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Aniagwu Highlights Oborevwori’s Achievements, Says Governor Will Respond to Critics with Projects; Riverine Deltans Reacts
* Says nothing to show in the Riverine Areas
* Call for supplementary budget provisions for capital projects in Riverine Areas
By Luck Ebide
The Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads and Public Information), Mr. Charles Aniagwu, has affirmed that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is focused on delivering developmental projects across the state rather than engaging in political battles. Aniagwu made this assertion during a press briefing held in Asaba, emphasizing that the governor would continue to address critics through tangible project deliveries ahead of the 2027 election.
Flanked by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Festus Ahon, and the Executive Assistant on Public Enlightenment (Projects and Policies), Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, Aniagwu stated that Governor Oborevwori remains committed to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He dismissed rumors suggesting the governor might defect from the party. “We have seen a whole lot of publications in different places, including those that are insinuating that he is leaving the PDP. Oborevwori is a very proud member of the People’s Democratic Party. Today, Oborevwori is a clear leader amongst leaders of the party in Nigeria, and he is not in any way hungry to abandon the People’s Democratic Party,” Aniagwu stressed.
The commissioner outlined several projects initiated and completed by the governor, noting that Oborevwori has continued with projects inherited from the previous administration while initiating new ones. He listed ongoing road projects such as the Okpanam-Ibusa bypass, the Beneku Bridge, and various sections of the Asaba-Ughelli dual carriageway. He also highlighted the completion of the six-story High Court Complex in Asaba.
Regarding new projects, Aniagwu pointed to significant developments in Warri and Effurun, where road expansions and three flyover bridges are being constructed by Julius Berger. He added that numerous roads across Delta North, South, and Central senatorial districts have been completed or are underway, including internal roads in Sapele and Okpe, and the dualization of Ezesi Road in Orerokpe.
“His business, at the moment, is governance, and he is not going to lose sight of it,” Aniagwu said, emphasizing that the governor is committed to delivering the dividends of democracy to all Deltans. “Because of side talks and because he believes that this is not the time to begin to play politics, what he is doing at the moment is to ensure that he keeps faith with all Deltans,” he said.
Aniagwu further highlighted achievements in the education and health sectors, noting the establishment of a campus of Southern Delta State University at Orerokpe and the introduction of a College of Health Sciences at the Ozoro campus. He also cited upgrades to general hospitals and over 150 primary healthcare centers, as well as the establishment of a College of Health Technology in Ovrode.
On housing, Aniagwu said the government has begun constructing 50 housing units as a pilot scheme across Ozoro, Kwale, and Owa-Oyibu, and is building additional duplexes to accommodate commissioners in government quarters.
Speaking on the state’s economic diversification efforts, Aniagwu noted that the administration has partnered with UTM LNG to harness the state’s vast natural gas reserves. He added that over N200 billion has been paid to reduce the state’s debt, while contractors have been mobilized with new jobs and outstanding job certificates paid promptly.
Meanwhile, reactions from the Riverine Ijaw communities indicate dissatisfaction with the governor’s performance in their area. Prince Dr. Peretengboro Klintin Bibaikefie, a former State House Assembly contender and prominent advocate for good governance, called on Governor Oborevwori to allocate a supplementary budget of at least N300 billion for critical projects to open up the Riverine Ijaw area. These projects include the Ayakoromor Bridge, the Odimodi-Ogulagha Road, the Torugbene-Ojobo Road, the Ayakoromor-Burutu Road and more, in the 2025 fiscal year.
Bibaikefie reminded the government of the Riverine Ijaws’ consistent loyalty to the PDP during the 2023 elections and beyond, noting that they played a significant role in preventing the APC from winning in Delta State. “There’s no issue with investing colossal amounts in capital projects within the areas of the state that have consistently voted against the PDP, but there’s something fundamentally wrong for the state government to consistently abandon the areas that have remained faithful in voting for the PDP in Delta State,” he said.
He argued that the Riverine Ijaws deserve equitable treatment, given their contributions to the state’s finances through oil resources. “More than that, no state should be this cruel to a people whose landed oil resources play a critical role in the state finances, from 13% derivation to the excess crude account funds accruals, thereby keeping Delta State as the highest FAC allocation earner for almost a decade,” he said.
“Assuming that we don’t produce anything or give any votes, it doesn’t still eliminate the fact that we are part of this state and should be treated equitably,” Bibaikefie added.
He called on critical stakeholders in the party and State to persuade governor Oborevwori before it is too late, adding that nobody can tell who which governor will suffer the Age-long abandonment of the Ijaw Riverine Areas. “A Stitch in time saves nine” he concluded.
By Warefa Pereke.
April 2, 2025.
The CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Iduwini Voice Newspaper, Dr. Bibaikefie Clintin Peretengboro, has extended a sincere and heartfelt appreciation to all donors, attendees, and well-wishers who contributed to the resounding success of the newspaper’s unveiling ceremony.
The highly anticipated event, which took place on March 29, 2025, at the prestigious MBB Event Center, Refinery Road Effurun, Delta State, Nigeria, marked a significant milestone in the history of Iduwini Voice Newspaper.
Dr. Peretengboro expressed deep gratitude to the numerous individuals and organizations that supported the newspaper’s launch. “We are overwhelmed with joy and appreciation for the outpouring of support we received from our donors, attendees, and well-wishers,” Dr. Peretengboro said. “Your contributions, whether financial, moral, or otherwise, have been invaluable to us, and we are deeply grateful.”
The CEO and Editor-in-Chief also extended special greetings to the following persons:
Chief Dr. Julius Takeme JP. (PhD), Chairman, Burutu LGA, Hon. Julius Pondi, Member Representing Burutu Federal Constituency, House of Representatives, Prof. Benjamin Ogele Okaba, President Ijaw National Congress, Chief Comrade Sheriff Mulade, DG. Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), Pastor Adonis Osarobo, the Zonal Pastor of the Redeemed Christian church, Comrade Newworld Endoro, Chairman, Odimodi Community, Hon. Dennis Yenbri Bibaikefie, Mr. Akin Benikrukru, PIA Chairman, Iduwini Host Community Development Board, Comrade Isaiah Tamaraunimi Ingo, SA to the NDDC Chairman, and the Ijaw Publishers Forum (IPF), for their tireless efforts in promoting the newspaper’s launch.
Dr. Peretengboro also thanked the organizers, volunteers, and staff who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the success of the event.
Iduwini Voice Newspaper is committed to providing accurate, timely, and engaging content to its readers, while promoting the values of fairness, justice, and equality. With the support of its donors, attendees, and well-wishers, the newspaper is set to make a meaningful impact in the region.
Again, we at Iduwini Voice extend our heartfelt appreciation to all those who have supported the newspaper’s launch. We look forward to continuing to serve our readers and the clan with integrity, professionalism, and dedication,” Dr. Bibaikefie concluded.
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Guest Article: The Battle for Nigeria’s Oil Security – Exposing the Forces Undermining National Revenue & the Tompolo Factor
By Tosan Blessing
Long before the conspiracy of evil men led EFCC to declare Tompolo wanted over a case the EFCC could not directly pursue, a case where the facts in issue revolves around the ownership of the land upon which the Nigerian Maritime University was built for which the federal Executive council paid a paltry 13 billion out of a projected 26billion being a buy over of Mieka Diving institute, propety of Tompolo, which property became part of the charter facility of the Nigerian Maritime University, Tompolo and some itsekiri elements were the ones the pipeline security contract was given. Soon after in the unwarranted and cynical rage of the then Hon Minister of Transportation, the contract was pulled off Tompolo and given to one of the APC ilks known for circumvention and volte face characteristics. Once this company this guy represents took over it became business as usual. Even the companys MD/CEO visited Tompolo and said he was going to offer him 900m as part of his commitment to rein in him into what they were doing in the oil river but known for being averse to greed, Tompolo refused, telling that company’s MD/CEO to go ahead with his job, that they are brothers. No one raised the issue of the scope of works given to that company then. Under the watch of that company over 80 percent of oil revenue went into private pockets. At this time the nations foreign reserves began to deplete. The sub national governments began to live by Paris loans refund. No Nigerian or CIvil societies organisations questioned the activities of that interlocutor survellance company. It took Mr Bashir Jamoh a then DG of NIMASA, even in the seeding congruence of losing his job to allege that the new company engaged in pipeline protection for NNPC and by extension ancillary revenue sourcing for NIMASA had not been able to meet its projected revenue ceiling. He insisted that a previous Messrs Global West run by Tompolo and others, evilly removed from the job by the conspiracy of evil power brokers in government then was doing better and collecting thrice as much to breaking its given fiscal ceiling. The NNPC board ruffled by the alarm coming from a government agency announced it was taking its part of the job of pipeline surveillance from that company. It was at this instance given the energy emergency, that Tantita came on a national rescue and in quick raids it conducted even against the open aversion for its operation by some elements of the military, the nation is beginning to see the results- illegal pipelines here and there have been toppled, arrest and decommissioning of bunkering vessels, sacking of kpofire artesanal activities, and other evil grandstanders running kiti kiti kata kata. Now that oil revenue has peaked the evil profiteers have re emerged and in the name of legal actions are asking for an order mandamus for Tantita to produce the scope of its assignment. I argue that Tantita has no business with any third party intruder on the job it got freehold from the NNPCL that was publicly quoted and bidded for. Any one asking for such spurious order should approach the NNPCL. I further argue that if God cannot manage his own people in Egypt but ensured all of them died in a difficult journey through the wilderness, the presidency needs to go after these evil men who ensured this countrys export output had remained at a perilous margin with concomitant effect on the country’s GDP and growth economics to clear their doubts of their evil demeanours everywhere and their accomplices. I think if the government can summon the will to do this it will checkmate this errant attitude of criminals who still want to ensure that the Nigerian State remain rentier.
The 57th Boro Day 2025 Central Zone Planning Committee has officially rolled out the schedule of events for this year’s celebration. The announcement was made by the chairman of the planning committee, Evangelist Parkins Ogede, following the committee’s maiden meeting held in Yenagoa, on Sunday 30th Match 2025.
According to the chairman, this year’s Boro Day Central Zone celebrations will serve as a platform to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Ijaw people. He emphasized that the events are in line with the Central Zone’s theme: “Our Heritage, Our Pride- Boro Lives on”
Scheduled Events
Day 1: Tuesday, 13th May 2025 – Boat Regatta & Wrestling
• BOAT REGATTA COMPETITION
• Participants: The 8 LGAs in the Central Zone & Abua-Odual
• Time: 10 AM
• Venue: Ox-Bow Lake, Yenagoa, BYS
• Prizes: Cash rewards for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners
• WRESTLING MATCH
• Featuring two top wrestlers from Ijaw Nation and their supporters
• Time: 5 PM
• Venue: Kaiama Town
Day 2: Wednesday, 14th May 2025 – CULTURAL DISPLAY INTER LGA COMPETITION
• Participants: The 8 LGAs in the Central Zone & Abua-Odual
• Time: 11 AM
• Venue: Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, BYS
• Prizes: Cash rewards for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners
Day 3: Thursday, 15th May 2025 – BORO MEMORIAL LECTURE, DINNER AND AWARD NIGHT.
• Venue: Golden Tulip Hotel, Onopa, Yenagoa
• Time: 2 PM
MEMORIAL FOOTBALL MATCH: IYC National Executivies/Central Zone Vs Clans in Central Zone
Time: 8am
Day 4: Friday, 16th May 2025 – BORO DAY PROCESSION PROPER
The Central Zone Planning Committee urges all participants and attendees to prepare for an exciting and memorable Boro Day 2025.