By: Divine Perezide

Effurun, Delta State — The Chairman of Maton Engineering Nigeria Limited, Mr. Matthew Tonlagha, will celebrate his 50th birthday with a worship-centred thanksgiving event, tagged Birthday Praise Day, on Monday, February 2, 2026.

According to details released by GbaramatuVoice, the golden jubilee celebration will take place at the Mieka Event Centre, located within Mosheshe Estate in Effurun. The programme is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m.

Organisers described the event as a spiritually focused gathering that blends worship, gratitude, and reflection rather than a conventional birthday party. The celebration is aimed at acknowledging what Mr. Tonlagha has reportedly termed “Grace upon Grace” over the course of his life.

The occasion will feature notable gospel ministers from across Nigeria, who are expected to lead attendees in praise and thanksgiving. The organisers stated that the session will highlight five decades of divine guidance, favour, and accomplishments in Mr. Tonlagha’s family life, business endeavours, and personal journey.

Relatives, friends, business associates, well-wishers, and members of the Christian community, have been invited to participate. The hosts said the event will be marked by joyful worship, heartfelt testimonies, and expressions of gratitude, reflecting what they consider God’s faithfulness through the years.

The statement urged attendees to come in a spirit of expectancy, ready to join in collective praise as the celebrant reaches the milestone age of 50.

By: Divine Perezide

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has deployed an additional 34 post-graduate scholarship beneficiaries to various universities in the United Kingdom for the 2025–2026 academic year, as part of its drive to build a knowledge-based workforce for the Niger Delta.

The scholars will pursue post-graduate studies in specialised and industry-relevant fields such as data science, fintech analytics, cyber security, international energy law and policy, construction project management, public health, agri-food technology, electrical and petroleum engineering, among others. PAP officials confirmed that more foreign post-graduate scholars will also be sent to UK universities in the current academic session.

In December 2025, nine students—the first set of offshore post-graduate scholars approved by the PAP Administrator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, for the 2024–2025 academic year—successfully graduated from various UK institutions.

Since assuming office in March 2024, Otuaro has facilitated the deployment of over 9,000 students to universities within and outside Nigeria to study “different industry-relevant programmes,” reflecting a scale of intervention not previously seen in the programme’s history.

Speaking during a pre-departure orientation for the beneficiaries at the PAP headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, Otuaro said the large-scale deployment was designed to make the Niger Delta a “knowledge-driven region.” He added that his administration “reinvigorated the programme to give it a new momentum in service delivery… based on the mandate of President Bola Tinubu.”

“We are sending all of you for post-graduate studies in various universities in the United Kingdom,” he stated, noting that the initiative aligns with ongoing reforms currently reshaping the PAP. According to him, “The objective behind the huge scholarships deployment is to ensure that we develop the needed human capital to transform the Niger Delta and generate knowledge-wealth.”

He further stressed that the intention is to “develop relevant manpower in critical disciplines for our region and by extension, the country,” adding that the students are “expected to contribute your quota to national development after successful graduation.”

Represented by his Technical Assistant, Mr. Edgar Biu, the PAP Administrator urged the scholars to work hard and excel academically, noting that they must justify the Federal Government’s investment in their education. He warned that beneficiaries should not take such opportunities for granted “in the interest of the Niger Delta and indeed the country.”

Otuaro expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his “enormous interest and support for the Programme,” particularly the approval of an upward review of the PAP budget from N65 billion to N150 billion. He also thanked the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his “impeccable guidance and supervision of the programme’s initiatives.”

The PAP boss cautioned the scholars to obey the laws of their host country as well as the academic regulations of their respective institutions, stressing that they are representatives of Nigeria, the Niger Delta, their communities and families.

A highlight of the orientation was the presentation of laptops to the departing scholars to support their academic research and coursework.

The statement was signed by Mr. Igoniko Oduma, Special Assistant on Media to the Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme, dated 8 January 2026.

– Hails His Excellency’s Commitment to Riverine Development

By: Favour Bibaikefie

ODIMODI, Burutu LGA, Delta State – It was a moment of joy, gratitude, and celebration as the people of Odimodi, Ogulagha, and other surrounding communities in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State rolled out the drums to welcome His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Elder, Sheriff Oborevwori, for the official commissioning of the newly reconstructed 12.5 kilometres Odimodi-Ogulagha Road.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of Odimodi Community, Comrade Newworld Endoro, expressed deep appreciation to the governor for his visionary leadership and commitment to the development of riverine communities in the state. He described the event as a historic moment, noting that it was a rare privilege to host the governor in Odimodi.
“Your Excellency, I know that a formergovernor, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, has visited Odimodi Community before, but you are the second governor to visit Odimodi Community in my lifetime,” Endoro stated, expressing the community’s gratitude for the governor’s presence.
The Chairman applauded the governor for completing the 12.5km road, which he said had long been a death trap, claiming lives and properties due to its deplorable condition. “With your prompt intervention and timely delivery of this project, the hope of the people has been restored. The road has enhanced security, reduce travel time, and improve the overall wellbeing of our people,” he added.

Endoro also acknowledged the governor’s MORE Agenda, describing it as a true reflection of inclusive governance that cuts across all parts of the state. “You have once again demonstrated that you are a governor for all Deltans,” he said.
While appreciating the contractor, GEECOMS, for its professionalism and adherence to project specifications, the community leader extended special thanks to Rt. Hon. Julius Pondi, the member representing Burutu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, for initiative and supporting the road project to completion.
In a passionate appeal, Comrade Endoro informed the governor of the community’s ongoing self-help initiative – a 3km internal link road project – and sought the state government’s assistance for its completion. He also called for support in completing the Primary Health Care Centre being constructed by DESOPADEC, stressing that it would help reduce infant and maternal mortality in Odimodi and other surrounding communities.
Endoro further expressed gratitude to the indigenes of Odimodi, Ogulagha, and other surrounding communities, for their patience and cooperation during the construction phase, noting that their unity of purpose made the project a success.
Concluding his address, the Chairman of Odimodi Community congratulated His Royal Majesty, Elder Capt., (Dr.) Joseph I. Timiyan JP, (PhD.) Agbonu, the Ebenanawei of Ogulagha Kingdom, on his 20th Coronation Anniversary on the throne and wished him more prosperous years of Royal leadership.
The event was brief but we attended by top government functionaries like Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, the Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Godknows Angele, Delta State Commissioner for Housing, Chief Boro Opudu, Chairman, Delta Waterways and Land Security Committee, others were His Royal Majesty, King Bosu Dio JP., Ayamabulou-I, the Ibenanawei of Iduwini Kingdom, Delta State and the Iduwini Traditional Council of Chiefs, amongst others.