News
OPEN LETTER TO THE CHAIRMAN, AGGE FEDERATED COMMUNITY, MR. FUNPUWEI AYERE ON THE NEED TO WORK WITH A BLUEPRINT FOR AGGE DEVELOPMENT
OPEN LETTER TO THE CHAIRMAN, AGGE FEDERATED COMMUNITY, MR. FUNPUWEI AYERE ON THE NEED TO WORK WITH A BLUEPRINT FOR AGGE DEVELOPMENT
Mr Chairman,
May it please you that I want to start this missive with a brief story.
In 2016, I was deployed to Kwara State by the National Youth Service Commission (NYSC) to serve my fatherland, but I declined it, because I wanted to serve in Bayelsa State. In 2017, my desire to serve in Bayelsa State came to pass. But there was a challenge. I was posted to Yenagoa, and Yenagoa was not my choice. I wanted to serve in the land that now host the bones and dust of my mother beneath the solid crust of the earth — AGGE.
I was posted to a Ministry in Yenagoa that was perfect for my academic background, an environment where my professional skills would have been further honed and sharpened. But I ignored that offer and insisted on going to the land of my mother’s birth to serve. I very much wanted to contribute to the progress of the students in the community in my own little way.
I met my uncle, the late Chief Enio Joseph Alla and explained the reasons I wanted to serve in Agge. He endorsed my reasons. Fortunately, the NYSC head office in Yenagoa was behind his own office — a minute or two away from his office. I drafted the letter of redeployment right in his office and went to the NYSC head office. The NYSC Coordinator of Bayelsa State, a woman, welcomed us, and upon my uncle’s explanation of the purpose of the visit, she took the letter, and without even going through the content approved my request and appended her signature.
First, I told that story to point out the fact that we are concerned about the progress and development of Agge. Second, to prove that we have experienced Agge enough, even after the one year national service, to know some of the problems and challenges the community is facing.
So it is in alignment with the spirit of communal patriotism that I am crafting this open letter to you to remind you of things you know far better than myself. I am just a concerned youth expressing his concerns about his motherland, with the hope that things could be better if we all show some practical concern about fixing the problems of our community.
Mr Chairman, to not make the mistake of taking much of your time with “so long a letter”, I want to quickly and humbly suggest that, there is an urgent need for the Community Executive, Chiefs and Stakeholders to organize a communal confab to constructively discuss and chart the way forward for the community. We need unity of vision and purpose for Agge to move forward. We should be concerned that Agge is not where it ought to be. We should not be complacent seeing that Agge is ranking low in many ways.
It is time we come up with a Blueprint for the Development of Agge. And in such a Blueprint, should be stated, among others, these noble aspirations and projects:
1). SANDFILLING AND EMBANKMENT OF AGGE SHORELINES :
This fight should be renewed. We should mount pressure on the government, NDDC and our political representatives to attend to this pressing need. If we do nothing about it now, one day, we will wake up to find our community under the bitter and briny waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
2). LOBBY/AGITATE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AGGE DEEP SEAPORT:
This is one project that will change the story of Agge community forever. If it comes to pass, Agge is blessed forever.We should not expect others to fight this fight. Agge community should get involved. The traditional leadership should get involved. We should lobby, write letters, address the press and do everything within the ambit of the law and civic responsibility to actualize this seaport.
3). CONSTRUCTION OF PIPE BORNE WATER PLANTS, OR ESTABLISHMENT OF NOTHING LESS THAN THREE BOREHOLES IN EVERY IDUINMU (QUARTERS):
Now, this is what can be done even without the government. What is Agge doing with her monthly income from Sterling Oil and the Ilaje and Ghanaian fisher men and women? What developmental projects is the leadership of the community pursuing and doing with her monthly income? We should be accountable.
4). ESTABLISHMENT OF A GENERAL HOSPITAL OR RENOVATION, EQUIPMENT AND STAFFING OF THE NON-PERFORMING HEALTH CENTER:
We have political office holders representing us at the local and state government levels; we should pay them communal visit and appeal to them to use their offices to influence the establishment of a general hospital or renovate, equip and staff the existing health facility in the community.
5). TRAINING AND EQUIPPING AGGE INDIGENES WITH VARIOUS VOCATIONAL SKILLS BIANNUALLY:
This is one noble project we can negotiate with Sterling Oil to execute. It realization will definitely be of a great help to the many youths who are going about without skill in their hands and without dignified job to their existence.
6). ESTABLISHMENT OF GOOD AND QUALITY NETWORK MAST IN AGGE:
The recent attempt made in this regard is appreciated, but from all indications, it is not functioning well. There are not much difficulties having network mast established in a community. Hence, we should endeavor to work more to realize this important project in our dear community.
7). AGITATION FOR POLITICAL OFFICES TO BE ZONED TO AGGE:
Politics matters. Agge people should get involved in active politics, engage in political negotiation and keep building political bridges across communities, wards and constituencies in order to fly high in the political firmament of Bayelsa State.
8). THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE SHOULD BE UP TO ITS FUNCTIONS:
The Education Committee of Agge should be charged to be up to its purpose and tasks. Agge community needs some kind of strict rules and regulations to protect the Educational Structure of the community otherwise, the schools some communal patriots fought hard to bring to Agge will go into extinction. And let me also add that, in conjunction with Sterling Oil we should establish scholarship for deserving students in the community.
These thoughts or suggestions are not new to you, what might be unfamiliar are the sure channels through which these things can be achieved. And that is part of the reasons why a convention of a communal confab is necessary.
It is said that human progress is not automatic; it comes from the deliberate, consistent and strategic actions and sacrifices of patriotic and dedicated individuals. This Truth must be lived out if Agge must experience transformation.
Upon our individual and collective shoulders rest the task of building the great and developed Agge we are dreaming of.
If not you, who? If not me, who? If not now, then when? Let’s get to work. Let’s champion the cause of our dear community.
May God send help to Agge, and may God grant you the grace to make a difference.
Thanks and God bless.
© Tobouke JEMINE
22/04/2024
News
GOV OBOREWORI BOOSTS TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS WITH 65 LAND CRUISERS TO STRENGTHEN GRASSROOTS PEACE
By: Divine Perezide
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, has handed over 65 brand new Toyota Land Cruisers to traditional rulers across the state in a move aimed at strengthening grassroots governance, peacebuilding, and rural security coordination.
Presenting the vehicles in Asaba, the state government said the gesture reflects the administration’s recognition of the strategic role traditional institutions play in maintaining social stability, mediating communal disputes, and fostering collaboration between communities and government agencies.
The governor described traditional rulers as indispensable partners in sustaining harmony in rural areas, noting that enhanced mobility would enable quicker engagement with communities, faster response to emerging tensions, and closer cooperation with security operatives.
“This intervention is part of our people-centered leadership approach. It is a deliberate effort to build lasting peace and sustain the achievements of our MORE Agenda,” Governor Oborevwori stated, emphasizing that development thrives only in an atmosphere of peace.
Government officials explained that the vehicles would improve accessibility across difficult terrains, enable traditional leaders to attend to community matters more efficiently, and reinforce the interface between grassroots institutions and the state.
Stakeholders have commended the initiative as timely, especially as many rural communities rely heavily on traditional institutions for conflict resolution, cultural administration, and early warning mechanisms in times of tension.
With the distribution of the Land Cruisers, the Oborevwori administration says it remains committed to deepening rural engagement, strengthening local leadership structures, and advancing its peace-building framework across Delta State.
IduwiniVoice
By: Derick Peretengboro
Port Harcourt, 12 January 2026 — A Reconciliation Committee appointed by the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has appealed to political actors in Rivers State to end the ongoing crisis that has deeply affected governance and public confidence in the oil-rich state.
Headed by Chief Godwin Kanu Agabi, SAN, CON, the Committee was inaugurated on 12th January 2026 to “explore ways of bringing the escalating political crisis in Rivers State to an end,” a crisis, the Committee noted, that “has persisted for too long.”
In a statement at the inauguration, Chief Agabi said the Committee was privileged to serve and expressed gratitude to God and PANDEF leadership, particularly Ambassador Godknows Igali, Chairman of PANDEF’s Board of Trustees, and His Royal Majesty, King Alfred Papapraye Diete Spiff, former Governor of Rivers State and Amayanabo of Twon Brass. The statement described Sir Diete Spiff as “a man whose commitment to the South-South and the nation as a whole has never been in doubt,” adding that “it is the sacrifices of men like him that bequeathed the States of the South-South to the people of that area.”
Highlighting the gravity of the state’s political stand-off, the Committee warned that continuing conflict could erode confidence in the political actors’ commitment to the “interest of the people of Rivers State and of the nation.”
Using a local proverb to caution against self-destructive disputes, the statement urged caution: “Let the parties involved not be as the Clam and the Oyster … The fisherman picked them up, took them home and made a nice fine meal of Clam and Oyster. May it not be with Rivers State as it was with the Clam and the Oyster.”
Chief Agabi expressed optimism that the crisis could be resolved without external intervention, arguing that “the parties to this dispute are one people who began as one” and urging humility: “If they have now offended one another, they must be humble enough to apologize and to forgive. It is in forgiving that true greatness can be found.”
The Committee called for goodwill and prayer, countering the often-held view that religion has no place in politics. The statement read: “The misconception that God has no place in our politics has harmed and continues to harm the nation … Whether we are governors or ministers or legislators … it is to God that we owe our appointments and promotions.”
On the key figures involved in the crisis, Chief Agabi spoke personally of both the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, His Excellency Nyesom Wike, and the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Governor Fubara, saying: “The Minister … is my friend. He is my benefactor.… The mighty hand of God is upon him. That great Hand demands that he should lead this reconciliation … I trust [Governor Fubara] to respect that bond.”
The Committee also extended respect to members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, praying for “a change of heart on their part” and urging them that “in forgiving the Governor whatever wrongs he has committed … they will demonstrate … restraint, … public spirit and … maturity.”
Concluding its charge, the Committee emphasized that it was not a judicial body, but an appeal for unity: “This Committee is not appointed to sit in judgment … Our duty is to appeal to the parties to be reconciled with one another… We appeal to the parties to embrace reconciliation… Sacrifices are called for. Make them and let there be peace.”
By: Divine Perezide
Warri, Delta State — Residents of the Warri Federal Constituency and surrounding environment are set to witness the public presentation of a new book titled “Warri Federal Constituency Delineation: Itsekiri & the Challenge of Sustaining the Burden of Lies”, authored by M. Keme.
The event, being organized by Niger Delta Scholars on behalf of stakeholders in the constituency, is scheduled to take place on Friday, January 23rd, 2026, at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Conference Centre, Warri, with proceedings commencing at 11:00am.
According to the organizers, the book interrogates historical and contemporary issues surrounding the delineation of Warri Federal Constituency, with particular focus on the Itsekiri ethnic group and the socio-political narratives that have shaped representation over the years.
The public presentation will be chaired by Professor Benjamin Okaba, President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), who is expected to lend scholarly insight into the relevance of the publication to ongoing debates in Niger Delta politics.
The book will be formally reviewed by noted academic Professor Benedict Binebai, providing an evaluative perspective on the text and its contributions to regional political discourse.
The organizers have issued an open invitation to scholars, political leaders, community stakeholders, and the general public to attend the presentation ceremony. Enquiries and confirmations can be directed to the official RSVP line: 08023865232.
The forthcoming launch is anticipated to spark renewed intellectual and civic engagement on constituency delineation, ethnic relations, and democratic representation in the Niger Delta.