Columns
Tantita: The Guardian of Nigeria’s Maritime Realm
In the realm of the Niger Delta, where the mighty rivers flow and the Atlantic Ocean’s waves crash against the shore, a legendary entity has emerged to safeguard the nation’s maritime interests. Tantita, a name synonymous with protection and vigilance, has become the embodiment of maritime and economic security in Nigeria.
Tantita’s significance extends far beyond its role as a mere maritime security agency. It is a power of hope, a shining example of Nigeria’s determination to protect its waters and harness its economic potential. With its unbending commitment to security and stability, Tantita has become the guardian of Nigeria’s maritime realm, ensuring the safe passage of vessels and the uninterrupted flow of commerce.
Tantita’s impact on Nigeria’s economy cannot be overstated. By protecting the nation’s maritime assets and preventing piracy, oil theft, and other illicit activities, Tantita has helped to safeguard the country’s economic lifeline. The agency’s efforts have ensured the continued flow of oil and gas revenues, which are vital to Nigeria’s economic well-being.
Its significance extends beyond the realm of economics. It is a symbol of national pride, a testament to Nigeria’s ability to protect its sovereignty and defend its interests. The agency’s personnel: Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, Chairman, Mathew Tonlagha, Vice Chairman, Chief Kestin Pondi, the Managing Director and Tare Pondi, General Manager Operations and Technical, are the unsung heroes of Nigeria’s maritime domain, working tirelessly to ensure the security and stability of the nation’s waters.
The federal government should disregard the evil cry of satanic forces against Tantita and instead, continue to support the agency’s efforts to protect Nigeria’s maritime interests. Tantita’s work is crucial to the nation’s economic survival, and any attempts to undermine its efforts would be detrimental to the country’s well-being.
As we celebrate Tantita’s significance, we must also acknowledge the challenges that lie ahead. The agency requires continued support and resources to effectively discharge its mandate. We must rally behind Tantita, providing it with the necessary tools and equipment to carry out its duties. By doing so, we can ensure the continued security and stability of Nigeria’s maritime domain and pave the way for a brighter economic future.
I hold strongly, that Tantita is more than just a maritime security agency; it is a guardian of Nigeria’s economic interests, a symbol of national pride, and a legendary hope for the nation’s future. Its significance cannot be overstated, and its efforts will continue to shape Nigeria’s economic destiny.
Prof. BEN BINEBAI
In a grand gesture of benevolence, His Excellency, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, has bestowed upon the land a monumental decree, approving a staggering N275 billion worth of transformative projects. This majestic initiative promises to reshape the very fabric of Delta State, ushering in an era of unprecedented growth and prosperity.
The Governor’s visionary leadership has yielded a cascade of innovative endeavours, designed to elevate the lives of Delta State’s citizens. Some of the key projects include:
Two brand-new flyovers shall pierce the skies, one at Uromi Junction, a haven of progress in Ika, and the other at Otovwodo Junction, a beacon of hope in Ughelli. These structures shall not only ease trafficy congestion but also symbolize the Governor’s commitment to modernizing Delta State’s infrastructure.
A multitude of road projects shall crisscross Delta State, connecting key communities and fostering a spirit of unity and cooperation. These roads shall facilitate the movement of goods and services, stimulate economic growth, and improve the overall quality of life for Delta State’s citizens.
Critical hospital equipment shall be bestowed upon medical facilities, ensuring the well-being of Delta State’s subjects. This initiative shall enhance the state’s healthcare system, providing citizens with access to quality medical care and treatment.
Rural electrification projects shall bring light to the darkest corners of the realm, kindling a new era of productivity and growth. This initiative shall empower rural communities, stimulate economic activity, and improve the overall standard of living for Delta State’s citizens.
These bold initiatives, born from the wisdom of Governor Oborevwori’s leadership, shall transform Delta State, unlocking its true potential and securing a brighter future for generations to come. The people of Delta State shall rejoice, knowing that their Governor prioritizes their welfare and prosperity above all else.
As Delta State embarks on this journey of transformation, the Governor’s resolve remains unwavering. With a focus on transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance, His Excellency shall guide Delta State toward a future where progress knows no bounds. The Governor’s commitment to the people of Delta State is evident in his tireless efforts to improve their lives and create a more prosperous and equitable society.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s N275 billion development drive is a testament to his visionary leadership and commitment to the welfare and prosperity of Delta State’s citizens. These transformative projects shall reshape the state’s infrastructure, economy, and social fabric, ushering in a new era of growth, prosperity, and development. State’infrastructure,economy, and social fabric, ushering in a new era of growth, prosperity, and development.
Ben Binebai, Special Guest Columnist
For the attention of Bola Tinubu led Federal Government.
As the gods of old once decreed, the fate of nations hangs in the balance, awaiting the stroke of justice and equity. The creation of Toru-Ebe State is a divine imperative, a sacred mandate that echoes through the firmament, beckoning the attention of mortals and immortals alike. Like a mighty river bursting its banks, the collective voice of the Ijaw people thunders forth, demanding recognition and representation.
In this momentous hour, the very fabric of destiny trembles with anticipation. The stars align in propitious conjunction, signaling the dawn of a new era for the Niger Delta. The winds of change whisper secrets to the trees, as the earth itself begins to stir with the promise of renewal. The time for Toru-Ebe State is a time of reckoning, a moment when the threads of history are woven anew, and the fate of a people is forever sealed.
Toru-Ebe State creation stands as the authentic and lasting solution to the Ijaw people’s generational problems of balkanisation and political oppression. It is the key that unlocks the shackles of marginalisation, freeing the Ijaw nation from the chains of historical injustices. Toru-Ebe State will herald a new dawn of unity, purpose, and collective prosperity for the Ijaw people.
Let the clarion call of Toru-Ebe resound across the land, a celestial cry that shakes the foundations of power and awakens the slumbering giants of justice and equity. May the gods of the land smile upon this noble endeavour, guiding the hands of those who shape the destiny of nations. The creation of Toru-Ebe State is not merely a mortal desire; it is a divine necessity, a testament to the indomitable will of a people who refuse to be silenced.
Ben Binebai,
Special Guest Columnist
By William Z. Bozimo
There are seasons in politics. Some are sown in silence, others harvested in thunder. As 2031 draws nearer, the Ijaw people of Delta State are not merely watching the calendar, they are watching history, and what it has stubbornly denied them. From Burutu to Forcados, Bomadi to Gbaramatu, the land speaks in neglected bridges and abandoned schools. These are not merely just underdeveloped regions, they are also under-recognized legacies.
For a people who lit the flame of minority rights and carried the nationalist dream through tidal creeks, the reward has been astonishingly lean. Governor James Ibori, the architect of modern Delta’s political rhythm, rose from the central zone. His successor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, emerged not from the Ijaw-dominated South but from Itsekiri stock. The pendulum then swung North, and Senator Ifeanyi Okowa stepped forward with poise and plans.
Okowa built Anioma with a craftsman’s eye. Roads were laid, institutions rebranded, and identities elevated. Now, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, back from the central zone, follows suit. But what of the Ijaw South? The rotation is fair in mathematics but faulty in morality. For the Ijaw people, they do not demand charity. They are simply asking for symmetry. In a democracy where rotation substitutes for merit, equity must substitute for silence.
The oil that built Delta’s skyline was first drilled in their backyards. Their sons and daughters have bled in military uniforms, paddled ballots through floodplains, and kept the pipelines flowing; but when decisions are made in Asaba, they remain too often as footnotes. 2031 must not be another delay disguised as diplomacy. It must not be another “Almost” whispered in party caucuses. It must be the year the Ijaw dream of leadership crosses from agitation into realization.
Let no one say there are no Ijaw sons capable of governing. From academia to the civil service, from the creeks to the corridors of Abuja, they have led without limelight. All they ask now is the chance to lead from the centre, not the sidelines. This is no tribal plea. It is a moral alert. The rotation will lose its legitimacy if it keeps returning to the same addresses while skipping over the forgotten. A truly united Delta State must look every ethnic group in the eye and give them a reason to believe again. 2031 is not just an election year. For the Ijaw nation, it is a referendum on belonging.
William Z. Bozimo
Veteran Journalist | Columnist | National Memory Keeper.