out the pressing need to address infrastructure challenges, particularly in areas like road projects, security, and shore protection, as well as youth restiveness.
He also emphasized the significance of addressing erosion issues and improving the region’s road network, highlighting that the Niger Delta plays a pivotal role in the country’s economy due to its wealth production. Governor Oborevwori underscored the importance of ensuring that contractors and those awarding contracts prioritize quality over shortcuts.
He said: “A few days ago I received the Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi who was here to look at the state of the Federal roads in the State. He saw for himself the state of the Warri-Benin Road and also the East-West Road. “I am happy for your appointment because you are somebody from this region and I know that when you appoint somebody from the region he will do something that he will be remembered for.
“You are already aware of the pains and challenges we are passing through because you have said it all but its not just about knowing the challenges and not dealing with them.
“You may know what is happening and not dealing with the challenges. You have passed through the road to Port Harcourt, the whole area is bad.
“This region produces the highest wealth that we use in running this country so attention ought to be paid to the region.
“This is the opportunity you have to put the records straight, those that are going to be in charge whether contractors or those giving out the contracts should do the right thing because what is causing this problem is shortcut.
“As a Minister for the Niger Delta, do your best to ensure that the region gets the best in terms of road projects, security, shore protection among others. Don’t also forget the issue of youth restiveness.
“Most of our riverine areas are being taken over by erosion and we need to also look at our roads and how we can fix them. That’s the reason the NDDC and Ministry of Niger Delta were created to focus on the Niger Delta”.
Governor Oborevwori reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to delivering high-quality projects and mentioned the approval of over N5.5 billion for civil servants’ promotion arrears. He also mentioned plans to collaborate with Julius Berger on several projects and allocate significant funds for the construction of federal roads.
“When I came in, I said I need quality jobs and we have inaugurated some projects and we are consolidating on the old projects and finishing them while also embarking on new ones.
“We are bringing Julius Berger to execute projects in Warri and Effurun. Exco has approved N78bn and between now and next month we will sign the agreement because we are mobilising them with 25 per cent.
“Most of those roads are Federal Roads. Is it the PTI junction, DSC and Effurun roundabouts or the Enerhen junction to Marine quarters?
“These are all Federal roads and if a Governor can approve N78bn to construct Federal roads then we need to collaborate to work for the people. Politics has come and gone and it is now time for us to see how we can develop the region,” he said
In response, Minister Momoh explained that their delegation’s visit aimed to assess the current situation and challenges in the Niger Delta region. He stressed the need for collaboration between the Ministry, state governments, and other stakeholders to promote development and peace in the region. He mentioned that the Ministry and NDDC were ready to work with state governments to identify and prioritize major projects that would benefit the Niger Delta region.
He said: “As Governors of the states you are the authority and custodians of the states and as far as the Ministry is concerned, we need to collaborate with the Governors of the states in order to bring about development and peace to the Niger Delta region.
“We are here to carry out the assignment of President Bola Tinubu of the renewed hope agenda with eight presidential priorities of Mr President which if fully pursued vigorously Nigeria will be better for it.
“We have directed the NDDC on how to partner with state governments in order to target major projects executed across the Niger Delta and if the Ministry can come together with the state governments to identify some of these areas, I believe that we will do better than we were doing before”
By: Divine Perezide
The Imo State Government has introduced a new education policy prohibiting graduation ceremonies for Kindergarten, Nursery, and JSS3 students, alongside a ban on the yearly replacement of textbooks.
According to a memo dated August 15, 2025, and signed by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Bernard Ikegwuoha, only Primary 6 and Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3) learners will now be allowed to hold graduation events-reflecting the structure of Nigeria’s 6-3-3-4 education model.
“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is committed to providing quality and functional education to all students. Henceforth, graduation ceremonies and parties for Kindergarten, Nursery, and JSS3 students are hereby abolished,” the memo stated.
In a further move to ease the financial burden on parents and streamline academic consistency, the policy also mandates that approved textbooks must now be used for at least four years. This change is expected to allow siblings to reuse educational materials and prevent yearly replacement costs.
Violations-including frequent textbook changes or deviation from the approved list-are strongly discourage, The Guardian Nigeria reported in a related news.
Prof. Ikegwuoha emphasized in the directive that these reforms aim to reduce exploitative practices, foster learning continuity, and ensure focus remains on academic achievement rather than celebratory
By: Divine Perezide
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has arrived back in Nigeria following his participation at the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva, Switzerland, and a short vacation in London. He touched down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in the early hours of today, around 4 a.m.
In a statement upon arrival, Akpabio explained: “At about 4 a.m. this morning, I landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport from London. While abroad, I attended the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva from July 29 to 31, before proceeding to London for a brief vacation.”
Reaffirming his commitment to the Nigerian people, the Senate President assured that the legislature would resume with renewed energy. “Nigerians can expect vibrant legislative activities when we reconvene. Our delegation made a strong impression at the global parliamentary forum in Geneva. Together with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, we ensured Nigeria’s voice was well represented,” he said.
Akpabio further pledged that the National Assembly would continue to pursue meaningful collaboration with the executive and judiciary to advance the collective interest of citizens.
News
Great Loss As Family Announces The Painful Passing Iduwini-borne Billionaire Prince, Presley Gere Iyalahga
By: Miracle Palakia
Odimodi, Delta State – The Iyalahga and Diepregha families, Odimodi, Aghoro, and the entire Iduwini Kingdom in Delta and Bayelsa States, breaks silence on the painful loss of their son, Prince Presley Isele Gere Iyalahga, Billionaire businessman and Chief Executive Officer of Preslyn Group of Companies, who passed away on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at the age of 48.
Prince Presley was an illustrious son of two distinguished families: His Royal Majesty Gere J. Iyalagha, (Igbedikuru-II), the late Ibenanawei of Iduwini Kingdom, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, and the late Regent of Iduwini Kingdom (Delta & Bayelsa States), High Chief Diepregha Akpotelemor of Gberigberi-Idumu Quarters, Aghoro-I Community, Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The former President of the Iduwini National Youth Council for Peace and Development was a respected businessman and community leader, who’s untimely demise has thrown his family, friends, associates, community, and Kingdom into deep shock and sorrow. He’s survived by his beloved wife, Princess Preye Presley Iyalagha, and six children.
The families made known the development to newsmen on Saturday, August 16th, in a statement jointly signed by Mr. Oroupade Oweibe and George Diepregha for the families and his son, Prince Peremobowei Presley Iyalagha, for the children.
According to the statement, funeral rites will take place on Friday, August 29th, 2025. At 10 a.m., the body will depart Warri via Millar Jetty to his compound in Odimodi for a brief Funeral Service, lying in state, interment.
IduwiniVoice can report that Prince Presley Iyalagha’s passing marks not only the loss of a vibrant Royal entrepreneur but that of a leader in Iduwini Kingdom and Ijaw nation. His memory remains deeply cherished by the lives he touched and all who knew him.