News
Delta @ 34: “Prioritize Riverine Development, Avoid Extravagant Festivities – Mulade to Gov. Oborevwori
* Uges Oborevwori to emulate former Gov James Onanefe Ibori.
By: Favour Bibaikefie
As Delta state prepares to celebrate its 34th anniversary, renowned peace builder and environmental rights activist, Chief, Comrade, (Dr.) Sheriff Mulade (PhD.), has urged the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to place greater emphasis on addressing the infrastructural gaps in the state’s riverine communities. He lamented that despite the enormous revenues generated from the petroleum industry and the blue economy, these areas remain “deprived and neglected.”
Mulade made the call while offering his congratulations to Governor Oborevwori and Deltans ahead of the remarkable occasion of the State’s 34th anniversary on August 27, 2025.
In the congratulatory message, Mulade felicitates with governor Oborevwori on the giant strides his administration is making in the State and also applauded Deltans for the relative peace, unity as well as the progress that has been achieved since its creation in 1991.
He said, “Permit me to specially felicitate with Your Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, the Executive Governor of Delta State on this momentous occasion of Delta State at 34, and the giant strides of your governance of our dear Delta State.
“It is exactly 34 years today that Delta State was created, and I celebrate not just our 34th Anniversary and togetherness as a people, but the relative peace, unity and progress we have witnessed and enjoyed in the past 34 years. We celebrate our founding fathers and the grace of God that has kept us together as one indivisible state, in spite of our cultural, linguistic, and environmental diversity,” he noted.
However, the Ibe-Serimowei of ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom lamented the deliberate neglect and marginalisation of the riverine population through infrastructural deficit, and appealed to governor Oborevwori to follow in the steps of its former predecessor, governor James Onanefe Ibori, to change the narrative by embarking on major roads and bridges so as to write his name in gold.
“It is quite unfortunate that the riverine communities mainly dominated by the Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic nationalities are totally deprived and neglected in spite of their huge resource contribution through oil and gas as well as blue economy which is the main stay of the State’s economy,” Mulade lamented.
Continuing, he added, “I therefore urge Gov Sheriff Oborevwori to emulate His Excellency, Chief James Onanafe Ibori, who is the only governor that gave sense of belonging to the Ijaws and Itsekiri’s by constructing the Bomadi and Omadino bridges that linked the hinterland to the upland at the peak of the Niger Delta crisis with dwindling economy.
“Governor Sheriff Oborevwori should commence the construction of Ayakoromo bridge and Omadino road connecting Okerenkoko, Pepe-ama, Ekpemu, Akpata, Ogidadinor, Edeuba and Kokodiagbene communities in Burutu and Warri South-West LGA’s respectively in Delta State to write and print his name in the heart of Deltans, particularly the Ijaws and Itsekiris.
“Speaking further, just as the governor did in education in the upland, he should convert the former Delta State School of Marine Technology in Burutu which was politically upgraded to a moribound polytechnic in 2023, to a university or campus of the Delta State University, Abraka, Southern Delta University, Ozoro, or the Delta State University of Education, Agbor with a special focus on maritime to harness the blue economy, because state polytechnics are no longer a standard basis of education in the country,” he asserted.
Mulade also advise the governor not to be tempted to lavish the State’s resources on unnecessary jamboree in the name of the 34th anniversary of the State’s creation, but to instead, channel such funds into flagging-off meaningful projects towards industrialisation of the State that will create employment opportunities for our teeming youths.
“I wish to strongly advise Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, to change the narrative of celebrating the state creation with taxpayers’ money in political funfair, which is a waste of resources, but His Excellency should rather use Delta State at 34 to flag-off construction of economically viable projects such as the Ayakoromo bridge and the Omadino-Okerenkoko-Kokodiagbene road, among others alongside the recent approved flyovers at Agbor and Ughelli.
“In this respect, i wish to place on a particular note, that the effort of your Excellency on the towering human capital and infrastructural revolution in some parts of the State, is evidential. However, the riverine communities need to experience significant and economically valuable infrastructural projects that will be commemorate with her revenue contributions.
In his commendation to Deltans, he said, “Let me cease this medium to salute Deltans, past and present leaders for their commitment to statehood, the development strides, and the strengthening of our democracy. And to Deltans, we appreciate your spirit of resilience and commitment to building a state of our dream and sustaining the vision of our founding fathers,” he added.
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.